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.

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.

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.

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.

Located in the stunning and blue waters of the Aegean Sea is the Agios Nikolaos Monastery. This female convent is located between the villages of Firostefani and Imerovogli in Santorini. It is dedicated to saints Agios Panteleimon, Agios Nikolaos, and Zoodochos Pigi, and was established by the Gizi family in 1651. Prior to its current use, it was a private family chapel.

The design of the nunnery reflects the clean and simple lines of Cycladic style, while the interior of the edifice features beautiful 17th century artwork and spectacular golden icons. Two museums, folklore and ecclesiastical, are also located on the property.

Each year on August 15th, locals come here to celebrate the religious festival the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. After church services, locals and visitors celebrate the holiday with food, song, and dance. Visitors will enjoy viewing the handmade textiles that the nuns make, using hand looms.

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 cannot help but notice the beautiful grand churches and cathedrals that decorate the landscape of the island known as Thera or Fira. They are as much part of the community as are the many lava remnants. Dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, the Catholic Cathedral of Santorini is a handsome and unique place of worship. Its peach exterior contrasts with the many white and blue domed churches that dot the landscape of this quaint, yet beautiful town. It was built in the 17th century by the Jesuit monks, missionaries of the Apostolic Order.

Santorini has experienced a lot of seismic activity throughout its existence. An earthquake in 1956 completely destroyed the previous church. The house of worship that we may enjoy today was restored and opened in 1975.

You will be impressed by the exquisiteness of the structure with its magnificent clock tower and accompanying bells. Once you enter the place of worship, you will find the confessional that is located to the side. The interior is eye-catching and features blue, orange, and cream accents throughout the building. A striking chandelier hangs below a religious painting, which is featured on a domed ceiling, and spectacular arches border the framed portraits of religious figures. Located on an island that the crusaders visited, this cathedral is simply stunning.

Why You Should Visit:
Not only do you experience the architecture of the island, but also, you may find a narrow street where all the souvenir shops are located, and you can eat a typical, local gyro as you look around the shops.

Tip:
You'll probably feel at ease attending a Sunday mass here (10am), as most attendees are usually tourists and there are parts where you may even recite in your own language instead of Greek, as there are many languages represented among the congregation.

Greek Orthodox churches are known for their detailed design, distinctive iconography, and beauty. When you enter a house of worship, you will feel as if you have stepped into a world of vibrant colour and light that is accented by icons, art, and stained glass.

The Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Thera, also known as the Church of Ypapantis, was originally built in the 19th century by M. Belloni in 1827. The house of worship, that we see today, was rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1956.

Beautiful white arches and arcades decorate the building that sits atop a cliff. The pièce de résistance is the white dome that tops the building and the bell tower. The building is a prominent landmark that can be seen by all from many other Santorini landmarks. Among the works of art that one should view are the frescoes by local artist, Christoforos Asimis, the beautiful mosaics added to the building in 1975, as well as the magnificent main chandelier.

Accommodations close to the cathedral include the Santorini Island Hotels, the Panorama Studios and Suites, the Pantelia, the Anemomilos Villa, the Blue Angel, the Reverie Traditional Apartments, the Vallas, the Golden Star, the Pavlina, and the Evgenia.

Tip:
Free to enter, but offerings welcome and there is a requirement that you are modestly dressed. Try to pick a quiet time.

The Akrotiri Lighthouse, located on the southwestern tip of Santorini, is one of the island's most beautiful and historically significant landmarks. Built in 1892 by a French trading company, it is one of the oldest lighthouses in Greece. Initially powered by petrol fuel and manually operated, the lighthouse transitioned to electricity in 1893. Although it ceased operation during World War II, it was recommissioned by the Greek Navy in 1945 and remains operational today.

Perched atop a high cliff, the lighthouse stands 10 meters tall, above a whitewashed building that once housed the warden. The structure emits a bright white light every 10 seconds, continuing its vital role in ensuring the safety of maritime traffic. The surrounding village of Akrotiri is a tranquil spot, located 5 kilometers from the village center and a 26-minute drive from Fira Town, Santorini’s bustling hub.

The lighthouse is renowned for its stunning sunset views, where visitors can watch the sun dip into the Aegean Sea, creating a breathtaking romantic atmosphere. The site offers panoramic vistas of the sea, the impressive Santorini volcano, and the caldera cliffs dotted with picturesque villages.

A visit to the Akrotiri Lighthouse is often complemented by exploring the nearby Excavations of Akrotiri and the distinctive Red Beach, known for its unique color. The combination of historical significance, natural beauty, and captivating sunset views makes the Akrotiri Lighthouse a must-visit destination on the island of Santorini.

The Red Beach of Santorini is one of the island's most remarkable and captivating beaches, distinguished by its unique red-hued sand. This striking color comes from the oxidized iron in the pulverized volcanic rock, which, along with black sand, composes the beach's surface. Formed by volcanic eruptions, the beach lies within the Aegean island's famed caldera, contributing to its dramatic and wild landscape.

Located in the southern part of Santorini, near the village of Akrotiri and the famous Akrotiri Excavations site, Red Beach is easily accessible. It is a 20-minute drive from Fira, the island's main town, and can also be reached by bus from Fira or by boat tours that navigate Santorini's key coastal areas. Visitors must hike a small footpath to reach the beach, where they are greeted by a stunning scene of enormous volcanic rocks, black and red pebbles, and vividly colored sand.

Despite its semi-organized setup, which includes a few umbrellas and sunbeds but no beach bar, Red Beach remains a popular tourist destination. Visitors are advised to bring their sun protection and supplies, though two canteens are available near the path's entrance. The beach's high cliffs offer protection from the winds but can lead to high temperatures during the summer.

Red Beach is not only a visual marvel but also an excellent spot for snorkeling, thanks to its intriguing rock formations and diverse marine life. However, it is important to note that the area is prone to landslides, and parts of the beach have been inaccessible since 2013 due to such events. Nonetheless, its striking natural beauty and the unique red landscape continue to attract visitors from around the world, making it a must-visit location on Santorini.

Perissa Beach is famous for its black volcanic sand and crystal clear water. Thousands of years ago, the volcano erupted and covered the island in black volcanic ash, pumice, and lava. As a result, Perissa Black Sand Beach has a high level of volcanic mix, making the sand appear black.

Visitors can stroll along the shore or relax on a sun lounger. Many restaurants provide beach umbrellas for patrons. Persissa Beach is cosmopolitan and offers a variety of shore-side and water activities. Visitors can also enjoy watersports such as swimming, canoeing, windsurfing, diving, or jet skiing.

Popular beach bars and restaurants line the beach. DJs play lively music while visitors try beachside cocktails. At night, check out the exciting nightlife and enjoy the beach clubs.

In addition, Perissa Beach has a waterpark with waterslides and pools. The waterpark is a great place for kids and adults to have fun.

Perissa Beach is a Blue Flag beach. This designation indicates that the beach is clean and sustainable.