Oia

Oia is situated on top of the impressive Caldera cliffs overlooking the volcano of Palia Kammeni and Nea Kammeni and the island of Thirassia. The village is only 11km away from Fira and has a distinctive traditional Cycladic character with charming whitewashed houses, narrow alleys, and blue domed churches.
                                                                                                                         
You will find many shops, taverns, cafes, and art galleries in the village. Oia also has several cultural attractions like the Maritime Museum which houses a small library and various nautical items, as well as the ruins of a Venetian fortress. However, the highlight of your visit to Oia will be the view it offers of the famous magical sunset of Santorini. People swarm to the village to admire the sunset, and the whole event becomes a joyful festivity. 

 

Ammoudi Bay                                                                

The area of Ammoudi consists of a small, lovely harbor that is probably the most picturesque location of the island. It lies on the northwest coast of Santorini, about 13 kilometers from Fira, at the bottom of the idyllic Oia village. The whole settlement is breathtaking for its architecture, natural beauty and the view it lavishly offers. To reach Ammoudi you can follow the downhill road that leads there or, alternatively, you have to descend around 200 steps on foot or by riding a donkey, which is typical in Santorini.

The bay of Ammoudi extends under the impressive caldera cliffs. Besides the harbor with the fishing boats, there is a waterfront with traditional fish taverns where you can try fresh fish and local recipes and have a wonderful time in this unparalleled setting. But just a promenade in this path is enough to captivate you and give you unique moments and images. Most people visit Ammoudi in order to swim in the crystalline waters or even try daring dives from the rocks. There is no beach or facilities here, just the crystal-clear waters and a stupendous view of the Oia settlement standing on the top of the reddish cliffs, unfolding in front of you as you swim. At the end of the path lies a fantastic diving place. The area of Ammoudi also has a diving center.

Ammoudi is highly recommended for it is a miraculous scenery and offers an alternative swimming experience, nothing like the cosmopolitan beach resorts. If you wish to stay here there is a bunch of residence options in Oia village that will surely satisfy you.

Volcano

One of the most important attractions of Santorini is the volcano, whose monumental eruption in late Bronze Age, begun reforming the terrain of the island. The size and the shape of Santorini were entirely different before the several volcanic eruptions that occurred throughout the years, some of them being submarine. Santorini was a much larger, round island, and its name used to be Strogili, meaning circular.
                                                                            
The result of these eruptions of the past was the creation of five islands, the crescent-shaped Santorini, Therassia, an uninhabited islet called Aspronisi, and the volcanic isles of Palaia Kammeni and Nea Kammeni. Volcanic traces can be found all over the island, especially on the beaches that are covered, in their majority, in black sand and pebbles made of solidified lava. Another spectacular outcome of the eruptions is the formation of the Caldera that runs through the island. This unique morphology is what makes Santorini an exceptional place on earth, and the villages that are built on the cliffs of the Caldera offer a unique view to the Aegean sea and the islets. There are daily tours to the volcano, by boat, offering you the chance to walk on it, discover its crater and other openings bursting with sulfur steam, swim in the springs and get to know all about its activity and history.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                       

Fira

If there is an island that almost every corner of its landscape can become a postcard, it is undoubtedly Santorini. Fira is the beautiful capital of the island and the most cosmopolitan settlement of Santorini. It is located in the western edge of the island, facing the Caldera and the isles Palaia Kammeni and Nea Kammeni that lie in the Aegean sea. 

Fira is a social hub that offers its visitors a combination of wild, natural scenery, interesting sightseeing, endless shopping, and a vibrant nightlife. There are many restaurants, taverns, cafes, bars and clubs where you can enjoy a refreshing beverage, relish local dishes enjoying the view, or dance and have fun. What is more, there are many shops where you can buy from clothes and accessories to gifts and souvenirs.

Among the landmarks of Fira are two of the most important museums of Santorini; The Archaeological Museum of Thera, that houses exhibits dating back from Proto-Cycladic era all the way to the Classical period, and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera that displays many ancient artifacts from various excavations on Santorini. Another place you should visit is the Gyzi Megaron, a cultural center that accommodates a variety of collections and houses several cultural events such as concerts, theatrical performances and art shows. There are also two cathedrals in the village as well as many churches and monasteries nearby where you may take a look at the historical and contemporary religious elements of the beautiful Fira.