Fira vs. Oia
 

Port visit in Santorini Sept. 13. We've been before and stayed only in Fira. Now I'm thinking of Oia and Pyrgos for the day (unfortunately, have to be back at ship by 4, so no sunset from shore!). Seems that Pyrgos will be less touristy, and our focus would be looking at architecture, etc. We admit that we like looking in shops, especially for crafts, so it seems like that would be more prevalent in Oia. But when all is said and done, is Oia dramatically different from Fira? (P.S. No, we are not doing caldera, Akrotiri, or beaches). Thank you!

Oia has similar views as Fira but is much smaller and quieter except when cruise ships are in. We counted 30 tour buses all arriving within a few minutes in Oia. The bay below Oia is worth a visit while I couldn't say the same for Fira.

last October we got off the ship and visited some shops in Fira as we made our way to the bus station. We then went to Pyrgos. It is actually a medieval era town with walls. There are still ruins there from the 1956 earthquake. It is well worth a visit.
Here is my Santoprini album. Fira is essentially the firstr 30 images. Oia is 55 through 75 and Pyrgos is exclusively the second page of the album.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7632154800782/

Oia is what you see on travel posters and ads for Greece, white cube house, blue trim, domed churches.. It isn't very big. We spent four nights there and our favorite experience was hiking down to Amoudi Bay for lunch at Katina's by the water. You could combine the two.
We also enjoyed Pyrgos.
We got out of Fira quickly, touristy jewelry shops if I recall.

Thank you both! Those pix are absolutely stunning! Got a giggle from the "which one doesn't belong" photo. My only concern is from seeing all the steps. My knee can be a little cranky (maybe I should say creaky), even with a knee brace. We wouldn't be hiking down to the Bay, but still ...

With a wonky knee Oia may be the better option then. There are flat areas with good caldera views and to get down to Amoudi bay there is a road and taxis are available.
Pyrgos requires walking up and then back down.

Did you figure out which one didn't belong.

Taxi to Katina's if you can't hike down.

stanbr: After much thought (!), I decided it was the woman in the hat. Not so much because of the hat, but because she was the only "lively" looking one! Very fun photo.

My wife says thank you. She thought you would there was only one who wasn't tall and skinny.