Photo by Michelle Maria. Santorini is one of the islands that make up the Cyclades archipelago , in the Aegean Sea. It is certainly one of the most popular and visited seaside destinations in the Mediterranean , thanks to its blue sea, beautiful views and villages perched on the cliff with their white houses.
The island of Santorini enjoys an extremely pleasant Mediterranean climate , which allows tourists to enjoy its beautiful sea from mid-April to mid-October.
So, if you are wondering what is the best time to visit Santorini, know that you have a wide choice ahead of you! We could safely say thatany time is good to go to Santorini .
Climate, Average temperatures and Precipitation
Month Average temperature (min / max) Rainy days January 9 ° / 14 ° 9
February 9 ° / 14 ° 7
March 10 ° / 16 ° 6
April 12 ° / 19 ° 3
May 15 ° / 22 ° ° 1
June 19 ° / 27 ° 0
July 22 ° / 28 ° 0
August 22 ° / 27 ° 0
September 19 ° / 26 ° 1
October 16 ° / 22 ° 4
November 13 ° / 19 ° 6
December 11 ° / 16 ° 9
- Best period : summer from June to early September, with a preference for June and July. The days are long, the sun is warm and the sea temperature is ideal
- Period to avoid : autumn and winter. Santorini and especially seaside tourism, in these seasons you could not enjoy the sea and beaches
Santorni, like the rest of the Cyclades archipelago, is located in the central part of the Aegean Sea: these islands enjoy a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and warm and sunny summers , but also breezy thanks to the presence of the Meltemi, a fresh and dry.
Average temperatures in the winter months fluctuate around 11 ° C, while those of July and August around 25 ° C, usually remaining below 30 ° C.
Rainfall is not abundant , in fact it is less than 500 mm per year. mostly concentrated in the cold period, from October to March.
Autumn and spring are also mild, but let’s face it: you go to Santorini above all for seaside tourism, and only in summer can you combine days at sea with excursions and cultural visits.
When to go to Santorini: the cheapest period
The low season in Santorini is in winter and autumn, but these are seasons in which tourism is practically absent for obvious reasons.
The best compromise is in the months of May and September , when the temperatures are high enough for the first baths and the heat is not excessive to pleasantly visit the cultural sites.
August is the most expensive month .
Santorini in Spring
Photo by Michelle Maria. From mid-April onwards, the island of Santorini is about to welcome the first tourists: the tourist season officially opens. Spring is probably the best time to visit the island not yet overwhelmed by the tourist crowds, and the prices are also a bit lower than in the summer.
You can easily take the opportunity to visit Ancient Fira , the capital of Santorini, a small and delightful village where you can admire the characteristic elements of Cycladic architecture, with its white houses and blue domed Orthodox churches. Moreover, in this season the perfect temperature also allows you to take the first baths in the sea, as the water has a pleasant temperature.
SEE ALSO : What to see in Santorini
Santorini in Summer
From June to August for the island of Santorini and the peak season . The beaches are being stormed and finding a place in hotels at an affordable price becomes difficult. Temperatures are high but the climate remains pleasant, this is certainly the best season to enjoy its beautiful beaches , such as the famous Kamari Beach, Perissa, ideal for water sports and diving, or Red Beach, a beach with red sand, of volcanic origin, located in the southwestern part of the island. We advise you to go there rather early, however, to avoid overcrowding!
Santorini in Autumn
After the high summer season, starting from the beginning of September the island begins to empty, allowing you to enjoy its wonders in complete tranquility. The climate in this season is mild , allowing you to enjoy its beautiful sea for a while, until about mid-October.
This period is also ideal for visiting the archaeological excavations of the island , such as that of Akrotiri, the most important of the island, as well as one of the most important in all of Greece, or the remains of ancient Thira on the rock of “Mesa Vouna” (Half Mountain), located in a magnificent panoramic position about 400 meters above sea level.
, although the bathing season is definitely over and there is a greater risk of running into rainy days. However, this will not deprive you of the beauty of its landscapes, which you can enjoy with much more tranquility than in the high season.
Being obviously out of season, most of the hotels are closed, the open ones are mainly in Fira and in the Inner part in Karterados.
How to dress: what to pack
- In winter : although the climate is quite mild, going towards evening, with the wind you could feel quite cold. Our advice is to dress in layers, bringing a rather heavy anorak and sweaters with you.
- In summer : swimsuit and sarong are your standard uniform, do not forget to bring a jacket for the cooler summer evenings.
- In autumn and spring : also in this case, the mild climate allows you to dress quite lightly, however, do not forget to bring something a little heavier, and comfortable shoes!
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Discover our offers!
- Low cost flights: from € 94.98 – check the offers
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 62.00 per room – see the offers
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Santorini: 4-hour tour and wine tasting at sunset Traditional bus tour in Santorini with sunset in Oia Cruise to the volcanic islands and springs of Palea Kameni
