Greece is famous all around the world for its stunning natural landscapes, crystal clear beaches and perfectly preserved ancients ruins and monuments. These are indeed some perfect ingredients for a holiday destination, something that Greece beaches are renowned for.
The country of Greece is made up of many clusters of islands. Among the Cycladic group of islands, Santorini is the most popular among tourists. If you are looking for a place to enjoy the fantastic Greece beaches, then Santorini is the place to be.
The beaches at Santorini are considered to be the most picturesque in the world. The warm sun and the soft fine sands in the shades of pink and brown set against endless turquoise waters are almost too good to believe. But of course, Santorini has a lot more to offer than just its beaches. The towns of Fira, Oia and Imerovigli are blessed with breathtaking views of the caldera, the crater that was created after the volcanic eruption in the 16th century.
In fact, the island of Santorini was formed by volcanic eruption 3600 years ago. The Volcano now is situated in the middle of the Caldera that can be seen from the coast of Santorini. Though the volcano remains active, it does not pose any threat to humankind in the near future. If you are planning for a vacation to this stunning beach town, it may be wise to keep knowledge about the best time to visit Santorini.
Weather of Santorini
The beach town of Santorini has a Mediterranean climate throughout the year. With warm and sweltering summers to cold and damp winters, the weather in Santorini is basically classified into – Summers and Winters.
Summers in Santorini
Summers in Santorini is warm initially and turn to sweltering heat. The months of May to October are the summer months where the temperature ranges anywhere between 30’Celcius (Maximum temp) to 23’Celcius (Minimum). These temperatures are perfect to take a dip in the warm waters of Santorini. These months are also the best time to visit Santorini.
Winters in Santorini
Winters in Santorini are cold and wet. The months of November to April are the coldest and windy. Among them, the months of January and February are the wettest. The temperature in these months ranges between 19’Celcius (Maximum) to 12’Celcius (Minimum).
Best time to Visit Santorini
The tourist season in Santorini can be broadly divided into two seasons- The peak season and the low season. Though the peak season is the best time to visit Santorini, there are a lot of things you can do in the low season as well.
1) The peak season in Santorini – Best time to visit the amazing beaches of Santorini
The temperature in Santorini– 30’Celcius Maximum- 22’Celcius Minimum
Best time to visit for– Beach lovers, family holidays with children.
The months of May to October is considered to be the best time to visit the Greece beaches of Santorini. The weather is sunny and warm, giving a perfect temperature to the waters. What can be more relaxing than taking respite in the cool waters from the Mediterranean sun? The beaches are dotted with colourful umbrellas, canopies, and beach mats. People soak in the sun or take a dip in the cool waters. Boat cruises around this time too are quite popular. You can book private yachts or boats to take you to the nearby islands or explore the caldera. This is indeed the best time to visit the Greece beaches at Santorini.
Here are a few reasons why you should visit Santorini in the Peak season
1) Perfect time for a beach holiday
The warm temperatures make it a perfect time for a beach holiday. You can even indulge in swimming and sunbathing. There are a lot of boat tours that are best taken during the summer seasons such as- Sunset sailing cruise in the Caldera or the luxury Catarman day tours. Though the beaches will be crowded, you may still be able to make the most of your vacation.
2) It is the perfect time for some adventurous jet skiing
If the adventurous side in you is waiting to be let out, you can opt to explore the caldera by jet skiing your way. There are a lot of tour operators along the beaches of Santorini that will let you hire a jet ski to explore the caldera and its surroundings. You can also stop over to enjoy the hot springs of the volcano. This is definitely a one-of-a-kind experience that you must indulge in during your holiday to the Greece beaches of Santorini.
3) Swimming in one of the perfect spots in the world
One of the best swimming spots in Santorini is situated down a cliff from Oia near the Ammoudi bay. The cliff is ideal for diving, and swimming enthusiasts from all over the world never miss an opportunity to swim in this exotic location. The waters are perfect, with a stunning view of the sun and the island. If you want to experience heaven on earth, this is the place to be.
4) Marvel at the shades of Nature at the Red beach
A quiet little beach located on the opposite side of Santorini away from the Caldera is a small but stunning Red beach. The beach is usually open to visitors in the summers. If you are in Santorini around this time, you have to visit the Red beach here.
