If there is one thing most people know about Oia is that the sunset observed from here has the stuff of magic dreams. It’s not hard to imagine a divine painter creating the Oia sunset in the sky with his brush, but you don’t have to be an artist to fall under Oia’s spell.
For many tourists visiting Santorini, long before arriving at Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites and Spa, the charming Ammoudi Bay with its harbor is the first thing to see on the island. It is a picturesque spot, surrounded by steep cliffs, one of the ideal destinations to observe the famous Santorini sunset, and to enjoy authentic local cuisine. There are several traditional tavernas here, where the “catch of the day” is always the favorite of the patrons.
The Ammoudi Bay is the place to rent a donkey to take you on a tour up to Oia. It is also a harbor for many of the vessels that offer cruises on the Caldera. There’s also a hidden beach if you want to lay in the sun enjoying the breeze under the cliffs. The popular beach of Amoudi Bay is just below the village of Oia, in a cove that overlooks the caldera. It can be reached climbing down 214 steps, or by donkey. The scenic red beach of Amoudi is enclosed by picturesque snow-white buildings, a small harbor, and the excellent taverns that are located right by the sea. The castle of Oia is close to the beach too, and the church of Aghios Nikolaos offers an interesting site for a deep dive into the crystal clear waters of the Caldera.
About two miles away from Oia, within the flooded Santorini caldera, Nea Kameni awaits with its boulders of lava, and a volcano that fascinates thousands of tourists. We recommend a trip to this volcano for all travelers who want to discover the most spectacular sights of the caldera. There are many tours by boat to the island of Nea Kameni available – you can catch a boat at the old port in Fira, and reach the volcano in less than 10 minutes.
From the foothills of the volcano, you can reach the top after a short hike, of about 20 minutes. The air is rich in sulfur, as the volcano is still active – its latest known eruption not so far back, in 1950. The volcano is actively monitored by the Institute for the Study and Monitoring of the Santorini Volcano (ISMOSAV), and safe to visit. Although it is eastern Mediterannean’s youngest volcanic land-form, Nea Kameni had took its toll on people lives, decimating the population of Akrotiri in the late 17th century BC.
Keep in mind that visiting the Nea Kameni National Geological Park is not free of charge, albeit the entrance fee is symbolic, and helpful to support monitoring of the volcano. Vegetation is scarce on Nea Kameni, and the volcanic rocks of the island are mainly covered by red grassy succulents, and yellow sulfur deposits. But, besides the desolate aspect of the place, there’s a special charm that draws visitors to the island, and the views from the rim of the volcano are simply breathtaking. Don’t forget your camera, because, besides having fascinating volcanic landscapes, this is one of the best spots to snap pictures of Fira and Oia on the main island of Santorini.
Following, these are the main points of interest on Nea Kameni:
No matter how experience a hiker you may be, don’t abandon the official path when you visit the island. There are fumaroles along it, as well as untamed lava rocks, and hot steam. If you want to know if the island is safe to visit, this map monitors seismic activity in the area.
And it would be a pity to visit Nea Kameni without continuing your trip further to Palea Kameni, to bathe in the undersea “hot springs” there. Swimming from the boat to the springs seems to be a favorite pastime among many tourists – and no, the springs are not that hot. Their temperature usually reaches 35°C.
A delicious combination of volcanic cliffs, bright bougainvillea in bloom, and sparkling white clifftop cave-style houses with blue rooftops, against the turquoise of the Mediterranean, Oia is the very symbol of Santorini, and the most photographed destination on the island. But there’s more to this village than meets the eye in travel brochures and postcards. It’s a special place, with mystic charm, favored by people from all over the world, who come here to take in the breathtaking views over the Caldera. It’s heavily touristic, and yet, paradoxically, an oasis of peace, the perfect spot on earth to come and recharge your batteries. Here are the things we think you should do during your stay, to make your experience truly memorable:
Our own hotel, the Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, offers a perfect location for watching the sunset: right next to the famous cliffs of the Sunset Seranade point. So you can take in the spectacular colors and the breeze without leaving our premises, secluded from the tourist crowds. Many tourists prefer the vantage point at the Castle of Oia to see the sunset.
Donkey rides are the favored transportation means for the locals, and they are becoming increasingly popular among tourists too, despite concerns by animal welfare organizations that the trips could exhaust the animals, and that some owners are mishandling them. It’s hard to make a fair assessment whether an animal is mishandled by its owner or not, so if you have a problem with this, you can always hike. It’s good to stay in shape.
