Santorini is a small, picturesque island located in the Aegean Sea, approximately 200 kilometers southeast of Greece’s mainland. The island’s main town, Fira, is situated on the island’s western edge and is home to various restaurants and shops. This guide explores the famous hike from Fira to Oia, visiting Skaros rock on the way. It’s a great way to explore the island and take in its breathtaking natural beauty.
Greece has several interesting destinations for a hiking adventure. The Fira to Oia hike in Santorini is a popular route that takes you from the island’s capital, Fira, to the charming village of Oia, located on the northern tip of Santorini. The trail is approximately 12 kilometers long and takes about 3-4 hours to complete, depending on your pace.
One of the main attractions of this trail is the stunning views it offers of the island’s coastline and the Aegean Sea. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to take in breathtaking views of the island’s white-washed houses, blue-domed churches, and sparkling turquoise waters.
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Quick facts about this adventure
- Length: 25.33km
- Difficulty: Moderate - Hard
- Elevation gain: 906m
Can I hike from Fira to Oia without experience?
The trail itself isn’t too difficult if you’re doing it one-way. I suggest starting early in the morning because it can get pretty sunny along the way. It’s also a good idea to wear a sturdy pair of shoes because the trails around Fira, Imerovigli, and Oia have hard blocks of rock that can hurt your feet if you wear sneakers or any soft shoes.
You can easily find water or snacks in Imerovigli village and the towns of Fira and Oia. The major difficulty in this adventure is the sun exposure if you decide to go back to Fira hiking after midday.
The route
The route to hike from Fira to Oia in Santorini is made up of three parts (one is optional). First, you’ll head out from the beginning of the trail in Fira and make your way to the village of Imerovigli. While you’re there, you can check out Skaros rock, which is right in front of the village. It’s a super popular spot to visit in Santorini because the views are absolutely stunning – you can see the entire area and the caldera! This is the second part of the route and it’s optional.
The third part starts in Imerovigli and ends in Oia, with a quick stop at the Virgin Mary chapel along the way. This spot also offers a fantastic view of the surrounding area. I gotta tell you, I was blown away by the views on this hike – it felt downright magical to experience it all during the summer.
Fira to Imerovigli
Our accommodation was at the Bonita Santorini Cave in Episkopi Gonias. This place had a great location in the center of the island, making exploring both north and south easier.
To reach Fira, the transportation used was a rented ATV. Many places rent cars, ATVs, bicycles, and motorbikes. So you can choose the best option if your accommodation is not in Fira or nearby.
It took me around 10-12 minutes to ride from Bonita Cave to the town hall near the beginning of the trail. Santorini is a pretty safe place, so I just parked the ATV in a little nook and left it there while I went off to do my thing.
Fira will be empty if you start this hike early in the morning. You will see most other hikers and people opening their shops. The views are stunning, so take a look at your left side in order to get inspired and amazed!! From Fira to Imeroglivi is only 2.5km.
Skaros Rock(optional)
When you reach the village, on your left side, there’s a large, jagged rock formation that juts out of the sea and is surrounded by crystal clear waters. That’s Skaros rock, and it’s a popular touristic destination in the area due to the stunning views of the Aegean Sea and its neighboring islands.
At the top of Skaros Rock, you’ll find a Venetian castle’s ruins, and a medieval settlement’s remains, offering a glimpse into the island’s rich history. The site is also a popular spot for birdwatching, as several species of seabirds can be seen nesting in the cliffs and flying over the waters. If you want to climb the rock, remember that the trail can be steep and rocky in some places, so wear shoes with a good grip and be careful.
Imerovigli to the Holy chapel
It was early in the morning when I left Skaros rock. If you also start early in the morning, the sun’s strength will be mild when you reach Imeroglivi. There are a couple of small shops in the area so you can buy some snacks or water if you needed.
On the way, I met a greek shop owner that was very kind. He started giving me some tips about the path after I told him I planned to hike to Oia and return to Fira afterward. He told me that I would have a long way in front of me :D, so his tip was basically not to rush and enjoy the views. I have to say that I really love greek hospitality. You will feel how nice and friendly Greek people are.
The path is made up of a bunch of little rocks, some of which can be pretty slippery. I was so amazed by the views that I had issues keeping my eyes on the trail while I walked. There are some spots where the trail is right near the island’s edge, so you gotta be careful and keep your attention focused on the view or the trail. I nearly fell once while walking and staring off into the sea on my left – whoopsie! My advice is to take it slow and stop whenever you feel like appreciating the view on your left.
After a few kilometers, the trail ends, and you gotta walk on the side of the road for a bit. That was the only part of the hike I didn’t enjoy much. I need to be real, hiking is always better when you’re completely in nature without any human-made asphalt road around it. But the part of the road you need to walk on is pretty short, and after a few minutes, you’ll reach the Virgin Mary Holy Chapel.
The Chapel is a beautiful and historic landmark in Santorini with an interesting local legend attached to it. As the story goes, a sailor was shipwrecked off the coast of Oia and prayed to the Virgin Mary for help. After being rescued, he vowed to build a chapel in her honor, and that’s how this structure came to be.
Oia
After the Holy Chapel, the next highlight of this hiking adventure is the final destination: Oia. The reason Oia draws a lot of visitors is due to its breathtaking sunsets and panoramic views. However, Oia can get crowded quickly, especially after lunchtime, as people gather to see the sunset.
You’ll find several people trying to find the best spots for taking photos, and sometimes there are even tourists renting enormous dresses for photoshoots! I’ve seen a few situations where people argue with these photoshooters because they were taking a specific spot for too long. So, keep in mind that it can be a little hectic at times, but the stunning views of Oia make it all worth it!
One of the best views is from the Castle of Oia. People gather there every day to watch the sunset. It’s lovely vibes even though you must fight for a spot in case many people trying to watch the sunset.
If you are a fan of museums, you can check out the Maritime Museum in the area to learn more about the history of Santorini and its maritime past.
That’s it! If you manage to reach Oia, you would have covered around 13km. If you’re ready to call it a day, there are buses available to take you back to Fira. If you want to exercise more and felt energetic like me, you can hike back to Fira again! It was an amazing experience, and I got some great exercise too. After meeting my friends at our accommodation, I enjoyed a huge meal to recover the energy spent during the day.
Conclusion
This post described a hiking adventure from Fira to Oia, visiting Skaros Rock. If you’re feeling adventurous, I highly recommend returning on the same trail for an even more extended exercise. But if you’re feeling a bit tired, no worries, buses are available too.
Santorini has a lot more to offer than just fancy restaurants, accommodations, and Instagram photo shoots. It’s a beautiful island with interesting places to explore. I also recommend you do a tour of the Volcano and/or rent an ATV and cruise around the island.
Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you again in my next post. Make sure to leave a comment below and tell us about your experiences in Santorini. We’d love to hear all about it!
