Greece · tool
Best time to visit Santorini
Month-by-month weather, crowds, prices, and festival calendar — so you know exactly when to book.
Photo by Pretty Pink on Unsplash
Best time to visit Santorini, Greece
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, prices, and seasonal highlights.
| Month | Score | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8-14°C, cloudy with frequent rain and strong winds. | low | low |
⚠ Many businesses, especially in tourist areas, are closed. | |
| February | 8-15°C, cool, damp, and windy with intermittent rain. | low | low |
⚠ Still very much the off-season; many hotels and restaurants remain closed. | |
| March | 10-17°C, cool and breezy with increasing sunshine and occasional rain. | low | low |
⚠ Some tourist facilities begin to open, but many remain shut. | |
| April | 13-20°C, mild with plenty of sunshine and a chance of light showers. | moderate | moderate |
⚠ The island starts to buzz, but it's not yet overwhelming. | |
| May | 17-24°C, warm and sunny with very little rain. | moderate | moderate |
⚠ A sweet spot before the peak summer heat and crowds. | |
| June | 21-28°C, hot and sunny with minimal humidity and almost no rain. | high | high |
⚠ Book accommodations and flights well in advance. | |
| July | 24-30°C, very hot and sunny with dry winds (meltemi). | peak | peak |
⚠ The meltemi winds can be strong, which is good for cooling but can affect boat trips. | |
| August | 25-31°C, hottest month, intensely sunny and dry. | peak | peak |
⚠ Expect very high temperatures and peak tourist numbers. | |
| September | 21-28°C, warm and sunny, with the meltemi winds starting to lessen. | high | high |
⚠ Still busy, but the intensity of summer begins to subside. | |
| October | 17-24°C, pleasant and sunny with a chance of occasional rain. | moderate | moderate |
⚠ Many tourist services begin to wind down towards the end of the month. | |
| November | 13-19°C, cool and increasingly rainy with strong winds. | low | low |
⚠ Many hotels and restaurants close for the winter season. | |
| December | 10-16°C, cool, damp, and windy with frequent rain. | low | low |
⚠ Similar to January and February; many businesses are closed. |
Annual events worth timing your trip around
April
Orthodox Easter
Celebrated with religious processions and traditional feasts across the island.
July
Santorini Jazz Festival
A multi-day festival featuring international and local jazz musicians, often held in scenic locations.
September
International Music Festival
Concerts and performances showcasing classical and contemporary music in various villages.
October
Harvest Festivals
Local celebrations marking the end of the grape harvest, often with wine tasting and traditional music.
December
Feast of Saint Nicholas
Celebrated in coastal villages with religious services and local gatherings.
Insider timing tips
- •The 'meltemi' winds, strongest in July and August, can be a welcome relief from the heat but may disrupt ferry schedules and make caldera-edge dining less pleasant.
- •While May and September offer excellent weather, they still experience significant tourist numbers due to the pleasant conditions, meaning prices remain relatively high.
- •The shoulder months of April and October provide a balance of decent weather and fewer crowds, but be aware that some smaller hotels and restaurants may have reduced hours or be closed entirely.
- •Santorini's iconic sunsets are a major draw year-round, but the best viewing spots in Oia become extremely crowded from May through September.
- •The winter months (November to March) offer a glimpse of local life, but the island's infrastructure is largely geared towards summer tourism, leading to widespread closures.
Ready to plan your Santorini trip?
Get a full day-by-day itinerary with real places and bookable activities.
Best time to visit elsewhere