Situated in the southern Aegean Sea, 200km southeast of the Greek capital Athens, Santorini is truly a beautiful island with many astonishing landscapes.
While its official name is Thira, this island is commonly known as Santorini and is widely appreciated and visited by many tourists all around the world.
Although many claim this island to be the most exotic place to visit, we can often forget that the climate can change during the year, leaving us unprepared for the weather.
If you are thinking about taking a trip to this small yet stunning island, but are having a tough time planning your outfits for the trip – fear not, we’ve got you covered!
Read on and find out how to dress when visiting Santorini.
So, what should you pack for Santorini?
The items you will need for your trip depend on the part of the year you are planning on visiting Santorini in.
However, we’ve made a list containing some of the most common necessities you should consider taking with you to Santorini.
Personal belongings, like a wallet with your ID, passport, or visa papers if needed.
If you plan on renting a car or a scooter for your trip in Santorini, keep in mind that you will also need to pack an international driver’s license.
Rucksack or a backpack
If you are going to explore Santorini mostly on foot, you will need a comfortable backpack in which you can pack all of your personal items.
A big backpack with lots of room will make your daily traveling much easier, as you won’t have to carry any items in your hands or worry about any of your valuable items getting stolen or lost.
Water
While it is safe to use tap water for washing up, water bottles are the most popular source of clean water and are used by both tourists and natives.
Having said that, always remember to pack a water bottle or two to avoid dehydration or getting ill.
Appropriate shoewear
While you may be thinking of bringing your new pair of heels, keep in mind that your feet will be going down rocky, narrow streets, hills, and lots of stairs.
We recommend bringing comfortable, flat shoes for the night out, and sneakers or flat sandals for walking during the day, especially if you plan on exploring the island on foot.
If you are a dedicated diver, it will also be a good idea to pack a pair of swimming shoes to protect your feet from sharp rocks and sea urchins that can sometimes be found in the Aegean Sea.
Sun protection
In case you fancy sunbathing a bit more over diving, you should definitely consider loading up your backpack with loads of sun protection.
Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat should be enough to protect your skin. If you are, however, highly sensitive or allergic to the sun, consider taking a parasol with you to the beach.
Medication
Since you are traveling to a foreign country, you will need to bring some form of medical aid, should you need it during your trip.
Alongside any prescribed medication, you should consider taking over-the-counter meds to fight against common sicknesses tourists may experience, like diarrhea, nausea, motion sickness, or allergies.
Bug-repellent sprays, mosquito nets, and itch-relief solutions
Even though we all love warm, sunny days, this type of weather combined with high levels of humidity almost always means we have to deal with mosquitos and other insects that thrive in these weather conditions.
With that being said, you might want to prepare yourself with bug-repellent sprays and itch-relief solutions.
If you want to avoid using sprays, but still want to keep insects out of your room, consider buying a bug zapper or a mosquito net.
Keep in mind that, if you are planning on visiting Santorini in winter, some of these items might not be necessary.
To learn which items to pack and what to wear in Santorini specifically for its colder parts of the year, check out our section What to wear in Santorini in January?
What’s the weather like in Santorini?
The climate in this area of Greece is semi-arid or Mediterranean, a type of climate that is characterized by hot summer days, that are prolonged throughout most part of the year, while the winters in Santorini are mild, with lots of rainy and windy days.
With this being said, most tourist guides recommend visiting Santorini anywhere from the later parts of May up until the late parts of September, if you are intending on visiting Santorini on its hottest days.
However, in case you are on a budget or are simply not a fan of really high temperatures, you can still visit Santorini anywhere in-between October and February, as the temperature usually lingers between 9 and 16 degrees C, and the hotels are even cheaper during winters.
What to wear in Santorini in January?
During this time of the year, the temperatures go anywhere between 9 and 14 degrees C.
Even though this temperature is considered to be pretty mild for winter months, you can expect the days to be quite windy with possible bursts of rain, and although rarely, snow.
Santorini also gets around 10h of daylight in January, out of which you can expect to have an average of 4h of sunshine.
During January, natives of Santorini can be seen wearing typical winter clothes, like sweaters, thick jumpers, or jackets. Depending on where you live, you might be accustomed to colder or even milder winters.
If you are unsure whether these temperatures are too cold or just about right for you, we suggest layering up. Bring a long sleeve shirt, accompanied by a thinner jumper and a jacket.
This is the best way to regulate the temperature so as to not get too hot or too cold while being comfortable enough to walk around and explore the island.
It is recommended to wear closed shoes that are waterproof as it can get pretty rainy in January.
What to wear in Santorini in February?
If you were to ask Santorini’s locals about the weather in February, most of them would agree that it takes second place as Santorini’s coldest and rainiest month of the year.
The temperatures in Santorini during February are not rising, and are still lingering between 9 and 14 degrees C.
The expected amount of daylight in February is around 10h, with 5h being the average amount of sunshine for this month.
Since it can get really chilly, especially at night when the temperature drops the most, packing clothes that can be worn in layers might be the smartest way to go.
