The month in detail
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Santorini. Temperatures rise (70°F) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Rain is virtually absent (7% of days) — ideal for planning without a backup. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if July (9.6/10) remains theoretically better.
May ranks 6 out of 12 months in Santorini. Compared to April: +5°F daytime, +0.9h of sun per day.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
8 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
comfortable
12°
Sea
19°C
cool, invigorating
Daylight
13.9h of daylight
Air quality
fair
AQI 43
Compare
Is May the right month?
The best month in Santorini is July (9.6/10), 1.2 pt higher than May.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Santorini
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Santorini
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach trip.
Country · Greece
🗣️LanguageGreek
💶CurrencyEuro (€)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘModerate · 3/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘ+2.18°F/decade
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 82°F
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 57°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘDecember · 20%
🏖️ Beach trip
📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
🛂VisaSchengen · 90 days
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Santorini ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
GreeceTemperate oceanic climate with a 9.6 → 4.4 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
36.39°N · 25.44°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Santorini?
July is the best month with 82°F highs, 73°F lows, 9.7h of sunshine and 1.0% rainy days. The months of July & August offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Santorini get in July?
Santorini averages 9.7 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 9.4/10.
What is the rainiest month in Santorini?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Santorini in July?
In July, overnight lows reach 73°F, while afternoon highs average 82°F.
Is Santorini good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Santorini scores 5.1/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 9.4/10.
When should you avoid Santorini?
January is the most difficult month to visit Santorini, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Santorini in May?
In May, the sea averages 66°F in Santorini: cool, invigorating. Swimming is possible but brisk; sensitive swimmers may prefer a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Santorini in May?
The average UV index reaches 8 in May in Santorini (high), with about 13.9h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.