Oia Maps

Oia is a village located on the northern tip of Santorini island in the Cyclades. The village has a permanent population of approximately 1,500 residents. Oia is internationally renowned for its stunning sunset views, whitewashed cave houses carved into the volcanic cliffs, and blue-domed churches, representing the iconic image of the Greek islands.

The settlement cascades down steep cliffs overlooking the volcanic caldera, formed by a massive eruption around 1600 BCE that created the island's distinctive crescent shape. Traditional houses called "yposkafa" are carved directly into the volcanic rock, originally used as storage rooms for ships or as workers' dwellings. Wealthy sea captains' houses from the 19th century, built when Oia was a prosperous maritime center, feature neoclassical architectural elements painted in pastel colors.

The Maritime Museum of Oia, housed in a restored captain's house, documents the island's naval history and the prosperity brought by merchant shipping in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The three distinctive Blue Domed Churches visible from various points in the village are among the most photographed subjects in Greece. The Castle of Oia, also known as "Goulas," is a Venetian fortress from the 15th century, now in ruins but offering panoramic views.

The village was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1956, which destroyed many buildings and prompted significant emigration. Restoration efforts beginning in the 1970s preserved the traditional architecture while adapting structures for tourism. The narrow pedestrian streets prohibit vehicle traffic in most of the village. The sunset viewing area draws hundreds of visitors each evening during peak season. Oia is accessible by bus or car from Santorini's main town, Fira.