Santorini is not the same every month of the year…it has its ups and downs. So…the best time to visit Santorini (or the worst…) , really depends on what you are looking for, from your holidays in this little Greek gem. For example Santorini in May is a completely different island than it is in September or June.
If you visit Santorini with your bikini in the middle of January then there is something wrong with you… (eventhough you may get sunny weather and 20C degrees – and some swimming pools are heated).BEST HOTEL IN SANTORINI:San Antonio
BUT ALSO CHECK:
- For Couples:Canaves Oia
- For Families:Nissia
- For Sunset Views: White Pearl
- For Honeymoon: Andronis
- With Private Pool: Katikies
- With Caldera Views: Perivolas
- Cave Hotel: Divine Cave
- Budget:Stelios Place
- In Oia: Canaves Epitome
- In Fira:Cosmopolitan
- In Imerovigli:Astra Suites
- In Perissa:Anastasia Princess
- In Kamari:Amara Suites
READ ALSO:
VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
- Best Time for beaches, swimming, and hot weather (more than 30C during the day):June, July, August, September
- Best Time for a Santorini honeymoon:June (I’m explaining below why…)
- Best Time for activities, hiking, wine-tasting, restaurants, and mild sunny weather:May, October
- Best Time for partying, buzz, crowds:July, August, early September
- 15th of August:massive celebration in Greece and a Bank Holiday (St.Mary’s day)
- Greek Easter: usually within April (check here)
- Many businesses, hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars closebetween November and April
- The most crowded month of the year for Santorini: August
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Best Time to Visit Santorini
First, let’s see how crowded the island is during the year:
(The following numbers are not official statistics but more of a feeling after visiting the island for many years and in different months)
- Santorini inJanuary: 10% crowded – (Low Season – many restaurants, hotels, and businesses will be closed, beaches will be empty, but the island is not “dead”…Fira is the best place to stay, eat, and entertain yourself)
- Santorini inFebruary: 10% crowded – (Low Season – many restaurants, hotels, and businesses will be closed, beaches will be empty, but the island is not “dead”…Fira is the best place to stay, eat, and entertain yourself)
- Santorini inMarch: 20% crowded – (Low Season –but slightly more people start to visit the island as the high season approaches, many restaurants, hotels and businesses will be closed or just about to open, beaches will probably be empty but the island is not “dead”…Fira is the best place to stay, eat and entertain yourself)
- Santorini inApril: 40% crowded – (High Season – the beginning of the high season and most restaurants, beach bars, cafes, and businesses open in April as it is also the Greek Easter, and lots of Greeks visit the island to start preparing for the high season)
- Santorini inMay: 70% crowded – (High Season – All of the businesses of the island will be 100% open and operational, but the island is still not full, the beaches are getting busier every day, and the weather is awesome)
- Santorini in June: 90% crowded – (High Season – almost at full capacity but not yet super busy…everything will be open and super fun!)
- Santorini in July: 100% crowded – (High Season – the heart of the high season and when the island gets super busy and crowded, but still you will have a great time while the weather is super hot – do expect to spend most of your time on the beach or the swimming pool – not as busy as in August though)
- Santorini in August: 110% crowded – (High Season – the busiest month for Santorini, try to avoid if possible because everything becomes more complicated and takes more time)
- Santorini in September: 90% crowded – (High Season – it will still feel like the long tail of August sometimes, but it will get less busy at the end of the month – weather still feels like summer! See also below)
- Santorini in October: 70% crowded (High Season – the weather gets colder, but you can still possibly enjoy a swim in the sea or the pool – for many of the businesses, October is their last operational month)
- Santorini in November: 30% crowded (Low Season – the early days of winter and the month where the weather gets considerably colder – many businesses, hotels, and restaurants might be closed)
- Santorini in December: 10% crowded (Low Season – the heart of the low season and one of the coldest months in Santorini, no swimming, many closed businesses, but always an amazing landscape and wild beauty)
To put it simply:
- November-December-January-February-March: Low Season/some businesses will be closed
- April-May-September-October: High Season / all businesses will be open
- June-July-August: Super High Season / all businesses open
(It is true that in recent years, the Super High Season has started to extend in late May and early September, and I believe this trend will continue till the whole year is high season for the island.)
