The Maritime Museum of Oia is a small museum in the village of Oia, on the Greek island of Santorini, dedicated to the island’s seafaring history. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
This guide was updated in August 2026. Many guides state the museum was founded in 1956, but the Municipality of Thira’s own website dates its founding to 1951, with 1956 marking the earthquake that suspended its early operations.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | 1 April–31 October, daily except Tuesday: 10:00–14:00 & 17:00–20:00 |
| Ticket prices | Full €5, reduced €2.50 for students |
| Address | Nikolaou Nomikou 1, Oia, Santorini 847 02, Greece |
| Nearest transport | Oia bus station (Fira–Oia route), about a 5-minute walk |
| Typical visit length | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
Maritime Museum of Oia opening hours
The museum is open from 1 April to 31 October, daily except Tuesdays, from 10:00 to 14:00 and again from 17:00 to 20:00.
It is closed entirely outside this season, so visitors travelling between November and March should not expect it to be open.
Maritime Museum of Oia ticket prices
A full-price ticket costs €5 and a reduced ticket costs €2.50 for students.
The museum is a Public Benefit Foundation rather than a state museum, so it is not included in any city pass or combined ticket.
It underwent a full renovation and re-exhibition in 2022, so displays are newer than many visitors expect from an older private museum.
Opening hours and background information were checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026.
Why book the Santorini Private Minibus Sightseeing Tour?
- 🌅 Iconic Village of Oia: Stroll through the island’s most famous village, gazing out at iconic blue-domed churches, whitewashed houses, and world-renowned caldera vistas.
- 🌋 Highest Point at Prophet Elias: Climb to the summit of Mount Prophet Elias, the island’s highest peak, to enjoy 360-degree panoramic views and visit a historic 18th-century monastery.
- 🏺 Ancient Akrotiri or Red Beach: Tailor your stop to explore the fascinating “Minoan Pompeii” archaeological site or take in the striking volcanic cliffs and vibrant sands of Red Beach.
- 🍷 Traditional Winery Tasting: Stop at a local Santorini winery to sample unique volcanic wines, such as Assyrtiko, while taking in dramatic views of the Aegean Sea.
- 🚐 100% Customizable Private Itinerary: Travel at your own pace in a luxury air-conditioned vehicle with a dedicated local driver-guide, choosing exactly where you want to go and how long to stay.
How to get to the Maritime Museum of Oia
The museum stands just off the main pedestrian street in Oia, reached down a small footpath between Thalassia restaurant and the Speira Concept Store.
Buses run regularly between Fira, Santorini’s main town, and Oia. From the Oia bus terminal, it is about a 5-minute walk to the museum.
Taxis and pre-booked transfers are also available from the airport, the port, or hotels elsewhere on the island.
Parking near the Maritime Museum of Oia
Free public parking is available off the main road into Oia, a short walk from the village centre.
Driving into Oia itself is not recommended in peak season, since the village’s lanes are narrow and largely pedestrianised.
How long to spend at the Maritime Museum of Oia
Most visitors need 30 minutes to an hour to see both floors of the museum.
The museum makes a good indoor stop during the midday heat, before Oia’s famous sunset crowds arrive.
Accessibility at the Maritime Museum of Oia
The museum occupies a two-storey mansion connected by an internal staircase, with no lift.
Oia’s surrounding streets are narrow, stepped, and cobbled, which limits access further for wheelchair users.
Inside the Maritime Museum of Oia: what to see
Founded in 1951 by Captain Antonios Dakoronias, the museum’s early collection was disrupted by the major earthquake of 1956.
It found a permanent home in 1988, when Dina Manolessou-Birbili donated her father’s mansion, and reopened in 1992 as a Public Benefit Foundation.
Exhibits include ship figureheads, carved sailors’ chests, navigational instruments, and watercolour paintings of old and new vessels.
A 2022 renovation added new displays covering the shipowners and captains of Oia, whose wealth funded many of the village’s cave houses and mansions.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip |
|---|
| Visit in the late morning or early evening, since the museum closes for a few hours in the afternoon. |
| Combine your visit with Oia Castle, a short walk away, for sunset views afterwards. |
| Arrive outside peak cruise-ship hours, since Oia’s lanes get very crowded around midday. |
| Look for the small pink sign on Thalassia restaurant’s wall, since the museum entrance is easy to miss. |
| Bring cash, since small private museums in Greece do not always accept cards. |
Frequently asked questions about the Maritime Museum of Oia
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the museum suitable for children? | Yes, particularly the ship models and figureheads. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | No, tickets are sold at the entrance with no booking system. |
| Is the museum open in winter? | No, it closes completely from November to March. |
| Are bags allowed inside? | Small bags are fine; there is no dedicated cloakroom. |
| Is the museum wheelchair accessible? | No, the building has two floors connected only by stairs. |
Things to do near the Maritime Museum of Oia
Oia Castle, a ruined Byzantine fortress known for sunset views, is a short walk from the museum. Atlantis Books, a well-known independent bookshop, sits nearby on the main pedestrian street.
Ammoudi Bay, reached by a steep flight of steps, offers seafood tavernas at the water’s edge. The blue-domed churches of Oia, among the most photographed in Greece, are scattered through the village.
The bus terminal for Fira, Santorini’s capital, is about a 5-minute walk away.
Alternative attractions
The Aegean Maritime Museum, on Mykonos, covers similar themes in a comparable private, non-profit setting. The Andros Maritime Museum, in Chora, Andros, focuses on a different island’s shipping history.
The Hellenic Maritime Museum, in Piraeus near Athens, holds Greece‘s main national collection of naval and maritime history.
More Cyclades travel
Other Cyclades travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- When to get the best photos of Panagia Paraportiani in Mykonos Town.
- What you need to know before visiting the Archaeological Museum of Naxos.
- How to plan your visit to the Lost Atlantis Experience on Santorini.
- Practical guide to visiting Panagia Evangelistria on Tinos.
- Plan your visit to the Ekatontapyliani on Paros and the Archaeological Museum of Paros.
