Santorini has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The island sits in the southern Aegean Sea at roughly 36.4N latitude, which means long sunny days from April through October and comfortable temperatures even in winter. The volcanic caldera creates microclimates across the island: the eastern side (Kamari, Perissa) tends to be slightly warmer than the clifftop villages of Fira and Oia, where the meltemi winds can make evenings feel 3-5C cooler than the daytime high For more, see our best time to visit Santorini (Explore our complete Santorini travel guide for more.)
Santorini Weather by Month: Monthly Temperature and Rainfall
| Month | Avg High/Low (C) | Avg High/Low (F) | Rainfall (mm) | Sun Hours/Day | Sea Temp (C) | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15/10 | 59/50 | 71 | 5 | 16 | 117 |
| February | 15/10 | 59/50 | 53 | 6 | 16 | 99 |
| March | 17/11 | 63/52 | 43 | 7 | 16 | 76 |
| April | 20/13 | 68/55 | 23 | 9 | 16 | 40 |
| May | 24/17 | 75/63 | 12 | 11 | 19 | 17 |
| June | 28/21 | 82/70 | 3 | 13 | 22 | 2 |
| July | 30/23 | 86/73 | 1 | 14 | 24 | 0 |
| August | 30/23 | 86/73 | 1 | 13 | 25 | 1 |
| September | 27/21 | 81/70 | 11 | 11 | 24 | 12 |
| October | 23/18 | 73/64 | 40 | 8 | 22 | 57 |
| November | 19/14 | 66/57 | 62 | 6 | 19 | 93 |
| December | 16/11 | 61/52 | 78 | 5 | 17 | 120 |
Santorini averages 2,900 sunshine hours per year, making it one of the sunniest places in Europe. July and August are bone-dry with essentially zero rainfall. The sea around Santorini warms to a pleasant 24-25C (75-77F) by August, warmer than many other Aegean islands because of the volcanic underwater vents near Nea Kameni For more, see our things to do in Santorini.
Seasonal Weather in Santorini
Spring (March to May): Temperatures climb from 17C (63F) in March to 24C (75F) in May. Rainfall drops sharply from 43mm in March to 12mm in May. Wildflowers blanket the hillsides in April, and the island turns green for a brief window before the summer heat. Sea temperature is still cool at 16-19C (61-66F) For more, see our Santorini events and festivals.
Summer (June to August): Hot and perfectly dry. Daily highs of 28-30C (82-86F), with July being the hottest month. The meltemi wind blows from the north at 20-40 km/h (12-25 mph) on many afternoons, which cools things down considerably but can make the caldera viewpoints quite windy. Sunscreen is essential: UV index hits 9-10 daily For more, see our best neighborhoods in Santorini.
Autumn (September to November): September still feels like summer with 27C (81F) highs and sea temperatures at 24C (75F). October brings more variable weather with 40mm of rain spread across 8 days. November sees a real shift: 62mm of rain, temperatures drop to 19C (66F), and many seasonal businesses close by early November For more, see our where to stay in Santorini.
Winter (December to February): Mild by European standards with daytime highs of 15-16C (59-61F) and nighttime lows around 10C (50F). December and January are the wettest months with 71-78mm of rain. Snow is extremely rare on the coast but can dust the highest points of Profitis Ilias (567m). Many hotels and restaurants close from late November through March For more, see our Santorini travel tips and FAQ.
The Meltemi Wind
The meltemi is a dry northern wind that blows across the Aegean from May through September, peaking in July and August. On Santorini it typically picks up around 11:00 and dies down by sunset. Wind speeds average 20-30 km/h (12-19 mph) but can gust to 50 km/h (31 mph). The caldera side (Fira, Oia, Imerovigli) catches the full force, while the eastern beaches (Kamari, Perissa, Monolithos) are more sheltered. If you’re visiting in July/August, book a hotel with a wind-sheltered pool area or choose the eastern side of the island for beach days.
