The Best of Santorini!
Only One day in Santorini. – Enjoy Oia!
ENJOY OIA!
This is it! The home of the legendary blue-domed whitewashed buildings with a view of the caldera. Are you ready for the best of Santorini?
You are in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Oia (Pronounced “ee-yah”). Oia is for shopping.
Oia is for allowing yourself to be mesmerized by the beauty around you. This area of Santorini is for spectacular picture-taking opportunities, especially if you can stick around for the sunset. Take part of a luxurious lunch with a view… and just enjoy.
The Best of Santorini in a Day
How do I get to Oia?
After a delightful day on Mykonos, we arrive for only one day, by ferry or on a cruise ship? What should we do? Take a tour, go on your own? How can we make the most of the time we have…..usually one day. (Way too short).
Arriving on Shore: Donkey or Cable Car to get to the top? You will have to tender in from the ship. Check the times for tender release and be on the first possible tender. Research on the ship the night before. You want to maximize your time onshore today.
You will need to take the cable car from the dock into the town of Fira. You could also walk up the hill (not recommended for seniors because of the pitch of the hill, the donkey droppings, and possible slippery steps). Last check, the cable car ride was running five euros per person each way. (Remember you have one day….do you want to spend a large part of it riding a donkey?)
Warning: When returning, there is usually a long line to catch the cable car, so give yourself lots of time (an hour or so). You can hang out at the tender port if you get there early.
Oia or Fira?
Fira is a sweet city, but it does not compare to the beauty of Oia (pronounced “ee-yuh”). That was easy. Oia is the site of the blue-topped buildings you see in the pictures. Here are some of ours.
Getting to Oia—Bus or Taxi? Here is a link to the Bus Schedules:
Oia was our destination and where we wanted to spend our time. The distance from Fira to Oia is about 30 miles. You can take a bus or get a cab. Because we wanted to maximize our time, we chose to take the taxi, which was 30 Euros and we were so glad we did. (Negotiate the price before you get in.)
Hint: Before you leave the taxi, have him tell you where to catch the bus back, and where to buy bus tickets.
Oia is for wandering, Oia is for shopping, Oia is for allowing yourself to be mesmerized in the beauty around you. Oia is for spectacular picture-taking opportunities. Oia is for having a luxurious lunch with a view. Just enjoy.
Hint: Santorini in the summer is blisteringly hot. Be sure to wear and hat and sunscreen. Don’t forget your hands…..Many shops sell lotions and sunscreens made in Greece which make great gifts for those teenagers at home.
Splurge: Have lunch with a view of the crater. Unforgettable. We loved ……
Time to return? Again, give yourself plenty of time, and take the bus back to Fira. Bus tickets are sold on the bus. Get in line for the cable car early so you don’t miss the ship.
By the way, during the day we passed the cruise tours as they were herded quickly through the shops. No thanks….
Our goal is always to spend the most time in Oia, so we usually rent the first taxi we see and go straight to Oia for the day. Always ask the rate before entering the taxi. You should expect a fare of about 50 Euros and an about 15-minute drive.
The bus is another great option, leaving the Fira Bus Station approximately every 30 minutes and costing 2-3 Euros, cash only. Just hop on the bus and pay once if the ticket seller is not out front. Most buses are air-conditioned. This is our return option, and we always ask the cab driver where the bus station is and when the last bus leaves Oia. Expect about a 25-minute ride.
2. Shopping in Oia
The best of Santorini are the Shops of every kind that line the whitewashed, marbled streets of Oia. What are the souvenirs you will still treasure at home? Here are a few suggestions:
Art.
You cannot go wrong with adding a print or an original of Oia to your collection. Art galleries line the streets and you can select art in all price ranges.
Greek-made toiletries.
One of my favorite purchases in Oia was a tube of hand cream made in Greece. The cream was not only soft and lubricating, it took away the burning in my hands after I forgot to put sunscreen on them.
Jewelry.
Do you really want an evil eye when you get home? Look among the many jewelry stores lining the streets. Might I suggest an olive branch from Aquamarine?
Clothing.
