34 Things to do in Oia Santorini That Your Partner Will Love
Are you looking for the best things to do in Oia Santorini? We’ve got you covered! We’ve been to Oia Santorini several times in the past few years as part of our romantic getaway Europe trips! Santorini is one of the most romantic Greek Islands and Oia is definitely one of the most beautiful gems of Greece from our experience traveling to more than six of the islands and mainland Greece.
But picking what to do in Santorini and Santorini Oia village can become overwhelming. Even though the island isn’t big, the crowds and pressure of social media can make it difficult to decide on what is worth seeing in Oía and Santorini.
In this post, we provide you with a detailed guide of Oia Santorini things to do along with a range of places to visit near Oia and travel tips so you can have the best trip in this beautiful Greek Island!
***Some of the links in this post are affiliate links meaning we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This does not change the fact that we only recommend products, stays, activities and attractions we are satisfied with and all opinions expressed here are our own.
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Romantic things to do in Oia Santorini
1.Go Horseback riding
If you’re staying in Oia Santorini, we highly recommend taking the time to go horseback riding together. Horseback riding is one fo our favorite morning dates to do when we travel to romantic places like Santorini. It allows us to reconnect and be deeply connected with nature and the present moment.
Needless to say than doing this in Oia is an absolute dream and that the landscapes make it ten times better of an activity!
With this horseback riding tour, you’ll be able to ride along Vlychada Beach, one of our favorite beaches in Greece, but also to Caledra Beach and in the Santorini fields. It’s the perfect activity for a beach date with your loved one. You’ll have stunning views on the Caldera and the volcano as well giving you unforgettable memories together.
This activity is rated a 4.9 out of 5 by guests and here’s what they say about it:
“Wonderful experience!!! The guide was so great at making sure we were comfortable. He took hundreds of photos on my phone and got some incredible shots. It was a beautiful sunset to see on horseback on a private beach…doesn’t get much more romantic than that!” (Read more reviews)
Check availability here and book before it’s sold out!
2.Eat in Santorini with a view at Elinikon , one of the best restaurants in Oia Santorini
One of the most romantic things we’ve done in Oia Santorini was going to eat at Elinikon restaurant. Elinikon is located on the far right of Oia in the windmill area. To get there, you’ll have to walk for about ten minutes on the Caldera.
Elinikon is a small restaurant. I remember thinking it looked so small and wasn’t sure what to expect! But it was a wonderful surprise.
All the food was local and homemade. We had delicious meals including dolmades and lamb. Our table was located on the rooftop which is where you want to be! From there we were able to watch the sunset with the windmills in the background as well. It was such a romantic view and moment! One thing we loved besides the food and the view was that the rooftop terrace is protected from the wind by panels so you don’t have to worry about your hair flying everywhere or getting cold when the night comes.
We also really like the service as the waiters brought every dish with a good rhythm so we never had to wait too long between dishes but they also weren’t pressing us out.
From our experience, we recommend booking in advance as Elinikon is quite popular and due to its small capacity, gets full very quickly! Elinikon is one of the best things to do in Oia Santorini!
3.A private romantic helicopter tour
“Absolutely incredible experience. You can’t beat the view of Santorini from the air. The process was extremely easy with our driver picking us up and driving us to the helicopter with no issues. The pilot was Roman who was extremely nice, helpful and professional. Took us on a beautiful flight and was extremely informative about the history and facts regarding the island. The views he was able to show us in the helicopter were incredible. I would recommend this activity to anyone traveling to Santorini.” (Read more reviews here)
One of the best things to do in Oia Santorini is hopping on a private helicopter flight for unique views of Oia and the whole island.
With a 5/5 rating, this helicopter tour is perfect to mark a special occasion or simply for unforgettable memories of your time in Oia Santorini.
You’ll be flying for 30 minutes over the island and Nea Kameni along with Red and Black beaches. The best part is that the flight is private!
Also, you can choose to be picked up and dropped off at your hotel for maximum convenience.
You can check availability here
4.Check the Oia Citadel viewpoint
On our second time in Santorini, we explored nooks and crannies we hadn’t explored the first time and discovered one of the best photo spots in Oia Santorini: the Citadel viewpoint.
