Oia

Ia (or Oia) is one of the two towns on Santorini island in Greece.

Understand

Ia (Oia spelling in Greek) is a picturesque town beloved by artists and the tourists alike. Being a destination for all those cruise ship passengers the town so is very busy in the afternoons. It is far better to arrive in the early evening, allowing plenty of time to meander, shop and take photographs, then have a relaxing meal in a Caldera restaurant while watching one of the most beautiful sunsets. Be sure to occupy your seat in advance, though: western side becomes heavily crowded in the hour preceding sunset.

But the full flavour and spirit of the town (and the island) can be enjoyed only after staying for several days.

Ia overlooks two sides of the sea, western with Ammoudi bay, eastern with Armeni bay; only western one faces sunset.

Ia is a popular place for shooting local TV series, sometimes in a nighttime.

Getting there

Easily reachable by bus from the central bus station in Thira. The road to Ia is not for the faint hearted! The bus driver seems to derive great pleasure from scaring the living daylights out of his passengers and a word of warning about the conductor... always have the correct fare or be prepared to face his wrath! The bus fare is very inexpensive--not more than €3 per person.

Taxi from port in Thira costs around €20 per group; €25 if you don't want driver to take people from other groups into the car.

Road between Fira and Ia is meandering -- keep in mind if you choose between taxi and a rented car when you arrive exhausted after a ferry.

Traveling around

By foot

Most parts of the village is reachable by-foot only. Even garbage is taken away by donkeys.

Donkeys can be rented on the staircase connecting Armeni bay to Ia -- especially when you're full with fresh seafood from a tavern :-)

Renting a car

• Drossos: one of the largest selections of cars on the island (esp. cabrios); Russian-speaking owner Zurab. Owner may be gaming you with driver license restrictions for pushing towards more expensive options.

• Auto Europe is not flexible enough to rent a car for extra half a day (at least, it wasn't in Oct 2001)--always operates with full days, despite low season.

• Vazeos claims 24-hour service.

• VIP Cars offers car, scooter, atv & buggy rentals.

Sailing

Sailing in Oia promises unforgettable moments of carefree, amusement and romance.

See

Ia is a very picturesque town. Spend at least half a day exploring the town by meandering up and down paths and staircases. Along the way you'll see interesting architecture and breathtaking views of the caldera.

Things to do

• Caldera Massages Studio , 30 22860 71983, 30 22860 71983, Daily March thru November, On the caldera in the center of the village just off the main village path below Thomas Jewelry. Next to 1864 The Sea Captain's House hotel, Unique, peaceful setting inside in the cave style treatment rooms or on the rooftop with wide views. All natural aromatherapy products also available with instructions on their proper use. (Review by property owner)

Eat

• Lotza tavern. Large souvlaki; tzadziki is bit too hot. Potato salad may be without declared beetroot, but rich in mayonnaise. White salad is with tuna.

• Ambrosia Restaurant (Amvrosia) , 30 22860 71413, 30 22860 71413, Lunch & Dinner Daily, center of the village on the caldera near the main church, Pro: The View with excellent food. Two small intimate terraces for the most romantic, candlelight dinner on the island. Mediterannean dishes served atop the cliffs in Oia overlooking the sea and caldera. Some reviews say the best cuisine in Greece with the view as an extra bonus. Charming interior seating in cave style setting. Contra: Reservations are hard to come by with seating times for dinner not so flexible. Ask your hotel reception to book or try via an email to the restaurant. Expensive evening for the island save it for your **special night** or try their sister Ambrosia & Nectar also in Oia with a more modest pricelist..

• Ambrosia & Nectar , 30 22860 71504, 30 22860 71504, Lunch & Dinner Daily; March to November inclusive., on the path to the sunset, Pro: A long time favorite in Oia that is worth more than one visit as the terrace setting is charming with candlelight and artworks. The food has been rated highly by Gourmet Traveler, Conde Nast writers and Giada from the USA TV food network featured their Santorini Warm Feta appetizer. More relaxed than AMBROSIA Restaurant and calmer prices. Contra: While it is on the path to the sunset one doesn't see the setting sun from the terrace - and the view to the caldera and sea isn't as dramatic as from AMBROSIA's terrace. The food is the main point here as is the friendly service and tasteful decor.

