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Amoudi Bay

Greek name: Όρμος Αμμούδι / Órmos Ammoúdi
Coordinates: 36°27’36.56″N, 25°22’16.11″E
Our rating: Editor’s choice

The bay and port of Amoudi is located on the northwestern tip of the island of Santorini, on the seafront below the town of Oia. The white buildings of the Amoudi town built into the blood-red slope of the caldera cliff look very picturesque.

The stone stairs from Oia to Amoudi start near the Venetian castle in Oia and have almost 300 steps (exactly 278). You can go down on foot, but some decide to rent donkeys. The total rise of the stairs is about 120 meters.

Motorized tourists can choose an alternative route – Venizelou street (Greek: Ελ. Βενιζέλου / El. Venizélou) that leads from Oia to the bay of Amoudi from the north (it was built in 1991). However, it should be remembered that there is no parking on site (you can park the vehicle along the road, which can be difficult at the peak of the season).

In the glory days of Oia, Amoudi served as a transhipment port, and the buildings located here served as warehouses. Amoudi, like the rest of Oia, suffered greatly from the earthquake in July 1956. In the 70s of the 20th century, the Greek Tourist Organization began rebuilding the buildings located here and built a promenade running along the bay of Amoudi up to the islet of Agios Nikolaos Peramataris (about 800 meters long).

In the Amoudi Bay you can admire the interesting red volcanic rocks built from ignimbrit. Ignimbrite is an igneous rock, formed as a result of a volcanic eruption and the falling out of pyroclastic materials (pieces of rock in solid form). They get bonded together with hot, liquid volcanic ash. It is a highly porous, sedimentary and acid rock. Another name for ignimbrite is hardened tuff.

In the port of the Amoudi Bay we will find numerous restaurants serving primarily seafood and fish caught by local fishermen in the surrounding waters. Grilled octopus is a delicacy of the restaurants in Amoudi.

In addition to restaurants and guesthouses, the bay has several offices organizing private tourist cruises – including the Nea Kameni volcano, and the neighboring island of Thirassia.

Not many people know that from the port of Amoudi you can go to Thirassia using public transport boat. It leaves Amoudi 3 times a day and goes to the town of Riva on the island of Thirassia (and back). In 2019, the cost of a one-way trip was about 1 Euro.

It is mainly used by residents of Thirassia (e.g. young people reaching schools on Thira), it is also used to transport goods to the few restaurants on the island.

 

On the south side, behind the last buildings of Amoudi, begins the path to the Amoudi Beach (more information: Amoudi Beach)

Not far to the north of Amoudi Bay, about 30 meters from the shore, is the wreck of a cargo ship. It lies at a depth of 1 – 20 meters below the water level. Some of its parts are scattered on the shore. It is an easy diving destination for beginners. However, since any dive into the wreck can be dangerous, people without experience should hire a diving guide.


Location of Amoudi Bay on the map:


View of Amoudi Bay on Street View:

Gallery of Amoudi Bay

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