One of the best parts about this viewpoint is that it’s big enough to hold dozens of people which, if you’ve ever been to Santorini, know it’s quite rare! This means you can easily access it without having to queue (yes that’s a thing) or fight for your life.
The Oia Citadel viewpoint is one of the best spots in Oia to watch a Santorini sunset on the Caldera. That’s because the viewpoint gives you a 180 degree view on the caldera, the famous blue domes, the white washed houses, the cliffs, the sea and the volcano. But it’s also a great photo spot during the day to get a better view of what you’re standing on!
When we went to this viewpoint, it was mid afternoon so most of the crowds were at the beach allowing us to take our time at the citadel. We were able to film some videos without anyone in it so you can see that it’s quite easily accessible.
To get there, you need to walk all the way to Mnemossyne Gallery. Once you get there, you can take the first left in the direction of the Sophia Castle View Hotel. It’s a narrow street that takes you to the citadel.
You can see our video at the Citadel viewpoint here:
5.Have drinks at Sea La vie, for a romantic and comfortable sunset view together
Another one of the romantic things to do in Oia Santorini is going for drinks at Sea La Vie right before sunset. The restaurant has a small bar area on the side with couch like seating and a direct view on the caldera and the sea making it a prime spot to watch sunset views while relaxing. This is a bit of a more comfortable way to watch the sunset in Santorini without having to stand with thousands of other people and trying to get a pick in between the heads standing in front of you.
For two drinks, our bill was around €10 so it was quite worth it!
6.Visit Koloumbos beach with lava rock formations
One of the best free things to do in Oia Santorini for couples who are looking for romantic spots is going to Koloumbus Beach (Also known as Columbo Beach or Kolumbo Beach). Due to the Caldera, Oia does not have a beach so you’ll have to drive for about 10 minutes to reach Koloumbos Beach. It’s really close by and generally not busy. The beach is quite spectacular because it’s surrounded by lava that solidified into solids. Once on the beach, you can see the lava going into the water, it’s quite impressive!
Koloumbos Beach is one of the best places in Oia if you want to spend some time at the beach without crowds. Here you’ll only find a few people that also keep to themselves and are rather quiet. It’s perfect to relax or read your books together.
Koloumbos is easily accessible. You’ll have to park on the side of the road on one of the pullouts. You can generally see a few cars park so that’s your sign you’re in the right place. Then there is a small path that you need to walk for about 5 minutes. It’s flat and can be walked in flip flops.
7.Hang out at a pool bar
Not everyone can book a hotel on the Caldera with stunning views in Oia. On our first trip to Santorini, we definitely didn’t do that! Though our stay at this hotel was gorgeous, we wish we had known about the Lioyerma Pool Bar on the Caldera!
Imagine laying by the pool with a drink and incredible views on the Caldera without having to lift a finger! The best part is that there is no entry fee. You can use the lounge chairs, the umbrellas and the tables as long as you get something at the bar. You’ll need to spend a minimum of €10 per person. This is a very reasonable price for what Lioyerma has to offer.
This is one of the best places to watch the sunset in Oia and you can even do it from the pool!
8.Hop on a sunset catamaran cruise
Now what’s more romantic than embarking on a Catamaran cruise at sunset with your partner? Unless you get sea sick, not many things!
If you’re looking for things to do in Oia Santorini, this is definitely one we would recommend. The big plus of this cruise is that you’re going with a small group which allows for keeping a romantic ambiance rather than a party atmosphere!
With a fabulous rating of 4.7 out of 5, guests of this cruise rave about it! Recently, a visitor said the following about this cruise:
“Sunset cruise with Spiros, Maria, Nick and Jim was the Highlight of our adventures in these gorgeous Greek Islands! Truly the best of everything with this crew. Great food, experienced sailing, great music and unforgettable views. Like family! Thank you”. (Read more reviews here)
The cruise lasts for about 5 to 6 hours and takes you along the Caldera at sunrise or sunset. There is an open bar on the catamaran along with a Greek meal that is served to all the guests. You can go snorkeling, and swimming in the natural hot springs. There are showers on board and everything is provided such as towels, snorkel equipment, food and drinks. They can also pick you up and drop you off at your hotel!
