Oia Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Oia featuring a sunset and a coastal town
Oia
Oia showing a windmill and a coastal town
Oia showing general coastal views and a coastal town
Oia showing general coastal views, a coastal town and a luxury hotel or resort

Oia Travel Guide Video

This cliff-topped village is at the pinnacle of the visual drama of Santorini, with its striking white-and-blue homes, windmills and churches.

On an island of unsurpassed drama and incredible vistas, it is Oia – on the northern tip of Santorini's crescent-shaped sliver of land – that takes the prize. You could put that down to fortunate geography – Oia faces over the open western horizon, ready to scoop up the dying sunlight, as the sun slips into the sea. You could put it down to an innate architectural genius, which saw the villagers dig their homes into the hillside, becoming an organic part of those razor cliffs. Or you could put it down to several pots of home-made lime paint.It is the vibrant mix of colours splashed over the simple cubes and domes of Oia's homes, that make it such a striking sight from a distance – a spill of white, on the old volcano's red-rusted slopes. Once you're in the village, the full palette of that paint work is seen – a bold canvas of blazing whites, patterned pastels and the deep-marine blues. But pretty as it is, the paint used here is also very practical.Santorini is an exceptionally dry island, the only place in Europe classed with a desert climate. The slick painted surfaces of its rounded roofs and channels are actually designed to capture every last rain and dew drop. The locals have also been careful to harvest another of Santorini's precious resources – the wind – gifting visitors with those iconic traditional windmills, which naturally find a place into every photo of Oia. Oia does have other attractions, aside from its own exceptional beauty. There are art galleries, restored churches, a naval museum and a weaving mill – Oia didn't always depend on tourists for a living. But the most popular place to be, especially at sunset, is the part-ruined castle of Fort Londsa. As the highest point in the village, it has an uninterrupted view across the whole village – and the whole horizon. It is here you can make your picture of Oia perfect.

Andronis Arcadia Hotel

Andronis Arcadia Hotel

5 out of 5
Oia, Santorini, Santorini Island
The price is NZ$1,263 per night from 30 July to 31 July
NZ$1,263
30 July - 31 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Santorini. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (171 reviews)
"The staff was fantastic. If you asked for something it was there within minutes of the request and the customer service was A+. Truly a five star review and experience."

Reviewed on 16 Jul. 2025

Andronis Arcadia Hotel
Katikies Santorini - The Leading Hotels Of The World

Katikies Santorini - The Leading Hotels Of The World

5 out of 5
Oia, Santorini, Santorini Island
The price is NZ$1,656 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
NZ$1,656
7 Aug - 8 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Santorini. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (341 reviews)
"A very nice property in an extraordinary setting. The staff was very friendly. The restaurant was very good. Highly recommended."

Reviewed on 21 Jul. 2025

Katikies Santorini - The Leading Hotels Of The World
Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas

Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas

5 out of 5
Oia, Santorini
The price is NZ$789 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$789
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Santorini. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (428 reviews)
"Absolutely stunning, probably the best place to stay for to relax and explore Santorini. Amazing staff!"

Reviewed on 16 Jul. 2025

Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Nikos Villas Hotel in Oia Santorini

Nikos Villas Hotel in Oia Santorini

Oia, Santorini, Santorini Island
Stay at this aparthotel in Santorini. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (89 reviews)
A Jewel
"Where to start...if i ever return to Santorini I would not look anywhere else than Nikos Villas. It is an intimate hotel but with the best location in Oia. I loved my room...it had a balcony with beach chairs plus a dinning room inside and outside. The rooms opened to the balcony giving the villa ..."

Reviewed on 20 Jul. 2025

Nikos Villas Hotel in Oia Santorini
Nano Oia Villas

Nano Oia Villas

OIA SANTORINI 1,1 1, Santorini, Aegean Islands
Stay at this villa in Santorini. Enjoy free WiFi, in-room massages, and an airport shuttle (surcharge). Popular attractions Santorini Caldera and Athinios Port ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (41 reviews)
"The property is in Oia, with many shops and restaurants around. Very touristy place. The property itself is in good location. We got a villa with a loft, so the kids were super excited about the top bed. Our concierge Ali and Vasilis were very helpful with everything since the beginning. Any questions ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jul. 2025

Nano Oia Villas
Canaves Sunday

Canaves Sunday

5 out of 5
Oia Village, Santorini, Cyclades
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Santorini. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Santorini Caldera and Athinios ...
10/10 Exceptional! (77 reviews)
"The hospitality is amazing"

Reviewed on 18 Jul. 2025

Canaves Sunday
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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