Santorini is considered one of the most romantic destinations in the world. And between the blue-domed roofs and the deep blue sea, one only needs a small peek at the cliffside views to understand why. But Santorini is more than just a magnet for lovebirds. It’s also a sanctuary for history buffs, photographers, foodies, and anyone who appreciates a jaw-dropping vista when they see one. The island of Santorini is the gem of the Aegean Sea, and it happens to be beautiful all year round. But if you want to know the best time to plan your perfect visit, sit back and get ready to explore the many sides and seasons of Santorini, Greece.
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The Weather in Santorini
The island of Santorini has two main seasons: the warm and dry season, from April to October, and the cold and rainy season, from November to March. But with that said, just like the mainland, Santorini has four distinct seasons that define the kind of island getaway travelers are in for. So here’s everything you need to know about the weather to make traveling to Santorini the right kind of memorable experience.
Spring (April to May)
Spring in Santorini sheds its winter coat and dances into warmer weather with a spring in its step. Temperatures range from 60°F to 70°F in the springtime, and thanks to the abundant rainfall in January, flowers bloom early across the island. April in Santorini still sees chilly weather, but it’s perfect for those searching for some peaceful solitude, as April sees much less in the way of crowds. Some accommodations and restaurants will be closed during this time as they prepare for the high season to begin in June. However, there are still many beautiful and affordable places to stay, and the markets and grocers are already opening in anticipation of spring travelers. For the most options and picturesque weather, May is perfect for visiting the beaches and soaking up some sun.
Couples find springtime especially romantic, as the fewer crowds allow them to enjoy long walks along the beach and scenic views from their balconies. Hikers also love this season, as the lower temperatures are perfect for taking in the gorgeous panoramic views of the island without overheating.
Best Time to Visit Santorini for Ideal Weather
Summer (June to August)
Summertime ushers in higher prices and searing heat. Temperatures sit in the high 80s, helped along by the near-constant sunshine. Summer sees little rain, so it’s time for travelers to don their sunscreen and sunglasses as they head to the beach and cool off with a dip in the sea. Of course, others opt to dip a lot more than a toe, as summer is the ideal time for scuba diving, cliff jumping, and plenty of other water-related activities.
But for those who find 80-degree temperatures to be child’s play, then there’s cruising around the caldera on a boat tour or horseback riding along Eros Beach, both of which will whisk you past splendid canyons and sand dunes. Or beat the heat by heading inside to a wine-tasting room. With its mild climate and volcanic soil, Santorini has produced unique varietals for over 3,500 years.
Santorini is no well-kept secret, and summertime even less so. Travelers flock to the island in summer, so book accommodations well in advance. If you want to avoid the crowds, it’s best to skip popular tourist activities and head to the lesser-known parts of the island. Or simply relax inside! Accommodations like the beautiful cave hotels, with their views of the iconic Santorini sunset, will surely make you want to never leave your hotel!
Best Time to Visit Santorini for Beaches
Fall (September to October)
Get ready to fall in love with Santorini in autumn. Come September, the crowds start thinning as peak season comes to an end. Temperatures are still warm, though, ranging from 60°F to 76°F. Prices, like the autumn leaves, start to fall, enticing budget-conscious travelers to come and experience the beauty of Santorini at a more affordable price than summer.
But fall isn’t just for the budget traveler; it’s also for the outdoor lovers. Many look forward to the cooler months of autumn because they’re arguably the best time to visit Santorini for outdoor excursions, including hiking. Walking from Fira to Oia is one of the most popular trails. (You can start from Oia, but this will be uphill versus Fira to Oia’s mostly downhill trek.) Hikers are whisked through beautiful towns just waiting to be explored, eateries to fuel up, and architecture to be admired. The path also winds past breathtaking views of the sea and rocky cliffsides. And, for those who time their hike just right, what awaits at the end of the journey is Oia Castle and epic views of an iconic Santorini sunset.
Best Time to Visit Santorini for the Outdoors
Winter (November to March)
Come winter, Santorini is almost an entirely different island. Restaurants close their shutters, the near-constant summer ferries operate sporadically, and locals leave the island to head out on their own vacations. Add on temperatures ranging from 50°F to 59°F, and Santorini sounds less and less like the island getaway of countless dreams. But that’s precisely what makes it so enchanting.
Santorini in winter isn’t the warm, sunny, and overcrowded island of summer, and that’s a small part of its unique romance. With fewer crowds and few locals, travelers can unwind as they wind through the quiet streets with only their thoughts for company and take in the breathtaking views with quiet contemplation.
While accommodations can be tricky to find, one’s best bet is to head to Fira, the more lively part of Santorini in the winter. Here, it’s possible to find a beautiful spot with views of the sea, savor the traditional Greek foods served in the taverns, and warm up with a coffee or hot chocolate in the cozy cafes.
Best Time to Visit Santorini for Low Prices
Santorini’s Most Popular Annual Events
Santorini doesn’t really need any special events to draw the crowds to its shores. But, if you’re looking for something more, in addition to the stunning beaches and breathtaking calderas, then you’ll no doubt enjoy these festivals that allow you to soak up the sun, fun, and culture of Santorini all in one fell swoop.