Other things to do in Oia Santorini
9.Going on the Volcano tour in a traditional Caldera boat, one of the best things to do Oia offers
One of the best places to visit in Oia Santorini is the Nea Kammeni Volcano! We loved it and would have felt like we really missed out if we hadn’t done it!
We booked a half day trip with one of the tour companies. The excursion starts from the old port of Fira where you hop on a traditional Caldera boat. The old port of Fira is only accessible by cable car or by walking the 587 steps stairs. We chose to walk down the 587 steps which took about 30 minutes. It’s not too bad as we did it in the morning so although it was warm, it wasn’t too hot yet!
The first destination of the tour is the volcano of Santorini. It’s about 15min of sailing to get there. The boat docks for about 1h20min giving you the time to climb all the way to the top with a guide. We thought the guide was really good and we learned a lot. There is an entrance fee of 2,50€ that is not included in the tour price but we thought that was reasonable. The Volcano is called Nea Kammeni and the visit was very cool. For instance, you will get to see the craters and fumes, which was our favorite part. This reminded us of visiting the Volcano National Park in Hawaii’s Big Island, which sometimes even see snows!
Then, the second destination is the hot springs located on the west side or Palaia Kammeni. To clarify, these are the famous orange looking hotspring. The boat stops for 30min which allows everyone to swim there and back. However, you have to be quite a good swimmer as there is a good bit to swim before getting to the hot springs. The staff provided us with pool floats to make it easier to swim there. Once you get closer to the hot springs, you can walk in the water so you get to take a bit of a break from swimming. We weren’t especially impressed by the hot springs as not all parts were really hot. You have to remember it was hot outside so sometimes that affects how much you feel the heat in the water. The sections in the back were definitely hotter as it’s where the heat comes out of. Overall, it was still a cool spot to stop by.
Then, the boat takes you to Thirassia, another island, where tourists can buy food and relax. As we had brought our own food, we sat on the (very) small beach there, ate and relaxed. We also walked all the way to the windmill and back. In other words, there isn’t much to do on Thirassia and they clearly take you there so you can spend money at one of the restaurants. If you can skip this part, I would advise you to as it was not very interesting and the beach wasn’t very nice. We also stopped quite a while there and it was pretty boring in the end.
Finally, the boat takes you back to the old port along the coast with a beautiful view on the cliffs, Oia, Fira, caves and the Infant Church. We really enjoyed this part. It was extremely relaxing to sail at the end of the day by the Caledra and getting to see Santorini’s Caldera and Oia from the sea. The couple of caves we explored were also very cool and the commentator was interesting as well.
Once you get back to the old port, you can either climb the stairs or take the cable car back up. We took the cable car. The cable car costs 6€ per ticket.
We would recommend going on one of those tours as the volcano is definitely a must see in Santorini and one of the top things to do in Santorini from Oia.
The tour below is well rated with pickup available and great reviews.
Check out availability for the tour we recommend
10.Go on a wine tour
If you’re wondering what to do in Oia, going on a wine tour is probably one of the most common answers!
Santorini has been making wine for thousands of years and is known as a world heritage site for the production of its own wine. There are several local wineries on the island such as the Argyros Estate or the Venetsanos Winery.
The best way to visit these wineries, do some wine tasting and learning about wine production in Oia and Santorini is to take a tour.
We recommend this tour which visitors have rated a nice 4.8/5 making it one of the best on the island. It will take you to several wineries and includes pick up from your hotel. You’ll get to visit the vineyards, learn about the different wines and taste them with cheese and olives.
One of the guests even said that they “loved this tour. All the wineries produced some really interesting wines, and we learned a lot about Santorini grapes. Our guide was very friendly, and the folks at each of the wineries were incredibly knowledgeable. Being part of a small tour group was great because you could get all your questions answered and had plenty of time to try lots of great wines.” (Read more reviews here)
You can check this tour’s availability here. Alternatively, we also recommend this sunset winery tour in Santorini.
