The spectacular traditional settlement of Oia
The traditional settlement of Oia Santorini is world-famous for its legendary sunsets and lively cultural scene. It is located on the westernmost point of Santorini, and its charming cube-like houses with colorful façades are perched on the edge of the cliffs, about 150 meters above sea level. Oia is much more quiet than Fira -the island's capital, located 11 kilometers away-, and its pedestrian narrow winding streets are filled with high-end galleries, boutiques, shops, restaurants, cafés and bars. As dusk falls, hundreds of excitable tourists are looking for the best spot near the ruins of the Venetian castle to watch the sun dipping in the Aegean. It's when the sky and the sea look redder and redder as the sun gets closer to the horizon, creating a postcard-worthy scenery.
The charred islets of Palaia and Nea Kameni sizzle in the gleaming sea and the view after sunset is just surreal. Enjoying dinner in one of the numerous Caldera view restaurants is a memorable experience, not only because of the inconceivable natural beauty of the landscape, but also due to the exquisite local gastronomy and wines. Ammoudi is Oia's small port. It shelters a handful of fishing boats that provide the catch of the day to the local taverns, and can be accessed by a set of 300 zigzagging steps. The white-washed blue-domed churches, the traditional cave houses, the mazy narrow passageways, and mind-blowing sunsets make Oia a fairytale place in Santorini, trapped in a space and time out of this world.
