Santorini, a jewel of the Aegean, enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The island boasts over 300 days of sunshine each year, with extended beach weather from May to October. Seasonal winds, minimal rainfall in summer, and mild winters make Santorini an inviting destination year-round.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Santorini’s climate is defined by its location in the southern Aegean Sea, resulting in two main seasons: a long, hot, dry period from late March to October, and a cooler, wetter season from November to March. Summers (June–September) are hot and sunny, with average highs of 27–30°C and lows of 21–23°C. July and August are the hottest months, often reaching 30°C or higher, but the frequent ‘meltemia’ north winds provide relief from the heat. Rain is extremely rare in summer, and humidity is moderate, making conditions ideal for beachgoers, swimming, and water sports. The sea warms to 24–25°C by August, and daylight can last up to 15 hours in June.
Winters (December–February) are mild and humid, with average highs of 14–15°C and lows of 10–11°C. Rainfall peaks in January and December, but even then, rainy days are limited (8–11 per month) and long stretches of sunny weather are common. Snow is extremely rare, and frost is virtually unknown. The island is quieter in winter, with many tourist facilities closed, but the peaceful atmosphere, dramatic sunsets, and mild temperatures make it a unique time for exploration. Spring and autumn are transitional, with mild to warm temperatures (16–26°C), fewer crowds, and moderate rainfall – ideal for hiking, sightseeing, and enjoying the island’s natural beauty. Winds are moderate to strong year-round, especially in summer, and humidity is often high due to the surrounding sea.
| Average climate data for Santorini, Greece | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 14 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 22 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 28 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 9 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 9 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 116 | 80 | 66 | 28 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 60 | 68 | 101 | 552 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 11 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 66 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 17 | 16 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 20 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 8 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
The best time to visit Santorini is from May to October, when temperatures are warm to hot (23–30°C), rainfall is minimal, and the island is alive with activity. Late spring and early autumn (May–June and September) offer especially pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and ideal conditions for both sightseeing and beach activities.
The least favourable time is from December to February, when days are shorter, temperatures are cooler (14–15°C), and rain is more frequent. While the island is quiet and atmospheric, many tourist facilities are closed, and beach activities are limited due to cooler sea temperatures.
Santorini’s annual average temperature is about 18°C. January is the coldest month (highs 14°C, lows 10°C), while July and August are the hottest (highs 29–30°C, lows 23°C).
Santorini receives about 350–400 mm of rain annually, with most rainfall from November to March. Snow is extremely rare, and summer months are almost completely dry.
Santorini enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per year, with up to 14 hours of sun daily in summer. Winter months still see 5–6 hours of sunshine per day.
Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) are best for outdoor activities, with mild to warm temperatures, fewer crowds, and plenty of sunshine. Summer is ideal for swimming and beach activities.
Santorini is not a winter sports destination. Snow is extremely rare, and temperatures are too mild for reliable ice or snow-based activities.
Swimming outdoors is most comfortable from May to October, when air temperatures reach 24–30°C and sea temperatures rise to 24–25°C by August.
Pack light clothing, sun protection, and swimwear for summer. Bring a jumper or jacket for spring and autumn evenings, and waterproof clothing if visiting in winter.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (27.9 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is February (14 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 20.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (22.1 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (9 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 14.8 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (25.7 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (16.4 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 20.3 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is January (115.7 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (1 mm). Over the whole year there are 552.2 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is December (12.1 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is July (0.9 days). Over the whole year there are 65.6 days of rain on average.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 13.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 3.9 h). Over the whole year there are 8.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 10). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.9.
