Located on the northern region of the Greek island Santorini, the village of Oia is by far the most famous and picturesque area of the Greek islands. This seemingly untouched corner of the world has a way of capturing the light unlike any other place I've seen.

The ancient village is poised right along on the steep mountainside giving you incredible views of both the Aegean Sea and the volcano that created the islands. Almost every picture you take here is like a postcard because it's just so darn beautiful!

This Santorini travel guide will walk you through all of the best spots I've found so that you can easily build your itinerary and have a fantastic time.

In this travel guide to Oia, Santorni you can expect the following:

The best time of year to visit the Greek Islands.
How many days you should book for your trip to Santorini.
Where to eat in Oia - The best Greek foods to try.
Things to do in Oia.
The best beaches for swimming in Santorini.
Other places to see on the island of Santorini.
How to take the ferry to explore other islands.
Best photo spots in Oia.
Planning your honeymoon in Santorini.
A list of hotels with the best blue domes and ocean views.

The Best Time of Year to Visit Santorini

My husband and I visited the Greek islands during the month of July and the weather was hot and sunny. The summer months of June, July and August are the peak tourist season on the islands because Europeans love to spend their summer vacationing here. The waters are temperate temperatures for swimming and you can enjoy warm evenings while eating al fresco dinners.

How to Avoid the Crowds in Santorini

While the summers are lovely in Santorini, they can be both more expensive and slightly crowded because of the fact that you’re in peak season. If you book your trip during the months of September and October, you can still catch the tail-end of the warm weather and warmer ocean. Most days are still sunny with temperatures averaging between the 70s - 80s.

Because this is the winding down period the season, you may run into an issue that businesses are closing down. So you should expect less dining and transportation options on the islands.

The Worst Times of Year to Visit Santorini

Between the months of November and March is the winter and early springtime. In Santorini during this time you can expect lots of rain and cold temperatures averaging around the 50s.

This is also a timeframe when many popular visitor spots are closed and there’s limited transportation around the islands. If you stumble across a super discounted deal for Santorini during these seasons, be aware that the low prices come with some disadvantages.

The Ideal Amount of Days to Stay in Santorini

We spent a total amount of 10 days on the Greek Islands, half of them in Santorini and the other half on the island of Paros. We had two 24 hour layovers in London, once on the way to Greece and the second on the way back to California. We were able to do a little sightseeing both times, but not nearly as much as we wanted to.

Our days on the Greek Islands were spent low key sightseeing around the villages, swimming in the ocean and enjoying long dinners. By the end of our trip my husband said that he wished we had split up our time and Greece and spent more days in London. So I think the ideal amount of days to spend on the islands is around 5 days. Plenty of time to relax and hit all the highlights.

Where to Eat in Oia & The Best Greek Foods to Try

You should expect food to be at the center of your cultural experience by visiting Greece, and Oia is no different. If this is your first time on Greek soil, I recommend grabbing some Gyro - the most common and affordable snack ever - wrapped up with beef or lamb and served with your choice of ingredients. Don't skip on the tzatziki if you're a garlic enthusiast.

Ammoudi Fish Tavern

Located a mere 300 steps below Oia - yes, we're counting in steps, not miles here - this little gem of a restaurant is tucked into the side of a cliff on Oia's beachfront, perfect for an authentic traditional Greek experience.

The seafood is so fresh that you can actually see the octopus splayed in the sun right before it hits your plate.

With a casual but elegant ambiance, this is the perfect spot for lunch or a romantic dinner date where you'll be able to enjoy the full glory of the setting sun.

Karma

This charming little courtyard restaurant is the perfect place to escape the sun, relax, and refuel with some delicious homemade Greek flavors.

The decor is one of a kind and ideal if you're looking for a place to unwind and have a cup of freshly roasted coffee.

If you're going during dinner, don't miss out on the most tender lamb chop that pairs perfectly with a local glass of Mandilaria or Mavrotragano red wine.

Pro tip: Santorini is famous for its white wine varieties, so make sure to try the Assyrtiko (similar to Sauvignon Blanc, and Vinsanto, a barrel-aged dessert wine.

Lolita's Gelato

Lolita's Gelato is a very cute and Instagrammable sweets shop right in the middle of all the action in Oia. Just a short walking distance from the Blue Domes, this gelato shop has a shaded patio and indoor seating for especially hot days. They have a variety of colorful gelato flavors and cold shakes.

