Santorini Island Greece

Santorini, Greece

A trip to the town of Oia while in Santorini, Greece is a must. This is a small town with many traditional Greek white-washed houses and it was formerly the commercial and economic heart of the island. With a number of shops and museums it is not difficult to find something to do here and hundreds of tourists visit each day during the summer. 

Oia Santorini

Most of Oia Santorini hotels are built according to the traditional Cycladic architecture and have kept the “Cave House Style”. The Strogili Traditional Houses Hotel in Oia is a complex of apartments and studios, built in different levels and sharing a large swimming pool with sun loungers, umbrellas and a sun terrace with magnificent sea views. 

Strogili Hotel Apartments & Studios Santorini (Oia)

The Strogili hotel in Oia offers elegant accommodation at very reasonable prices and is highly recommended for tourists who are seeking for this type of Santorini accommodation. 

Strogili Hotel Studios Santorini (Oia)

The island of Santorini, Greece has a long and interesting history. Over the years volcanic activity has created the islands that we would recognize today and the main island is known as Thira, although the collective name of Santorini is often used to refer to the main island.

A tribe known as the Dorians invaded the island in the 10th century BC and created seven settlements there. It was the Dorians that chose the name of Thira. Over the years other cultures have taken over the island including the Venetians, who settled on the name of Santorini, derived from ‘Saint Irene’ the island’s patron saint. After that, the island was occupied by the Turks until the early part of the 19th century.

The aforementioned volcanic activity has shaped the civilization on the island. In 1625 BC there was an eruption that caused the island to be uninhabited for around 300 years after it destroyed the Minoans. The tidal wave that was also caused by the eruption managed to reach Crete. There were also earthquakes around the same time which changed the islands’ shapes.

Now the island of Thira is the largest of the islands of Santorini, Greece. There is only one other inhabited island, that of Thirasia. The smaller islands can be visited but there is no accommodation there. It is estimated that of the 10,000 people who live on the main island, more than 1000 can be found in the town of Oia. Despite the relatively small population of the island there are at least 550 churches here.

Those who want to experience life at a slower pace will appreciate some of the quirks of living in towns such as Oia. While in other countries the cars need to be registered, here it is the donkeys. Visitors staying in places such as Oia can take trips to some of the island’s best features which include the highest point of Profitis Ilias which is 565 metres high and where there is an 18th century monastery and which is now home to just five monks. 

Traditional features of Greek island life can be seen clearly in towns such as Oia and villages such as Pyrgos where there are few contemporary touches. Pyrgos is home to the ruins of a Venetian castle dating from the 13th century.

It is hard to visit Santorini, Greece and avoid the legend of Atlantis. There are those who say that these islands are the former mythical Atlantis, which is reported to have a very advanced civilization and which is claimed to have disappeared under the sea. Given the volcanic activity and how the island has changed in size and shape over the years then this is a possibility.  

Santorini Holidays

Santorini holidays in Oia

If you want to take Santorini holidays in Oia then you will soon learn that you have come to the right place. This is one of the most sought after holiday locations on the island for those who appreciate everything that the island is famous for.

First of all, the Oia sunset. This is one of the most beautiful views on the island and each evening tourists and locals stop to enjoy the sight of the sun disappearing over the horizon. The small town of Oia is perfectly located for the best views of this. While in the area why not take one of the boat trips for even better views? The boats sail a mile or two out to sea and it is often the case that you can enjoy a meal and some traditional entertainment at the same time before sailing back to the island after the sunset. 

Oia Santorini

Next there is the friendliness of the town. The locals are known for being very warm and welcoming and whether you are staying in a small budget hotel or have opted for luxury accommodation, you will find yourself being treated like royalty. Locals are always ready to help and learning a phrase or two of Greek for your Santorini holidays in Oia will help you a great deal. One of the best value for money Oia Santorini hotels is the Strogili Hotel Apartments and Studios, located in a prime area and offering amazing sea views of the caldera and the Aegean Sea. 

