Santorini weather,
live right now

May, June, and September are the sweet spot. Warm (22-28°C), less wind than midsummer, the sea reaches swimming temperature by mid-May. July-August is hot (28-32°C) and packed with cruise crowds. Late September into October is brilliant — sea still 23°C, light beautifully golden, prices half of August. Avoid November-March: half the island closes, ferries cancel in storms, restaurants and most hotels shut. Late April is risky — still cool, sea cold, but cheap and quiet.

Light layers. Daytime: linen shirts, shorts, swimwear, real walking shoes (the cobbled paths are brutal in flip-flops). UV is intense (index 9-10) — sunscreen, sun hat with chin strap (the wind), proper sunglasses. Evenings cool to 20°C and the wind picks up — bring a light cardigan or shawl, especially for Oia sunset. Modest dress for monasteries. White and pastels photograph well against the architecture; black absorbs heat.

Rarely between May and October — fewer than 5 rainy days total across those six months. November-March is the wet season with sudden storms and dramatic skies, but tourist infrastructure is mostly closed. Summer rain is so rare locals comment on it. The flip side: water shortage is real on Santorini. Hotels often have desalinated water; respect this and don't waste it. The lush greenery you see in pictures is actually April-May; by July the island is dry brown.

The Meltemi — a northern Aegean wind that blows from May to September, peaking in July-August. Can hit 50-70 km/h for 2-5 days at a stretch. Effects: ferries cancelled, sailing trips postponed, beach umbrellas useless, sunset hair impossible. Caldera-side villages (Fira, Oia, Imerovigli) feel it less; eastern beaches (Kamari, Perissa) get hammered. Plan flexibly — if you have an island-hopping itinerary, Meltemi days are when ferries get stuck. The wind is also why Santorini has windmills.