11.Book a unique photoshoot
Watching the sunset Oia offers is one of the best things to do in Oia Santorini. But watching the sunset while doing a professional photoshoot with your partner on the roofs of Oia is even better!
This is a once in a lifetime thing to do in Oia that we absolutely recommend. You’ll have a personal photographer that knows each of the best views in Oia and will take photos of you at sunset. For once, you’ll go home with professional and artistic photos rather than the ones taken by your grandma!
This is one of the top things to do in Oia to have top notch memories of your time here and it’s an even better idea for a special occasion.
Here’s what people are saying about it: “What a great experience! Our photographer, Sofia, was very kind and knowledgeable about the best places for our photo shoot. And the most important thing was that she took spectacular and amazing photos for us to remember our visit to Santorini.” (Read more reviews)
With a 4.9/5 rating, this photography package is one of the best rated in Oia so that’s the one we would recommend going for. You can check their availability here.
Alternatively, you can also book a flying dress photoshoot to have unbelievable photos!
12.Try the food, one of our favorite things to do in Oia Santorini
One of the top things to do in Oia Santorini is definitely trying the local food. Eric and I spent hours going from one restaurant to another and trying out different dishes one by one.
Oia has a big avenue with an endless number of restaurants and also some more in the small winding streets. So there’s definitely enough for you to try different foods.
We recommend trying out dishes like Fava, dolmades, lamb based meals like Kleftiko and deserts like Baklava. Honestly the list goes on and on. At places like Elinikon, you can’t really go wrong!
13.Visit the quirky library Atlantis Books
While you are wandering the narrow streets of Oia, don’t forget to stop by the quirky library called Atlantis books. You can’t honestly miss it as it looks very different form any other shop in Oia. The library is located at a lower level and is surrounded by books on the outside. The building is also painted with lots of books so you can’t miss it!
They carry a range of fiction and non-fiction books along with poetry, philosophy, and art books. They also carry books in different languages such as French, English and Greek.
It’s a quirky visit that you have to do at least once when in Oia.
14.Visit the Church of Panagia Platsani
The church of Panagia Platsani was originally built on the grounds of Oia Castle but was then moved to its current location following an earthquake.
This church is located on the main plaza of Oia. Whichever way you are going, you will pass in front of it at some point. Its whitewashed architecture with the classic blue dome and the six-bell tower piece are traditional features of Greek orthodox Churches.
Inside, you’ll find endless gold religious items everywhere in good Orthodox fashion.
The Church of Panagia Platsani is one to visit even if you’re not religious as the architecture and decor is quite particular!
15.Visit Agios Georgios Church
Agios Georgios Church is located on the left side of Oia Town when looking at the sea. It sits on one of the plazas of Oia. With its yellow walls, blue dome and bell tower, it’s one of the monuments to see in Oia.
Expert Tip: As a side note, it’s also a great spot to have your lunch picnic in the summer as you can sit right by the church and there is shade here. That’s what we did last time we visited and it was great!
16.Ammoudi Bay
Due to the cliffs, Oia doesn’t have direct access to swimming spots. However, one of the close options to go into the water is heading to Ammoudi Bay (also known as Amoudi Bay).
Ammoudi Bay is a fisherman village, similar to Klima in Milos, located right under Oia and niched into the cliffs.
To reach Ammoudi Bay, you can either drive from Oia or you can walk the 300 steps from Oia Castle, whichever floats your boat. Whether you’re looking to go swimming or eat at an Ammoudi fish tavern, you’ll love it here. Again, similarly to Klima in Milos, you’ll see octopus hanging dry and a couple of accesses to the water.
One of the accesses to the water is located about 5 to 10 minutes past Ammoudi Bay. The spot is called Armonia Bay. there you’ll find people laying in the sun on the rocks or cliff jumping into the water.
17.Walk the volcanic trail from Oia to Fira
One of the best things to do in Oia Santorini is heading for a hike along the Caldera. The hike is about 10.5km long and takes you from Oia to Fira via Imerovigli. It takes you along the Caldera and passed the white-washed houses with incredible views on the Aegean Sea. It’s the perfect hike for a date with your partner while enjoying Santorini.
