Oia Holidays 2025/2026
The small village of Oia is a favourite for Santorini holidays, known for its sunset views and tall cliffs dropping down into the blue sea. You can explore the ruins of a Byzantine Castle, dine in style on restaurant roof terraces or take a boat trip to snorkel and see the volcanic calderas.
Oia Holiday Deals
Charming clifftop village
Oia has long been famous for its celebrated sunsets and far-ranging, idyllic views. With lucid waters and a Mediterranean climate to match, make this romantic fishing village your home during holidays to Santorini and you wont be disappointed.
Situated atop an impressive cliff in the north of Santorini, the quaint painted buildings of the village are set against a stunning backdrop of glistening blue water and views of the volcanoes of Palea and Nea Kameni.
Despite being one of the island’s quieter communities, Oia’s charming narrow streets are lined with taverns, galleries and gift shops and there is an abundance of activities on offer – from exploring castle ruins and old churches to wine-tasting and relishing the delicious local cuisine.
You can easily explore the area on foot, or pay for a ride on a mule, saddle up, and enjoy the outstanding beauty of the island from a new perspective. Half-concealed stone staircases lead you to nearby ports and fishing villages. Magical doesn’t begin to describe it.
This little gem offers a real sense of tranquillity and wonder. It’s the perfect escape for anyone in need of slowing down and temporarily escaping the rat-race.
Watch the sunset
Oia is the most popular place on Santorini to watch the sunset and at peak times this can lead to large numbers of visitors on the beach in the evenings. With this in mind, you should plan ahead by finding a picturesque spot at least an hour in advance.
Many rooftop restaurants, such as the brilliant Ochre, offer fantastic views and exquisite local cuisine to match. Alternatively you can grab a nice bottle of Vinsanto wine from a local tavern and ramble through the lanes in search of your own special spot.
Should you want to catch sight of the sunset from a boat or a rooftop restaurant, make a reservation well in advance. The area around the Byzantine Castle ruins is a popular location to catch a glimpse, and attracts large crowds.
Amoudi bay
This little port offers a stunning view of Oia from below, and the 20-minute descent via a stone staircase to the bottom of the Santorini cliff is worth every bead of sweat you work up on the way down. The small bay is lined with an array of sumptuous seafood restaurants serving fresh produce hauled from the Aegean Sea.
Grab some fresh lobster and sit on the beach. Walk around the bay to Amoudi beach and take a dip. Watch the locals cliff-jump into the sea. Most importantly, sit back and relax, soaking up the spirit of this remarkable place.
Boat tours
Boat tours offer you the opportunity to swim in the mineral-rich hot springs of the volcanic islet Nea Kameni or jump around in the warm, medicinal mud. It’s even possible to hike up the side of the steaming Santorini volcano, clambering over solidified lava, to observe it hissing out offerings of sulphur steam.
Several boat companies also cater to those wishing to go snorkelling, with day trips typically lasting between six and eight hours. For many, the chance to watch the sunset from the tranquillity of the ocean is incentive enough.
Santorini offers a wide range of reputable boating companies catering for all budgets. With a range covering craft from luxurious sailing yachts to traditional wooden boats, you’re sure to find a package to suit you.
Don’t forget to bring good walking shoes and a sun hat. If you’re going to bathe in the mud and springs, dark beachwear is advisable too, as the sulphur has a reputation for leaving stain marks on clothes.
Eating out
Choose Oia for package holidays to Santorini and you wont ever go hungry. Local cuisine is primarily Mediterranean and Greek with an abundance of fresh seafood and veggie options. Take a pit stop in one of the many classic tavernas or go all out in one of the upmarket cliff-side restaurants, where you can catch some of the best views in town.