Greece › Santorini › October Weather
Updated: October 9, 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 Boat Tours in Santorini
A sunset in Fira on a relaxed October evening.
Is October a Good Time to Visit Santorini?
Yes. I like October for sightseeing, hiking, wineries, restaurants, and staying on the caldera without the summer crowds. It’s less dependable for beaches, swimming, nightlife, and island hopping.
My advice: Early October is the sweet spot for most travelers, with warm afternoons, swimmable seas, and nearly everything still open. Late October is cooler and much quieter, with some seasonal closures and fewer ferry connections. If dependable beach weather is the priority, September is better.
Early October vs. Late October
- October 1 to 10: The best time for most travelers. Warm afternoons, comfortable swimming, frequent boat tours, and all hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs open.
- October 11 to 20: Still good for swimming, with cooler evenings and excellent hiking weather. Some beach businesses begin shortening their hours.
- October 21 to 31: Much quieter, with cooler weather, occasional rain, fewer ferry and tour departures, and some hotel and restaurant closures. Fira is the best base late in the month.
October 28 is Oxi Day, a Greek national holiday with local parades and commemorations. Banks and government offices close, and state archaeological sites and museums offer free admission.
My son on the Fira-to-Oia hike in October. It is a great month for hiking, but carry more water than you think you will need.
October Weather in Santorini
Typical afternoon highs fall from around 25°C (77°F) near the beginning of October to roughly 21°C (70°F) at the end. Evenings become noticeably cooler as the month progresses. Caldera restaurants, sunset cruises, scooters, and exposed hotel terraces can feel chilly because of the wind. Bring a sweater or light jacket.
October is usually fairly dry, but showers become more common later in the month. Keep some flexibility for boat tours, hikes, and beach days rather than saving them for the final day of your trip.
Daylight shortens quickly. Sunset is about 7:00pm at the beginning of October and 6:30pm on October 24. Greece changes from daylight saving time on October 25, when sunset moves to about 5:30pm. By October 31, sunset is about 5:23pm.
Can You Swim in Santorini in October?
Yes, particularly during the first half of the month. The sea is warmer than in May, typically around 23°C (73°F) in early October and 21°C to 22°C (70°F to 72°F) by the end. Swimming is usually comfortable early in the month, but by late October, wind and sunshine make a big difference.
Kamari, Perissa, and Perivolos are the easiest beaches for swimming, restaurants, and facilities. Ask your hotel which coast is most sheltered that day. A windy beach on one side of Santorini can mean calm water on the other.
The sea is often warmer than an unheated hotel pool. Caldera pools can be shaded and exposed to wind and may be too cold for comfortable swimming by mid or late October. If pool time is important, book one of the Santorini hotels with heated pools and confirm that the pool will be heated during your stay.
Early October is still a great time for a Santorini boat tour. Swimming becomes less dependable later in the month as air and water temperatures cool.
Best Things to Do in Santorini in October
Hike from Fira to Oia: October is one of the best months for the caldera hike. Start in the morning, carry plenty of water, wear proper shoes, and avoid the exposed sections during strong wind or immediately after heavy rain.
Visit Santorini’s Wineries: The harvest is finished, tasting rooms are less busy, and afternoon temperatures are comfortable. Most major wineries remain open in October, though some reduce their hours later in the month.
Explore Pyrgos, Megalochori, and Emporio: The inland villages are much more pleasant without midsummer heat. Pyrgos has steep lanes and steps, while Megalochori is easier for a relaxed walk and lunch.
Visit Ancient Akrotiri: The archaeological site is covered and works well in sunshine, wind, or light rain. Combine it with Akrotiri village, a winery, or a beach stop. Ancient Thera and the island’s museums are also open in October, though opening hours may be shorter.
Take a Caldera Boat Tour: Early October is still excellent for sailing and swimming stops. Book the tour near the beginning of your stay so you have another day available if strong wind cancels it.
Where to Stay in Santorini in October
For most October trips, I would choose Fira, Firostefani, or Imerovigli. Beach towns work well in early October but become much quieter later. Book ahead if you want a specific caldera-view room, and check seasonal closing dates for late-October stays.
- Fira: The best overall October base and the clear choice for late October. It has the island’s largest selection of restaurants, bars, shops, buses, taxis, and services.
- Firostefani: My favorite combination of caldera views and easy access to Fira. Central Fira is roughly a 10 to 15-minute walk.
- Imerovigli: Best for a honeymoon, luxury hotels, and spectacular caldera views. There are fewer restaurants than in Fira, which matters more toward the end of October.
- Oia: Beautiful and less crowded than in summer. Great for couples and photography but less practical than Fira late in the month.
- Kamari: The best early-October beach base for families and travelers wanting a flatter, easier resort layout. It becomes much quieter toward the end of the month.
- Perissa and Perivolos: Good for swimming, beach clubs, and value in early October. I would not choose either for a late-October trip.
- Pyrgos: Good for village atmosphere, wineries, and a quieter stay. A rental car is helpful.
- Akrotiri: Quiet and good value for caldera views. Best with a car and not a good choice if you want nightlife or lots of restaurants within walking distance.
You don’t need a car if you’re staying in Fira and using buses, tours, and transfers. A rental car is useful for wineries, Akrotiri, Pyrgos, Megalochori, beaches, and hotels outside the main towns.
Even in October, the Santorini-to-Mykonos ferry we took was still packed.
Ferries and Island Hopping in October
Ferries continue to serve Santorini in October, but schedules are reduced from summer. Some high-speed services and seasonal island-to-island connections stop during the month or do not run every day. Check schedules before booking hotels for a multi-island trip, especially during the second half of October.
For important routes, read my guides to Athens to Santorini, Mykonos to Santorini, Naxos to Santorini, and Crete to Santorini. I use Ferryhopper to compare current schedules and buy tickets.
Do not plan to arrive in Athens by ferry only a few hours before an international flight. Leave a substantial buffer or, better yet, spend the final night in Athens.
Early October can still be excellent for swimming. This photo was taken on October 2 at Athina Luxury Suites, one of my favorite hotels in Fira. By late October, most unheated pools feel too chilly for many visitors.
What to Pack for Santorini in October
- Warm-weather clothes: T-shirts, dresses, light shirts, and shorts are still useful, especially early in the month.
- Swimwear: Bring it. Swimming and boat-tour swim stops are common in early October.
- Sweater or light jacket: Essential for outdoor dinners, sunset cruises, and late-October evenings.
- Windproof or light rain layer: Useful during the second half of the month.
- Comfortable walking shoes: Caldera paths, village lanes, and archaeological sites have steps, loose surfaces, and uneven paving.
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat: The October sun is still strong.
October Compared with September and November
September is warmer, better for swimming and beaches, livelier at night, and has more ferry options. October has fewer crowds, cooler hiking weather, and lower hotel prices.
November is substantially quieter than October. Many seasonal hotels, restaurants, tours, and ferry routes have stopped operating by then.
About Santorini Dave