This trail is an amazing way to experience Oia in a more authentic way than just shopping at luxury boutiques in the town. This is a way to see Oia while being closer to nature and truly taking in the surrounding landscapes.
We recommend starting your hike early in the morning, preferably before 9am in the summer as it gets scorching hot after that time and can make it really difficult and uncomfortable then. Of course, you don’t have to walk all the way to Fira. You can simply take some time and then turn back.If you do decide to walk all the way to Fira, then you can take the bus back for just a couple of euros.
18.Chase the famous blue domes
Oia is famous around the world for being home to the iconic blue domes. Checking them out is definitely one of the best things to do in Oia Santorini.
The blue domes can be found on the church of Agios Spyridonas. This is a white washed church that stands on the Caldera cliffs. There are three blue domes on top of it. They are not easy to see from the main street so you’ll need to adventure yourself in the small streets of Oia to eventually get to them. One of the domes covers the bells while the other ones are essentially rooftops.
There are other blue domes in Oia. for example, you can find one on top of the Church of Anastaseos.
19.Wander the winding streets of Oia
Of course, if you’re looking for what to do Oia Santorini style, you can always wander the narrow streets of this beautiful village. Eric and I enjoyed taking our time and walking around either down to the different hotels to look at the beautiful views or up in the town while looking at the different shops.
We recommend paying attention to other people as they sometimes give you ideas for where to go for great views.
20.Visit Oia castle
Another one of the best things to do in Oia Santorini is exploring Oia Castle and the Byzantine Castle ruins. Also known as Fort Londsa, the castle of Oia is one of the best things to do in Oia Santorini. The ruins date back to the 15th Century and are now famous for being one of the top spots to watch the sunset!
The castle had many uses throughout the years. Though it was first built to discourage pirate invaders, it then became the home of the Argyri Family who were the Venetian rulers of Santorini.
Unfortunately, the fortress was destructed by the 1956 earthquake and is now mostly just ruins. There is one tower that is still standing called the Goulas.
21.Take a cooking class, a five star rated activity in Oia
When we visited Crete, we took a day cooking class and it was the best idea ever! We had so much fun and learned so much about Greek cuisine.
While in Oia, we recommend you do the same thing! This five hour cooking class will immerse you in the real Oia culture. You will be visiting a winery, a local farm and then doing your own cooking with the tips and oversight of a local chef.
This activity gives you the best of both worlds as you get to tour where the products come form and then cook them with the advice of a professional.
This activity also includes pick up and drop off so it’s easily accessible for anyone. During lunch, you’ll get to try out some local wines and taste some seasonal produce as well.
Here’s a recent review from one of the guests:”My wife and I went on this tour in June 2022. We had a fabulous time! We started out by traveling to a vineyard and got a quick history lesson on grape growing in Santorini. After that we went to Art Space winery for a tour and tasting. Next, we went to Artemis winery for a cooking class followed by lunch and more wine. My wife really enjoyed the cooking class and brought home all the recipes to make. Our guide was very knowledgable and friendly. We would highly recommend this tour for anyone on looking to visit the Santorini wineries and explore the local cooking.” (Read more reviews)
You can check the availability for this activity here
22.Visit the old port
The old port is located at the bottom of the cliffs right under Oia. It’s located in Armeni Bay, which is in the continuity of Ammoudi Bay. You can take either the steps down or the cable car which only costs a few euros per way.
There isn’t a ton to do at the old port but the walk down there offers a different perspective on Oia. At the old port, you can also have a look at the traditional Greek ships that also take you on the tours to Nea Kameni volcano.
23.Watch the donkeys go down in the morning
One of the things to see in Oia happens really early in the morning when locals bring the donkeys to the bottom of the cliffs. Though we don’t support the use of animals for tourist transportation (especially when you can take the cable car), locals also defend their activity as it is their way of making money. This debate aside, the donkeys are super cute and it’s an interesting experience to see them go down. If you’re up early like we were on that day, you’ll see them!
24.Rent an ATV
Renting an ATV in Greece is a must-do. We rented an ATV in Paros just days before going to Oia and had an absolute blast! It was super easy to get around and we got to see more beaches and nooks and crannies than by bus.