• Nikos, near the bus station, Visit for souvlaki. Order the kalamaki with pita

• Papagalos restaurant . On the main pedestrian pathway. Signature dishes: "Baby octopus appetizer with sweet chilly sause, smoked local fava (yellow split pea pure), fried capers and wild greens", "Pork tenderloin with sour cherry sauce and mastic gum foam", "Fresh lobster risotto with two types of asparagus".

• Roka (Poka), totally hidden--ask around for directions, One of the best places to eat traditional home-style Greek food. The staff make you feel like long-time friends. You shouldn't miss it if you come for the sunset to Oia.

• Slow Food . Open 18-23.

• :Pro: High-flying cuisine: some local-inspired dishes, otherwise international. Great place for romantic dinner. Waiters are well-trained and speak English very well. Amusing thing: once you're done with meals, waiter picturesquely sweeps away grit into a small scoop.

• :Contra: The only sort of tea available proves Lipton Yellow Label. While regular wine is served in an ice bucket, no napkin around the bottleneck is used. During a medium-load evening waiters may forget to bring the dessert you ordered. You may need to ask twice if you want to take the rest of wine bottle with you (at least if the wine is €29 and the bill for two is €110); you are not offered any plastic bag so you leave with a bottle in hands.

• Ammoudi Bay Tavernas. There are three tavernas (side by side--difficult to distinguish between) in Ammoudi bay serving fresh grilled seafood. This is possibly the best place for enjoying dinner and a sunsent in Ia. The food is okay, albeit a little overpriced. Alternately, you can enjoy an even better view of the sunset if you walk past the tavernas and continue on towards the swimming area. Along the path, where you have a clear view of Ammoudi Bay and the direction the sun sets, is an ideal place for snapping great sunset pics. But, if you don't mind paying a premium for a seafood dinner, the tavernas are quite charming.

• Try the famous "Souvlaki and Singing" competition near the Church (on the right, down the steps, through the door) every Sunday night at 9PM organised by Stelios. Entry is €10. Songs by famous Greek singers, such as "Sexy Back" and "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go", are sung all through the night with endless amounts of souvlaki being served up.

Drink

A number of vineyards on Santorini produce great wines. Sample the local wines when possible!

Sleep

Oia - Ia has a variety of accommodation options. Cave style houses updated with modern features, cliff side houses that form a small hotel, mansions once owned by sea captains converted to luxury suites - are some of the unique features in Oia. Points to consider are if the accommodation faces to the sea, caldera and volcano; available terrace for breakfast or lounging, private terrace or shared; windows - as some of the cave houses may have small viewpoints; the location on the cliff as the stairs can be steep and not suited for everyone; and then the items one looks for at any accommodation for air conditioning, bathroom arrangement, bed style and comfort, services, etc. Note that in Oia - Ia, the protected village architecture and the cliffs restrict the building of swimming pools so there are very few offered on the caldera side. A new pool-bar for everyone opened in 2008 offering views towards the sunset side of the island. If the accommodation has a terrace with the view to the sea, caldera and volcano then you won't miss the pool as gazing over the sea is the point here.

As of Sept 2005, no new hotels have been opened in Ia for a few years (only new rooms / caves etc. are added to existing hotels), so you're unlikely to enjoy the benefits of a newly opened hotel, as described in Finding accommodation article.

• Fanari Villas Santorini , 30.22860.71007-8, Hotel Fanari Villas Oia Santorini Cyclades Greece, Hotel Fanari Villas Oia Santoriini Greece.Best Luxury Hotel, Ideal destination if planning to book a hotel, have holidays to Oia Santorini caldera accommodation.

• Atlantida villas (Hotel Atlantida) , 2286071319, Oia Santorini, Greece Cyclades , Hotel in Oia Santorini offering suites and apartments

• Anemomilos Hotel , +30 22860 71410, Oia, Anemomilos Santorini Oia Hotel is comprised of 13 spacious, tastefully furnished hotel rooms, apartments and studios that overlook the Aegean

Budget

• Oia Youth Hostel, +30 22860 71465, Santorini 84702, Greece, No caldera views but a delightful hostel with clean rooms, nice bar, and shaded garden. Breakfast included.

