Greece › Santorini › May Weather
Updated: November 26, 2025
By Santorini Dave
See Also
• Where to Stay in Santorini
• Best Hotels in Santorini
• Best Restaurants in Santorini
• Best Activities in Santorini
• Best Wine Tours in Santorini
• Best Boat Tours in Santorini
• Best Beaches in Santorini
The back alleyways of Oia, Santorini on an afternoon in May.
May is one of my favorite months to visit Santorini. It offers the “sweet spot” of travel: the weather is warm and sunny, the island is green and blooming with wildflowers, and everything is open. However, you beat the crushing crowds and intense heat of July and August.
There are two main caveats: the sea is cold (early May) or cool (late May), and May 1st is a major holiday that often involves travel strikes.
Overview:
• Weather: Expect bright, sunny days and comfortable warmth. Daytime highs range from 20°C to 24°C (68°F to 75°F). It is perfect t-shirt weather during the day, but you will absolutely need a light jacket or sweater for the evenings, which can still be cool and breezy. Rain is rare but possible in early May.
• Sunshine: You’ll enjoy plenty of sunshine and clear blue skies, perfect for hiking and sightseeing. May is one of Santorini’s drier months, with low overall rainfall; light showers are possible on occasion.
• Swimming Conditions: This is the main downside of May. The sea is still waking up from winter and averages around 19°C (66°F). For most people, this is too cold for leisurely swimming. Because the air is not yet scorching hot, unheated hotel pools will feel very cold. If a pool is important to you, you must book a hotel with a heated pool.
• The May 1st Warning (Protomagia): May 1st is Labor Day in Greece. It is a national holiday and is traditionally a day of transportation strikes. Ferries often do not run, and flights can be rescheduled. Avoid planning inter-island travel on this specific day if possible.
• Activities: By May, all seasonal businesses are open and in full swing, ready for the approaching high season.
• Boat Tours: All boat and catamaran tours are running. It’s a great time to be on the water, as the sun isn’t as intense as in mid-summer. On sunset tours, the breeze on the water can feel cool, so bringing a windbreaker is a good idea.
Venetsanos Winery on a May afternoon.
• Winery Tours: This is an excellent month for wine tasting. You can enjoy Santorini’s famous Assyrtiko on sun-drenched terraces without the sweltering heat. The green, pre-harvest vineyards make for a beautiful backdrop.
• Nightlife: The nightlife scene in Santorini during May is just waking up for the summer, offering a fun and relaxed atmosphere without the intense crowds of July. Fira is the center of the action, with most of its cliffside bars and clubs open and lively, especially in the latter half of the month. The famous beach clubs along Perivolos and Perissa are also beginning to host parties, but the overall vibe is more about enjoying cocktails with a great view than the all-night clubbing of peak season.
• Beaches: The beaches are beautiful and uncrowded in May, making it a perfect time to enjoy the dramatic scenery of the black and red sand coastlines in peace. The sea, however, is still quite brisk from the winter, and only the hardiest of swimmers will find it comfortable for more than a quick dip. Most beach bars are open, but the vibe is very relaxed.
• Fira-Oia Caldera Hike: This is the best month for the hike. The weather is perfectly warm but not yet hot, allowing you to walk comfortably at almost any time of day. The island is at its greenest from the winter rains, and the path is lined with wildflowers, making the already spectacular caldera views even more beautiful.
Metaxi Mas, one of my favorite restaurants in Santorini, on a May evening.
• Crowds: The island is lively and has a great buzz, but it is not yet crowded. You can explore the villages of Oia and Fira with relative ease, and restaurant reservations are easier to secure. You will experience the beauty of the island without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds of July or August.
• Prices: Prices for flights and accommodation are lower than in the peak summer season. You can find excellent value, especially if you book in advance. It’s a great month to snag a deal on a hotel with a caldera view that might be prohibitively expensive later in the year.
• For Families: Excellent. The moderate temperatures mean you can explore archaeological sites like Akrotiri without kids getting heat exhaustion. Navigating the cliff stairs is much easier without the extreme summer heat. The only downside is that the ocean and unheated pools might be too cold for some children.
• For Couples: Very romantic. The sunsets are spectacular, the island is blooming, and the vibe is laid-back. It is the ideal month for active couples who want to hike, explore, and enjoy the views without fighting for elbow room.
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