In Santorini Oia Greece, we recommend booking a guided ATV tour. That way, you’ll get to have the ATV fun while also seeing the island from a local’s perspective. It’s the best of both worlds!
From the streets of the Venetian Castle and riding with views on the volcano to visiting the oldest wine cellar in Megalochori, this tour will leave you with many beautiful memories. You’ll even be off-roading to Vlychada Beach, one of our favorite beaches in Santorini!
This tour is rated a stunning 4.9 out of 5 and here’s what people are saying about it:
“Not going to lie I was hesitant because we had never ridden an ATV before, but went ahead and gave it a try and we are so glad we did! we felt safe the whole time and saw parts of the island we otherwise would not have seen. they also added some great personal touches to the wine tasting and we got some amazing photos! the guides were energetic, personable and really seem to love their job and their island! highly recommend!” (Read more reviews)
You can check the availability for this tour here.
25.Naval Maritime Museum
In Santorini Greece Oia village, you’ll also find the Naval Maritime Museum. founded by Captain Antonis Dakoronias in 1956, the museum covers the local and Greek naval history.
The museum is housed in a two story mansion that used to be a captain house. At this museum, you’ll learn about the evolution of the Greek shipping and life in the Greek Islands. From nautical equipment to tools, maps and other maritime items, you’ll be able to learn lots about Santorini maritime history.
Oia hotels
One of the best things to do in Oia Greece is staying at one of the Caldera hotels also known as cave hotels! Though these aren’t the cheapest ones, they are super romantic and definitely are an experience you can only have in Santorini! You can book with our favorite reliable platform as linked below. Here are three that we recommend in Oia:
- These stunning villas with private pools and an exceptional scoring of 9.5/10
Check availability and reviews here
- This villa with a hot tub and direct view on the Caldera that is superb for couples
Check availability and reviews here
- These suites for tunnel cave pools, views on the Caldera and cliffs and an exceptional rating of 9.6/10
Check availability and reviews here
Alternatively, we also recommend checking out our favorite cave hotels in Fira which can be a bit cheaper but also offer beautiful Caldera views.
Though one of the top things to do in Santorini Oia is booking a cave hotel on the Caldera, you don’t need to do so to have the best time in Santorini.
During our stay on Santorini Island, we rented a hotel room at the Sunny Days Hotel in Imerovigli, Fira . This family-run hotel had a very nice pool and was very quiet. We were also only a few minutes away from the centre of Fira which allowed us to walk there everyday and really enjoy it. Moreover, there is a parking lot not far from the hotel where we were able to park our rental car.
We loved the Sunny Days Hotel. Our room was very nice and we could see part of the Island and the sea from our door. In addition, the room was equipped with wifi, AC, and a mini fridge. We appreciated having a mini fridge as it allowed us to keep fruits, vegetables, drinks and ice in there. Thanks to that mini fridge, we were able to bring our own lunch food everyday which was great to stay on budget.
Our booking included breakfast every morning which was great. Our breakfast was a mix between bread, jam, ham, sausage slices, yogurt, fruits, coffee and orange juice. It was really good.
Finally, the staff was super nice and welcoming. We believe the hotel is a family run business which would explain how nice the owners were. The staff was very helpful and brought our luggage up to our room.
We enjoyed the very beautiful pool after our days at the beach or early in the morning.
I would definitely recommend staying at the Sunny Days Hotel if you get the chance.
Other things to do in Santorini near Oia
Oia is beautiful and though there are many Oia things to do, there are also many things to do near Oia. In under a 30 minute drive, you can find many stunning hidden gems. So we recommend focusing on what to do in Oia Santorini Greece but also around it. Here are some of the visits we’ve done and recommend.
26.Things to do in Fira
Whether you’re visiting Fira at sunrise, during the day or at sunset, you will love it! Fira is very similar to Oia. For instance, they are both built on the edge of the cliffs and made of typical whitewashed greek houses. Fira is a little bit less busy than Oia and a little bit cheaper as well. It certainly remains one of the best towns to watch the sunsets from. You will be blown away for sure.