• Ecoxenia Studios , 00302286028340, 00302286028340, Oia, 1 kilometer away from the picturesque village of Oia among the vineyards above the sea-shore (100 meters)., You can easily reach down the two beaches, Paradissos and Coloumbos and enjoy the tasty Mediterranean cuisine from the traditional tavernas for the area.
  The settlement: 8 traditional island dewellings that can accommodate 1-4 persons, built in a 2.000 m2 garden in tranquil natural surroundings with care for special quests who love nature, sea, privacy, tranquillity and romantic view for honey-mooners.
  View: From your private balcony you can enjoy the ocean view, Oia’s famous sunset and the beauty of Ios, Sikinos and Folegardros islands in its fading line.

Mid-range

• Chelidonia Villas is a group of cliff-side cave houses owned and managed by Triantaphyllos Pitsikalis and his wife Erika. Erika usually responds to your inquiries via email, and every time we went into the office Triantaphyllos was there to answer our questions and give great insight into the culture of the island. Triantaphyllos and Erika have restored a number of cave houses across Western Ia that, together, comprise Chelidonia Villas. The particular villa we stayed in, the Apollon House, was incredibly beautiful and has been featured by the New York Times--it even had TWO balconies! The houses have air conditioning and daily maid service, and guests have free internet access. I recommend staying with Triantaphyllos and Erika as they are incredibly hospitable and helpful. We paid €180/night for a cave house that could have easily slept a family of four or five.

Splurge

• Aspa Villa , Cavehouses and traditional studios in Oia.

• Fanari Villas , +30 2286 071007 / 071008 / 071147 / 071321, +30 2286 071007 / 071008 / 071147 / 071321, About a dozen villas/suites styled as traditional cavehouses. One of the choice places for celebrating a wedding, alone or with few friends. All staff is dressed in white. Features restaurant and bar, shared swimming pool with a jacuzzi, sauna and bathroom. Kitchen with full set of dishes, microwave, small electric stove. Prices might make one think it's 5-star luxury, but it's not -- you're paying for a great view and for quiteness. Despite the prices, pool, jacuzzi and chaise-longues have limited availability, and maintenance can be lacking.

• Santorini Resorts , Collection of luxury hotels and resorts located in Oia.

Mid-range

• Delfini Villas: . €50 for double with backside view; €70 for double with balcony and seaview (breakfast included).

Splurge

• 1864 The Sea Captain's House , 30 22860 71983, 30 22860 71983, Center of the Oia village on the caldera, Luxury at a good value with only three suites all with views to the caldera, sea and volcano. Availability is usually hard to come by and it is open March thru November. Same owners as Ambrosia & Nectar, Caldera Massages Studio and the AMBROSIA Restaurant all in Oia.

• Perivolas Traditional Houses , . +30 22860 71308. Is famous for its shared pool with its edge visibly continues as a sea. The hotel was heavily advertised in several worldwide travel magazines, which brought the prices to exorbitant level. Some studios or suites feature black-coloured private outdoor pool or even outdoor jacuzzi (?).

• Konaki Traditional Guest Houses

• Oia luxury suites

• Santorini Resorts

• Santorini Private villas

Buy

If Ia and Santorini are but one stop on your journey, you may want to wait to purchase souvenirs. If you will be heading back through Athens on your way home, wait to purchase souvenirs there: they will be less expensive and you will not need to have the extra burden of carrying them around with you.

Safety

If you plan to get around Ia beyond walking from parking lot to your room, please wear travel boots or sandals: most pavements are covered with cobblestone, and there are lots of stairs in the town as you walk around.

Be aware of the stray cats and dogs around town. It is unusual for them to become provoked, but not impossible.

Contact

• EasyInternetCafe . 10 PCs; minimal charge is €3. Open daily 8AM, till midnight.

Return to Fira/Thira and catch a ferry to your next destination. Crete (Iraklio) is a nice, short trip from Santorini: approximately 2 hours by ferry. From Crete (Souda, near Chania), you could catch an overnight ferry back to Piraeus to continue your trip on the mainland.