For those just visiting Oia with no interest in books, shopping, drinking or eating, walk to the end of the village (with the sea on your left) until you see signs for the Kastro and you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the caldera (what else)
and the village of Oia itself and even a glimpse of the port of Amoudi below. If you have a camera this is probably the best spot to be and you can take a dozen or so photos without anybody realizing you took them all from one magical spot and not from all
over the island. If you are a ferry and cruise ship lover this is a great spot for watching the boats go by on their way north to Athens and Istanbul. The Kastro, known as the Skaros, is actually an old Venetian castle, that is people from Venice and not from
Venus. As this is a windy area you will notice a number of windmills, some of which have been turned into houses and rental units and probably none of them being used to grind flour. Also don't miss the Maritime Museum, established in the 1950's and the nearby
Weaving Mill where you can buy woven products as well as traditional canned and bottled agricultural products.
As for hotels in Oia you have a lot of choices as some of Santorini's most popular hotels are here. Katakies consists of 21 suites, studios and rooms all with terraces and dramatic sea views and individually furnished in a stylish way with Greek island antiquities
and of course has a swimming pool which is important if you love to swim and don't feel like driving for half an hour to go to the beach. Perivolas is a 5-star hotel, with an infinity pool with magnificent sea view, in 17 private houses in restored 300 year-old
caves. Canaves Oia Hotel provides luxurious accommodation in spacious suites and rooms beautifully appointed with antique furniture and art objects, and of course, a pool. These hotels will cost an arm and a leg but if you have an arm and a leg to spare then
why not? Otherwise staying down below at Amoudi Villas will cost a lot less and you will be closer to the sea. Expect to pay a lot if you are on the caldera and if you are not paying a lot you are probably not on the caldera.