We would recommend getting lost in Fira’s streets and checking out the different churches and of course, the view. From Fira, you will see the island of Tholos, (where you can check out the volcano) and the island of Thirassia.
27.Vlychada beach, one of our favorite things to see near Oia Santorini
Santorini has some of the most beautiful beaches we have ever seen such as Vlychada beach. There are many Santorini best beaches, some of which, you won’t find in books but Vlychada beach is quite special!
While you take photos there, check out the most inspiring Greece quotes here and Santorini quotes here to caption your stunning Santorini photos on social media.
28.Red beach
Red Beach is another gem to explore by Oia Santorini. The beach gets its same from the red cliffs that surround it. The sand however is mostly white. The beach gets quite crowded but we recommend walking to the end of it so you can have a bit more space. Because of the red rocks, it can get even hotter on this beach than on others so make sure to bring an umbrella with you.
The carpark at Red beach is quite small so we also recommend either showing up early or coming with an ATV or scooter that are easier to park than a big rental car.
29.Akrotiri, one of the best archeological things to do near Oia
Akrotiri is one of the best things to visit near Oia Santorini. This archeological site presents extensive ruins that date back to the Bronze Age.
There are many walkways that tale you around the ruins and among the excavation of the Minoan Port Town.
Akrotiri is one of the most important archeological sites in the Aegean Sea. It is even referred to as the “Greek Pompeii” because the site used to be covered in volcanic ash from the volcanic explosion in the 16th century.
30.A day trip to Ios
Greece Santorini Oia is absolutely stunning and so is the entire island but what about a vacation within the vacation? Do you like the idea? One of the best things to do near Oia Santorini is taking a day trip to Ios Island.
Ios Island is located just 30 minutes by ferry from Santorini. We’ve been to iOS twice and we loved it each time. We stayed at stunning suites right on the cliffs and beautiful suites with sea views. We traveled to many beautiful remote Ios beaches and had a stunning time every time.
Ios is a rather small island so even though we’ve spent days there, it’s possible to see a lot of it in a day. You can visit Ios Chora and wander the small whitewashed streets, you can also enjoy some beach time or simply ATV around the island. There are regular ferry from Santorini to Ios so it’s an easy trip to organize and the opportunity to check one more island off your bucket list!
Check availability for the suites on the cliffs with private pool here and for the suites with sea view and private pool here.
31.Eat at Stani for a beautiful sunset dinner
In Fira, we recommend having dinner at Stani. Stani is a restaurant located on the main street of Fira that offers many terraces, including one with stunning views on the Caldera. We’ve had many dinners there and we highly recommend it. The food isn’t luxurious but it’s good quality for a very reasonable price.
The view itself is beautiful so we recommend heading there right before sunset. If the wind starts with the night falling, you can ask for some blankets!
32.Tomato Industrial Museum, one of the quirkiest things to do near Oia Santorini
“Amazing, highly recommended. Definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Santorini. Worth doing the audio guide. Appreciation of the old ways of the island, entrepreneurship, and the natural resources before Instagram took over the island.” – Dean Dimizas
One of the quirkiest things to do near Oia Santorini is visiting the Tomato Industrial Museum. Oia sightseeing isn’t only about beautiful Caldera views and volcano tours. One of the most authentic places to visit near Oia is at the heart of Santorini’s history. This museum covers the story of a Santorini family that started one of the most successful business on the island: the making of tomato paste.
Before tourism and wineries took over, it’s this business that was at the heart of the community in Santorini. During the tour you can learn how the machines work, what tools were used and you even get to walk around the factory. You get an audio guide which is really helpful in understanding every aspect of the process. At the end of the tour, you get to try the tomato paste of course!
Tickets cost €10 per person. You’ll find the museum right next to Vlychada Beach.
33.Kamari
If you’d like to see something else than Oia Town for a day, we recommend heading to Kamari. Kamari is a nice coastal town and one of the places to see in Santorini. It is located on the east coast of the island. It is also very close to the airport. In addition, it has a long promenade along the beach with plenty of restaurants to pick from. There are lots of fancy hotels along the promenade and it all just gives a really nice ambiance by the beach. Kamari nightlife is really buzzing so if you’d like to head out and have dinner by the beach with some live music, Kamari is a great place for that!