Also See: 11 Top beaches in relax in Greece
5) Watch some gorgeous sunsets from the Restaurants in Oia
There are a lot of restaurants in Oia that offers a stunning view of the caldera and the sunset. Though the restaurants will be quite busier around this time of the year, the spectacular view of the sun setting into the horizon cannot be missed. You can alter gorge on some amazing food, the country of Greece is so famous for.
Also See: Top Indian Restaurants in Santorini
6) Enjoy the nightlife of Santorini
Though Santorini is not exactly known to have a vibrant nightlife, the summers months are perfect for a night out. You will find a lot of tourist as well as locals who want to experience the vibe of the beach town. Right from a number of beach bars that serve amazing cocktails to Bars with stunning view for that perfect romantic date, the nightlife of Santorini is as vibrant as any other hip city. And the part about these bars and pubs is that some of them serve till the wee hours of the morning!!! A dream for every party goer indeed!!!
Also See: How to spend your nightlife in Santorini
2) Low season in Santorini- Best time for hiking and food tours
Temperature in Santorini– 19’Celcius (maximum) 12’Celcius ( Minimum)
Best time to visit for– adventure enthusiasts, Couples/ Honeymooners
The months of November to April are considered as an offseason on the Beach town of Santorini. Though there are still many tourists that visit the town to experience the scenic beauty of Greece beaches, you will not find a maddening rush in restaurants and beaches. This is the perfect time to visit Santorini if you want to explore the island at your own pace. The temperatures are cool and not sweltering, giving you enough opportunities to explore the other things than Santorini has to offer, besides the beaches. Hikes, sightseeing tours or even walking tours are quite popular around this time of the year in Santorini. You can be assured to get the best deals on hotel stays and accommodation.
Here are a few reasons why you visit Santorini in the low Season
1) It is the best time to take a private tour of Santorini
The island of Santorini is so picturesque sometimes it looks like pages torn out of glossy magazines. If you have always been fascinated by the natural beauty and the charm of the island, you need to take a private tour of the place to experience the magic on your own and also discover some hidden treasures on the way. From cobblestone paths to hidden alleyways, you will find quaint little places along the way that serves the best of greek food and wine. Visiting in the offseason will also keep you away from the maddening rush of tourists, and you can take all the time in the world to soak in the Greek vibes.
2) Catch a movie in the Open Air cinemas
Late night movies are perfect in the cool weathers of the offseason. There are a few places in Kamari that play movies in the open air. You can watch a movie with your loved one while watching the sunset. This can be a perfect activity to indulge in if you are in Greece for your Honeymoon. Sundays are usually busy, so if you want to enjoy some solace, then you might want to think about it during the weeknights. Most of the open air theatres serve wine and snacks along, giving you another reason to go ahead. This activity is something that is definitely different from visiting Greece beaches.
3) Explore the beautiful little towns of Santorini
When the weather is pleasant, it is the best time for you to explore the towns and cities on your own. The island of Santorini has many towns situated on it that will take you to a completely different era. The soothing whitewashed walls, the cobblestoned, paths, the blue tops and the cute glimpses of Greek architecture is sure to soothe your eyes and make you forget your urban roots. The towns of Fira, Oia and Forostefani are indeed picturesque and worth seeing at least once in a lifetime.
4) It is the best time to hike down the ancient Thera
The capital of Santorini island is located on top of the Messa Vouno mountain. The steep trail that runs down the mountain is dotted with many ancient ruins right from the Byzantine, Roman to the Hellenistic eras. Once you reach the top, you get a stunning view of the entire island. The view is definitely worth hiking the tough and treacherous trail. Be sure to take back a reel full of pictures along with you.
Also See: 25 Top things to do in Greece on your next vacation
5) It is the best time to experience Easter celebrations
If you visit Santorini during Easter, the place will surely take you by surprise. The Town of Pyrgos is completely lit with candles on Easter night. You can also get to see firework on Saturday right until midnight. Moreover, all the Greek restaurants on Sunday serve special Easter specialities. You will definitely be served with some heavenly greek food along with roasted pork. This is enough reason for the foodie in you to get excited.
6) Wine tours are much more satisfying during the offseason
Due to the fact that a lot of wine tours and tastings need a reservation way in advance, your chances of getting into one is easier during the offseason. Also, you can get to savour some of the best wine during this period. Also, there are a lot of private tour operators that may suggest some local eateries where you can get to taste the best of greek food. Greek food tours can also be easily opted for at this time of the year in Santorini.
Leave a Reply