Things To Do in Oia, Santorini

Get Lost Searching for the Blue Domes

A picture among the Blue Domes of Oia is a must if you want to get those iconic shots overlooking the caldera. Don't forget to wear your favorite boho flowing dress to complete the look.

As you meander through the narrow alleys and streets in Oia, the Domes are pretty easy to spot among the rest of the whitewashed houses. I would recommend just going for it, but if you don't know where to start, make sure to ask a local. They're always more than happy to help!

Pro Tip: If you're hoping to get photos without any other tourists in your shot, arrive at sunrise. Make sure to get there before 7 am since most tourist buses arrive at around 9 am. If you book a hotel located in a prime spot of Oia, it will be super easy to get those coveted picturesque photos.

Brush up on Some History by Visiting the Castle of Oia

There may not be much of the castle left today, but it's still a great spot to enjoy the famous Santorini sunset and feel connected to the land's history.

The castle dates back to the 15th century and was built by the Venetians as part of a defense system against pirates and other invaders.

Explore the Streets of Oia and Shop at the Countless Boutique Stores

The village of Oia is basically a maze of cobblestone streets and small shops lined with boutique stores, selling everything from Greek pottery to handmade jewelry and clothing. You'll have no trouble finding something to take home as a souvenir.

The Best Beaches for Ocean Swimming in Santorini

Kokkini - The Red Beach

As you can probably guess by the name, Kokkini features impressive red sand and steep red lava cliffs that frame the scenery. The sand can be particularly hot, so make sure to keep your shoes on or bring some sandals.

The coastline is surrounded by rocks that make for incredible views and an exciting snorkeling experience!

Perissa Beach

Away from the red and into the black, Perissa is covered in black pebbles and fine white sand. It's fully organized with plenty of comfy lounging chairs, lifeguards, and umbrellas and is ideal for families!

Kamari Beach

Easily accessible and fully organized, Kamari is probably one of the most visited beaches on the island, so you can expect it to get hectic!

There are plenty of water sports activities available for visitors and you can also take snorkeling lessons. Santorini is not known for its beaches.

However, both Perissa and Kamari are excellent well-developed options for travelers.

Other Places to See on the Island of Santorini

Volcano & Hot Springs Cruise

If peeking into craters of active volcanoes and swimming in their volcanic sulfur waters sounds like something you want to experience, don't miss out on an organized Volcano and Hot Springs Guided Tour.

The hot spring waters contain powerful healing agents such as sulfur, iron, and manganese that have been thought to help with muscle stiffness, arthritis, rheumatism, and skin disorders.

ATV-Quad Santorini Experience Tour

With this small group guided ATV tour of Santorini you can zip around the island and easily see all the highlights. This ATV tour hits up popular spots such as the Windmills of Emporio, the Venetian Castle, Perissa Black Sand Beach, the traditional village of Megalochori which has a winery and The Heart of Santorini which is a heart-shaped hole in the caldera rocks.

Santorini Cruises and Sailing Excursions

A popular pastime in Santorini is taking a day cruise out on a catamaran. You can sail along the water and get a new perspective of the island with panoramic views of the villages and volcanic rocks. Many of the cruises offer fine dinning lunch or a sunset dinner onboard the boat. Enjoying a cocktail floating along the Aegean Sea makes for an excellent date with someone special. Browse the top Santorini boat cruises here.

The Akrotiri Ruins

Visiting the Akrotiri Ruins is like taking a trip back in time. It's been nicknamed Greece's 'Pompeii,' but it actually outdates the Italian city by over 4000 years.

You'll see ancient artifacts excellently preserved and the details of what used to be the center of the Minoan civilization.

Wine Tasting in Santorini

Believe it or not, there’s over 20 full fledged wineries on the island of Santorini. Many of them have rolling hills filled with grapes vines growing in vineyards, much like what you see in Napa Valley. Santorini is known for the Assyrtiko white grapes which makes sweet Vinsanto wines. The volcanic soils and local traditional methods of harvesting grapes makes vineyards tours and wine tasting in Santorini a very unique experience. Book a Santorini wine tour for your vacation!

How to Take the Ferry to Explore other Islands

If you're in Santorini, you will want to take the opportunity to explore other nearby islands. The Cyclades is the main island-hopping destination in Greece, and you can choose anywhere from one to half a dozen islands, depending on how many days you want to spend cruising.

