Oia

Oia is a beautiful coastal town, located on a cliff overlooking the fascinating caldera and the island of Thirassia, on the northwest side of Santorini, about 12 km from the capital Fira. The town is famous for its magical sunsets in the caldera, whitewashed-blue domed houses, traditional architecture and dramatic views of caldera cliffs reflecting the pink and purple hues as the sun moves towards the west.

As the beautiful town of Oia is pretty expensive, for people who choose to stay here, it is more of a luxury, romantic getaway with marvellous views of the caldera on one side and beautiful sunsets on the other. For others who choose to stay elsewhere, the town offers some of the best viewpoints with world-famous sunset views and some cosy cafes, restaurants and shops worth visiting while exploring bougainvillaea-covered labyrinthine alleys on foot. Pretty windmills with traditional households sitting on the water and little blue-roofed chapels in quiet-hidden alleys attract huge crowds that keep narrow alleys of the town flooded during the day.

With limited options to explore, Oia has Ammoudi bay, just 300 steps down the hill, giving a perfect fishing village vibe. There is also a 3-5 hour hike between Oia and Fira, which is a must-do with the most sublime views Caldera has to offer, which can be done either on foot, by a cable car or on a muleÍs back.