Oia: Tours and Guided Visits

Oia — pronounced “Ia” — is a charming fishing village balanced on the tip of Santorini that offers spectacular views across the Aegean Sea. Alongside its picturesque location, the village is home to a wealth of history and culture with unique churches, cave houses and a Venetian fortress.

Oia tours in Santorini enable you to discover the big impact this tiny town has on visitors. From its sunset views to its cobbled streets and traditional taverns, everyone can find something to suit them here.

Here's all you need to know about Oia tours, one of the most exhilarating sightseeing tours in Santorini.  

Where is Oia located?

The village of Oia is found on the northwestern tip of Santorini, facing out toward the Nea Kameni volcano on the Aegean Sea. It is approximately 10 kilometers from the island’s capital of Fira and can be reached by car in around 20 minutes, following the coastal road in a northerly direction.

You can make use of the public bus system in Santorini to make your jaunt to Oia from many parts of the island. If you’re staying outside of Fira, you’ll need to take one of these buses into the capital before changing to a bus bound for Oia. These run once per hour daily between 7 AM and 10 PM.

What are the best things to see in Oia?

Castle of Saint Nicholas

Often referred to simply as “Oia Castle,” the Castle of Saint Nicholas was originally built in the 15th century as a way to lessen the frequency of pirate raids and provide a sanctuary for the island’s residents.

Situated atop a cliff and directly facing toward the sea, the Venetian fortress's position gave the village fair warning when intruders were approaching, and allowed residents to prepare for the oncoming pillage. The Castle of Saint Nicholas is one of five Venetian castles built in Santorini and was inhabited by descendants of the Byzantine emperor, Romanos Argyros.

While this grand imposing landmark stood firm upon this clifftop for centuries, it was partially destroyed by an earthquake in the 1950s. Much of the castle fell into the sea and all that remains is its watchtower. Today, the fortress is mostly used as a spot to watch the sunset by locals and tourists alike as it is home to some of the best views of the caldera from the island.

Church of Panagia Akathistos Hymn

Before the destructive earthquake of 1956, the Church of Panagia Akathistos Hymn — also known as the Church of Panagia Platsani — was located inside the Castle of Saint Nicholas. However, after this catastrophic natural event, the church was rebuilt in its current location.

The religious monument is dedicated to the Virgin Mary — the central figure of Christianity in the Greek Orthodox church — and features the iconic painted blue dome that Santorini’s churches are famous for, alongside four other smaller domes. Its bell tower is unusually shaped as it showcases six bells, and the interior of the chapel features religious frescoes by local artists.

According to legend, the icon of the Virgin Mary, which can be seen in the church, was found in the sea by a fisherman and was later retrieved by several of the town’s residents. The icon is said to have mysteriously kept disappearing from the church it was placed in, only to reappear in the Castle of Oia. This is why the original Church of Panagia Akathistos Hymn was built inside the clifftop fortress.

What are the best tours to visit Oia?

Santorini highlights tour with wine tasting and sunset in Oia

One of the most popular times of day to explore the village of Oia is sunset, after a full day of exploring Santorini.

Starting out your combination tour, you’ll head straight to the island’s highest summit, Profitis Ilias, for a panoramic view across the Santorini caldera. Here, you’ll be educated on the volcanic activity that has formed the archipelago you see in this corner of Greece today.

Moving on, explore the 18th-century monastery atop the mount before wandering the traditional village of Pyrgos, which lies under the tourist radar. Embark on a Santorini walking tour to the 15th-century Venetian fortress in Emporio.

Take a dip in the mild waters of the Aegean Sea at the volcanic Perissa Beach before participating in a wine-tasting experience. Arrive at Oia in time for a blazing Greek sunset while strolling past the village’s cave houses and blue-domed churches, finishing your tour with a little free time.

Caldera hike from Fira to Oia

Invigorate yourself with a hiking tour along the scenic cliffs toward the village of Oia.

Starting in the island’s capital, Fira, you’ll tour the town’s main highlights before beginning your clifftop walk to the village of Oia. This is one of the most popular hikes in Santorini and provides magnificent views all the way along the coast.

Journey up to Firostefani and continue on your leisurely trek to Imerovigli, known as the “Balcony of the Aegean,” to understand how the caldera formed over several volcanic eruptions. Finish your hiking tour in Oia at the Castle of Saint Nicholas which is where residents ran to avoid capture during pirate raids in the Middle Ages.

Private Oia day trip

If you’re looking for a more personalized experience, book a private Oia tour.

Explore the area surrounding Oia by starting your tour in Firostefani, just north of the capital, which is often referred to as the “Crown of Fira.” Here, you’ll experience spectacular views from the island, stretching endlessly over blue-domed churches to the ocean and surrounding isles.

Continuing on, you’ll travel to the townlet of Imerovigli where you can admire the caldera that has formed over thousands of years and see for yourself the impact that volcanic activity can have on a landscape. Moving on to your main destination, Oia, you’re sure to be enchanted by the picture-perfect village as you wind your way along its streets and admire its white-washed buildings.

What are the prices of Oia tours?

Tours in Oia vary in price depending on the type of activity you wish to participate in and your travel style.

You’ll pay approximately €70 per person for a full tour of the island with a Santorini wine-tasting experience that finishes at sunset in Oia. This cost includes the services of a local guide, as well as samples of several varieties of wine and refreshments.

A caldera hike from Fira to Oia costs just under €100 per person, while a private excursion in Oia costs between €100 and €110 each. These private tours typically include a more comfortable journey in an air-conditioned vehicle and you’ll have more opportunities to converse one-on-one with your guide.

Where do Oia tours start?

The majority of tours in Oia include a convenient accommodation pickup service from hotels and apartments across the island. This complimentary service enables you to enjoy your day trip without any transportation worries and you’ll be picked up at a pre-determined time.

Those that do not offer a hotel pickup will show the meeting point on the booking page of each tour. In these instances, you’ll meet at an easy-to-reach location, such as the Santorini Cable Car, where a guide will be waiting for you with a sign or other distinguishing feature.

Santorini has a reliable bus service that visitors can use to transport themselves to any meeting point easily.

When is the best time to visit Oia?

Oia, like many other destinations in Santorini, is exceptionally popular during the height of the summer season. This can result in extraordinary crowds, queues for attractions and a busier experience than many would enjoy.

Instead, plan your tour in Oia during the shoulder months of May, June, September or October for a more peaceful and authentic experience. During these months, you can expect temperatures to range between 22 and 27 degrees Celsius, making for a balmy day trip.

Aim to arrive in Oia as early as possible to enjoy an air of tranquility that can’t be found here at any other time of day. The tourist crowds begin to arrive around 9 AM, so try and give yourself a couple of hours beforehand to explore without anyone else around.

What other sightseeing tours can you do in Santorini?

• Akrotiri tours in Santorini
• Photo tours in Santorini
• Free walking tours in Santorini
• City tours in Santorini

Travel tips

• If you wish to catch a sunset in Oia — widely known as the best spot on the island to catch the last golden rays of the day — be prepared for there to be a crowd of other tourists doing the same.
• Temperatures in Oia reach up to 30 degrees Celsius during the peak of summer. If you book your tour in Oia for July or August, be prepared for the heat with sunscreen, a sunhat and plenty of water.
• Instead of traveling to Oia for the sunset, catch the sunrise over the caldera by heading to the town around 6:30 AM.