Oia, Greece

White buildings and tan tents in Oia, Santorini with a sweeping view of the Aegean Sea and distant mountains in the background.

Oia, Greece

Oia, “EE-ah,” sitting at the top of Santorini’s northern coast, is all about smiles. You smile as you move deeper into the town and thank yourself for including Oia on your itinerary.

From the outset, the breathtaking scenery grabs you. The town is adorned with chic and quirky shops, restaurants, churches, and art galleries lined along narrow pathways. Oia exudes an unmatched elegance, even by the city of Fira.

If you come to Oia, expecting white buildings with blue roofs and sweeping views, you will find them here. The light-colored buildings create a happy and welcoming environment. Smiling vendors wait at the doors of their establishments, ready to sell their wares.

The sunsets from Oia have attracted people from all over the world. Crowds gather early in the evening, along ledges and rooftops, finding joy and peace as they watch the sky transform from blue to a fiery orange, then a rosy pink, and finally a deep purple.

Oia can be luxurious and bustling, especially during golden hour. But during early mornings, the town offers a tranquil, meditative experience to start your day. Grab a freshly brewed espresso, relish the moment, and smile.

Street performer in white outfit with bronze instrument and navy cap playing on stone steps in Oia, Greece, surrounded by cobblestones, pink flowers, and a Greek flag during the day.
A street performer brings movement and music to Oia’s sunlit steps.
Narrow stone pathway in Oia, Greece, with coral and white walls, blue wooden alcove frame, gray metal gates, red flowers, and black wrought iron accents.
Not a landmark, but unmistakably Greece.

Next stop: Ephesus, Turkey