What's the weather like in Santorini?
Where Is Santorini?
Santorini is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200km southeast of Greece's mainland. It's also the name of the archipelago made up of five volcanic islands oriented in a circular shape.
Santorini is a member of the Cyclades group of islands and is one of the most spectacular places in the world, matched by equally amazing weather.
Meditteranean Climate
Santorini enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate with year-round agreeable conditions. Santorini was originally a single island but an enormous underwater volcanic eruption resulted in the creation of geographic calderas which has resulted in a jaw-shaped layout.
Does Santorini Have Seasons?
As opposed to the usual four seasons that most countries and islands in Europe receive, the year in Santorini is mainly split into two seasons summer and winter.
Summer Weather in Santorini
How Hot Is Santorini In Summer?
Summer in Santorini usually falls between March and October. At this time of year, daily lows are at their lowest at 11°C in March and they're at their highest at 23°C in August. At the other end of the scale, daily high temperatures are at their highest at 29°C in July and August, while they're at their lowest at 16°C in March.
Hottest and Coldest Times In Santorini
In recent times, the hottest day ever recorded in Santorini in summer took place in June when temperatures soared up to 40°C. On the other hand, the coldest day ever recorded in Santorini in summer fell in March, when temperatures plummeted down to 2°C.
Although the region does get particularly hot in late July and August which are usually the hottest months the island is considerably cooler than some of its other Mediterranean counterparts, making it a popular choice for summer holidays.
When Is The Best Time To Go To Santorini?
If you want to avoid the throngs of tourists which the summer months attract, it's best to visit Santorini outside of the school holidays in May or June.
Santorini is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world so prices can skyrocket come the peak summer season. In addition to the island being less crowded in May and June, you can also enjoy the milder temperatures that they're known for.
When Is The Wettest Month In Santorini?
Santorini experiences very little rain throughout the year, with the average plummeting to 0mm in June and August. Rainfall tends to level off toward the end of April and picks up again in October. The wettest month of the summer season is March, followed closely by October.
How Warm Is The Sea In Santorini?
In summer the average sea temperature for the beaches in Santorini varies greatly from being far too cold to swim in to being just perfect. The sea is at its coldest in March at 16°C, and its warmest at 25°C in August. The best months to go swimming are between June and October when the water is warm.
Summer Sunshine Hours
In summer the island enjoys an average of 9-13 hours of sunshine a day. It's when these hours of sunlight are coming to a close in the evening that crowds are drawn from all over the island, to the small cliff-side community of Oia, to watch the spectacular Aegean sunset.
Spectacular Sunsets In Santorini
The humidity in the region makes for hazy skies which create some of the most dramatic sunsets in the world. The haze in the sky often prevents a clear view across to nearby Crete which makes you feel as though you are a million miles away from anywhere.
The sunset is vast and spectacular and is thoroughly enjoyed by tourists and locals who gather together to watch it on the limestone cliffs and from the verandas of the many restaurants and cafes in the area.
How Humid Is Santorini In Summer?
The constant island breezes provide a welcome break from the high humidity, leaving you to enjoy the comfortable summer temperatures.
Winter Weather in Santorini
The Greek Islands become considerably quieter in the winter months. This is not necessarily due to poor weather, but partly due to the lack of transportation options during the low season.
Ferries are less frequent with some lines stopping completely. Some parts of the islands shut down entirely, and restaurants and bars close for the season.
Despite this, if you can get out to the islands and are willing to pay the higher travel costs that arise in the off-peak times, you will have much cheaper accommodation when you arrive.
Is Santorini Hot In Winter?
Santorini's mild weather makes it a popular destination all-year-round. Winter is normally described as November to February, average daily low temperatures range between 10°C in January and February and 14°C in November. Daily high temperatures range between 19°C in November and 14°C in January and February.
Hottest and Coldest November Days
The hottest winter day recorded in Santorini was in November when temperatures reached 27°C. At the other end of the scale, the coldest winter days were in January and February when temperatures dropped to 0°C.
When Does It Rain In WInter In Santorini?
The island doesn't receive heavy rain at any point in the year; however, December and January are typically the wettest months. On average, Santorini in December receives an average of 74.5mm of rain divided between 11 wet days.
Winter weather is slightly more unpredictable than in summer, but the skies generally remain blue and the weather remains mild. Humidity is at its highest during winter, averaging at 74%.
WInter Sea Temperature IN Santorini
The cold sea temperature on Santorini's beaches in winter means you probably won't be able to enjoy a swim. The sea is at its coldest at 16°C in January and February, and it's at its warmest at 20°C in November. These temperatures can be a little too refreshing for most!
Winter Sunshine Hours In Santorini
Throughout this season, the island boasts an average of six to eight hours of sunshine every day. Although this is around half of what you can expect during the summer months, this is more than enough to explore Santorini and you might get a bit of sunbathing in, too if the temperatures are warm enough.