Best time to go to Santorini for a perfect weather and where to go?

Annual weather in Santorini

For information about the climate and the weather city by city in Santorini for a specific month, click on the corresponding line below:

Best time to travel to Santorini by cities

Best time to go to Fira

Best time to go to Imerovigli

Best time to go to Kamari

Best time to go to Oia

Best time to go to Akrotiri

Best time to go to Ammoudi

Best time to go to Aspronissi

Best time to go to Emporio

Best time to go to Exo Gialos Thiras

Best time to go to Finikia

Best time to go to Koloumpos

Best time to go to Megalochori

Best time to go to Monolithos

Best time to go to Néa Kameni

Best time to go to Palia Kameni

Best time to go to Paradisos

Climate and Weather in Santorini

Due to its geographical location, the climate of Santorini is typically Mediterranean. Indeed, it is the southernmost island in the Cyclades archipelago, in Greece.

In general, the weather in Santorini is characterized by hot summers, mild winters, and satisfactory sunshine throughout the year. The atmosphere is cooled by a wind blowing from the north, the meltem or meltemi. This thermal wind can blow regularly throughout the year, especially at the end of May and the beginning of June, but mainly from late July to late October. Wind speeds can reach up to 120 km/h, which can make navigation between the islands difficult and impact boat connections. However, thanks to this wind, the climate of Santorini is milder than in the rest of Greece.

The climate of Santorini Island in winter

During the winter season, which runs from December to the end of February, or mid-March depending on the year, temperatures are pleasant, but the weather can be unpredictable, with possible showers and wind. However, overall, clouds are quickly swept away by a radiant sun, which returns to illuminate the rest of the day. In terms of temperatures, the thermometer hovers around 15°C (59°F) , both day and night. If you're brave, the water temperature is slightly higher, with averages around 17°C (63°F) in January and February.

The climate of Santorini Island in spring

Spring is relatively short in Santorini and quickly shows signs of summer: temperatures gradually rise and precipitation becomes less frequent. From late March to late April, it is still a bit chilly, with highs between 16 and 18°C (65°F) . It's a good time to take a walk in the blooming hills. From early May and in June, temperatures are high enough to feel comfortable at any time of the day: between 21 and 24°C (76°F) . However, it will still be necessary to wait until the end of the season to swim without feeling cold, in water around 23°C (74°F) .

The climate of Santorini Island in summer

Summer, between June and late September, is quite long. During this period, Santorini's weather is characterized by a succession of beautiful sunny days with pleasant warmth. Indeed, temperatures rarely exceed 28°C (83°F) thanks to the sea breeze, and water averages around 26°C (79°F) in July and August. Precipitation is almost non-existent during the summer period, and it may not rain for weeks on end.

At the end of the season, between late August and late September, the temperature drops significantly, and the sea water is at the same temperature as the air: around 25°C (77°F) . However, this is also the period when there can be quite violent but short-lived thunderstorms.

The climate of Santorini Island in autumn

The beginning of autumn allows for an extension of the summer holidays, thanks to the still warm temperatures and beautiful sunshine. It's around 25°C (77°F) in late September, 22°C (72°F) in October, and 20°C (68°F) in November. The Aegean Sea having warmed up all summer, swimming is still possible late into the season. In October, the water is at 23°C (74°F) , and around 20°C (68°F) in November.

Gradually, rain reappears and intensifies significantly during the month of December. The wind is quite present throughout the autumn, which can give a feeling of coolness.

Temperatures and rainfall in Santorini

On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Santorini and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Fira, Imerovigli, Kamari, Oia and Akrotiri, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.

Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Santorini

Find out when Santorini has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.

Tourist seasons in Santorini

The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, November and December. The number of visitors to Santorini is high in: May, June, July, August, September and October.

• Very low season in Santorini: January, March, November and December.
• Low season in Santorini: February and April.
• High season in Santorini: May, June and October.
• Peak season in Santorini: July, August and September.

Figure: Visitor index for Santorini month by month

Where to go in Santorini?

This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).

Legend:

About Santorini

What can I do in Santorini?

Beaches / swimming

Nature and countryside

Culture and heritage

Sports

Family travel

Crafts / shopping

Gastronomy

Nightlife