The Three Bells of Fira, officially known as The Catholic Church of the Dormition, is a prominent Greek Catholic church situated on the island of Santorini. Renowned for its striking blue dome and three bells, the church offers stunning views from its location in the town of Fira, perched high above the western cliffs of Santorini.

Historically, the site of the Three Bells of Fira has been home to several structures. In the mid-17th century, two modest cave churches were carved into the solid cliff face. These early churches were eventually lost due to the cliff's recession, which was caused by the ongoing expansion of Fira. An infirmary was then built on the site, which later came under the occupancy of Jesuits until the land was transferred to the Diocese of Santorini.

The present-day church was constructed in 1757 and has undergone multiple refurbishments and expansions throughout its history. One of the significant events in its timeline was the 1956 Amorgos earthquake, which caused considerable damage to the structure. Subsequently, the church was restored to its former glory.

The Catholic Church of the Dormition celebrates its feast day on 15 August each year, marking an important event in its religious calendar. The Three Bells of Fira remains a significant landmark and a testament to the rich historical and cultural tapestry of Santorini.

One of Santorini's symbols, the Chapel of Panagia Theoskepasti, is located near the port of Andres, on Skaros Rock, a rocky peninsula that projects into the sea. It was fashioned by multiple volcanoes that changed the shape of the island from circular to crescent. In addition, many other islands were also formed from these volcanoes. The rock was also the site of a castle until an earthquake destroyed the building in the 19th century.

The white building with a blue dome housing the church is open during the day until 4pm, free for anyone to visit. Moreover, the village of Imerovigli has some of the best views of Santorini because of its high vantage point. Visitors can reach the church via the nearby walking trail that begins at Imerovigli and runs through the cape that connects Skaros to the village. The trail ends at the Chapel of Theoskepasti. There is also a stunning underwater caldera that is worth the wait. Once you have visited the church, make sure to see the Hidden Room. The cave sits to the right of the trail and is one of the few elements that remain from the original castle structure.

Tip:
Weekend morning chanting begins at 7am and is broadcasted via loudspeakers to the entire district for hours.

The Church of Panagia Platsani was originally constructed inside the walls of the Castle of Oia. The church was moved to its current location, the village center, and was rebuilt on higher and more stable ground following the earthquake of 1956. The place of worship is dedicated to the Akathist Hymn of the Most Holy Theotokos. The building is white-washed and features a blue-dome and arched windows.

The place of worship came into existence when the townspeople decided to build the cathedral at its previous location to honor the icon of the Virgin Mary that was found in the sea by a fisherman. After much struggle, the fisherman, along with the priest and fellow parishioners brought the icon to the church.

The icon was moved the following day, by phenomenon, from the church to the castle. Each time, the citizens returned the symbol to the church, it allegedly moved back to the castle miraculously. It was then that the townspeople decided to build a place of worship where the Virgin Mary had placed the icon. Today, the Virgin Mary overlooks the sea where her spirit can bless all vessels and its passengers. The church contains many tributes to sailors and other residents of the town.

Tip:
You can either walk up the steps, take a donkey ride or the cable car. Walking takes about 35-40mins. The cost for the cable car is €5 one way.
Try visiting during the Greek Easter when lanterns are placed all around town, including around churches and various buildings.

The Windmill of Oia is one of Oia's most iconic photography spots. This picture-perfect windmill is also available as a unique villa rental. If you want to capture the best sunset-watching spot and make memories to last a lifetime, look into renting the Windmill of Oia.

The Windmill of Oia features two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a small kitchen. A winding stone staircase takes guests to each room in the windmill villa. An enormous deck provides breathtaking views and a great spot to relax and watch the world go by.

Santorini is a windy island and is home to about 70 historic windmills. The original windmills might have been built as early as the 14th century. Traditional Santorini windmills were used to grind flour and housed bakeries as well. Most of the windmills you see today were built during the 17th century or later.

This ancient castle dates back to the late 15th century. The castle's ruins remain one of Oia's most visited attractions and are a popular spot to watch the sunset from.

Oia Castle was built to protect the island and its residents against pirates. Pirates would steal property, kidnap men and women, and sell the kidnapped people at slave markets.

Because of the constant threat, residents built their houses close together in hard-to-reach cliffs. Then, when residents saw pirates approaching, they fled to the castle and hid their valuables in pits under the castle.

The castle's high location made it an excellent lookout station. Venetian rules had residences in the middle of the castle. Its defensive structure made it hard to conquer, but Turkish invaders did succeed in capturing the castle in 1577.

A 1956 earthquake heavily damaged the castle, and most structures fell into the sea. The castle's tower and wall fragments are all that remain. From the castle's ruins, visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the Santorini islands, the volcanic islands of Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni. Visitors can also see Thira and Thirassia from this vantage point.

Today, tourists and locals come to the castle to watch the sunset each night. If you want to participate in this special nightly celebration, come early and grab your spot.

Located in the northwestern part of Santorini, at the foot of the village of Oia, Amoudi Bay is a picturesque inlet that is popular with tourists and locals. The crystal-clear blue waters of the sea make this a perfect spot to fish, boat, or to take a swim. It is a frequent stopping-point for vessels, making a journey to the nearby Thirasia or the Efta Paides Church.

The location is accessible by mule or by hiking down the 200 plus steps from the village of Oia. Visitors will enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean sunrise and sunset. In addition, the many boats will remind you of simpler times from long ago.

A quaint hotel, a few cafés, a mini market, and a small number of fish taverns are some of the comforts visitors will enjoy. In addition, the fish that the taverns serve is possibly the freshest and best tasting produce in all of Greece. The beach is quite popular with tourists. If you wish to avoid the crowds, it is best to swim early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Locals say, the rocks behind the lighthouse are the best swimming spot on the beach.

The bay is a well known site on the island, and is often cited as an excellent location for viewing the sunset. The bay is also known for the 200 steps leading from the base of the feature to the town of Oia on the cliffs above. Due to its convenient location, the base of the bay's cliffs is dotted with buildings belonging to the village of Ormos Armeni, and many sailing tours use Amoudi as their staging point.