Oia, Santorini's star sunset

Ever since the Minoan era and the great eruption of 1600 BC, Santorini has been shaped by its volcano. The last major tremor, in 1956, is still fresh in the memory of the island and of Oia: there are even a few postcard snapshots of it.

Oia was once a prosperous trading village that depended on its port, Ammoudi, but was devastated by this major earthquake, as evidenced by the many houses still in ruins here and there in the old historic centre, and the remains of the old Venetian kastro perched on the tip of the island.

A blessing in disguise, some would say: in the decades that followed, Oia was to undergo a facelift. Its location, clinging to the cliffs of Santorini's Caldera, its unspoilt Cycladic village feel and its breathtaking vistas were the inspiration for its enormous future tourist success. Today, Oia is the undisputed star of Santorini!

Oia is a photographer's paradise: the style of the village, even when rebuilt, is homogeneous and harmonious, and all the electric cables have been buried so as not to obstruct the view!

Gradually, Oia will become the darling of Santorini's wealthy holidaymakers: this trend can be seen in the village's gleaming fashion boutiques, jewellers and art galleries, as well as on the menus of certain restaurants, all clearly playing the upmarket card. The style can be a little flashy, so be warned!

In the same vein, Oia also boasts some of the most luxurious hotels in the whole of Santorini: the jacuzzi overlooking the caldera is almost a classic here.

The central square of Oia, opposite the church of Panagia, is a permanent spectacle: the whole world comes here, sometimes in the most extravagant outfits, especially as the famous sunset approaches!

Every evening, the narrow streets of Oia are jammed with people heading for the kastro, the steps leading down to Ammoudi, and under the wings of the windmill: the best spots to admire the most famous sunset in Greece (in the world, according to the local guides!).

So it's always a good idea to explore Oia at other times of the day, or even night, away from the crowds. Don't hesitate to venture down the winding staircases for new and unusual views, or down to the village's two small ports, Ammoudi with its fish tavernas, and Armeni: the perfect opportunity to take a plunge into the deep blue of the Caldera.

To get back up, the less courageous climb on a donkey, while the others get a bit of exercise and enjoy some great views!

👉 How do you pronounce and spell "Oia"?

Oia corresponds to the name of the village in Greek, which in Latin is written Ia: you will regularly find both spellings. Above all, avoid pronouncing it "O-ia", a typical tourist mistake!

👉 When should you come to Oia?

The crowds at sunset can scare off agoraphobes... who prefer to go to Oia very early in the morning: incredible light, deserted streets, in a word, magnificent! In the evening, Oia regains its calm, and the illuminated villages of the Caldera are always a sight to behold.

By car, be wary of leaving the village just after sunset: between the tour buses and the private minibuses, there's a lot of traffic...

👉 What can you see in Oia?

• The labyrinthine streets and views of the Caldera
• Don't miss a tour of the ruins of the Venetian kastro
• The Oia windmill, a symbol of Santorini, and views of the Cyclades
• The small port of Ammoudi and its steps
• In the church of Panagia, rarely open to the public, a beautiful miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, said to have been found directly in the Caldera!