The charm of Oia, on the island of Santorin

Undeniably the most beautiful village on the island of Santorin. In one little village you'll get all that Greece has to offer visually: magnificent temples with their blue domes, narrow streets with their white washed houses, and surprising architectural ingenuity; all of this and the beautiful sea.

Overlooking the very steep cliffs of the volcano, Oia doesn't seem to have changed for centuries. In 1850, the town began to prosper due to the large number of trade ships based there. Sailors used to sleep in the cave dwellings, which dot the island, while rich businessmen had their mansions built at the top of its cliffs.

A victim of its own undeniable charms, Oia has attracted a large number of tourist shops and a well-known brand of soft drinks which have disfigured part of the center of the village. One of the main business streets is just crawling with tourists. So, if you came to Oia for some peace and quiet, stay away!

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