Santorini in Winter – The Ultimate Guide

 

Santorini is undoubtedly one of the most famous islands in the world. Millions of people every year visit this idyllic island to feel its magic ambience and enjoy a romantic vacation. And most usually do so during the summer period.

But a small Greek island has space for only so many tourists, so it gets crowded during summer. Sometimes, too crowded.

So what about visiting Santorini in the wintertime? Have you ever thought about it? 

Maybe you should, as what Santorini has to offer doesn’t have an expiration date. Winter can be the ideal time to enjoy everything the island has to offer without the swarm of tourists.

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Santorini in winter.

The Pros & Cons About Visiting Santorini in the Winter

 

Pros:

• You can enjoy the island with far fewer tourists
• You can enjoy more privacy
• It is absolutely more relaxing and peaceful
• All prices go down (the difference is really huge compared to the high season)
• You get the feeling of a ‘‘local’’
• Some activities such as walking, hiking, exploring become easier and more delightful due to fewer tourists and less hot weather
• The local people are friendlier and more relaxed
• You can take photos of countless sights without hundreds of people everywhere

Cons:

• The weather is not stable and almost too unpredictable (it can be rather hot and sunny up to 25°C but it can also be cold to 5°C and rainy)
• Fewer things to do, especially sea-related activities
• Τhe nightlife is much more restricted and less intense 
• A lot of places, like shops or restaurants, are closed
• Most of the hotels and resorts will be closed as well
• The outdoor swimming pools will also be closed 
• The famous Santorini’s beach life has much less life
• If you want to go swimming, the sea is rather cold
• Fewer flights and ships from and to Santorini
• There are no cruises

Winter in Santorini

 

The winter season typically starts in November and ends in March. December and January are usually the coolest and rainiest months of the year.

Santorini, being an island in the Mediterranean, means that winters are cold – but not too cold. The weather is relatively warmer than most other places in Europe. Should you decide to visit the island during winter, you will most likely not encounter chilling temperatures and snow, but the same can’t be said for rains. The average temperature in Santorini during winter varies from 8 to 18 degrees Celsius. It will also rain often in December. 

The weather is unstable and with fast changes but the sun will probably appear at least a few times during your stay. You shouldn’t forget your warmer clothes, a pair of jeans or two, your raincoat and a cosy scarf. It’s questionable whether you will need your swimming equipment unless of course, you are into winter swimming. 

Let’s take a look at the island’s weather on a month-to-month basis, as far as the offseason is concerned.

 

Santorini During November 

The first cloudy and cold days come in November. In early November you can still enjoy the warm days it has to offer and a visit to the beach can be rewarding. Most of the hotels and luxury villas in Santorini close at the end of November. Fira, the island’s capital city, and Oia remain rather active until the last cruises of the season. The average max temperature is 18°C. During this month, the island is about 40% crowded.

Santorini During December 

In December, you should forget the warm weather and be prepared for a cloudy and rainy atmosphere, though the sunny days and a clear sky still appear. Fira remains busy as the rest of the towns and villages get quieter and quieter. Moreover, one can find several hotels in Oia and also a few restaurants and shops open. The average max temperature is 15°C and the island’s occupancy is at a level of 20%.

Santorini During January

In January it starts to be soggy, freezing, and stormy. It is by far the wettest month with a lot of rain. The island is tranquil with very few tourists and the local life flows at a friendly pace. The majority of restaurants and hotels are closed but you will always have the chance to find something open both in Oia and Fira. The beach towns are shut down during this period, which is absolutely rational. The average max temperature reaches 14°C and the island is about 10% crowded.

Santorini During February

The situation in February is mostly like January and we could easily say that it is the coldest month of the year. On the bright side, rains are somewhat less frequent now. The average max temperature is 14°C and the island’s occupancy remains at the level of 10%.

Santorini During March

In March, a remarkable change happens. Rainfalls are scarce and the weather is mostly sunny with warmer temperatures. March can be the perfect month for outdoor activities like hiking and sightseeing, but travellers should always be prepared for some rains or cold nights. By the end of this month, all hotels, shops and restaurants will have reopened. The average max temperature reaches 16°C and the island’s occupancy rises up to 30%.

Travelling to Santorini and Going Around the Island in Winter

 

It’s not as easy as you might think to travel to Santorini in winter compared to summer months, as the weather conditions could often cause travel disruptions such as the cancellation of ferries or the delay of flights due to rough winds.

During winter, there are no direct flights to the island – only flights from Athens. This fact tends to raise the flight prices. Also, if you are travelling on a budget, keep in mind that Ryanair offers low-cost flights to Santorini all year-round from several European cities. 

Ferry rides are also much less frequent; itineraries are scheduled mainly from Piraeus and the two islands of Naxos and Paros, which operate all year with the Blue Star ferry lines. Depending on the type of itinerary, the ride from Athens to Santorini can last between 5 to 10 hours.