Paros, Mykonos, and Naxos are some of the most popular destinations, only a couple of hours away by boat!

There are plenty of ferry routes and companies that run between the islands (opt for fast ferries if you are in a rush), so you can choose the best one for your schedule.

Pro Tip: Make sure to pre-book your transport to and from the port of Santorini since taxi availability may be a hassle during the summer months.

Best Photo Spots in Oia, Santorini

Oia definitely has no shortage of photo-worthy spots. Every crook and crevice of this charmingly gorgeous town can be the backdrop of a photoshoot.

The most famous and picturesque spots are the world-famous Blue Domes, the Byzantine Castle ruins and the Windmills near Ammoudi Bay.

If taking amazing vacation photos is at the top of your list for your Santorini trip, you can hire a local Oia photographer who knows all the best photo spots and she can use a pro camera to capture couple or family photos. You can book your photographer here!

A Mindful Cultural Note: Social media apps have made certain churches prime photo shooting spots for travelers in recent years. While plenty of people choose to do it, standing on churches to get a better photo is neither recommended nor allowed and has created a lot of animosity for residents.

Planning Your Honeymoon in Santorini

If you're planning your honeymoon destination, chances are that Santorini is somewhere on your list. And there is no better place in Santorini for a romantic Greek island getaway than Oia. It's so worth the visit that you might as well move it to the top of your must-visit list!

Oia is arguably one of the most iconic and romantic places on earth. With its gorgeous whitewashed buildings and narrow streets just waiting to be explored. It's perched upon the northernmost part of the caldera, a cauldron-like depression resulting from volcanic eruptions in the area, promising incredible fiery sunsets and jaw-dropping views of the Aegean sea.

Oh yes, the views… Let's just say there is no shortage of sweet couple photo opportunities here! But what makes this little town and the island of Santorini so great? Simply speaking - there is no place like it. The scenery, history, and food result from an intense volcanic eruption that has created a setting unlike any other on planet earth.

My Hotel Recommendations for a Honeymoon Trip to Oai, Santorini are:

Alexander’s Suites Condo Hotel
Abyss Oia - One of the highest rated hotels in Santorini.
Stelios Rooms - A bit more budget-friendly but still has excellent views.
Oia Spirit Boutique Residences - These are truly once in a lifetime guest houses right next to the blue domes.
La Perla Villas and Suites - This is an adults only luxury hotel, perfect for romantic getaways.

Additional Pro Travel Tips for Your Santorini Trip

The Mosquitos Are a Real Pain on the Greek Islands

When we were packing for our trip to the Greek Islands, it never occurred to me that I needed to bring bug repellent. We had a terrible time with the mosquitoes biting us at dusk and nighttime inside our hotel rooms. I highly recommend bringing a travel-friendly bottle of bug repellent with you just in case you encounter the same issue as we did.

Apply Sunscreen with High SPF

The sun is very intense in the summertime on the Greek Islands. Not only is there very little shade, the sun-rays tend to reflect off the white walls and the ocean water. It’s the perfect conditions to get a serious sunburn if you’re not careful. Make sure you’re applying sunblock with a high SPF, I would say 50 SPF or more. And if you’re planning on swimming at the beach, make sure your sunscreen is water resistant.

The Internet and TV Options are Non-Existent

After a day of roaming around the Santorini island, my husband and I would snuggle up at night in our hotel room and hope to watch a show or movie. Well we found that none of our hotel rooms were equipped with any kind of streaming, movies or English speaking TV. The wifi was barely strong enough to load a page and streaming on our devices certainly wasn’t going to happen.

I suggest you bring your own screen-free entertainment such as books, adult coloring books, pre-downloaded music, podcasts or audio books. You can also pack travel-friendly games or a deck of cards.

Bring a Travel wall Outlet Adaptor and Charge converter

My first night in Santorini I plugged in my travel steamer to steam out my dresses. I had packed a European outlet pronged adapter which I thought was sufficient. Well I was very wrong, the travel steamer burned up and blew out within a few minutes. I needed an outlet adapter that also doubles as a charge converter because the number of volts coming out of the wall are different than in the US. I also once almost blew up my iPhone while charging in Ireland for the reason - the charge levels weren’t converting properly.