Ultimate Santorini Oia Travel Guide: 10 Best Things to Do in Oia

If you’ve ever come across photos of the romantic island of Santorini, chances are it was captured in Oia – the stunning village perched on the northern tip of the island. Oia is a postcard-perfect village renowned for its whitewashed buildings, iconic blue-domed churches, and breathtaking sunsets over the Aegean Sea.

Whether you’re dreaming of wandering its charming cobblestone streets, indulging in fresh Mediterranean cuisine, or soaking in the unparalleled views from its cliffside terraces, Oia offers a little slice of paradise for every traveler.

In this comprehensive travel guide, I’ll take you through the best things to do in Oia, top dining spots, luxurious accommodations, and insider tips to help you make the most of your visit to this enchanting Greek destination.

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WHERE IS SANTORINI?

🩵 Santorini is part of the Cyclades group of Greek islands, located in the southern Aegean Sea, southeast of mainland Greece.

This crescent-shaped island was formed by a massive volcanic eruption thousands of years ago, which created its dramatic caldera and steep cliffs that now attract visitors from all over the world. Santorini’s main towns—Fira, Oia, and Imerovigli—perch atop these cliffs, offering breathtaking views of the caldera and the Aegean Sea. The island is insanely romantic, making it a top destination for honeymooners.

WHEN TO VISIT SANTORINI:

☀️ When to go: Santorini’s season starts in March and ends at the beginning of November. Many restaurants and shops close during winter so you want to avoid visiting at that time. July-August can get incredibly hot and crowded, so I recommend visiting in shoulder season when weather is still warm enough to swim. Good months to go are May-June, September-October.

HOW TO GET TO SANTORINI:

✈️ How to book flights to Santorini:

Santorini has an airport: JTR.

During summer months, there are direct flights to Santorini from various European cities such as Paris, London, Prague, Amsterdam, Milan, Rome, Frankfurt to name a few.

Use flight comparison tools to determine whether booking a flight to Santorini directly from your home airport (with a stop in a major European city) is more affordable, or if it’s cheaper to book the lowest-cost flight to a European hub and then arrange a separate budget airline flight to Santorini. For our trip, we booked a single flight from Washington, D.C. (IAD) to Santorini on Air France with a short layover in Paris, which worked out to be the best option.

You can alternatively fly to Athens (ATH) and take a short 45 minute domestic flight.

⛴️ How to take a ferry to Santorini:

Athinios Port

The main ferry port, also known as the New Port or Thira Port, is located on the west side of the island. It’s the primary entry point for travelers arriving by sea. Ferries from mainland Greece and other Cycladic islands arrive and depart from Athinios.

Ferries run from Piraeus Port (Athens) or other Cycladic islands to Santorini. The ferry option (Blue Star) from Athens takes about 8 hours, and the faster ferry (Seajets) takes 5 hours. My favorite ferry booking site is ferryhopper.

HOW TO GET TO OIA (From the airport or the port):

There are several options on how to get to Oia once you arrive at the airport or the port.

🚖 Private transfers: Most expensive, but easy and convenient. You can arrange this online, or through your hotel. For reference, our transfer between the hotel in Oia and the port was 50 euros. 

🚕 Taxi: There are very few taxis on the island, and are not reliable. They are also expensive, and you may have to wait a long time in line. With costs being comparable to pre-arranged transfers above, I’d opt for pre-arranging a transfer. 

🚌 Bus: There are buses from the airport or port to Fira (Thira), the capital of Santorini. If you are staying in Oia or elsewhere on the island, you’ll have to transfer in Fira. This is the cheapest option €1.80 each leg, but luggage space may be limited and the buses only operate during the day. You may have to wait to get on the bus, or while transferring in Fira. 

🚗 Rental car: You can hire a car but know that the roads in Santorini are not the easiest to drive. Most cars are manual transmission so if you need an automatic, reserve in advance. If you are arriving by ferry, you can pick up the car at the port but it is very busy and hectic, and you have to drive up the narrow lanes on the caldera cliff so it may be a good idea to take taxi or bus to Fira and pick up a car there.

I reserved a hotel through Booking.com, and the reservation included a free private transfer to the hotel from the airport. Look to see if this is an option on your accommodation booking.

HOW TO GET AROUND IN OIA:

While you can drive in other parts of Santorini, Oia is primarily a pedestrian-friendly village, and driving within its narrow streets is not recommended. Instead, bring a comfortable pair of sandals or walking shoes, as you’ll be exploring Oia on foot. Keep in mind that the cobblestone paths can get quite slippery—both John and I nearly slipped a few times—so opt for footwear with good grip to ensure a safe and enjoyable stroll through this picturesque village!

WHERE TO STAY IN OIA:

Given that everything in Oia is pretty much walkable, you’ll be close to attractions no matter where you stay within the village. There are options for every budget, but keep in mind that Oia is the most picturesque and famous part of Santorini, so accommodations here tend to be more expensive compared to other areas like Fira, Imerovigli, or Kamari. However, staying in Oia offers unique advantages:

• Enjoy Quieter Mornings and Evenings: After the day-trippers and cruise ship visitors leave, Oia transforms into a peaceful haven. You’ll have the cobblestone streets and breathtaking views almost to yourself.
• No Rushing After Sunset: Oia is world-renowned for its sunsets, and staying here means you can savor the experience without worrying about catching a bus or taxi back to your hotel in another town.

For a truly unforgettable Santorini experience, I highly recommend splurging on accommodations in Oia. The serene atmosphere, stunning views, and convenience make it well worth the investment!

10 BEST THINGS TO DO IN OIA:

CONCLUSION

I hope I’ve inspired you to visit Oia, Santorini, one of the most romantic and beautiful places I’ve been to. With this list of things to do, hotel recommendations and restaurants, navigating through your Oia Santorini trip should be a breeze.

Watch my Oia 10 best spots inspiration video: