page_title: Oia, Greece
section_title: Geography
hierarchical_section_title: Oia, Greece / Geography
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Steilküste von Santorin mit dem Ort Oia
context_page_description: Oia or Ia is a small village and former community in the South Aegean on the islands of Thira and Therasia, in the Cyclades, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it has been part of the municipality of Santorini, of which it is a municipal unit. It covers the whole island of Therasia and the northwesternmost part of Santorini, which it shares with the municipal unit of Santorini. The main street is named Nikolaou Nomikou. The population was 1,545 inhabitants at the 2011 census, and the land area is 19.449 km².
  Oia was previously known as Apano Meria, a name which still occurs locally as Pano Meria, and the inhabitants are still called Apanomerites. The Ancient Greek Oia was one of the two harbours of ancient Thera and was located in the southeast of the island, where Kamari is now.
  Oia reached the peak of prosperity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its economic prosperity was based on its merchant fleet, which plied trade in the Eastern Mediterranean, especially from Alexandria to Russia. The two-story captains' houses built on the highest part of the village are a reminder of the village's former affluence. Part of the town was destroyed by the 1956 earthquake.
context_section_description: Oia is a scenic village on the north west edge of the Santorini island within the Cyclades. It extends for almost 2 km (1.2 miles) along the northern edge of the caldera that forms the island of Santorini, at a height of between 70 and 100 m (230 and 330 feet) above sea level. Immediately to the east is Phinikia (Φοινικιά; Finikia), and about 500 m (550 yards) to the north is Tholos (Θόλος). Amoudi Bay lies below the town. The small fishing village of Ormos Armeni (Όρμος Αρμένης) lies below Oia to the south and is reached via steps. There is a ferry connection to Therasia from the harbour village of Ormos Ammoudi (Όρμος Αμμουδιού; also spelled Amoudi)  to the west. There are 300 steps down to the port from Oia. The small island of Agios Nikolaos lies to the southwest.
  It is built on the steep slope of the caldera and the houses and restaurants are built into niches carved into the caldera on the seaward side. There are narrow passageways and a central square.
  The sun light hours in this village are much longer than in the Fira town. Its paths are very narrow and hence gets congested during the tourist season. The idyllic surroundings of the town have a complex of white washed, blue domed churches and charming, traditional Cycladic houses and cave houses that are carved into the rock face  on top of the cliff. It is set in a location which provides excellent views of the sunset over the caldera. To the southwest, the Bay of Armeni, reachable from the town on foot or by mule, was once an important boat-building centre. Small repairs are now done on a single wharf. Excursion boats for trips around the island and ferries to Therasia leave from here. The harbour of Ammoudi on the western side of the town is reached by steep stairs north of Fort Londsa; there are a few tavernas and a pebble beach.
  The village is located on top of a hill, at about 150 m (490 feet) elevation, and known as the "Eagles nest" from where Palia and Nea Kameni volcanoes are seen and also the island of Therasia. It is situated to the north of the island and Fira is at distance of 11 km (6.8 miles). The main street in the town, in the central square, is the main trekking path which is cobbled, called the "Nikalaou Namikaou",  which goes up the hill winding round the caldera. The island is reached from Fira which is the transport terminus of the island. Caldera boat cruise options are available from either Oia or Fira.
caption: View of the coast of Therasia with Oia above former fishing village of Ammoudi
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