October is the ideal shoulder season in Santorini. The weather remains warm enough for swimming (average high of 23°C / 73°F), but the extreme summer crowds and peak hotel prices have subsided. While the first half of October feels like summer, the second half brings cooler evenings and the seasonal closure of some beach clubs. It is the best month for hiking the caldera and visiting wineries.
If you are planning to visit Santorini in October, here’s what you need to know. October is possibly the best time to visit Santorini in Greece because it’s not too busy and crowded (as it is in July and August), and the weather is still awesome, with a temperature between 15-25 degrees Celsius (or 65-80 Fahrenheit) and mostly sunny. It’s the best weather you could ask for on a trip!
BEST HOTEL IN SANTORINI IN OCTOBER:Katikies Hotel
BUT ALSO CHECK:
- For Couples:Canaves Oia
- For Families:Nissia
- For Sunset Views: White Pearl
- For Honeymoon: Andronis
- With Private Pool: Katikies
- With Caldera Views: Perivolas
- Cave Hotel: Divine Cave
- Budget:Stelios Place
- In Oia: Canaves Epitome
- In Fira:Cosmopolitan
- In Imerovigli:Astra Suites
- In Perissa:Anastasia Princess
- In Kamari:Amara Suites
See also my guide forSeptember in Santorini (warmer weather but more crowded…).
In October, all the beach clubs in Santorini will be open and fully operational (even though this is their last month of the season as they close down for the winter). So, to calm you down, I should also say that Greece is one of the hottest countries in October.
Where to Stay in Santorini
Best Hotels in Santorini
Best Beach Hotels in Santorini
Best Santorini Boat Tours
RECOMMENDED WEBSITES FOR GREECE:
🛏️ Booking.comis the website with the most available rooms and Private Villas in Athens, Santorini , Mykonos & Crete (more than Airbnb!)
⛴️ Ferryhopperis the best website to book your ferry tickets or check the timetables for Santorini, Mykonos , Crete & all Greek islands
🎫 Get Your Guide has the best and largest variety of Tours in Athens and the Greek islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete etc)
🚗 Rentalcarsis the easiest way to rent a car or a quad for Greece with thousands of available options
✈️ Booking.com Flights has all the available flights to and from the Greek islands
🚕 Book Your Driver (Taxi) directly with booking.com’s large and safe platform of available certified drivers
Santorini Weather in October
October in Santorini is a relatively hot and dry month. The temperature can be anything between 15-25 degrees Celsius (or 65-80 Fahrenheit),and it will be sunny most of the time. Sometimes, the temperature is around 25-30 degrees Celsius.
You may get some rain for a few hours or a cloudy evening sometime, but in general, you will be wandering the streets of Fira and Oia with t-shirts and shorts during the day without sweating or getting exhausted like you do during the summer months of June, July, or August.
When it gets dark, you may need a light jacket or a hoodie, but that’s it. Seriously.
It won’t feel at all like a Western European autumn.
It will feel more like London or Paris summer weather in June or July.
Where should I stay in October in Santorini?
October in Santorini still feels like summer, to be honest, so your options will be the same as they are in July or August.
However, because the whole island slows down, it might be better to choose a location closer to Fira, which is the capital.
However, Oia and Imerovigli will still be great options (if views are your priority). Oia and Imerovigli will probably be even better as they will more quieter with fewer tourist masses.
If you want to stay close to the beach and you are not worried too much about the caldera/volcano views or sunsets, then you can stay at Kamari(very family-friendly small town by the beach with lots of options for restaurants) or you can always stay in Perissa or Perivolos (the famous black beaches) :
Most of the beach bars and restaurants in Perissa, Perivolos, and Kamari have their last operational month in October, so there is still a lot going on in October.
October is still considered high season in Santorini, but people also call it “shoulder season” as it feels less crowded.
Read Also:Best Greek Islands to Visit in October
What do I need to pack for a trip to Santorini in October?
You need to pack your swimsuit(s), (those bikinis you saw on instagram and then you bought online along with his brand new speedos ), t-shirts, shorts, some light jackets (mainly for the evenings and nights) and generally everything you would wear let’s say in June or July in London, UK.
Can I swim in Santorini in October?
Of course you can! The sea water will still be warm from the summer and actually even hotter than it might be in May or June sometimes.
Also, because Santorini does not attract that many people in October, you will have a large part of the beach or the swimming pool for yourself!
(Don’t worry… You won’t be completely alone… It’s still high season!)
Kamari and Perissa/Perivolos beaches will be awesome, and all the yummy snacks and beach bars will be catering to you.
Is October a good time to travel to Santorini?
Absolutely! October is one of the best months to travel to Santorini because it’s not that busy, and you’ll still get awesome weather.
Indeed, businesses (hotels, restaurants, cafes, beach bars, etc) are slowing down because it’s the end of the high season (April-October), but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
It basically means you will get more attention and possibly better service from the people who will serve or cater to you.
For some of the hotels, beach bars, and restaurants, October is their last month before they close, but that is a good thing, seriously.
July and August in Santorini are busy (like…crazy busy…!) and you can feel that everywhere: on the busy streets of Fira, during sunset time in Oia, at the beach bars of Perissa and Perivolos (where it might be super difficult to find a sunbed to lay down) and on the exhausted waiters and housekeepers of the island.
What are the things I can do in Santorini in October?
You can do everything you’d do during April, May, June, July, August, or September, it is still considered high season.
- Swimming at the amazing Santorini Beaches
- Wine tasting at any of the Best Wineries of the island (this is the most detailed Wineries Guide on the internet!)
- Visit the Akrotiri prehistoric ruins,
- Have lunch or dinner at one of the best restaurants on the island
- Use Santorini as your base to visit other Greek islands, or…
- Do one (or more…) of these things
What are the flights to Santorini in October?
Here are the companies with direct flights to Santorini (from major European cities and Athens) in October:
(Unfortunately, no flights from outside Europe…you have to get off at Athens and then take another plane or ferry if you are coming from the US)
What are the ferries to Santorini in October?
Read my super detailed guide for all the ferries in Santorini here:
How To Get From Athens to Santorini
For the latest schedules and ferry timetables, you should always check the best website for booking ferries in Greece: Ferryhopper
Don’t get me wrong, you will have a great time in Santorini whenever you choose to go, but I strongly believe that the first weeks of October and possibly the last weeks of September are the best! You will see and appreciate the beauty of this island much more.
FAQs
How hot is Santorini in October?
During the first half of October, daytime highs average 23°C to 25°C (73°F to 77°F), which is warm enough for t-shirts and shorts. By late October, daytime highs drop to around 20°C (68°F), and the evenings become significantly cooler, requiring a light jacket or sweater.
Can you still swim in Santorini in October?
Yes. The Aegean Sea retains its heat from the summer months, making the water temperature in October around 22°C (71°F). Swimming is very comfortable during the first two weeks of the month, though the water may feel chilly on cloudy or windy days toward the end of October.
Are restaurants and hotels open in Santorini in October?
Yes, October is still considered part of the tourist season. Almost all hotels, restaurants, wineries, and tour operators in Fira, Oia, and Imerovigli remain fully open. However, some beach clubs in Perissa and Kamari begin closing down during the final week of October as the island prepares for winter.
Is Santorini crowded in October?
October is significantly less crowded than July and August. You will still see crowds in Oia during the sunset, and cruise ships still arrive daily, but you will not have to fight for walking space in the streets or wait in long lines for buses and restaurants.
