Santorini · May
Low seasonGreece · Europe
Climate Overview
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ø day, ↑ warmestØ day↑ warmest | 15° (59°)19° (66°) | 16° (61°)19° (66°) | 17° (63°)21° (70°) | 20° (68°)24° (75°) | 24° (75°)30° (86°) | 28° (82°)33° (91°) | 31° (88°)35° (95°) | 31° (88°)34° (93°) | 28° (82°)31° (88°) | 24° (75°)28° (82°) | 20° (68°)23° (73°) | 17° (63°)20° (68°) |
Ø night, ↓ coldestØ night↓ coldest | 11° (52°)4° (39°) | 11° (52°)6° (43°) | 12° (54°)7° (45°) | 14° (57°)10° (50°) | 17° (63°)13° (55°) | 22° (72°)17° (63°) | 24° (75°)21° (70°) | 25° (77°)22° (72°) | 22° (72°)18° (64°) | 18° (64°)14° (57°) | 15° (59°)10° (50°) | 12° (54°)6° (43°) |
☀️Sunshine | 5h | 6h | 8h | 9h | 10h | 12h | 12h | 11h | 10h | 8h | 6h | 5h |
🌊Water Temp | 17° (63°) | 17° (63°) | 17° (63°) | 18° (64°) | 20° (68°) | 23° (73°) | 25° (77°) | 26° (79°) | 25° (77°) | 23° (73°) | 21° (70°) | 19° (66°) |
🌧Rain Days | 5d45mm (1.8") | 4d33mm (1.3") | 2d17mm (0.7") | 1d7mm (0.3") | 0d3mm (0.1") | 0d1mm (<0.1") | 0d0mm (<0.1") | 0d0mm (0") | 0d2mm (0.1") | 1d8mm (0.3") | 2d20mm (0.8") | 4d39mm (1.5") |
Best travel time current monthØ = average · ↑ warmest day · ↓ coldest nightClimate data 2005–2025 · Source: ERA5 + station data
Still off-season — flights and hotels significantly cheaper than in June.
May is an acceptable travel month for Santorini — conditions are fine, though June, July, August, and September offer even better weather.
Daytime highs average 24°C (75°F), cooling to 17°C (63°F) at night (daily average: 21°C (70°F)). Peaks reach around 30°C (86°F), the coldest nights around 13°C (55°F). With 10 sunshine hours per day, May is one of the sunniest months — 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain over 0 days. The sea is 20°C (68°F) — refreshing and manageable for confident swimmers.
A jacket for cool evenings should not be left behind. Sightseeing and excursions can be enjoyed comfortably at this time of year.
Spring and early summer: the Oia sunset draws 20 spectators instead of 2,000, and the volcanic pebble beaches of Kamari and Perissa warm up. The best time for the hiking trail between Fira and Oia.
Packing list for Santorini in May
- T-shirts and shorts
- Swimwear (the water is still a little fresh)
- SPF 50 sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Travel first-aid kit
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is May a good time to visit Santorini?
- May is not an optimal month for Santorini (Score: 88/100), but it is manageable. For better conditions, consider June, July, August, and September.
- How warm is it in Santorini in May?
- In May, Santorini sees daily highs of 24°C (75°F). Nights cool to 17°C (63°F), with a daily average of 21°C (70°F). Peaks reach around 30°C (86°F), the coldest nights around 13°C (55°F).
- How much rain falls in Santorini in May?
- In May, Santorini receives an average of 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain over 0 rain days. That is comparatively dry.
- How many sunshine hours does Santorini get in May?
- Santorini averages 10 sunshine hours per day in May — above the annual average.
- How warm is the water in Santorini in May?
- Water temperature in Santorini in May averages 20°C (68°F) — refreshing but slightly cool for sensitive swimmers.
