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Best Time to Visit Santorini: Which Months to Go?!

Lauren West

You either love Santorini…or you’re wrong! For real though, with its stunning landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and oh-so-charming villages, Santorini is a destination beckoning travelers year-round. But when is the best time to visit Santorini, Greece? We’ll get into the best months to visit Santorini in this post so you can make the most of your visit to this picturesque Greek island.

Let’s get on with when to visit Santorini!

 

Before You Go

Best Time to Visit Santorini, Greece

Honestly, Santorini can be amazing any time of year.

So if you’re wondering when is the best time to visit Santorini, the answer largely depends on your preferences and what kind of traveler you are.

Some travelers love indulging in vacation luxuries like an open bar catamaran day trip, having their pick of where to stay, and being able to freely dine when and where they please, such as a sunset cruise with dinner.

Other travelers care more about avoiding the crowds—content creators and photographers, in particular, often need to avoid crowds to capture the best content for their businesses.

Is September a good time to visit Santorini? Is October a good time to visit Santorini?! We’ll break it down for you.

Everyone’s different, after all, and so the best month to visit Santorini for you will vary depending on your needs.

Let’s get deeper into it.

 

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Summer in Santorini definitely brings the crowds

 

Visiting Santorini in Summer, the High Season

If you’re drawn to warm weather and bustling crowds, the summer months of June, July, and August might be the best months to visit Santorini—but the crowds are ferocious and consume the popular spots on the island.

All businesses will be open to accommodate the high season, meaning you very well might need to book your reservations months in advance.

During this time, temperatures reach highs of 30°C (86°F), and, depending on your travel preferences, you might either view the island as coming alive with vibrant energy…or bursting at the seams.

The island is indeed fully activated and booming with business. However, this also brings all the crowds possible. If you don’t mind the crowds, summer might be the best time to visit Santorini, but if crowds are your kryptonite, the summer months are probably not the best months to visit Santorini for you.

For us personally, we wouldn’t choose to visit Santorini in the summer if we could avoid it, as crowds make everything more difficult, in our opinion. However, if it’s the only time you are able to travel to Santorini, by all means, go! Santorini is always worth it!

 

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Visiting Santorini in Winter, the Off Season

While the summers of Santorini bulge with crowds galore and booming business, visiting the island during the winter months offers a unique and peaceful experience that can certainly be appealing— but it comes with a trade off.

Yes, the crowds dissipate and the pace of life slows down. If you love the idea of fewer visitors and the chance to enjoy Santorini’s breathtaking vistas and iconic landmarks without the crowds, December might be the best month to visit Santorini for you.

Room rates are likely to be cheapest during this time as well.

But winter can also come with some downsides. The weather is cooler and, depending on your luck (or lack thereof), you might have rainy days.

Most businesses also close down during this time, as locals take time off during the off season, which can certainly affect how you navigate your Santorini trip.

But for the opportunity to have the picturesque towns and villages of Santorini all to yourself, some inconvenience might be worth it for you. Without the throngs of tourists vying for space, you can wander through the narrow cobblestone streets of Oia, Fira, and Pyrgos at your own pace, taking in the iconic architecture and stunning vistas without interruption.

Sunny, crowd-free day in December in Santorini, Greece

 

Our Experience Visiting Santorini in December

We visited Santorini in December during our all-inclusive Mediterranean cruise experience with Celestyal Cruises (rated highly on Cruise Critic), where we visited Crete, Santorini, Kusadasi, Istanbul, and Volos.

Our visit to Santorini in winter was glorious, and we definitely lucked out with weather.

The sun was shining, the temperature wasn’t too cold at all. Ben even had to take his shirt off as we hiked to the rocky peninsula housing the Church of Panagia Theoskepasti because he was sweating so much! (On a side note, this tour will take you to this epic hidden gem of a church, plus some wine tasting and other epic sightseeing).

Since we were visiting with a cruise, we didn’t have to worry about accomodation on the island, though we did notice that many of the beautiful cliff-side stays were closed down for the off-season. We also didn’t worry about finding food, as we just stuffed our faces before leaving the cruise ship, and brought along some snacks.

 

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So much easier to get crowd-free pictures in Santorini in December

The Trade-Off of Visiting Santorini in Winter

Some restaurants were open when we visited Santorini in December, but we heard other cruise-goers were very frustrated with the lack of choice in dining, and with not being able to eat where they wanted.

We also still saw some souvenir shops open, but many were closed for the winter. The cable car was still running, though, allowing you to conveniently get to and from the Old Port of Gialos to Fira.

Best Part of Visiting Santorini in Winter

But the best part of visiting Santorini in winter?

Our cruise constituted the only visitors on Santorini during our visit, so we basically had all the most beautiful and popular Santorini sights to ourselves.

If you travel to Santorini in December independently, you’ll have even more of the island to yourself, as once the cruise ships leave, the streets of Santorini will be your oyster.

Of course, visiting Santorini during winter is a bit of a gamble, as you might be unlucky with weather.

At worst, ferries to/from Santorini may be suspended for weeks at a time in winter during times of rough weather. If you have strict timelines, winter may not be the best time to plan a trip if you fear this possibility.

But if you don’t mind risking the weather, and giving up certain conveniences in exchange for cheaper prices and the experience of Santorini without the crowds, December might just be the best month to visit Santorini for you.

We certainly loved it!

 

 

 

Best Months to Visit Santorini Overall

While summer may be the most popular time to visit Santorini, and winter is the best time to visit Santorini without the crowds, the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn boast their own allure.

Without the extreme crowds of summer, and the extreme emptiness of winter, the spring and autumn months are a nice balance for most people, making these the best months to visit Santorini overall.

It’s the perfect time to visit the wineries of Santorini.

In April, May, September, and October, the weather is pleasantly warm, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F).

And while these months won’t be as empty as in winter, you’ll still encounter fewer crowds and enjoy lower prices on accommodations and flights in Santorini than you will in the summer.

 


So When is the Best Time to Visit Santorini?

Ultimately, the best time to visit Santorini depends on your personal preferences and travel goals.

Whether you’re seeking vibrant nightlife, stunning beaches, or pristine, cultural experiences, Santorini offers something for every traveler year-round.

However, for a perfect balance of favorable weather, fewer crowds, and budget-friendly options, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn, when the island shines in all its glory without the summer hustle and bustle. Is September a good time to visit Santorini? Is October a good time to visit Santorini? Absolutely!

Overall: Spring and Autumn

Considering Santorini’s Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, the overall BEST time to visit Santorini, Greece is typically from late spring to early autumn.

During this period, you’ll experience comfortable temperatures, clear skies, and minimal rainfall, creating optimal conditions for sightseeing, beach hopping, and exploring Santorini’s charming villages.

But in reality, Santorini’s beauty knows no bounds, regardless of the time of year you choose to visit. We hope we’ve helped you discover when to visit Santorini, depending on your travel needs and preferences.

Whether you’re basking in the summer sun, admiring the spring blooms, or enjoying Santorini in winter all to yourself, Santorini’s charm and allure are all around!

 

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When do you think is the best month to visit Santorini?

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