Supa Dupa Fly Santorini (June)
Grab your sunscreen and party hat, and get ready for four days and four nights of beach parties and music. The Supa Dupa Fly Santorini festival brings together musical talents of the RnB and hip-hop genres. International and Greek musicians and DJs bring 90s and 2000s tunes that will have you dancing all day and night long. Enjoy 12-hour beach parties, island drinks, and dancing in private villas and beachfronts. And did we mention there’s a party on the edge of a volcano?
Ifestia Festival (September)
“A blast from the past” takes on a whole new meaning during the Ifestia Festival. Celebrated annually in September, this festival commemorates the Minoan Eruption, which took place around 1,600 B.C.E. and forever changed the landscape of the island known today as Santorini.
The Ifestia Festival is a single-day event encompassing everything from live music concerts to theatrical performances, with the main event being a fireworks display. It is no ordinary display, however. The fireworks tell a story, and the story they tell is that of the centuries-old eruption. Fireworks made to look like they come from the volcano shoot into the sky and explode over its mouth, replicating the molten rock and lava flung into the air during an eruption. Sound effects enhance the experience of the explosion, while light effects imitate lava flowing down the volcano.
One of the best ways to experience this otherworldly event is to rent a boat or cruise out on the water for unobstructed views of this dazzling show.
Santorini International Music Festival (September)
In September, international music artists flock to the capital of Santorini. But these artists don’t come for the pleasant fall weather, the budget deals, or the beautiful caldera cliffs of Fira. Instead, they come for the Santorini International Music Festival. For two weeks, audiences are treated to moving piano duets, emotional string solos, and inspiring orchestral performances. It’s the ideal time for music lovers to plan a trip to Santorini to enjoy music, the island, and the gorgeous fall weather.
Know the Best Time to Go
Santorini amazes at any time of year, but if you’re looking for the best time to visit Santorini on a budget, to kick back on the sandy beaches, or to tour Santorini’s wineries, we’ve got you covered on the prime times to plan your trip for the experience of a lifetime.
The Best Time to Visit Santorini for Low Prices
The best time of the year to visit Santorini for low prices is during the low season, which is when budget-conscious travelers can make out with a steal. When the crowds all but vanish and the island goes quiet, visitors can nab deals on everything from accommodations to airfare and even tours—the ones still operating anyway. The one major downside to visiting in the off-season is that operators, from hotels to tours, close down for the winter months, so visitors have to contend with more limited options for their stays and activities.
However, for any travelers worried about potential obstacles to their island getaway, there are Santorini’s shoulder seasons. From March to May and September to November, visitors can enjoy great deals, pleasant weather, and, most importantly, a more lively island getaway. So, if you want to be kind to your wallet and itinerary, spring and fall are opportune times to go.
The Best Time to Visit Santorini for Fewer Crowds
For fewer crowds, winter is the best time to visit Santorini. Despite its year-round allure, the island isn’t high on anyone’s list to visit in winter, so expect a good deal of peace and quiet on the island. Even the locals depart during this time, leaving the island to vacation on the mainland and elsewhere. As a result, you may find it harder to navigate Santorini in winter, as ferries largely cut operations to and from the island, and many accommodations close for the winter season. But the extra trouble may prove worth it to explore Santorini in a way many haven’t been able to, especially with the summer crowds starting to spill into other seasons. For those who love a more serene setting, wintertime is the time to go.
The Best Time to Visit Santorini for Good Weather
The latter half of the spring season, from May to June, and the start of the fall season, from September to October, present ideal times to enjoy Santorini’s spectacular weather. The days are mostly sunny, with little rainfall and near-perfect temperatures—warm enough for beach trips but cool enough to enjoy activities like hiking from Oia to Fira, cruising on the sea, and touring wineries. Spring has the added benefit of bringing blooming flowers to the island, making Santorini even more beautiful and perfect for photographing the island. Speaking of photographs, spring and fall are picture-perfect times to catch an iconic Santorini sunset without worrying they might be disrupted by a summer heat haze.
The Best Time to Visit Santorini for the Beaches
If your first loves are the sea, sun, and that summer feeling, then you can plan your trip to Santorini for as early as spring. Things start to heat up in late spring, ensuring those summer vibes are already present in Santorini by May and stick around through the early fall, making May through mid-September the best time for beach lovers to visit Santorini.
With near-constant sunshine, relaxing on the beach and soaking up the sun or taking a cooling dip are the go-to activities for visitors to Santorini, though a boat cruise to tour the island’s various colored shores or snorkeling in the crystalline waters aren’t bad ways to spend the day either. Whatever ways you decide to enjoy Santorini’s beaches, summer offers the most idyllic weather to do it.
The Best Time to Visit Santorini for the Wineries
If you are a wine enthusiast, fall is the best time to visit Santorini. With the trifecta of cool weather, perfect caldera views, and epic sunsets, you can’t go wrong with planning a trip to Santorini in the fall. And once you couple it with a Santorini winery visit, there’s no better pairing to be had, except for maybe a glass of Santorini’s classic vinsanto paired with bites of dark chocolate. Alongside your fall wine tours and tastings, don’t forget to explore the Koutsogiannopoulos Wine Museum to learn more about some of the oldest vines in Greece and the rich history of wine production in Santorini.
