Top Things to do in Oia
The 10 Best Free Things to do in Oia, South Aegean
Oia is carved out of the cliffs, and visitors can see houses built for Venetian sea captains as well as the more typical "cave houses" of the villagers. You’ll find the pure white buildings with colorful roofs that are typical of Greek architecture, and you’ll probably enjoy poking around the town. But don’t breeze through in an hour—you must stay for the sunset. It’s legendary. Watch from a café, or, better yet, from a boat—you’ll be spellbound.
Restaurants in Oia
1. Mnemossyne Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 147 reviews
Unique variety of fine art photography and jewelry, all astonishingly handmade by local artists. The gallery has a very harmonic atmosphere in an elegant cave house located only a few steps before the Castle and the famous sunset spot in Oia.
Reviewed By AnaV1979
Small and kinda hidden shop just next to the famous Oia's castle, with great art gems. You can find rare, beautiful gold designs of jewellery and fine photography. Def a must visit for gallery lovers.
2. Atlantis Books
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 428 reviews
Reviewed By pitsbrgher - Jacksonville, United States
I frequent bookstores when I travel, and this unique venue did not disappoint! Descending the curved, carved staircase, you are greeted with a hobbit-hole type door, and the store opens up behind it. Strewn with books, and decorated with quotes on the furniture, walls and ceiling, you can find real gems! Books are one of my souvenirs from my travels, and Hemingways favorite book, James Joyce’s The Dead (as it was advertised in this store) was one of my takeaways from this charming stop on Santorini. Take your reading material of choice to the rooftop reading room for a relaxing view of the caldera and natural light to enjoy your read!
3. Aquamarine Jewelry
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By hurley_forever - Winnipeg, Canada
The window displays caught my eye, so I came in and wound up buying a beautiful set of rings made by a Greek artist. They had really unique pieces, and the gentleman that helped me was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
4. Epilekton
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 186 reviews
Unique Art pieces, Curiosities,Handicrafts,World art Established at 1991 Find us at Oia's central square, Santorini.
Reviewed By Sunflower_and_Daisy
This adorable store in Oia is riddled with interesting items collected by the owner with love, as well as sells original artworks that make for a unique souvenir of this beautiful island. Walking through the store you will be transported into the past accompanied by stories of the owner. Collectors and passersby alike will find something here that brings them joy.
5. Stardust
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 44 reviews
6. Amoudi Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,828 reviews
Reviewed By stardust2newyorkcity - New York City, United States
Ammoudi Bay feels like a quintessential Greek island experience to me. You can walk a rustic path from the town of Oia down to the bay...smelling donkey doo-doo then entire way and chatting with fellow travelers and locals along the way. Once down at the water's edge there is a path for walking around the rocky coast and exploring a bit...you can watch the famous Santorini sunset from here...AND you can have an amazing lunch at the Sunset Ammoudi Tavern--here you can gobble sun-dried octopus, grilled squid, fried red mullet, fried sardines and anchovies, and grilled whole scorpion fish--absolutely wonderful! We love Ammoudi Bay and the restaurants down here...be sure to come down here if you visit Santorini, it has the best views and best dining on the island.
7. The Castle of St Nicholas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 570 reviews
Reviewed By R6874UWjoshuap - Wilmette, United States
This place is absolutely amazing! This is the spot from where people take pictures of the famous Oia windmills, although many people know this and take advantage of this making it a very popular destination for tourists during sunset. Best time to go here would be after dark. You'll have the place to yourself and get the gift of seeing the beauty of Santorini being bathed in ambient light!
8. Replica
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
9. Oria Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
While walking the streets of famous Oia Santorini, come enjoy the caves of photography at Oria Art Gallery. With the beautiful caves of artwork overlooking the caldera, this is not an experience to be missed. Archival canvas artworks for sale in all sizes ready to take home with you and bring the vibrancy and colour of the Greek Islands into your home. We ship worldwide, check out our website to see the works of artist and Gallery owner Nikos Rigopoulos.
10. Sunset in Oia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,564 reviews
Reviewed By iaink2001 - Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom
I'm so glad I managed to get to travel to Santorini and take in it's beautiful sights. If you get a chance it's an island you must visit at least once in your lifetime, amazing white washed villages against the blue and volcanic backdrop is a site to behold. Although the sunset wasn't as good as normal when I went to Oia, as there were clouds on the horizon which covered the sun in it's final moments before dipping into the Aegean. Even in these times there's still a large crowd that gathers on every spare vantage point, so give yourself a bit of time before sunset and get ready with your camera, you won't regret it.
