What is the best time to visit Santorini?

Looking for a holiday in the Cyclades? Here are some tips to choose the best time to visit Santorini.

It is undoubtedly the most famous island in Greece with its famous white houses with blue roofs. Located in the mythical archipelago of the Cyclades, it is one of the most southern. But in truth, Santorini is an archipelago composed of three small islands. The largest is Thera, very touristic and commonly called Santorini.

The others are Thirassia, preserved but very pretty and Aspronissi. Their current geography was born from the minoan volcano explosion in the second millennium before our era. For the small story, the active part of the volcano, Nea Kaméni , is always visible and can be turned around and the other islands.

In short, there are things to see in this charming little archipelago and that is certainly what explains its success. Then follow the guide to find out what is the best time to visit Santorini.

When to visit Santorini?

Weather

With the Mediterranean climate in mild winters and hot summers, one can say that the best time to visit Santorini almost all year round. Indeed, temperatures rarely fall below 10 degrees. The months in which the sky may be cloudy and rainy are November, December, January and February. And yet, except for a few exceptions, the average of sunshine is still more than 5 hours a day. The problem during this winter season is the wind that can be very fresh and unpleasant.

That said, if you are lovers of farniente on the beach and swimming, the period to be preferred is obviously that June to September . It is during these months that the temperature of the sea exceeds 20 degrees. But if you want to be quiet and enjoy nature, you can go dice early April and until October . For, of course, summer is the season where the peak affluence is on the island.

Budget

As for most destinations, especially those with sunshine, summer is the time when prices fly. And, in addition, all tourist activities are taken on board. On the contrary, the months of November to March, where the weather is capricious, are those where the rates are the lowest but there are few activities. ♪ better periods to benefit from correct prices are therefore spring and end and summer .

In addition to the on-site cost, consideration should be given to transport prices . Santorin is an island, so there are only two ways to access it, the plane or the boat .

• If you come directly from France, you often have to count a stopover in Athens but some airlines offer direct connections. If you take it in advance and in low season, you can have it for a little less than 200 euros for round-trip flights (to get the cheapest ticket, prefer a comparison of flights like Ulysses). Multiply at least by two in the middle of the season.
• This is the same principle for the ferry from Athens. You can find tickets less than 100 euros and better take a return trip, it’s cheaper.
• Finally, last possibility, the shuttles that serve the islands and archipelagos between them but it is already necessary to be in Greece. The advantage is that they are more accessible. Also know that on site, using a donkey is a bad idea that costs very expensive compared to other means of transport. To crown everything, even the inhabitants oppose this practice because the animals are abused.

To summarize in one sentence, focus on spring or late summer and, above all, reserve in advance .

Visit Santorini in winter

To begin with, visiting Santorini in winter is being almost the only tourists outside the inhabitants. Apart from this, future visitors must be notified that weather can be very random In winter. The peculiarity of the island is to be swept by the summer winds. They can refresh the hot summers but also make your island getaway cold in winter. Similarly, if overall the average is more than 5 hours of sun a day, it can rain a lot. This weather may include reduce opportunities for excursions in the caldeira and the other islands.

However, if you are one of the lucky ones honored by the weather, you will not regret it. It all depends on everyone’s opinion, but let’s say that in winter, Santorini becomes Greek. Souvenir shops and a lot of restaurants and bars are closed. To be honest, it is mainly establishments designed only for tourists who ferment. The inhabitants still have a life and we discover more typical clusters, local life . The same goes for the architecture , it is much easier to appreciate it and incidentally, to make pretty pictures. ♪ beaches are no longer places of tanning but walks. The famous sunset is still there, but he admires himself from the deserted alleys of Fira. In short, you discover the true soul of the island.

Santorini on average season

The average season is the best time to visit Santorini if you want to enjoy the calm and beauty of the island. The sea is still very fresh in the spring but the island reveals treasures that make it quickly forget this slight inconvenience. ♪ temperatures are mild and the rains are becoming increasingly rare. Tourists are starting to come back but it is largely bearable. ♪ price are still reasonable.

It’s time to wear good shoes to walk the island’s hiking trails. Its hills, if dry in the summer, kin to flowers, is an enchantment. The beaches are still easily accessible to observe the sea. The activities go back slowly. It may be an opportunity to go round the volcano.

Santorini in summer

For many tourists, summer is a big time visiting Santorini. The sun is there every day with heat, sometimes attenuated by thermal winds, and the water temperature is approaching the 25 degrees. De many activities are proposed as scuba diving and excursions in the caldeira.

This is also where there is the most animations on the island. For the party, all bars are open as well as restaurants and many shops for shopping. The sunsets above the village of Oïa are beautiful and make the happiness of photography lovers. You just have to appreciate the crowd baths and high prices. For more quiet, you can go to the center of the island to discover Pyrgos or Akrotiri.

When to visit Santorini: the must-see festivals

Santorini, like Greece in general, is very attached to religious commemorations. They give rise to many festivals in the villages called “panigyria”. If it is impossible to mention them all, here are the main ones with some festivals. What to give you an idea of the best time to visit Santorini on the festive theme.

The Santorin sunset festival

It is a music festival that celebrates the beauty of the island. It takes place at the end of July and highlights Greek culture. Many concerts are organized in emblematic places of the island with as a backdrop a sunset, of course.

Ifestia, volcano party

Santorini and its archipelago owe their current form to the minoan eruption of the Santorini volcano. Every year in mid-September, a party reconstitutes this eruption with fireworks. The lights are visible almost everywhere but obviously, the closer you want, the more expensive the places are.

Easter in Pyrgos

As in all the country, Easter holidays are the occasion of traditional celebrations in churches and processions. But the procession of the Pyrgos catafalch is made to the lanterns, which gives magical air to this perched village.

Agioi Anargyroi in Megalochori

It is the celebration in honour of the village church on July 1. The interior of the building and the courtyard are decorated with flowers. The faithful light candles. There is a musical procession and each kitchen of traditional dishes for the feast where visitors are welcome.

Saint Epiphanius in Akrotiri

May 12 is the day of celebration of the village church. It is decorated with flowers and a feast is served outside. But the most anticipated moment is the traditional dance festival with groups from all over the country.

You know everything about the best time to visit Santorini, you only have to be packed!