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Best time to visit Santorini: month by month
Short answer
The best months are May, June, September and early October, with average highs of 23–27°C, almost no rain and a warm sea. July and August are the warmest (about 30°C) and by far the busiest and most expensive; from November to March many hotels and restaurants close.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14°C | 10°C | 10 | low |
| Feb | 14°C | 10°C | 5 | low |
| Mar | 14°C | 10°C | 8 | low |
| Apr | 18°C | 13°C | 4 | medium |
| May | 22°C | 16°C | 4 | high |
| Jun | 26°C | 20°C | 1 | very high |
| Jul | 29°C | 23°C | 0 | very high |
| Aug | 29°C | 23°C | 1 | very high |
| Sep | 26°C | 21°C | 1 | very high |
| Oct | 22°C | 18°C | 1 | high |
| Nov | 19°C | 15°C | 3 | low |
| Dec | 16°C | 12°C | 7 | low |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from about 15°C in March to 19°C in April and 23°C in May, with about 4 rainy days a month in April and May. The sea is still cool for swimming until late May.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Highs of about 27°C in June and 30°C in July and August, with almost no rain (0–1 rainy days). Very crowded, with the strong meltemi wind on some days.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
About 27°C in September, 23°C in October and 21°C in November, with only 1–3 rainy days. September is still very busy; late October is quieter and many places close in November.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Highs of about 15–17°C and lows of 11–14°C, with 5–10 rainy days a month. Many hotels, restaurants and boat trips stop, but Fira and some villages stay open.
Events worth planning around
- Orthodox Easter (usually April): on Good Friday, Pyrgos is lit with thousands of small lights along its lanes and rooftops
- Dormition of the Virgin, 15 August: church feasts (panigyria) in several villages
- Grape harvest, roughly August to early September, when grapes for Vinsanto are dried in the sun at wineries
When to avoid
Avoid July and August, and days with several cruise ships in port, if you want quiet: Oia at sunset and the Fira cable car become very crowded and prices are at their highest. In winter, check that your hotel and the places you want to visit are open.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Santorini?
May, June, September and early October: highs of about 23–27°C, very little rain and a warm sea, with fewer crowds in May and October.
Is Santorini worth visiting in winter?
It is quiet, cheaper and the views are the same, with highs of about 15–17°C. But many hotels, restaurants and boat trips close from November to March.
When is the sea warm enough to swim in Santorini?
Roughly from June to October, when the sea is about 21–24°C. In May it is still cool for most swimmers.