Best months to visit
MayJuneSeptemberOctoberNovember
May, June and September are the smart-traveller window: warm enough sea, comfortable air, and far below the August crowd peak when Oia's sunset spot becomes a sardine tin. October is excellent for sightseeing and hiking but cooler for swimming.
Best for
Beach
June to October — sea 21-25 °C, warmest in August. Black-sand Perissa and Kamari beaches are usable mid-May to mid-October.
Hiking
April to early June and October to early November — Fira-Oia caldera-rim walk is comfortable; midsummer midday is very exposed.
Sightseeing
April to June and September to October — cooler temperatures, blue-domed church views without August crowds, and softer light for photography.
Climate notes
- Hot dry summer (June-September): less than 10 mm rain per month, highs of 26-30 °C, almost no cloud cover.
- Lowest annual rainfall in Greek tourism: about 240 mm a year, similar to coastal Cyprus and notably drier than Crete or the Ionian islands.
- Strong meltemi wind: peaks July-August, can reach 40-60 km/h on the caldera rim; ferries to neighbouring islands are sometimes cancelled.
- Volcanic moderation: the steep caldera walls and dark volcanic rock store and re-emit heat into the night, keeping summer evenings warm.
- Long swimming season: deep warm Aegean water keeps sea temperature above 20 °C from June through November.
- Mild winter with intense storms: average winter temperature is 12-14 °C, but late autumn cyclones can bring heavy 24-hour rainfall events.
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Regional notes
- Santorini is small enough to have essentially uniform climate across the island.
- Caldera rim (Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, 100-300 m): catches the strongest meltemi wind in summer; 1-2 °C cooler than the eastern beaches.
- Kamari and Perissa (east coast, sea level): sheltered from the meltemi by the central ridge, slightly hotter on calm days, dark sand reaches 60 °C+ in midsummer.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Santorini?
May, June and September offer warm weather (22-28 °C), comfortable swimming, and less brutal crowds than the July-August peak when 18,000 cruise visitors land daily. October is good for sightseeing if you can accept that some restaurants are closing.
How windy is Santorini in summer?
Very windy in July-August thanks to the meltemi. Caldera-rim walks (Fira-Oia) can be uncomfortable in 40-60 km/h gusts; ferries are sometimes cancelled for half a day. The east-coast beaches (Kamari, Perissa) are mostly sheltered.
Can you swim in Santorini in October?
Yes — sea temperature in October averages 22-23 °C. Most beach restaurants close in mid-October but the water remains comfortable for swimming.
Is the black sand too hot to walk on?
On Kamari and Perissa beaches in July-August, yes — surface temperature can reach 60 °C by midday. Beach mats and shoes are essential. Mornings before 11 am and after 5 pm are comfortable.
When does Santorini start to close for winter?
Most caldera hotels close from early November to Easter. Restaurants and shops in Fira stay open year-round, but Oia is essentially closed. Cruise ships stop arriving from late October.
Does it ever snow on Santorini?
Practically never. The highest point is Mount Profitis Ilias (567 m), and snow has only been recorded a handful of times in the last century — most recently in 2017.
Is the meltemi a problem for cruise ships?
Sometimes. Strong meltemi days (around 10-15 days each summer) make tendering from anchored cruise ships dangerous, and ships occasionally skip the call. Hot Mediterranean cruise companies factor this into July-August planning.
What is the wettest month?
December and January, averaging 50-60 mm and 8-10 rainy days. Storms tend to be short and intense. Even in winter, Santorini gets more sun than most of Europe.
Climate data: Open-Meteo · 2020–2025