Greece › Santorini › July Weather
Updated: October 13, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com
See Also
• Where to Stay in Santorini
• Best Hotels in Santorini
• Best Things to Do in Santorini
• Best Santorini Wineries
• Best Santorini Boat Tours
A July sunset from Pyrgos. It’s a good alternative to Oia for sunsets. No shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.
Is July a Good Time to Visit Santorini?
Yes. July is one of the best months for swimming, beaches, boat tours, and nightlife. The weather is hot and sunny, the sea is warm, and everything is open. But July is also one of Santorini’s busiest and most expensive months. Travelers who dislike intense heat, crowded villages, and high hotel prices will be happier in June, September, or early October.
I tell people to plan their days around the heat, not a long sightseeing checklist. Sightsee early, spend the middle of the day at the pool, beach, on a boat, or over a long lunch, then head out again for sunset, dinner, and nightlife. My Advice: Stay somewhere you will enjoy spending time during the hottest hours. In July, I’d spend extra for a hotel with a private pool, an infinity pool, or a caldera view,
Santorini in July at a Glance
- Weather: Hot, dry, and sunny, with occasional strong winds.
- Temperatures: Daytime highs are usually around 28°C to 30°C (82°F to 86°F), with temperatures exceeding 35°C (95°F) during heat waves.
- Swimming: The sea is around 24°C (75°F), with warmer water toward the end of the month.
- Crowds: Very high, especially in Oia, Fira, Ammoudi Bay, popular beaches, and at sunset viewpoints.
- Prices: High. Hotels, flights, rental cars, transfers, and tours are among the year’s most expensive.
- What Is Open: Almost all hotels, restaurants, wineries, beach clubs, and attractions are open. Ferries and boat tours operate on busy summer schedules.
- Booking: Reserve hotels, ferries, boat tours, rental cars, and popular restaurants in advance.
Early July vs. Late July: Early July is usually a little less crowded than late July, though both are peak season. If choosing between the first and final week, I’d take the first. The difference is noticeable but not dramatic.
July Weather in Santorini
July is hot, dry, and almost always sunny. Rain is rare, but strong winds and occasional heat waves can affect outdoor plans. Nights are warm, usually around 21°C to 23°C (70°F to 73°F). The meltemi is the seasonal northern wind that affects the Cyclades in summer. It can make hot afternoons more comfortable, but strong winds also mean rougher ferry crossings and occasional cancellations or changes to boat tours. Larger ferries usually continue operating when smaller boats cannot.
Evenings are warm, though exposed caldera terraces and boat decks will feel cooler in the wind. One light shirt, wrap, or thin sweater is useful. Sunset moves from about 8:40pm in early July to 8:25pm by month’s end. Plan hikes and active sightseeing before 10:30am. Caldera paths have little shade, and walking through Oia or Fira in the afternoon heat can be exhausting. The sun is intense even when the wind makes the air feel cooler.
Can You Swim in Santorini in July?
Yes. July is one of the best swimming months in Santorini. The water is comfortable for most visitors, though August and early September are still slightly warmer. Kamari is my favorite beach base for families, with a long promenade, restaurants, and hotels close to the water. Perissa and Perivolos have a longer continuous stretch of beach with plenty of sunbeds, restaurants, and beach clubs. Rent sunbeds with an umbrella and wear sandals or water shoes. Santorini’s black sand and pebbles become painfully hot by midday, and some beaches have rocky entries into the water.
The view toward Oia from a caldera-view hotel in Imerovigli. Imerovigli is my favorite July base for couples who want views without constant crowds.
Where to Stay in Santorini in July
In July, heat, traffic, crowds, and limited taxis make getting around tiring. Stay where you want to spend most of your time.
- Imerovigli: My favorite July base for couples. It has Santorini’s best caldera views, excellent luxury hotels, and quieter evenings than Fira or Oia.
- Firostefani: The best mix of views and convenience. It is calmer than Fira, with central Fira about a 10 to 15-minute walk away.
- Fira: Best for restaurants, buses, shopping, nightlife, and simple logistics without a rental car. It is the most practical base, though not the quietest.
- Oia: Best for romance, luxury hotels, and postcard views. The village is extremely crowded from late morning through sunset. Staying overnight is much nicer than visiting only for sunset.
- Beach Towns: Kamari and Perissa are best for swimming, families, flatter streets, casual restaurants, and better value.
- Quieter Alternatives: Pyrgos, Megalochori, and Akrotiri suit repeat visitors, drivers, and travelers who want space and quieter evenings. A rental car makes these areas much easier.
