Santorini Hotels
Oia
If Fira is trendy, the phonetically challenged OIA (pronounced Eea) is upmarket trendy. The position is much the same as its noisier neighbour; splendid views over the caldera rim, yachts bobbing in the sea and a winding staircase down to a small quay.
Santorini hotel oia & Santorini hotel & Hotels in Oia
Once a major fishing port, quite a number of houses survived the 1956 earthquake and many have been tastefully restored. Some are bright, rich colours but most are painted brilliant white, clinging to the red and grey cliffs so closely that one family’s roof can be another’s courtyard.
Shops tend to sell more authentic – if expensive – goods, food is more traditional Greek and the annoying thump of disco music usually absent. This is the place for designer jewellery, arty galleries and pricey boutiques.
Many people gather in the main square, overlooking the sea, to glimpse the sunsets. It gets crowded in the afternoon as buses bring in the tourists. By early evening it is packed with sunset watchers who will sometime offer an implausible and slightly daft round of applause!
Worth a visit is the Maritime Museum, with its models of ships and other sea-going paraphernalia which opens 10am-2pm and 5pm-8pm. The village also has several art galleries and a cultural centre among the inevitable souvenir and gift shops.
A warning for visitors in cars – stick the official car parks as illegal parking can bring a swift and heavy fine. Unlike Fira, Oia has access to the sea at AMOUDI and at ARMENI, where there are small quaysides with waterfront tavernas. They are both at the bottom of very steep stone staircases of 200 to 300 steps, though you can take a mule ride if you prefer.
About the Author
Came from Greeec and at the capital Athens
Thira, Fira, Santorini, Greece, Grecia