Bus services in Santorini are less frequent in winter as well, occurring perhaps once every two hours to the main towns and less often to the rest areas of the island. The bus to the airport follows the arriving and departing flights accordingly.

Based on the above circumstances, we recommend that you rent a car when spending time in Santorini during the winter months, as you will have more flexibility and you will be able to make your own plans. It is possible that you can get a better offer on your rental, as the demand is pretty low.

 

Things to Do in Santorini in Winter

 

Making a Photo-Album in Oia Without Tourists

 

Oia is undoubtedly the most famous place in Greece for taking hundreds of photos, and this happens for a reason, as its beauty is incomparable. The white and blue houses combined with the volcano’s caldera make for a stunning landscape.

One can walk around the narrow streets which lead to impressive views over the rooftops and out over the Aegean sea. Oia is probably the sunniest place on the island because the sun lasts longer there than in the rest parts of Santorini.

During the high season, hordes of people visit the village and aspiring Instagrammers, hoping to take the best photo for their feeds.

Moving around the village during summer is almost impossible, and waiting to get the best shot can last too long. During the off-season, the lack of tourists means that taking photos in Oia becomes much easier and more enjoyable.

 

Explore Santorini Wine Flavors

 

Santorini has a great tradition in winemaking and is one of Greece’s top regions for wines. Santorini’s wine-making tradition grew during the Venetian empire when tons of wine were sold throughout Europe.

The volcanic soil is pervious and absorbs moisture from the wet air, boosting the grapevines to grow. The vines grow horizontally to the ground in a special way that keeps them moisturized and can maintain water; this is a well-known method in all volcanic wine regions around the world.

The island produces many different wines, such as white and red wines, similar to that one can find in Italy or Spain. The best way to get familiar with Santorini’s wines is to organize a tour where you will get to know the various methods of production and numerous flavours.

During winter, the organized tours are scarcer and can be more expensive compared to those during the summer, unless you travel with a large group of people. 

If you want to visit any vineyards and taste a selection of wines, we would suggest that you book a wine tour during the sunset in Oia. 

Moreover, it is worthwhile to visit the Santorini Wine Museum to learn about the wine tradition of the island and also taste the different wines. 

 

Discover Fira

 

Fira is the island’s capital and it is definitely a lovely town located on top of the volcanic rocks. While hotels and shops shut down during winter, Fira keeps on being active.

The place is rather small but there are many things to do, such as visiting museums, galleries and charming churches along the streets. We would suggest that you visit the Archaeological Museum in Fira where you will see many ancient treasures that have been found on the island.

During winter, museums and historic sites have a free entrance on Sundays. You should also visit one of Fira’s many superb restaurants where you can enjoy a wide range of local dishes.

For those interested in nightlife, the town is your only choice with some local bars and a few nightclubs which remain open throughout the winter months.

The port is located at the downside of the hill and one can reach either by a cable car or a winding path that goes through the cliff, offering stunning views on top of the caldera. 

 

Experience Santorini Sunset

 

Santorini is well-known for its amazing sunsets and during summer, tourists visit the towns and villages on the west side of the island to admire the astonishing scenery.

Fortunately, during winter, this superb natural display is no less charming. Oia is the most popular part on the island to see the sunset, but Fira’s views are also exceptional. It is worthwhile to experience the sunset from different spots, and with so much free space, why not? 

 

Taste Santorini’s Local Food

 

For many years, Santorini was isolated from the rest of Greece and had to feed for itself with insufficient boat service to the mainland. This isolation is the main reason that the island has a unique cuisine and also produces rare ingredients.

Like in most places in Greece, you will find a lot of restaurants that serve an awesome variety of seafood, including the famous grilled octopus. Also, don’t forget to taste any recipes that include fava beans, an essential ingredient of Santorini’s diet for over 3,000 years. 

Furthermore, Santorini is also rich in fruits and vegetables. It is also one of the few places around the world which produces white aubergine and Katsuni, a special type of cucumber.

Growing throughout the island, you will find wild capers, which play a big role in the local cuisine. There are also fantastic cherry tomatoes grown in Santorini which are quite unique and have become a protected species. 

Finally, in case you are interested in getting to know more about the local food, it is highly recommended to take a food tour. Usually, such a tour lasts about 5 hours, and you will have the chance to taste many local products and learn their secrets.

 

Where to Stay in Santorini

 

One of the biggest benefits of going to Santorini in winter is that accommodation prices are hugely affordable compared to summer, and ideal for those looking to visit at a low cost. 

There are a lot of hotels that remain open during winter, but many alternative destinations villas will shut down, so as far as Santorini is concerned, the best choice is to stay in Fira, where far more alternatives will be available for you.