See my complete guide to Where to Stay in Santorini.
Best Things to Do in Santorini in July
My two boys doing the Fira-to-Oia hike in July. Start early. Late morning is already too hot for most travelers.
- Take a Boat Tour: A caldera boat tour is the single best July activity. You get swimming, scenery, sea breeze, and a break from the hot villages. Book early and avoid scheduling it for your final day in case strong winds force a cancellation.
- Spend Time at the Beaches: Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolos are at their best in July, with warm water and beach clubs operating at full capacity.
- Visit the Wineries: Book a late-afternoon wine tasting or a guided winery tour. Reservations are important in July, especially for sunset tastings.
- Hike from Fira to Oia: Start around sunrise or soon after. Carry plenty of water, wear proper shoes, and do not begin in the late morning.
- Book One Sunset Dinner: Reserve a good caldera-view table, but do not plan every evening around sunset. Some of Santorini’s best meals do not come with a view.
- Go Out in Fira: July is peak nightlife season. Fira has the island’s best concentration of bars and clubs, with late-night restaurants and the main bus station nearby.
- Explore Villages Early or Late: Pyrgos, Megalochori, Emporio, and Oia are much better outside the midday heat. On heavy cruise days, avoid Oia from late morning through sunset.
- Visit Ancient Akrotiri: The archaeological site is covered and works well during hot weather. Ancient Thera is exposed and should be visited early.
A group of family and friends at the end of our caldera boat tour on a July visit. It is the easiest way to combine scenery, swimming, and a break from the heat.
What to Book Before You Arrive
July is not a good month for winging it.
- Hotels: Book several months ahead, especially for caldera views, family suites, honeymoon hotels, and rooms with private pools. Book earlier when one specific property or room matters.
- Boat Tours: Reserve popular sunset and small-group cruises in advance.
- Ferries: Book ferries in advance. July is peak season, and popular sailings, convenient departure times, and premium seats can sell out.
- Restaurants: Reserve sunset dinners and popular restaurants ahead, particularly in Oia, Imerovigli, Fira, Firostefani, Ammoudi Bay, and at island favorites such as Metaxi Mas.
Book a rental car ahead if you want an automatic or minivan, or plan to explore beaches, Akrotiri, Pyrgos, and inland villages. Pre-book a transfer for Athinios port, late airport arrivals, and hotels outside Fira. Do not plan a July trip around finding taxis on demand.
Ferries and Island Hopping in July
Athinios ferry port is busy and chaotic in July. Book transfers in advance, especially if you’re traveling with luggage or children, or staying in Oia or Imerovigli.
July has frequent ferry connections between Santorini, Athens, Paros, Naxos, and Mykonos, with additional seasonal services to Crete, Milos, and smaller Cycladic islands. Not every route operates daily, so check schedules before booking hotels on multiple islands.
Start with my Greek Ferries Guide, plus the detailed guides for Athens to Santorini, Santorini to Mykonos, and Santorini to Crete. High-speed catamarans can be uncomfortable in strong winds. Large conventional ferries are usually more stable, making them the better choice for travelers prone to seasickness. Athinios port is crowded and chaotic in July, and the steep access road can become congested around ferry arrivals and departures. Arrive early when departing and pre-book transportation when arriving. Do not connect from a ferry directly to an important international flight. Wind, congestion, and schedule changes still cause delays. Spend the final night in Athens or leave a generous buffer.
The Express Skopelitis, a small ferry best known for connecting Naxos, Amorgos, and the Small Cyclades.
July Compared with June and August
- July vs. June: June is slightly cooler, less crowded, and better for sightseeing. July has warmer water, busier nightlife, and heavier crowds.
- July vs. August: Both are hot, busy, and expensive. August brings warmer water and usually heavier crowds. I prefer July, especially the first half.
For a broader comparison, see Best Time to Visit Santorini.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is July good for families?
Yes, but the right base matters. Kamari and Perissa are easiest for beaches, pools, restaurants, and flatter walking. The caldera villages are beautiful but hotter, steeper, and more difficult with strollers. Read about my favorite hotels for families in Santorini.
Do July ferries sell out?
Yes. Book July ferries in advance, particularly high-speed services and popular routes between Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, and Athens.
Do I need a rental car in July?
No. If you stay in Fira, you can get around by bus, organized tour, and pre-booked transfer. A rental car is useful for exploring beaches, inland villages, and quieter parts of the island.
About Santorini Dave