Santorini’s weather is one of the mildest, most predictable, and warmest in Europe (and that can also be said for Greece and the Greek islands, honestly). Knowing the weather at your destination is always good because it can literally make or break your holidays.
- For December, January, February:Nefeles
- For March, April:Thireas
- For May: Cosmopolitan
- For June: Andronis
- For July: Katikies
- For August: Astra Suites
- For September: Divine Cave
- For October:Perivolas
- For November:Aqua
And in Santorini, this can easily be said because it is a place with four distinctive seasons (like most of Greece, actually) :
- Winter (mild, some rains, no snow): December, January, February
- Spring (lovely sunny days, occasionally some rain and wind):March, April, May
- Summer (hot…like more than 30 degrees Celsius hot, dry, no rains, sunny every day): June, July, August
- Autumn (feels more like Western European summer):September, October, November
Keep reading…
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- January:10% crowded – (Low Season – many restaurants, hotels, and businesses will be closed, beaches will be empty, but the island is not “dead”)
- February: 10% crowded – (Low Season – many restaurants, hotels, and businesses will be closed, beaches will be empty, but the island is not “dead”)
- March: 20% crowded – (Low Season –but slightly more people start to visit the island as the high season approaches, many restaurants, hotels, and businesses will be closed or just about to open, beaches will probably be empty, but the island is not “dead”)
- April: 40% crowded – (High Season – the beginning of the high season and most restaurants, beach bars, cafes, and businesses open in April as it is also the Greek Easter, and lots of Greeks visit the island to start preparing for the high season)
- May:70% crowded – (High Season – All of the businesses of the island will be 100% open and operational, but the island is still not full, the beaches are getting busier every day, and the weather is awesome)
- June: 90% crowded – (High Season – almost at full capacity but not yet super busy…everything will be open and super fun!)
- July: 100% crowded – (High Season – the heart of the high season and when the island gets super busy and crowded, but still you will have a great time while the weather is super hot – do expect to spend most of your time on the beach or the swimming pool – not as busy as in August though)
- August: 110% crowded – (High Season – the busiest month for Santorini, try to avoid if possible because everything becomes more complicated and takes more time)
- September: 90% crowded – (High Season – it will still feel like the long tail of August some times, but it will get less busy at the end of the month – weather still feels like summer! See also below)
- October: 70% crowded (High Season – the weather gets colder, but you can still possibly enjoy a swim in the sea or the pool – for many of the businesses, October is their last operational month)
- November: 30% crowded (Low Season – the early days of winter and the month where the weather gets considerably colder – many businesses, hotels, and restaurants might be closed)
- December: 10% crowded (Low Season – the heart of the low season and one of the coldest months in Santorini, no swimming, many closed businesses, but always an amazing landscape and wild beauty)
These guys were puddling in Santorini. In October…:
Santorini Weather Guides for each month (where it’s best to stay, what to pack, businesses will be closed, etc):
- Santorini in January: What To Expect?(Spoiler alert: cold and windy weather, and no beach life as most businesses will be closed.)
- Santorini in September: What To Expect?(Spoiler alert: excellent summer weather and a crowded and busy island.)
- Santorini in October: What To Expect?(Spoiler alert: It’s still warm weather, but a less crowded and busier island.)
- Santorini in April: What To Expect?(Spoiler alert: cold weather and most businesses closed, but grand Greek easter celebrations.)
- Santorini in May: What To Expect?(Spoiler alert: sunny weather but a less crowded and busy island.)
- Santorini in June: What to Expect? (Spoiler alert: hot summer weather, but not many crowds.)
So…how’s the weather like in Santorini?
Nothing crazy or extreme to be honest.
The only time you would probably feel slightly uncomfortable with the Santorini weather is during the hot summer months of July and August, when temperatures can rise up to 38-39 degrees Celsius (or 100-102 Fahrenheit). However, this is really only a few days during the summer (the average temperatures are much lower, as you can see on the charts below). It can happen, though.
But apart from some summer extremes, every other season or month is mild and relatively dry. And to be honest with you…you will probably be by your pool or on the beach…and you will be lusting for some warm sun, right? Here are the charts with the averages of temperatures and rainfalls in Santorini:
What do I need to pack for a trip to Santorini?
It depends on the season and the month.
- During the winter (December, January, February):
You need jackets, long sleeves, sweaters, and jumpers. No shorts or summer dresses. It can get pretty cold, as it is also windy and humid (no snow or below-0 temperatures, though…). Remember: Santorini is an island!
As a rule of thumb, remember that January and February are the coldest months in Santorini (and in Greece), with the most unpredictable weather (but no extremes…don’t worry). You may get 3 degrees Celsius with drizzle but also 20 degrees Celsius and sunny! Who knows?
Winter in Santorini feels more like the fall/autumn of major Western European cities (Paris, London).
And yes…there can be some snow for a couple of days in Santorini in the winter, but for people who live in snowy countries or areas, the Santorini snow looks like a joke:
However, May is the month to start swimming in Santorini (even though the sea waters might still be slightly cold from the winter). If you plan to visit Santorini in May, bring your swimsuits, bikinis, monokinis, shorts, t-shirts, and summer dresses. However, if you are visiting Santorini in April, you do need to bring jackets and warm clothes.
May in Santorini feels like summer in major European cities (London, Paris)!
- During the Summer (June, July, August):
It’s summer and hot (not desert hot though…).
Summer in Santorini is the best summer weather you will ever feel!Summer in Santorini is dry and hot. No long sleeves, no trousers, no jackets 24/7.
September still feels like summer. You may need some long sleeves for nighttime only. You will be on the beach or the swimming pool most days anyway.
October is slightly different, and it is possibly the last month of the year when you can actually enjoy a swim in the sea or the swimming pool without being uncomfortably cold. Read also the detailed guide on Santorini in October and what to expect.
November is getting slightly colder, and swimming is less likely to be nice. You should probably wear long sleeves most of the time, but chances are that you will also get many super sunny days with 20 degrees Celsius! Fantastic!CONCLUSION
No matter the weather, you will have a great time in Santorini. The best time to visit the island depends on your desire.
If you see the beaches and swimming pools, visit Santorini during the high season. If you are not bothered about swimming or the beaches and just want to enjoy the magnificent landscapes with fewer tourists/people, then go for the Low Season. Santorini has something for every time of the year!