Strogili Apartments Santorini (Oia)

The Strogili Traditional Houses complex is built according to the Cycladic-style architecture with its apartments and studios in different levels, with colorful plants and flowers and a large swimming pool with sun terrace, deck chairs and umbrellas, making it a first choice hotel for people looking for this type of Santorini accommodation. 

Strogili Studios Santorini (Oia)

The travelling is also a bonus. Everywhere on the island can be reached easily and there are always plenty of excursions to other parts of the island. You could visit the island’s capital of Fira and spend a little time shopping or enjoying a traditional meal in one of the restaurants there. Alternatively, take the time to visit one of the many ancient ruins and monuments on the island. Santorini is filled with historical features and as the civilization here dates back thousands of years, there is plenty to see. The island is also reported to be the home of the mythical Atlantis and while there is nothing to prove this, it certainly adds an interesting perspective to your holiday in the region.

The volcano is also a big draw for many people. Trips to the volcano are possible and this is one of the excursions which is a must for visitors to the island. The volcano has been responsible for many changes in the region and it is major part of the island’s history. Trips often take in the hot springs and allow visitors to walk close to the volcano. 

Santorini holidays in Oia are perfect for those who also want to be off the beaten track a little. Oia is not a resort town, it is a place where you can enjoy the traditions of island life and get to know the local people. With a small population the area is not filled with vast streets in which to get lost, but has a very intimate feel to it. If you are the sort of person who is interested in other cultures and great places to visit then this is the holiday for you.

Santorini Greece

Oia Santorini

Those who are choosing to take their holidays in Santorini Greece will find the town of Oia a great place to visit. This is a fairly small town in terms of population but this rises sharply during the summer months when the tourists come to the island. One of the main features of this part of the island of Santorini is the architecture. 

Oia Santorini Greece

The cliffs of Oia feature houses that have been carved into the rock, which is volcanic and porous. These houses can be clearly seen and gives the town a very unique look. The architecture in other parts of the town is also considered to be particularly beautiful. There are some large Venetian houses which date back to the medieval period which are a must for anyone interested in art and architecture. 

Ianthe Apartments & Villa, Oia Santorini

For those who are interested to stay in Oia, the Ianthe Apartments and Villas is a perfect choice which combines an elegant ambience along with very reasonable prices. Rightfully these apartments are considered as one of the best Oia Santorini apartments. 

Ianthe Villa Oia Santorini

Santorini, Greece is very popular with tourists. The town of Oia attracts many visitors each year and the sunset is considered to be particularly beautiful from here with uninterrupted views across the sea. The castle is a great vantage point in the town. Hundreds of tourists will make their way to the town at the end of each day to view the sunset and you need to get there early to get a good viewing point.  Alternatively while on the island you can opt to watch the sunset from one of the many tour boats. The evening cruises are very popular as the boat is taken out around a mile from the land so that tourists are in the best position to see as the sun goes down. 

The docks at Oia are also of interest to the tourist. It is reported that they have been in use for at least 3000 years and this makes them the oldest continually used docks anywhere in the world. It is not clear how true this story is but the island of Santorini has a very long and varied history, so it is not beyond the realms of possibility that the stories are true. Many cruise ships dock at Santorini for passengers to spend the day exploring the island, but in years gone by it was mainly traders.

The town of Oia in Santorini, Greece is also home to a Naval Maritime Museum. This is housed in a 19th century mansion and covers the maritime history of the region. Artifacts on display include old figureheads from ships, chests, maritime equipment and rare photographs. Anyone interested in this type of history will be able to spend all day here quite happily. The maritime history of the island is strong and during the latter part of the 19th century and the early 20th century was at its peak. Traders sailed from here to all parts of the Mediterranean and even to Russia.

Oia has also featured heavily in a number of books and films, so visitors to Santorini, Greece may spot a few locations that are already familiar. Films such as ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’  and ‘Lara Croft’ used the town as a location and this is thanks largely to the beauty of the area.