Best Time to Visit Santorini: A Month by Month Guide
Choosing the best time to visit Santorini matters more than on most islands, because the experience changes so much through the year. The same caldera path that is peaceful in May is a slow moving queue in August, and the beach that is perfect in September is empty and windswept in February. We live and work on the island all year, driving visitors between the airport, the port and the villages, so this guide is based on what we see every season rather than on averages alone. If you have already picked your dates, you can book your Santorini airport transfer now and forget about the taxi rank.
Santorini's seasons at a glance
Santorini has a dry Mediterranean climate with very little rain from May to September. The tourist season opens around Easter and runs to the end of October, with the peak in July and August. Outside those months the island does not shut, since people live and work here, but the rhythm is completely different.
| Period | Weather | Sea | Crowds and prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| April to mid May | Mild, around 18 to 23 °C, fresh evenings | Cool, around 17 to 19 °C | Quiet, lower prices |
| Late May and June | Warm and sunny, around 24 to 28 °C | Swimmable, around 20 to 23 °C | Busy but manageable |
| July and August | Hot, around 28 to 30 °C, often windy | Warm, around 24 to 25 °C | Peak crowds and prices |
| September | Warm, around 25 to 27 °C | Warmest of the year | Busy, slightly easier than August |
| October | Pleasant, around 20 to 23 °C | Still swimmable, around 21 to 22 °C | Quieter, lower prices |
| November to March | Cool, windy, some rain | Cold for most swimmers | Very quiet, many places closed |
The temperatures are typical daytime highs and vary from year to year, but they give a realistic picture of what to pack.
April and May: spring on the caldera
Spring is a lovely time for walking and sightseeing. The fields are still green, the light is clear, and the villages of Oia, Fira and Imerovigli are calm enough to wander without queues. Days are warm enough for lunch outside, but the sea is still cool, so this is a season for exploring rather than for long beach days.
Greek Easter, which moves between April and early May, is a special time to be on the island, with candlelit processions and church bells in every village. Hotels and restaurants gradually reopen through April, so if you travel early, check that the places you want are already open.
June: long days and a warm sea
June is, for many visitors, the ideal month. The days are the longest of the year, the sea has warmed up enough for swimming, and the heat is still comfortable. Sunsets come late, after 8.30 in the evening, which leaves plenty of time for a beach in the afternoon and dinner on the caldera afterwards. Crowds build during the month, but they are well below August levels.
July and August: the high season
Midsummer is when Santorini is at its most lively and its most crowded. Everything is open, the beach bars of Perivolos and Kamari are full, and the island is buzzing until late. The flip side is that hotel prices are at their highest, the main roads are congested, and the most famous sunset spots in Oia fill up more than an hour before the sun goes down.
This is also the season of the meltemi, the strong northern wind that blows on many summer days. It keeps the heat bearable but can make the sea rough on the east coast and occasionally delay boat trips and ferries. If you travel in high summer, plan the popular sights for early morning, keep the middle of the day for the beach, and pre book your transfers. Our guide to getting around Santorini explains why buses and taxis struggle at this time of year.
September and October: the local favourite
Ask people who know the island and many will tell you that September is the best month of all. The sea is at its warmest after a whole summer of sun, the days are still hot, and the crowds ease once schools restart in much of Europe. It is also grape harvest time, when the wineries are busy with the new vintage, a perfect moment for our Santorini wine tour guide.
October is softer and quieter. Most days are still warm enough for the beach, evenings need a light jacket, and the sunset comes earlier, around 6.30 to 7 in the evening. Prices drop noticeably in the second half of the month, and some businesses start closing towards the end.
November to March: Santorini out of season
Winter is the island's quiet season. Many hotels, restaurants and shops in Oia and Fira close, ferries and flights are less frequent, and the weather can be grey and windy, with most of the year's rain falling in these months. On the other hand, the caldera views are just as dramatic, the villages belong to the locals, and you can have the famous spots almost to yourself. If you visit in winter, stay in Fira, where most of what stays open is concentrated.
Which month is best for your trip
- For swimming and beaches: late June to September. See our guide to the best beaches in Santorini.
- For sightseeing and walking: May, early June and October.
- For sunsets: any month from April to October; our Santorini sunset guide has the timings and the best spots.
- For lower prices: April, early May and late October.
- For a honeymoon: June or September, warm enough for the beach and quiet enough for a romantic dinner on the caldera.
Whenever you come, a private driver lets you see the island at your own pace. Our Santorini Iconic Tour covers Oia, Firostefani, Prophet Elias, Red Beach and a winery in 4 hours, from 200 euros per vehicle, and it works in any season.
Featured photo: Norbert Nagel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frequently asked questions about when to visit Santorini
What's the best month to go to Santorini?
September is the best all round month for most visitors: the sea is at its warmest, the days are still hot and sunny, and the crowds are smaller than in July and August. June is a close second, with the longest days of the year and a comfortable heat. Both months also have more hotel availability than peak summer.
What is the cheapest time to go to Santorini?
The cheapest months within the tourist season are April, early May and late October, when hotel prices are often well below the summer rates. Winter is cheaper still, but many hotels and restaurants are closed and connections are fewer, so it suits travellers who mainly want the views and a quiet island.
Is October a good time to visit Santorini?
Yes, especially the first half of the month. Days are usually sunny with temperatures in the low 20s, the sea is still warm enough to swim, and the caldera villages are much calmer than in summer. Towards the end of October some hotels, restaurants and boat trips start closing for the winter.
Is August a good time to visit Santorini?
August is great if you want the island at its liveliest, with everything open and a warm sea. Expect the highest prices, big crowds in Oia and Fira, congested roads and windy days from the meltemi. Book hotels and transfers early, and plan sightseeing for the morning when it is cooler and quieter.
When is the best time to visit Santorini to avoid crowds?
May and October are the best months to avoid crowds while still enjoying good weather. In any month, the caldera villages are quietest early in the morning, before tour groups and cruise passengers arrive, and busiest in the two hours before sunset, especially in Oia.
What is the best time to visit Santorini for a honeymoon?
June and September are ideal for a honeymoon. The weather is warm enough for the beach and a sunset cruise, the evenings are perfect for dinner on the caldera, and the island feels more relaxed than in peak summer. May and early October also work well for couples who prefer sightseeing to swimming.
Can you swim in Santorini?
Yes. The swimming season runs from late May or June until October, when the sea is warm enough for most people. The beaches of Kamari, Perissa, Perivolos and Vlychada are the easiest places to swim, and the clear, deep water at Ammoudi Bay below Oia is popular with confident swimmers.
