Best Time to Visit Santorini

Knowing the best time of the year to visit Santorini will save you money, precious time, and a lot of distress.
Below, you will discover what each season looks like in Santorini.

Jump to: High Season • Shoulder Season • Low Season • Yearly charts

In brief, spring and autumn are definitely the best times to visit Santorini! June and September offer beautiful warm days and you avoid the crowds of the full season.
The best hotels are open, fully functional and offering the best possible rates.

Attracting more than 1.5 million visitors every year, the beautiful island of Santorini in Greece is considered one of the most popular destinations worldwide.
The majority of visitors prefer to visit the island in July and August since this is the best time to visit Santorini in order to enjoy the sunshine and the sea is at its warmest temperatures.
At the same time, that may often be the only option due to work and school vacation schedules.

However, if you are able to visit Santorini outside the peak season time frame, you will certainly be rewarded.
June and September, for instance, guarantee that you will have the sweetest summer weather without the tourist crowds.
There are several things to do later in autumn or spring as well, while winter has also been gaining an increasing amount of attention.

Note that organized boat tours are not available throughout the year and the ideal period for sea-related activities and sports is from May to September.

Visit Santorini in Summer (High Season)

Imerovigli in August

Most travelers tend to choose to visit Santorini during the summer (high season: July and August).
During those months, the nightlife is more vivid than any other time of the year, the caldera’s viewpoints are crowded and the sea waters reach their warmest temperature.
All establishments are open and ready to welcome hordes of visitors.

Weather Conditions

The sun is shining bright during the high season.
Unlike other locations in Greece, Santorini rarely suffers from heat waves over 30℃.
The summer breeze of the Aegean keeps the island cool. The temperature is usually between 19℃ and 27℃.

Things to do in Summer

Long hikes and bike rides are not part of this list; on the contrary, intense physical activity is not recommended so that you can prevent heatstroke.
On the other hand, watersports, sailing, or low-intensity tours are fantastic options. Take a closer look at all tours and book the best one for you! It is also possible to book your sunbeds and sun umbrellas in advance so that you can enjoy the volcanic beaches without inconvenience.
Discover a complete list of the best things to do.
You will also have the opportunity to merge with the locals and have fun in various traditional celebrations, such as the Prophet Elias celebrations on July 20th and the holiday for the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on August 15th.
Last but not least, the high season is the best time to visit other islands since the frequency of ferry crossings makes island hopping easy and enjoyable. Mykonos, Paros, Ios, Naxos, Milos, Amorgos, and other destinations can be found among our favorite island-hopping packages from Santorini.

Keep in mind that once you decide to visit during summer, every facility needs to be booked 4-8 months in advance; the earlier, the better in Santorini’s case. That includes hotels and accommodations, airplane or ferry tickets, as well as your favorite tours or island hopping packages.
Dining reservations several days in advance will also be necessary to avoid waiting forever for a vacancy.

Visit Santorini in Spring & Fall (Shoulder Season)

Imerovigli in Spring

The Spring & Fall (shoulder season) is from mid-April to June and from September to mid-October.
With most establishments still being open and fully functioning but without the high-season crowds, spring and fall are hands down the best time to visit Santorini.
In particular, June and September are ideal since the weather is very similar to that of mid-summer days.
During the shoulder season, you will manage to get some privacy and tranquility that will allow you to enjoy the charming volcanic landscape with no worries.
Prices are considerably lower compared to the high season and more options are available as well.
If you want to avoid the never-ending crowds without being deprived of the warm weather, the shoulder season is the ideal time to visit Santorini!

Weather Conditions

Late spring, early summer, and early autumn bring almost no rainfalls and heat waves, while the winds are significantly milder compared to the summer.
The temperature is also mild, fluctuating between 15℃ and 22℃ most of the time, while daylight hours are long and the sunshine gets more enjoyable than ever.

Things to do in Spring & Fall

With the weather conditions being that good, this is a good time of the year to engage in any activity you wish.
Strolling, hiking, and exploring are recommended, while water sports and swimming are definitely on the table.
The nightlife slows down a little, so it is better to check out which facilities are available. Some of them operate until as late as mid-October.
Fewer tourists translate into less traffic; hence, you will be able to approach landmarks and viewpoints more comfortably.
The beaches will also have a peaceful and private atmosphere, but the water might be cold.
Visiting during the Orthodox Easter (usually in late April or early May) is a great opportunity to experience an authentic side of Santorini because of the many Easter celebrations.
The atmosphere guarantees an unparalleled springtime experience and creates the opportunity to meet the locals and spend some time with them.
When it comes to September and October, wineries visits and hiking are on top of the excursion list once again.

Tips

Although availability may not be as limited as during the high season, it is always clever to play it safe and book your tickets, accommodation, and tours ahead of time.
Keep your timetable flexible to have seaside fun on the warmer days and go sightseeing on cooler ones.

Visit Santorini in Winter (Low Season)

Oia & the caldera in winters

The winter (off-season) starts in November and finishes in mid-April.
Although this time of the year has been the least popular one for a long time, during the last few years, an increasing number of travelers have been showing interest during the chillier winter months as it is also the cheapest time to visit Santorini.
The reasons why this is happening are mostly budget related; the low season is ideal for those who want to save money since hotel and airline ticket prices significantly drop.
Budget-friendly traveling in Santorini has now become possible, as more and more facilities remain open during the whole year and, if this is a top priority of yours, the off-season is the best time to visit the island.

Weather conditions

Mediterranean winters are generally mild and the average temperature in Santorini is 12°C-15°C. Some winter days are sunny, although rainfalls are more common. The somber atmosphere of cloudy days suits the island’s volcanic landscape nonetheless.

Things to do in Winter

The low season is the also a good time to visit indoor places of interest, including the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, and Megaron Gyzi, among other museums, cultural institutions, and ecclesiastic monuments.
Alternatively, you can have relaxing spa days and indoor dining or visit praised local wineries and educate yourself on regional viticulture and traditional products.
The most popular places to visit on the caldera are Oia, Imerovigli, Fira, and Firostefani. Small rural villages are not recommended as they can get too quiet.
Swimming in the sea is only possible for winter swimmers or those who enjoy the occasional ice bath.

Tips

If you decide to become a low-season traveller, keep in mind there are significantly less flights and ferry crossings per day compared to the summer season. If you’re getting there by ferry, make sure to double check in case of weather-related delays. Most tours and organized activities may only be seasonal, while several restaurants, nightclubs and other tourist facilities may be closed for a few months. It is also a good idea to be prepared and have alternatives for days when the weather gets rainy.

Yearly charts

Discover information about the best time to visit Santorini based on several criteria: