Greece › Santorini › July Weather
Updated: July 20, 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 is a good alternative to Oia for sunset without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.
Is July a Good Time to Visit Santorini?
Yes. July is an amazing month for swimming, beaches, boat tours, nightlife, and the full Santorini summer experience. But it is also hot, crowded, and expensive. Travelers who dislike intense sun, busy villages, steep walks, and high hotel rates will be happier in June, September, or early October.
I tell people to plan July around the heat, not around a long 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. A well-located hotel with air conditioning, a pool, and restaurants nearby makes July much easier.
Best For: Swimming, beaches, boat tours, nightlife, honeymoons, families staying near the beach, and travelers who want everything open.
Skip July If: Low prices, quiet villages, cool hiking weather, and spontaneous planning matter more than hot weather and summer activity.
Santorini in July at a Glance
- Weather: Hot, dry, sunny, and reliable.
- Temperatures: Daytime highs are around 29°C to 31°C (84°F to 88°F), with hotter conditions during heat waves.
- Swimming: The sea is around 24°C (75°F), warm enough for long swims, beaches, and boat tours.
- Crowds: Very high, especially in Oia, Fira, Ammoudi Bay, Athinios port, and at popular beaches and sunset restaurants.
- Prices: High. Hotels, flights, rental cars, transfers, and tours are among the year’s most expensive.
- What Is Open: Hotels, restaurants, wineries, beach clubs, attractions, nightlife, boat tours, and ferry routes are fully operating.
- Main Downside: Heat, crowds, high prices, and the need to reserve important parts of the trip before arrival.
Early July vs. Late July
- Early July: Hot and busy, but slightly easier than the final part of the month. Hotel availability is better, crowds are a little lighter, and transport feels less strained.
- Late July: Closer to peak August conditions. Hotels fill, beach clubs get busier, convenient ferry departures are in greater demand, and Oia sunset viewpoints pack early.
If choosing between the first and final week, I would take the first. The difference is noticeable but not dramatic. Both are high season.
What Is Open in Santorini in July?
July is peak season. Hotels, restaurants, wineries, beach clubs, museums, archaeological sites, nightlife, boat tours, and ferry routes are fully operating.
Availability is the issue, not closures. Popular hotels, cruises, rental cars, transfers, and sunset restaurants book well ahead.
July Weather in Santorini
July weather is hot, dry, and reliably sunny. Rain is rare. Sun, wind, and heat are the real planning issues. Daytime highs are around 29°C to 31°C (84°F to 88°F), with warmer conditions during heat waves. Nights remain warm, around 22°C to 24°C (72°F to 75°F).
The meltemi is the seasonal northern wind that affects the Cyclades in summer. It can make a hot day more comfortable, but strong wind also creates choppy boat tours, rougher ferry rides, and temporary suspensions of small water-taxi and excursion-boat services.
Evenings are warm, though exposed caldera terraces and boat decks can feel cooler in the wind. One light shirt, wrap, or thin sweater is useful. Sunset is around 8:30pm in July, with more than 14 hours of daylight early in the month.
Plan active sightseeing before 10:30am. Use the hottest part of the day for the pool, beach, boat tour, long lunch, or air-conditioned room, then head out again for sunset and dinner. The sun is intense, caldera paths have little shade, and the black sand at Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolos becomes painfully hot by midday.
Can You Swim in Santorini in July?
Yes. July is one of the best swimming months in Santorini.
The sea is around 24°C (75°F), warm enough for long swims, snorkeling, boat tours, and full beach days. August and early September are slightly warmer, but July water is comfortable for most visitors.
Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolos are the easiest beaches for swimming, sunbeds, shade, restaurants, and families. Rent sunbeds, wear sandals or water shoes, and pay for shade. The black sand and pebbles become extremely hot.
Hotel pools are useful in July, not just decorative. A midday swim changes the rhythm of the day and makes a caldera stay much more comfortable.
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, your base matters more than it does in spring or fall. Heat, hills, traffic, crowds, and limited taxis make unnecessary movement 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.
If your budget allows, choose a hotel with a pool. In July, a pool is not just a nice extra. It changes the rhythm of the day.
For most first trips, choose Imerovigli, Firostefani, Fira, or Oia. 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.
- Spend Time at the Beaches: Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolos are at their best in July. Rent sunbeds, use shade, and wear sandals or water shoes on the hot sand and pebbles.
- Visit the Wineries: Late afternoon and early evening are best. Book a wine tour so nobody in your group needs to drive.
- 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 mix of bars, clubs, late dinners, buses, and taxis.
- Explore Villages Early or Late: Pyrgos, Megalochori, Emporio, Akrotiri, Oia, and the caldera villages 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 for the best caldera rooms, family suites, honeymoon hotels, and private pools. Book earlier when one specific property or room matters.
- Boat Tours: Reserve popular sunset and small-group cruises ahead. Schedule the cruise during the first half of your stay so wind does not ruin your only chance.
- Ferries: Book ahead when your itinerary depends on one specific sailing. The most convenient departure times and premium seat classes 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.
Reserve a rental car before arrival if you want an automatic, minivan, or a car for beaches, wineries, 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 when arriving with luggage, children, or a hotel in Oia or Imerovigli.
July is one of the strongest months for Greek island hopping. Santorini has frequent connections with Athens, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Crete, Milos, and other Cycladic islands.
Start with my Greek Ferries Guide, plus the detailed guides for Athens to Santorini, Santorini to Mykonos, and Santorini to Crete.
High-speed ferries are faster but feel rougher in windy conditions. Larger conventional ferries are slower and more stable. Travelers prone to seasickness should choose the largest ferry available.
Athinios port is steep, crowded, and stressful in July. 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 in July. It connects Santorini with smaller Cycladic islands on select routes, but schedules are limited compared with the main ferry connections.
July Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking Too Late: The best caldera rooms, family suites, honeymoon hotels, private pools, boat tours, and convenient transfers sell first.
- Hiking Too Late: The Fira-to-Oia path becomes brutally hot and exposed by late morning.
- Booking a Boat Tour on Your Final Day: Strong wind can change routes or cancel departures. Leave time to reschedule.
- Relying on Taxis: Santorini has too few taxis for July demand. Use buses, pre-booked transfers, or a rental car.
- Choosing Oia Despite Hating Crowds: Oia is beautiful but intensely busy. Imerovigli or Firostefani are better for caldera views with less congestion.
- Underestimating the Sun: Caldera villages and hiking paths offer little shade. Carry water and use a hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen.
July Compared with June and August
- July vs. June: June is slightly cooler, less crowded, and easier for sightseeing. July has warmer water, later nights, busier beach clubs, and heavier crowds.
- July vs. August: Both are hot, busy, and expensive. August brings warmer water and even heavier crowds. I prefer July, especially the first half.
Choose June for easier sightseeing and slightly lower pressure. Choose July for warm swimming and peak nightlife. Choose August only when the hottest weather and warmest sea matter most.
For a broader comparison, see Best Time to Visit Santorini.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Santorini too hot in July?
Santorini can be very hot from late morning through late afternoon. It remains manageable when you sightsee early, rest during the hottest hours, stay hydrated, and book a hotel with air conditioning and preferably a pool.
Is July crowded in Santorini?
Yes. July is one of Santorini’s busiest months. Oia, Fira, Ammoudi Bay, popular beaches, sunset restaurants, caldera paths, and Athinios port can all feel crowded.
Can you swim in Santorini in July?
Yes. The sea is around 24°C (75°F), making July excellent for beaches, long swims, snorkeling, and boat tours.
Where should I stay in Santorini in July?
Choose Imerovigli for quiet luxury and views, Firostefani for views near Fira, Fira for restaurants and transport, or Oia for romance. Choose Kamari or Perissa for beaches, families, flatter streets, and better value.
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.
Is July good for a boat tour?
Yes. A Santorini boat tour is one of the best July activities. Book ahead and schedule it before your final day.
Do July ferries sell out?
Popular sailings, convenient departure times, and premium seat classes can sell out. Book important ferry legs ahead when your itinerary depends on one particular departure.
Do I need a rental car in July?
Not if you stay in Fira and use buses, tours, taxis, and transfers. A car helps with beaches, wineries, Akrotiri, Pyrgos, Megalochori, and quieter hotels. Reserve early if you need an automatic or minivan.
About Santorini Dave