Santorini Traveler Colorful cave houses and hotels, captains’ mansions (kapetanospita), restaurants and shops make up the beautiful mosaic that welcomes thousands of visitors daily.
Oia used to be a quite rich village, as its residents mostly worked or owned ships. Their ships used to export Theraic Land, or pumice to build port works in Greece and in the Mediterranean. They also used to carry the famous Vinsanto, the local sweet red wine, to Orthodox Russia, where it was drank as Holy Communion. On their way back, they brought timber from Russia, which, obviously, was scarce and much valued in Santorini.
A complete image of Oia’s maritime history can be found in the impressive Maritime Museum.
When strolling around the picturesque paved streets, you feel like a movie setting, where everything is perfect and the actors may appear any second. Here, you can do your shopping, have a meal at the sophisticated restaurants and enjoy your day. It is also possible to run into a bride and her photographer, as it is a highly appreciated photo spot! Obviously, you can find a quiet place, lost somewhere in the traditional settlement, and unwind, only by admiring the panoramic views and the spectacular caldera.