When to visit Santorini without the crowds
Santorini (Greece) is calmest in January, February, March, April, October, November and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in June, July and August. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with January, February, March, November and December: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Apr & late Oct
When everyone heads home
Late October, as cruise season winds down.
Tip
Many hotels close Nov–Mar, so check before booking.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 14 °C (57 °F)10 rainy days · water 17 °C | New Year's Day, Epiphany |
| February | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 14 °C (57 °F)5 rainy days · water 17 °C | |
| March | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 15 °C (58 °F)5 rainy days · water 17 °C | Clean Monday, Annunciation, Independence Day |
| April | 2/5 · calm | 16 °C (61 °F)1 rainy day · water 17 °C | Good Friday |
| May | 3/5 · moderate | 19 °C (66 °F)1 rainy day · water 19 °C | Greek Orthodox Easter (Apr/May, varies), Labour Day, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday |
| June | 4/5 · busy | 23 °C (73 °F)0 rainy days · water 23 °C | Pentecost, Whit Monday |
| July | 4/5 · busy ⚠ | 25 °C (76 °F)0 rainy days · water 24 °C | |
| August | 4/5 · busy ⚠ | 25 °C (77 °F)0 rainy days · water 25 °C | Assumption (Aug 15), the year’s peak |
| September | 3/5 · moderate | 24 °C (74 °F)0 rainy days · water 24 °C | |
| October | 2/5 · calm | 21 °C (69 °F)1 rainy day · water 22 °C | Ohi Day (Oct 28) |
| November | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 18 °C (65 °F)4 rainy days · water 20 °C | |
| December | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 15 °C (60 °F)9 rainy days · water 18 °C | Christmas Day, St. Stephen's Day |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Off season: many hotels and restaurants close, and there are fewer ferries and flights.
- Meltemi: strong wind that sometimes cancels ferries (Jul–Aug).
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (Eurostat, South Aegean (Cyclades and Dodecanese), 2023-2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Santorini without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually January, November and December (crowds 1/5). In November the average high is 18 °C (65 °F). All the calm months: January, February, March, April, October, November and December.
When is Santorini most crowded?
The busiest season is June, July and August. Late October, as cruise season winds down.
What is the weather like in Santorini?
Average highs range from 14 °C (57 °F) in January to 25 °C (77 °F) in August, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025). It rains most in January (about 10 days) and least in June (0).
What should I know before going to Santorini?
Off season: many hotels and restaurants close, and there are fewer ferries and flights. Meltemi: strong wind that sometimes cancels ferries (Jul–Aug).
What festivals are there in Santorini?
The main ones: Greek Orthodox Easter (Apr/May, varies) (May); Assumption (Aug 15), the year’s peak (August); Ohi Day (Oct 28) (October).
More places in Greece
- Athens calm in January, February, November and December; busiest in May, June, July, August and September
- Mykonos calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in June, July, August and September
- Chania (Crete) calm in January, February, March, April, November and December; busiest in May, June, July, August and September
- Heraklion & Knossos (Crete) calm in January, February, March, April, November and December; busiest in May, June, July, August and September
- Rhodes calm in January, February, March, April, November and December; busiest in May, June, July and August
- Corfu calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in June, July and August
- Thessaloniki calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in June, July, August and September
- Meteora (Kalambaka) calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Nafplio calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Naxos calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in June, July, August and September