The best time to visit Santorini, Greece is May / Jun / Sep — warm seas, caldera sunsets, before the July–Aug crush. Expect 22–27°C, sunny, with busy (worst Jul–Aug) crowds. Round-trip flights from major EU hubs run €90–260 and hotels average about €190 a night.
| Best time to go | May / Jun / Sep |
|---|---|
| Weather | 22–27°C, sunny |
| Crowds | Busy (worst Jul–Aug) |
| Flights (round-trip, EU hubs) | €90–260 economy · €450–850 business |
| Hotel (median) | €190 / night |
| Good for | islands, romantic, beach |
Why go in September
Warm seas, caldera sunsets, before the July–Aug crush
About Santorini
Few places deliver the postcard quite like Santorini. The island is the rim of a sunken volcano, and its whitewashed villages cling to cliffs that drop straight into a flooded caldera. Mornings are for quiet alleys and blue-domed churches; evenings belong to the famous sunset over the Aegean.
When to go
Late spring and early autumn are the sweet spot. In May, June and September the sea is warm enough to swim, the light is soft, and you skip the July–August crush when cruise crowds pack Oia shoulder to shoulder. Expect 22–27°C and long, dry days — ideal for a sunset catamaran cruise around the caldera.
Santorini weather month by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°C | 10°C | 56 mm |
| February | 14°C | 10°C | 50 mm |
| March | 15°C | 11°C | 51 mm |
| April | 18°C | 13°C | 15 mm |
| May Peak | 21°C | 17°C | 9 mm |
| June Peak | 25°C | 20°C | 6 mm |
| July | 28°C | 23°C | 1 mm |
| August | 28°C | 23°C | 2 mm |
| September Peak | 25°C | 21°C | 7 mm |
| October | 22°C | 18°C | 14 mm |
| November | 18°C | 15°C | 25 mm |
| December | 15°C | 12°C | 48 mm |
Highlighted months are Santorini's best time to visit. Figures are 2014–2023 averages (Open-Meteo ERA5); actual conditions vary year to year.
What it costs indicative, varies by date
Things to do book tickets & tours
Start with the icons: the Oia sunset, the multicoloured cliffs of Red Beach and the black sand at Kamari. Then go deeper with a Santorini wine tasting tour through the island's volcanic vineyards, or a boat trip to the volcanic hot springs inside the caldera. The best tours sell out in peak season, so reserve ahead.
Before you go
FAQ quick answers
When is the best time to visit Santorini?
The best time to visit Santorini is May / Jun / Sep — warm seas, caldera sunsets, before the July–Aug crush. In those months you can expect 22–27°C, sunny.
Is Santorini worth visiting in September?
Yes — September is one of the best months to visit Santorini: warm seas, caldera sunsets, before the July–Aug crush. Expect busy (worst Jul–Aug) crowds, so book ahead.
What is the weather like in Santorini?
In its best months (May / Jun / Sep), Santorini typically sees 22–27°C, sunny. Average daytime highs run about 21–25°C, with overnight lows around 17–21°C.
When is the cheapest time to fly to Santorini?
Flights to Santorini are usually cheapest just outside the peak months — the shoulder weeks around May / Jun / Sep — when demand eases. Economy round-trips from major EU hubs range €90–260; prices vary by date, so compare across a few weeks.
How much does a trip to Santorini cost?
As a guide, round-trip economy flights from major EU hubs run €90–260 (business €450–850), with hotels averaging about €190 per night. These are indicative seasonal ranges, not live quotes.
What are the best things to do in Santorini?
Highlights in Santorini include Oia sunset, Caldera, Red Beach, Wine tasting.