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Best Time to Visit Santorini & Greek Islands

Europe · Month-by-month weather, seasons and what to do — from Noura's Destination Finder.

Noura's timing tip: July-August brings strong meltemi winds that can cancel ferries and seasonal flights, and midday cruise crowds jam Oia and Fira—book hotels months ahead and target sunrise or evening for the caldera.
Best months
May–Sep
Flights from the US
🟡 One connection
Great for
couples · adult group · female solo traveler
Seasons at a glance
MayJuneJulyAugustSeptember MarchAprilOctober JanuaryFebruaryNovemberDecember

🟢 Peak season  ·  🟠 Shoulder  ·  ⚪ Off-peak

Santorini & Greek Islands month by month

Average temperatures, sunshine and the feel of each month. Getting the timing right is half of a great trip.

MonthAvg °FSunRainSeasonWhat it's like
January 50–58°F 4h High (115mm) Off-Peak Wet, windswept and hushed—most of the island shuts down for winter.
February 50–58°F 5h Moderate (80mm) Off-Peak Quiet, low-cost and local—the caldera to yourself between rain spells.
March 53–61°F 7h Moderate (65mm) Shoulder Green cliffs and first warm days as the island stirs awake.
April 56–66°F 9h Low (30mm) Shoulder Mild, blooming and uncrowded—shoulder-season value at its best.
May 63–73°F 10h Minimal (15mm) Peak Warm, dry and radiant—swim season opens before summer crowds peak.
June 70–82°F 11h Minimal (5mm) Peak Hot, sun-drenched and buzzing—peak caldera-sunset season begins.
July 74–85°F 12h Minimal (1mm) Peak Bone-dry heat, brilliant blue and packed lanes—book everything ahead.
August 75–85°F 12h Minimal (1mm) Peak Peak summer sizzle and meltemi gusts—harvest energy in the vineyards.
September 70–80°F 10h Minimal (15mm) Peak Warm seas, mellow crowds and soft light—arguably the ideal month.
October 64–73°F 8h Moderate (60mm) Shoulder Golden autumn calm as summer crowds fade and prices drop.
November 58–66°F 6h Moderate (70mm) Off-Peak Cooling, breezy and low-key as the island winds down for winter.
December 53–60°F 4h Moderate (100mm) Off-Peak Rainy, dramatic and serene—the caldera under winter skies.

Data cross-referenced from climate and flight sources; conditions vary year to year.

Things to do in Santorini & Greek Islands, month by month

Hand-picked ideas for every month of the year — from Noura's Destination Finder.

JanuaryOff-Peak50–58°F
  • Watch storm surf pound Amoudi Bay
  • Wander a near-deserted Fira
  • Visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thera
  • Sample Assyrtiko at a year-round winery
  • Photograph moody caldera clouds from Imerovigli
FebruaryOff-Peak50–58°F
  • Explore hilltop Pyrgos village
  • Tour Santo Wines for an Assyrtiko tasting
  • Walk the empty Fira caldera path
  • Visit the Archaeological Museum of Thera
  • Feast on slow-cooked local tavern fare
MarchShoulder53–61°F
  • Hike the Fira-to-Oia caldera trail
  • Explore the Minoan ruins of Akrotiri
  • Taste wine at Venetsanos Winery
  • Roam Oia before the crowds arrive
  • Visit Ancient Thera on Mesa Vouno
AprilShoulder56–66°F
  • Walk the caldera path from Fira to Imerovigli
  • Explore Ancient Akrotiri's frescoed streets
  • Stroll Oia's marble lanes in spring light
  • Visit the Red Beach at Akrotiri
  • Wine-tour the Megalochori vineyards
MayPeak63–73°F
  • Sail a caldera catamaran cruise
  • Hike Nea Kameni volcano & hot springs
  • Sunbathe on Perissa black-sand beach
  • Catch the famous Oia sunset from the castle
  • Kayak the base of the caldera cliffs
JunePeak70–82°F
  • Book a sunset catamaran with dinner
  • Beach day at Kamari's black sands
  • Dine seaside at Amoudi Bay tavernas
  • Snorkel the Red and White beaches
  • Tour Santo Wines at golden hour
JulyPeak74–85°F
  • Beat crowds with a sunrise Oia stroll
  • Swim and lounge on Perivolos beach
  • Hike Nea Kameni's volcanic crater
  • Wine-taste across Pyrgos & Megalochori
  • Sail to Thirassia island by boat
AugustPeak75–85°F
  • Watch the Assyrtiko grape harvest
  • Cool off on Vlychada's sculpted-cliff beach
  • Catch the Aug 15 Panagia festivities
  • Evening catamaran cruise for the sunset
  • Explore Ancient Thera at dawn
SeptemberPeak70–80°F
  • Hike Fira to Oia in cooler air
  • Swim the still-warm Kamari beach
  • Sunset dinner in Oia's caldera restaurants
  • Boat trip to the volcano & hot springs
  • Wine tour with harvest tastings
OctoberShoulder64–73°F
  • Walk the quiet caldera trail to Oia
  • Explore Akrotiri's Minoan excavation
  • Last swims at Perissa before it cools
  • Tour Venetsanos & Santo wineries
  • Photograph Imerovigli's clifftop churches
NovemberOff-Peak58–66°F
  • Stroll a peaceful, uncrowded Oia
  • Visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thera
  • Hike Mesa Vouno to Ancient Thera
  • Sample wines at a year-round cellar
  • Watch sunset from Firostefani without the crowds
DecemberOff-Peak53–60°F
  • Warm up over Assyrtiko in Pyrgos
  • Explore a quiet Fira decked for the holidays
  • Watch waves crash at Amoudi Bay
  • Visit the Archaeological Museum of Thera
  • Photograph storm light over the caldera
Where to go in May Where to go in June Where to go in July Where to go in August

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