In addition, Kamari Beach is a long strand of black sand that’s also quite nice to spend some time at. You’ll have plenty of space to lay your towel and you can enjoy the water and the views.
34.Pyrgos and Pyrgos Castle
Pyrgos village is the highest village on the whole island of Santorini and therefore gives great panoramic views of both sides of the island. Once you’re at the top, at Pyrgos Castle, you get 360 degree views of Santorini Island and can see both coasts which is quite impressive! It is located in the centre of the island and is certainly one of the hidden gems in Santorini. Is it the former capital of Santorini and is a medieval town. You can find more information on what to do in Pyrgos in this Pyrgos Santorini blog post.
Our Itinerary: Airlines & Budget
The first time we went to Greece together, we decided to stay two weeks in Greece, including one week in Paros and one week in Santorini. Our budget was 2000€ each all included (so 4000€ together) but after reviewing our expenses we know that we actually spent less than 1500€ each total for two weeks in Greece. Greece is a great budget destination and you should consider it if you want to travel for three weeks or more.
That budget included insurance, the accommodations, all transportation, all activities, all extras, all the food, souvenirs, ferries, and one restaurant meal a day (which we kept more or less under 30€ per meal for the both of us). If you are traveling on a smaller budget, I advise making your own food with delicious local Greek products.
You can find more tips on how to travel for cheap in this video:
We booked our flights in May, 4 months before our actual trip. It was fine for us and that was due to circumstances outside of our control. However, I would advise booking a lot sooner if you can. That will help you get better deals and have more options. We searched and compared our flights on Skyscanner.
We spent our first week on Paros Island which was amazing! You can find out more about Paros Island in the following Greece blog posts:
- The Ultimate Travel Guide to Paros Island
- Best Beaches on Paros Island
- Best Restaurants on Paros Island
At the end of our first week on Paros Island, we took the ferry to Santorini for about 30€ each. We booked our tickets online. You can use Ferryscanner to find the best deals on your ferry tickets from each Greek island. We then arrived at Athinios Ferry Port. When booking your ferry tickets, make sure you arrive at that port and not at the old port!
At the Ferry port, everything was so messy, it was a bit crazy. For instance, locals will yell at you to take a shuttle with their company from every side. As a result, one person grabbed our suitcase and rolled it to their little shop. We have to say it was a bit of an experience! We ended up booking a shuttle for 20€ each to the car rental place to pick up our car. A bit of a rip-off if you ask me but it seems to be like that across the board.When we returned a couple of years later, we had learned our lesson and were much more prepared. You can read about how to have the best experience at the ferry port in Santorini here.
Things to do in Oia Santorini Greece FAQs
No, you cannot swim in Oia Santorini. Oia is located on the top of the caldera so there is no direct access to the water because of the cliffs. The closest place to swim is Ammoudi Bay or Kolumbus beach.
Yes. Oia is worth visiting for its unique sunset on the caldera, the view on the Nea Kammeni Volcano and the luxurious winding streets.
You can walk around the towns on Santorini islands such as Oia and Fira, however, we would not recommend walking around the island as it’s too big.
Yes, Oia is a village perched on the caldera on the island of Santorini, one of the Greeks Islands in the Aegean Sea.
In Oia, we recommend trying dolmades, which are stuffed wine leaves, Fava, and Baklava.
Oia is a small town located in the north of Santorini on top of the Caldera. It is known for its incredible sunsets, white washed houses and the famous blue domes.
Any questions on the best things to do in Oia Santorini? Drop them in the comments or on insta and we will get back to you asap.
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We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home.
We are Mary and Eric, the founders of Be Right Back, a blog dedicated to romance around the globe and at home. With over 10 years of experience in dating and traveling to romantic places, we share our favorite date ideas and romantic destinations to help couples level up their relationships. Having lived in and traveled through the USA, we also share our favourite things to do in the States.
With 70,000 monthly readers and 16,000 followers on social media, Be Right Back is your go-to resource for romantic trip ideas and couple activities at home and abroad.