It may not be as spectacular as Oia, but Fira has its special charm too – and it is also the capital of the island. The path is not marked, but it is pretty obvious: just follow the edge of the caldera and walk south. It may take you up to five hours to reach Fira if you don’t rush your pace, so leave early if you don’t want to spend the night there. The views along the way are glorious, so don’t forget your camera.
Oia is never boring: just explore its pathways to discover something rewarding every time, including see-for-miles viewpoints with out-of-this-world vistas.
There are several boats and catamarans offering tours on the caldera from the Ammoudi Bay. It’s a romantic experience if you visit Oia as a couple, but it can also be a fun experience when you are joined by cheerful friends. You will see Santorini’s finest: the volcano, the hot springs, the lighthouse, the Indian Rock, the beaches, Mesa Pigadia, and much more. The sunset cruises with dinner offered by Santorini Sailing are the most popular.
This is one of the most famous spots for swimming in Santorini, mainly favored by adrenaline junkies, who like to take a plunge from the massive boulder in the waters of the Ammoudi Bay.
It would be a pity to leave Oia without a souvenir, and while many shops cater to the general crowds, offering overpriced trinkets, there are also many stores selling gorgeous pottery, and local crafts. Explore Oia enough to find them.
For a few moments of hard-earned downtime, step inside one of Oia’s beautiful little churches. They are peaceful most of the times, except for when a traditional “panigyri” (village party) is organized, with food and drinks, and welcoming smiles for foreigners who want to join. But even if you don’t catch a “panigyri”, go to admire outstanding, valuable iconography and other objects of Greek Orthodox religious art.
Baxedes is a quiet black pebbly beach, just 3 km away from Oia. It is peaceful and less touristy than others, and close to other, more popular beaches, like Paradise or Cape Columbo. This is the beach to experience what Oia used to be before the tourist invasion.
What would your stay in Oia be without the delicate taste of local wines? You can always book a wine tasting tour, or visit Domaine Sigalas on Oia’s Baxedes plain for wine tastings with views of Santorini’s amazing sunsets.
Oia is a dream, there’s no doubt about it. But you can have a dream in a dream the moment you step inside Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, a world of blissful luxury, a haven of peace, where tradition and modernity coexist in perfect harmony. No matter where you are in our resort, you are so close to the Sunset Seranade point, that you don’t need to leave our grounds to enjoy a peaceful, glorious sunset over Apano Meria, the pearl of the Cyclades.
The architecture of the hotel is inspired by the traditional clifftop cave-style houses of the village, but the interiors are breakthrough-contemporary, yet inspired by tradition, rivaling in comfort and style with interiors of some of the world’s most famous, and eccentric resorts. The decor is minimalist in warm, earthy tones, with turquoise accents that refresh the atmosphere. There’s no suite or villa in our resort without a private terrace and jacuzzi, for that perfect setting to rekindle romance, and to fall in love with Santorini over and over again.
You could hardly be better located to enjoy Oia at its fullest. You are in the heart of the village, surrounded by beautiful nature, with surreal bougainvillea accents against the white of the walls, in a picture pretty resort like no other on the island. Like Oia, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa is pleasantly unpretentious, the northern side villas granting you the perfect faux-castaway sense of seclusion and privacy. Take the night to rest in a comfy king size bed, lined with cushions and fine fabrics that invite you to linger till late morning, when breakfast on the terrace is just the perfect way to kick-start your day.
Or, at the south of the resort, book a suite that overlooks the Aegean, offering you views that will steal your heart. They all have private verandas, with complimentary sunbeds, if you want to spend a lazy afternoon under the sun of the Cyclades. And, when it comes to in-room facilities, all our suites and villas have individually controlled air-conditioning, high-tech TVs with satellite channels, DVD and CD players, free wireless internet connection, electronic safe deposit box, direct dial phone, hair dryer, mini bar, bathrobes, slippers, coffee machine, and all VIP bathroom necessaries.
When it comes to general facilities, designed to make your stay even more comfortable, Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa provides everything you need: 4 outdoor swimming pools, a restaurant serving breakfast and dinner, a romantic bar in the lobby, a bar next to the main pool and a full service spa center with heated indoor pool.
So plan your holiday with us, for a memorable stay in Oia!
With its traditional clifftop cave-style houses with walls of white and blue accents, Oia is the stuff of romantic dreams.