Best time to visit Santorini

May to June and September to October. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.

May to June and September to October

Late April to early June and September to October are named best for warm weather, swimmable sea and smaller crowds than July and August.

“The best time to visit Santorini is late April to early June and September to October, the shoulder seasons.” santorini-sunsets.com
“Best overall: May-June and September-October offer the ideal balance of good weather, fewer crowds, and moderate prices.” hotelssantorini.gr
“fall is often considered the best time of year to visit Santorini” ferryhopper.com

6 of the 7 travel guides we read name these months.

Santorini month by month

Average high and low in Santorini

January58°F / 50°FChecking fares…Coldest and wettest window; sea too cold to swim, many venues reduced or closed.Coldest month with some services closed.
February59°F / 51°FChecking fares…Highs around 12 to 15C with rain and wind; many hotels, restaurants and ferries reduced or closed.
March61°F / 52°FChecking fares…Slightly more sun and less rain than winter, but cold nights.Not all services are open in March.Cool and changeable; sea still too brisk for swimming.Holy Week and Greek Easter
April67°F / 57°FChecking fares…Warms up; probably the best month for hiking and sightseeing.Greek Orthodox Easter brings traditions and celebrations.Island reopens and wildflowers appear; sea still cool.
Best timeMay74°F / 62°FChecking fares…Consistently sunny and warm, with low chance of rain.Particularly popular spring month with near-perfect conditions.By late May the sea turns more comfortable and beach clubs prepare for summer.
Best timeJune82°F / 70°FChecking fares…Hot and sunny; start of beach season.Crowds build fast toward the end of June.Described as a strong month, with a separate guide naming it the best month.
July86°F / 74°FChecking fares…One of the busiest months; book hotels at least two months ahead.Peak summer: hottest, driest, busiest and most expensive.Feast of Prophet Elias in Fira
August86°F / 74°FChecking fares…Hot and sunny with occasional strong winds, the busiest month.The Assumption of the Virgin Mary is celebrated in summer.Late July through mid-August has the highest crowds and prices.Dormition of the Virgin pilgrimage on Tinos
Best timeSeptember81°F / 70°FChecking fares…Often named the best month: warm sea, sunsets, fewer crowds.Hot and sunny but cooling a little; warmer water.Crowds start thinning and swimming stays enjoyable into October.
Best timeOctober73°F / 64°FChecking fares…Sea stays warm; prices drop; first rains possible late October.Autumn runs late September to early November with lower prices.Vineyards reach harvest season.
November67°F / 59°FChecking fares…Some seasonal businesses close and ferries scale back.Often cloudy and cool as winter arrives.Temperatures fall into the teens and many businesses close.
December60°F / 53°FChecking fares…Quiet and low-key; many businesses closed.Many services closed but a festive atmosphere around Christmas.

Weather: Santorini averages from National Observatory of Athens (long-term averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

Every date to Santorini from your city

Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.

What's on in Santorini

Festivals and seasons through the year

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

July and AugustHottest weather and warmest sea, with the heaviest crowds and highest prices.
Late July to mid-AugustThe busiest and most expensive stretch.

Quietest

November to MarchSparse crowds and lowest prices, but many venues close.
WinterQuiet and cheap, though many venues close.

Watch for

November to MarchMany hotels, restaurants and ferries reduced or closed.
July and AugustThe meltemi wind can make ferries choppy.
SummerExtreme heat can reach 35C.
Early springSea is still cool for swimming in March and April.

Questions people ask

How hot does Santorini get?: Highs reach the low-to-mid 30s C in July and August; the sea is also warmest then.

Best time to visit Santorini

May to June and September to October

Santorini month by month

Every date to Santorini from your city

What's on in Santorini

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

More about Santorini

Best time to visit other places

Best time to visit Santorini

May to June and September to October

Santorini month by month

Every date to Santorini from your city

What's on in Santorini

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

Quietest

Watch for

Questions people ask

More about Santorini

Best time to visit other places