Best time to go to Santorini for a perfect weather and where to go?
When is the best time to go to Santorini?
The best time to visit Santorini is from February to December. Indeed, January is cool and humid, making it less ideal for truly enjoying your vacation. The rest of the year, the island is perfect for a getaway, and the chosen season will mainly depend on what you wish to do there.
The summer season, between June and September, is perfect for spending time on the beaches and engaging in water sports. You can, for example, go scuba diving or snorkeling, as the underwater visibility is excellent during this time. However, the peak tourist season, from July to September, coincides with increased prices for accommodation, flights, food, and activities. With high crowds and temperatures around 30°C (86°F) , this period may not be suitable for everyone.
When is the best time to visit Santorini to avoid crowds? May and October are good options. There are fewer people compared to the summer months, prices remain reasonable, you can swim in the Aegean Sea, and all conditions are met for an unforgettable holiday. With less intense temperatures than in July and August, these are also good times to explore Santorini through hiking. The island is dotted with trails accessible to all, although they often offer little shade.
Between February and April, and then in November and December, the island is perfect for a discovery trip. While the sea water may be too cold to enjoy and the weather can be unstable, it's an opportunity to visit the many treasures of authentic Santorini, famous for its typical white houses. The atmosphere remains mild, and there is plenty of sunshine. Perfect for strolling around and stocking up on vitamin C during the low season! The only downside is that some restaurants or shops may be closed.
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:
Month | Our opinion | View Details | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
January | 59°F | tolerable weather | |||
February | 61°F | good weather | |||
March | 61°F | good weather | |||
April | 65°F | good weather | |||
May | 70°F | perfect weather | |||
June | 76°F | perfect weather | |||
July | 79°F | perfect weather | |||
August | 81°F | perfect weather | |||
September | 77°F | perfect weather | |||
October | 72°F | perfect weather | |||
November | 68°F | good weather | |||
December | 63°F | good weather |
Best time to travel to Santorini by cities
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, February, March, November and December.
- Low season in Santorini: 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).
Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
Fira | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Imerovigli | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Kamari | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Oia | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Akrotiri | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Ammoudi | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Aspronissi | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Emporio | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Exo Gialos Thiras | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Finikia | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Koloumpos | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Megalochori | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Monolithos | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Néa Kameni | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Palia Kameni | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Paradisos | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Períssa | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Pyrgos Kallistis | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Thera | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Thirassía | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
Legend:
perfect weather
good weather
tolerable weather
About Santorini
What can I do in Santorini?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Santorini reliable?
Climate data for Santorini has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Santorini allows us to determine the average for each month in Fira, Imerovigli, Kamari, Oia, Akrotiri, Ammoudi, Aspronissi, Emporio, and 12 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.