Santorini weather & when to visit
Santorini enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate — long, dry, sunny summers and mild winters. Here's what to expect month by month, and when we think the island is at its best.
When is the best time to visit Santorini? For most visitors, late April to mid-June and September to mid-October are ideal — warm, reliably sunny days, swimmable sea and softer crowds than peak summer. July and August are the hottest and busiest; winter is quiet and mild, with the occasional shower.
Sunshine you can plan around
Santorini gets a great deal of sunshine and very little summer rain. From June through September you can expect clear skies almost every day, with warm evenings perfect for dinner outdoors. Spring brings green hillsides and wildflowers; autumn keeps the warm sea well into October.
One local quirk worth knowing: the meltemi, a dry north wind that blows across the Aegean mainly in July and August. It keeps the heat comfortable but can be gusty on exposed cliff edges and the odd day at sea — something we always factor into outdoor plans and timings.
Planning around the light? See our journal on sunset timing by month.
Santorini climate at a glance
Typical averages for the island. Day-to-day weather varies, so treat these as a guide rather than a forecast.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Sea temp | Rainy days | In a word |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°C | 9°C | 16°C | ~9 | Quiet, cool |
| February | 15°C | 9°C | 15°C | ~7 | Quiet, cool |
| March | 16°C | 10°C | 16°C | ~6 | Spring begins |
| April | 19°C | 12°C | 17°C | ~4 | Mild, green |
| May | 23°C | 16°C | 19°C | ~2 | Lovely, calm |
| June | 27°C | 20°C | 22°C | ~1 | Warm, sunny |
| July | 29°C | 23°C | 24°C | ~0 | Hot, breezy |
| August | 29°C | 23°C | 25°C | ~0 | Hot, busy |
| September | 26°C | 20°C | 24°C | ~2 | Warm, easy |
| October | 23°C | 17°C | 22°C | ~4 | Mild, mellow |
| November | 19°C | 14°C | 20°C | ~7 | Cooler, quiet |
| December | 16°C | 11°C | 18°C | ~9 | Quiet, festive |
Temperatures in °C. Sea temperature is a monthly average — afternoons in late summer can feel warmer.
Which season suits you
Spring · Apr–May
Green hills, wildflowers and warm-but-fresh days. Calm and uncrowded, with the sea warming up. Pack a light layer for the evenings.
Early summer · Jun
Long sunny days, warm sea and lively-but-not-packed villages. One of our favourite windows of the year.
High summer · Jul–Aug
Hottest, busiest and breeziest (the meltemi). Book everything well ahead and plan around the midday heat.
Early autumn · Sep–Oct
Warm days, the year's warmest sea and a gentler pace. Superb light for photos and relaxed evenings.
Late autumn · Nov
Cooler and quieter, with some grey or wet days. Many seasonal venues begin to wind down.
Winter · Dec–Mar
Mild but quiet — fewer open restaurants and tours. Atmospheric and inexpensive if you want the island to yourself.
What to bring
- Sun protection always — high-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. The Aegean sun is strong even in spring and autumn.
- Comfortable shoes — the villages are built on cobbles, steps and slopes. Flat, grippy soles beat heels here.
- Light layers for evenings — spring and autumn nights cool down, and the wind can add a chill on the cliffs.
- Swimwear & beach shoes — many beaches are pebbly or volcanic sand; water shoes are handy.
- A light windproof layer in July–August for breezy boat days.
- An adapter if you're from outside Europe (Type C/F, 230 V).
Proposing outdoors? We always build in a wind-and-weather plan — read how we handle weather and wind.
Planning a proposal around the light?
We time everything to the season and the sunset — and always keep a weather plan in our back pocket.