Oia Holidays

Wealthy sea captains once made Oia their home, and with its white houses and blue-domed churches, it’s easy to see why they liked it so much. It’s built into the steep slopes of the caldera at the island’s northern tip, which means the views are unbelievable.

Oia has fewer crowds than the rest of the island, with a cosy, small-town feel. That said, there are plenty of boutiques and jewellery shops burrowed away in its narrow passageways. For those interested in history, it also sports a naval museum and the remains of a Venetian castle. Or you can follow the 200 or so steps down to the harbour, where a couple of fish tavernas overlook a rocky seafront.

On an island renowned for its spectacular sunsets, Oia has high status. It’s considered one of the best places to watch the sun go down, attracting visitors from all over Santorini. It’s best to find a spot early, since the village starts to fill up a few hours before. Its restaurants jostle for space at the edge of the caldera, in order to offer Greek cuisine with a front-row seat.