In Santorini, Oia is paradise on earth. That is – if your idea of paradise is filled with white-washed houses with blue domes, sitting on a cliff that traverses down to the blue waters of the Aegean Sea.

You have probably seen Santorini already, I’m sure.

Its white-washed houses with a spectacular sunset in the background have graced countless postcards, books, photography websites, calendars, blogs, posters, promotional materials, and romantic wedding albums.

Santorini: Oia is Paradise on Earth

The volcanic island’s capital is Fira, but the postcard-perfect place not to miss is Oia. It’s on the edge of the island but it’s accessible by buses.

Oia was really crowded when we were there last summer and you’ve got to find a spot where you can admire the scenery without the horde of tourists disturbing your peace.

Good luck taking a photo without the crowd in the background. 😀

Another way to avoid crowds is to go before the tour buses drop off the visitors.

Strolling around before 9 in the morning is the best time to get to know the place without sharing the narrow streets and alleys with humans and their selfie sticks. 🙂

The island of Santorini will never ever fail to charm you.

You’ll fall in love with it, the moment you step on the island.

“Santorini is best visited with someone you love,” they say.

Well, I do agree with that. Imagine yourself and your lover enjoying a bottle of champagne in an outdoor restaurant hanging on a cliff, facing the golden sun that sets in the Aegean Sea.

It’s a romance like no other.

It’s no wonder that Santorini is marketed as a romantic destination for wedding and honeymoon getaways.

But beware, Santorini isn’t cheap in the summer. The island isn’t friendly to budget travelers.

I’ve scoured the internet for information on how to save in Santorini but if you follow the suggestions, your experience on the island can be very limited. But, of course, it all depends on how low your budget is.

In Santorini, wherever you go – everything is breathtaking!

Getting Around Santorini

Though it’s easy to get around the island, it takes time to reach places by bus which comes every 10-15 minutes (depending on what time of the day). All buses start and end in Fira – which means that it can be expensive if you are staying in Perissa – just like we did. So, from Perissa to Fira, we paid 2.50 euros each. Then Fira to Oia is another 2.50 euros. It took us 50-60 minutes from Perissa to Oia, not because it’s far (only 25 kilometers) but because it stopped a lot. Yes, they’ve got a few taxis, but you really have to be a lucky, rich man if you want to get one! 😀

From Athens to Santorini

In the summer, there are multiple ferry services from Athens to Santorini. Instead of a 6-hour trip, our ferry took almost 8 hours, with one short stop in Mykonos. Take a flight if you travel in luxury. 😉 Though Santorini’s airport is small, there are a couple of international flights that go there daily.

Where to Stay in Santorini

They have two hostels there but they’re located far from Fira and Oia – where you’ll see those well-known white houses that captivated your senses. We stayed at Santa Irini Hotel in Perissa, 5 minutes walk to the Black Beach. The hotel has its own swimming pool surrounded by red bougainvilleas. I’d definitely recommend this boutique hotel because of its kind staff, close proximity to the bus stop, grocery stores, and restaurants. And they’re gay-friendly, too!

Enjoy the rest of the photos.

Things to do in Santorini

You can definitely explore Santorini on your own. The island has okay public transport that goes along the main road from one end to the other end. You can explore it on foot but you have to fight your way in crowded narrow alleys. You don’t need to go on a tour for a guide to show you around. I’d recommend that you should do it on your own. I’m pretty sure you will figure out the streets yourself.

However, if you want to go island hopping or ride on a catamaran during sunset, you have to join a tour OR, if you are a millionaire, rent a yacht! We did the island hopping but we couldn’t afford the sunset cruise. Sad. ☺️

Related Post: Skyline Views of Athens from Mt. Lycabettus

Do you Want to Have a Hotel in Santorini With Your Own Pool?

Well, don’t look any further. Canvas Suites in Oia will make your stay romantic on your whole vacation. You can book it through Booking.com, Expedia, and TripAdvisor.