So, let’s see all of your options one by one, shall we?
1. When should I visit Santorini if I am looking for hot weather, swimming at the beaches or pools, and I want to be in flip-flops all day…?
The hottest months in Santorini areJune, July, August, and September, but even May and October are pretty hot (see my Santorini Weather Guide).
The sea water will probably be warmer in October than in May, as it has been warmed all summer. Avoid July and August as much as possible because the island is super crowded, and the shops are always very busy.
It’s not that you won’t have a great time…it’s just that you might not be able to walk on the streets of Oia at sunset because of the thousands of people…
I always visit the island between mid-September till mid-October while the weather feels really nice to swim and all the businesses are still open.
Most of the island’s businesses (restaurants, hotels, cafes, beach bars) close at the end of October.
Answer: If swimming and great weather are your only concerns, then mid- to end-September and early October are the best times for you!
2. When should I visit Santorini if my only concern is sightseeing, hiking, wine tasting, and great food, but not with bad or super hot weather?
April, May, October, and November (for most of the time) have fantastic weather, with low chances of rain, temperatures around 15-20 degrees, and mostly sunny. You’ve seen the amazing wineries of Santorini. You’ve seen the best things you can do on the island.
You are not a big fan of swimming or weather that makes you sweat if you walk for 5 minutes, so it’s fine for you not to wear a T-shirt, shorts, or bikinis 24/7.
Answer: If you are the person above, then you should better visit Santorini in April, May, or October.
3. When should I visit Santorini if I want to experience all the buzz, the nightlife, the awesome beach parties, and the fun?
July and August are when everything happens on the island. If you are going to party, you will do it in these 2 months (and it’d be awesome!)
Answer: July and August (and early September…)
4. When should I visit Santorini if I am a solo traveller?
Answer: If you are looking to meet people or just network with other travellers, July and August are the best months. If you are looking to see the place but not be super lonely, June or September is the best option for you.
5. When should we visit Santorini if we are a couple on our honeymoon?
I suppose you don’t care who else is on the island since you will only have eyes for each other, right? 
But on the other hand, you wouldn’t like the island to be packed with people or not be able to find a table at one of the best restaurants on the island, would you?
So…
Answer: I believe June or September is best for you. It is not too crowded and not too empty. It is not too hot but not too cold, so you won’t be able to cuddle in your outdoor pool.6. When should I visit Santorini if I am looking for the cheapest hotels and flights?
Answer: You should look for any off-season deals, which means any date between November and March. However, you may also find some good deals in April and October.
7. When should I visit Santorini to go island hopping?
If your main purpose in visiting Santorini is to use it as your base to visit other Greek islands, then you need to go at a time when the most available flights and ferries between the islands are available.
Read Also:4 Amazing Greek Islands Near Santorini
Also, remember that other Greek islands are not as crowded as Santorini or Mykonos, and the high season will be regular (you won’t be alone, but you won’t have tourists around you). So…Answer: June, July, August, and September are the best months to do your island hopping in Greece. But especially in July and August, you should also expect lots of crowds in Santorini and Mykonos. Other Greek islands (Naxos, Paros, Ios, and Milos) won’t be that crowded.
8. When should I visit Santorini if we are a family with kids?
Santorini is a very family-friendly and kid-friendly place to spend your holidays. So, if you are coming with the kids, you’d probably want to spend your time close to a beach like Kamari or Perissa/Perivolos, where the hotels and restaurants have lots of amenities. You also don’t want the weather to be crazy hot.
Answer:To avoid the crowds and the super hot weather, visit Santorini in May, June, or September.
