The fact that it's less crowded in October often leads people to worry that Santorini is dead during the fall. That's simply not the case. Restaurants and tourist attractions open as early as April and stay open through October, November or all year round.
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The average high in Santorini in October is 23oC, so it is still warm and lovely, even though you may need to pack a warmer jumper for after sunset. At night, the temps can drop to 16oC-18oC. Generally, though, October may be a cooler month than September but it's by far warmer than most European summer months.
The best time to visit the Greek islands, like Santorini, Mykonos, Corfu and Kefalonia (Argostoli), is in October when the weather is still warm and the crowds are few. The Greek islands are an all-year-round vacation destination, with temperatures ranging from 50°F (10°C) to approximately 100°F (38°C).
Don't stay in Oia or TheraBut if you really want to avoid crowds, try staying in Imerovigli, or on the Eastern side of the island. We stayed at Xenones Filotera in Imerovigli, which has an unobstructed view of the caldera (volcanic crater) and just a few other hotels nearby.
Planning Your Trip to SantoriniYou'll want to take your time on Santorini. Five days is an ideal length—you'll be able to lounge at the many beaches, hiking the island's highest points, and take a boat ride to some of the outlying islands, all formed by a volcanic explosion thousands of years ago.
The best time to visit Greece is outside the busy summer peaks, during spring (April to June) and early fall (September and October). Temperatures are warm but not stifling, and you'll find that destinations are open but still relatively quiet.
Greek islands which are smaller and less touristic have a shorter season, larger islands like Crete, Corfu and Santorini have extended seasons sometimes up to full year. Hotels have different opening/closing dates but the general rule for islands is that they open in April and close at end October.
With average daily high temperatures in the mid-70s Fahrenheit, it's usually still warm enough in early October to sunbathe in comfort and to dine outside at night, with little chance of rain. By mid-October the Ionian and Aegean seas are cooling quickly; if you love to swim, go early in the month.
The shops in Santorini, especially during the summer months, are open from around 10 o'clock in the morning till late at night. Most shops in Santorini are opening in April and close around the end of October. Click here for more information about shopping in Santorini.
And, yes, you can also swim in Santorini in October. In fact, the sea is sometimes even warmer than in June! Plus, you get a little extra when visiting the island's shores as October is a low-tourism month.
The fact that it's less crowded in October often leads people to worry that Santorini is dead during the fall. That's simply not the case. Restaurants and tourist attractions open as early as April and stay open through October, November or all year round.
The best time to visit Santorini for budget-conscious travellers is during the off-season between the end of October and March when hotels have vacant rooms and airlines offer lower fares. Bargains can also be found in April and October when seasonal transportation and tour fees are less expensive.
Obviously, the weather will play a factor in what you're packing — but if you're going to Santorini from late spring to early fall, you should be fine with mainly “beachy” attire. Think sundresses, several bikinis, shorts, and cute tops, along with hats and sandals.
July Weather on Santorini (95% Crowded): Hot and sunny. Along with August July is the busiest month on Santorini. Book rooms at least 3 months in advance for July visits – 6 months in advance for luxury hotels.
Winter (late October through mid-March) is colder, with some rainfall. Sights may close during lunch, tourist information offices keep shorter hours, and some tourist activities vanish altogether. Hotel rates are soft; look for bargains.
Towards the middle of October, the Aegean and Ionian seas begin to cool, and there are more cloudy days. In the last week or so, the average rainfall begins to increase, and you'll want to bring warmer clothes if you want to visit Greece in October, especially during that time.
Beware, however, that some restaurants, hotels and other establishments begin to close for the season in late October or early November and won't reopen until spring. This is the least popular time to visit Santorini thanks to temperatures in the 50s – hardly pleasant for sunbathing.