I selected a scarf with the ‘blue domes’ of Santorini. If you like linen, you will be intrigued with the garments from B.Loose.
Leather.
Look for handmade leather items from Iota’s Handbags, near the Church of St. Nicholas.
3. Have lunch, a snack, or dinner in Oia, with a view of the caldera. This is really the best of Santorini
Especially if your day in Oia is hot, you will need a respite. Part of the culture is enjoying the local food and there is no better place than Oia, facing the caldera. (Hint: It’s also a great time for a bathroom break!) You may want to consider making reservations ahead of time to secure a view table.
Want a recommendation or two?
Try 1800-Flogas for an unparalleled view if you have a large budget, or for authentic gyros on a budget with no view, the best place is PitoGyros. (When you get off the bus, go up the hill a bit and about 100-200 meters to the left (if you’re looking uphill). You’ll find a school and a basketball court.
If you’re looking up the hill at the basketball court, PitoGyros is just to the left of the basketball court.–Directions from their website.)
A gyro (Pronounced ‘yee-roh’) is a mixture of meats, a yogurt sauce, and vegetables rolled in pita bread.
Souvlaki (‘Sue-vlock-ee’) is skewered meat, usually chicken, lamb, or pork.
4. Taste Some Greek Wine.
Sampling cultural foods are one of the musts of a Greek experience, and wine is no different. Santorini boasts some great dry whites, predominant among them Assyrtiko and Nykteri. If you like dessert wines, the Vinsanto gets great reviews as well.
Be sure to try them with your gyros, souvlaki, or other Greek treats.
If you have time, visit a Santorini winery. Santo Winery comes very highly recommended, offering daily tours for 12 Euros per person, or you can visit the Winery for a spectacular view with snacks or lunch.
Santo Winery is located in Pyrgos and is accessible via bus from Fira (4km). Just tell the bus driver you want off at the Santo Winery and he will deposit you just outside. Reservations are available after 9:30 AM. https://santowines.gr/visit-us
If you are in Oia and want a closer winery to Oia, try Sigalas Estate (Domaine Sigalas). Here are directions from their website:
During summer, there is a bus every half an hour that connects Fira with Oia. In order to come to the winery, it would be better to make a stop at Foinikia village. When you get out of the bus there is a sign that says “Streets of Wine Domaine Sigalas”. You turn right. The road goes down, it has a great view and the distance is about 10 minutes walk.
Taxi to and from the winery is also advised.
The Maritime Museum with artifacts such as rare figureheads, trunks, uniforms, and maps is suggested for those interested in naval history.
For 5 Euros a person and located close to the post office, it is a respite from the heat with interesting models of ships, a display of knots, and all things maritime. A non-profit, give yourself 30 minutes to an hour of air-conditioned bliss.
Built-in the 15th Century and still with the best views of the island, St. Nicholas Castle is mostly in ruins, but the vantage point remains spectacular. Located on the Northwestern tip of Oia, here’s where to go for the famous Santorini sunset if you have time.
7. Archaeological Site–Akrotiri
If you have time and love history, the “Pompeii of the Aegean” is for you. Located 15km from Fira on the southwestern tip of the island, excavation started in 1967 revealed the well-preserved remains of life on Santorini dating back to the 17th Century BC.
How to get there: Of course, if you have a car, you can drive. Public transport is available to the village of Akrotiri. From there, follow the marked directions to the Site. You can also take the bus to the Red Beach (15-20 minutes) and walk approximately 250 meters to the Site.
8. Kamari Beach–The Closest Beach to Fira
If you only have one day and want to visit the beach, your closest bet is Kamari Beach, a family, and senior-friendly beach which is only 10 km from Fira. It is easily accessible by car, bus or taxi. The cost of a taxi is approximately 20 Euros each way.
Once there you are treated to a black volcanic beach with black sand and pebbles. Warning: Bring your beach/water shoes as the sand can be very hot and the pebbles in the water slippery! Beach umbrellas and sun chairs (look for ones with good padding) are usually free if you order food or drink from a nearby bar. Seniors beware that some areas may be rocky and difficult to navigate.
For the Best of Santorini? No Problem, Enjoy Oia!
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