Best Time to Visit Santorini: Month-by-Month Weather, Crowds & Value (2026)
Updated August 2026 · Written by the Santorini Day Tours local team
The best time to visit Santorini is May, June, September or early October. You get warm, swimmable weather and long sunny days without the peak-August crush or the highest prices. July and August are gorgeous but hot and crowded; November through March are quiet, mild and cheap, but many caldera businesses wind down. Below is our month-by-month table — built from 14 years and 60,000+ guests of running tours here — so you can match the island to what you actually want.
Santorini month by month: weather, sea and crowds
Temperatures are typical daytime highs; sea temperature is the average for the month. “Value” reflects what we see across flights, hotels and tour availability — not just weather.
| Month | Avg high | Sea | Rain days | Crowds | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C / 57°F | 16°C | ~7 | Very low | Cheapest |
| February | 14°C / 57°F | 15°C | ~6 | Very low | Cheapest |
| March | 16°C / 60°F | 15°C | ~5 | Very low | Great |
| April | 18°C / 65°F | 17°C | ~3 | Low | Great |
| May | 23°C / 73°F | 19°C | ~1–2 | Moderate | Sweet spot |
| June | 27°C / 81°F | 22°C | <1 | High | Sweet spot |
| July | 29°C / 85°F | 24°C | 0 | Very high | Priciest |
| August | 29°C / 85°F | 25°C | 0 | Peak | Priciest |
| September | 26°C / 79°F | 24°C | ~1 | High | Sweet spot |
| October | 23°C / 73°F | 22°C | ~3 | Moderate | Sweet spot |
| November | 19°C / 65°F | 19°C | ~5 | Low | Great |
| December | 15°C / 59°F | 17°C | ~7 | Very low | Cheapest |
The sweet spots: May, June, September & early October
If we could pick your dates, it would be these. The sea is warm enough to swim (19–24°C), the light is long and golden, and the island is busy but not overwhelmed. Just as important from where we sit: tours, good hotels and caldera-view tables are still bookable a week or two out, and prices sit well below the July–August peak. Late September in particular is a local favorite — the sea is at its warmest of the whole year after a summer of heating up, yet the summer crowds have thinned.
July and August: peak season, eyes open
Midsummer is what most people picture — guaranteed sun, hot days around 29°C, a bath-warm sea and the longest evenings, with sunset near 8:40 p.m. in July. But August is peak for a reason: this is when cruise ships, families and honeymooners all arrive at once, Oia at sunset is shoulder-to-shoulder, and hotels and tours sell out weeks ahead. If summer is your only option, it is wonderful — just book everything early, start your sightseeing before 10 a.m., and lean on a private tour to reach the quiet viewpoints while the buses queue.
The shoulder and winter: April, November & the quiet months
April and November are the edges of the season: mild (18–19°C), green in spring, mostly dry, and noticeably cheaper, though the sea is bracing and a few beach clubs are still closed or just reopening. December through March is genuine off-season — calm, atmospheric and the cheapest time to fly and stay, but with shorter days, the odd storm, and many caldera restaurants and hotels shut. It is a fine time for a couple who want Santorini to themselves and do not mind sweaters over swimsuits.
So when should you go?
Want to swim, sunbathe and still move around the island easily: aim for late May to mid-June or September. Chasing the lowest prices and smallest crowds, and happy to skip the beach: April, November or even midwinter. Set on peak summer: book July or August months ahead and plan around the heat and crowds. Whenever you land, our guide on how many days you need in Santorini helps you shape the trip, and if a cruise is bringing you, the cruise port guide covers your day ashore. Ready to lock in a date, a private island tour or a wine tour is the easiest way to see the most on the days you have.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Santorini?
For most travelers, September — the sea is at its warmest of the year, the weather is still summery at around 26°C, and the peak-August crowds have eased. May, June and early October are close behind.
When is it warm enough to swim in Santorini?
The sea reaches a comfortable 22–25°C from June through October, peaking in August and September. In May it is a fresh 19°C, and from December to April it is cold for swimming.
What is the cheapest time to visit Santorini?
November through March, when flights and hotels are at their lowest and crowds are minimal — the trade-off is shorter, cooler days and many caldera businesses closed.
Is Santorini too crowded in July and August?
It is the busiest time by far. Oia at sunset is packed and tours sell out well ahead. It is still worth it if you book early and start your days before 10 a.m. to beat the crowds and heat.
What is the weather like in Santorini in the off-season?
December to March is mild but changeable — highs around 14–16°C, roughly 5–7 rainy days a month, and the occasional storm. Pleasant for walking and photos, not for the beach.
When is the best value time to visit Santorini?
Late May to mid-June and September to early October: warm, swimmable weather without peak-season prices, and tours and hotels still available at shorter notice.