The Ultimate Travel Guide to Oia, Santorini

After a blissful 3 days in Mykonos, I took a ferry to go to Santorini. Guys, I thought I’d love Santorini. In fact, I specifically scheduled it after Mykonos because I thought I’d like it better. But the truth is that I didn’t fall in love with Santorini. Don’t get me wrong, it’s stunning, and I loved certain things about it. But overall, it felt too overcrowded and commercial. That being said, I still think that everyone needs to go to Santorini once in their lives. It’s the Greece starter pack! You can’t not witness a Santorini sunset (even though you may get elbowed a few times while doing so, more on that later).

I spent two days in Santorini, and my hotel was steps away from the famous sunset point in Oia. Because of the short period of time I had in the island, I spent the entire time in Oia and didn’t get to explore the other towns. Perhaps the other towns offer a more authentic feel? If you’ve been to Santorini, I’m keen to hear your thoughts!

Here are some things to note before going:

• Definitely have cash on hand as credit card isn’t always accepted
• If you’re going to stay in Oia, 2 days is enough
• Make sure you get a hotel with a Caldera view if you want the famous view
• I highly recommend Oia for honeymooners, it’s very laidback and romantic
• If you’re planning on droning, it’s technically illegal but truthfully, nobody cares (the cops are too busy enjoying gyros and the view to care about shit like this)

Where to Stay
For the first time in forever, I didn’t work with any hotels during my time in Santorini. I wanted to just be able to relax and create content as and when I wanted to. That being said, the hotel I stayed in was wonderful, so I knew I’d want to share.

Amaya Selection of Villas has several villas around Oia. I stayed at Sentiment Villa which was literally steps away from the famous sunset point. It’s extremely spacious and comes complete with a kitchen, living room, and terrace which offers the most breathtaking view of the Aegan Sea. The owner is available on Whatsapp all the time, and the whole experience felt like a second home.

Where to Eat
Like the rest of Santorini, most of the restaurants are ultra romantic. Designed for the most idyllic date nights. The best thing you can eat in Santorini is seafood, which is as fresh as can be.

Dimitris Ammoudi Taverna
A 1000 step staircase brings you to Ammoudi Bay, where you can grab fresh seafood and jump into the crystal clear sea right after. There are several restaurants in Ammoudi Bay, and I’ve heard you can’t go wrong with any. I went to Dimitris which was phenomenal. The seafood is so fresh and the preparation style is simple. Definitely my favourite restaurant experience!

Skiza Cafe
For the best orange cake you’ll ever eat and the friendliest service, head to Skiza. Beware, you may be tempted to order more than one dessert!

Catch Restaurant
This spot is super romantic and has great food. It also has live music! A great choice for date night.

Pito Gyros
In my experience, the best gyros are cheap with no frills. Pito Gyro is basically a glorified food stand. Don’t expect great service or Instagrammable decor, but holy shit, they know how to make a mean gyro.

Lauda
Probably the most romantic restaurant I’ve ever been to with some of the best food I’ve had. Perched on top of the ocean with a view of the cave houses of Oia, this restaurant is a real gem. It simply can’t be missed during a trip to Santorini.

What to do
While I’m all for solo travel, Oia is one place I recommend you do with a significant other.

• Hang out at Ammoudi Bay – go swimming or do a boat tour, the water is crystal clear
• Watch the sunrise at Byzantine Castle Ruins
• The Byzantine Castle is also the best place for sunset, but you’ll have to go early to secure a spot
• If you’re planning on taking pictures, make sure you go at sunrise – you’ll have an hour and a half or so before the streets become really crowded