Think about packing an extra jacket or a raincoat that you could wear in addition to a jumper or a sweater, and sticking to those rain-proof shoes in case it gets really rainy.
What to wear in Santorini in March?
March in Santorini is that time of the month when most tourists have difficulty figuring out what to wear.
The temperature goes just a tiny bit up, ranging from 10 to 16 degrees, which means you can expect the beginning of the month to still be windy with heavy showers of rain.
As time goes by, the temperatures are going to be rising, and you will be able to enjoy more sunshine, as the average amount of sunshine in March in Santorini is around 6h, with an average of 11h of daylight during this time.
Because March is the month of mixed temperatures, with a still high possibility of both rain and sunny days, it is recommended to pack both thinner and thicker clothes.
The best combination would be regular T-shirts, accompanied by a thicker jumper, and a warm jacket. As far as shoewear goes, if you are visiting Santorini at the beginning of the month, you should bring along shoes that are for colder and rainier days.
If you are, however, visiting Santorini in the later part of March, regular sneakers should be good as the rain is usually expected during the first part of March.
What to wear in Santorini in April?
Unlike March, the weather in April is steadier and leans more towards the sunny and warm side.
Even though the sea temperature in April is only around 17 C on average, which is still not warm enough for most tourists to actually enjoy taking a swim, the daily temperatures are higher, ranging from 16 to 19 degrees.
You will also enjoy way more sunshine, around 8h on average, with an average of 13h of daylight during April.
Having this in mind, you should pack a couple of comfortable short-sleeved T-shirts, shorts, and swimsuits so you can relax on the beach or by the pool.
April also has only 5 days of rainfall, which means that you can finally pack some sandals and flip-flops to wear during the day.
Keep in mind that, although April is sunnier and less windy than March, it can still get chilly at night when the temperatures drop, so it would be good to have a jacket or a thinner coat for the night.
What to wear in Santorini in May?
For many, May is the most enjoyable month of the year when it comes to visiting Santorini.
The expected amount of rain is only 3mm throughout the month, with daily temperatures going from 17 degrees and rising to 23 degrees.
With 12h of sunshine, May makes the perfect month for enjoying the sun and also for exploring the island. For visiting Santorini in May, you should pack lightly and comfortably.
A couple of comfortable T-shirts for men, and light dresses or loose skirts for women should do best.
Of course, don’t forget your swimming suit and flip-flops, as the sea temperature is around 20 C, which makes swimming way safer and enjoyable.
Bear in mind that, starting off in May, Santorini is affected by the Meltemi winds, which are especially frequent in July and August.
Cardigans, light jackets, coats, and jumpers should make good protection against windy days, and colder nights.
What to wear in Santorini in June?
If you are planning a trip fully dedicated to swimming and spending time on the Santorini beach, June is the perfect chance to do it.
With temperatures going from 22 C all the way to 28 C, and the sea temperature being an average of 23 degrees, this time of the year makes Santorini perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
Because the temperatures are significantly higher than they were during the previous months, your main choice of clothing should be breathable, loose shirts for men, and lightweight dresses and skirts for women.
Alongside your swimsuit and flip-flops, you should remember to pack lots of sunscreen, or maybe even a parasol.
This is extremely important especially for parents with kids and people with sensitive skin, as the winds that strike Santorini sometimes make it tricky to feel how hot it actually is when not in the sun’s shade.
Even though the possibility of rainfall is extremely low, you should however bring a thin jacket, caftan, or a lightweight summer cardigan, in case the night gets windy.
What to wear in Santorini in July?
With chances of rain being 0%, daily temperatures rising from 26 to 29 degrees C, and an average of 13h of daylight, July is the hottest month of the year in Santorini.
Your dress code for July should enable you to move with as much comfort as possible.
This means that light clothes made out of breathable fabric, comfortable, flat shoes, and lots of sun protection are going to be your friend.
While not all tourists are hat lovers, we do recommend taking a cap or a hat with you to protect your head against the sun.
Keeping in mind the Meltemi breeze that we’ve mentioned previously, it is recommended to have an extra jacket to cover up at night, especially if you plan on going for walks on the beach.
What to wear in Santorini in August?
August is mostly marked in red when it comes to the number of tourists visiting Santorini.
This is not at all surprising when we consider that the temperatures are still pretty high, ranging from 24 degrees to 30 degrees on average, with the seawater temperature being 24 degrees.
With the degrees still being high, we recommend casual, lightweight clothes – thin cotton shirts, crop tops, shorts, and dresses.
In addition to light clothing, we recommend as much sun shade and sun protection.
Although August is perfect for open shoewear, like sandals and flip-flops, women should avoid wearing heels as the streets are mostly rocky and narrow – and as you will be climbing a lot of stairs wherever you go.
What to wear in Santorini in September?
If you are not a fan of big crowds and high temperatures, then September is one of the few months that might be the most suitable for your trip.
With its late summer temperatures, going from 22 degrees to 28 degrees, and the average seawater temperature of 24 degrees, September will make your summer trip to Santorini very enjoyable.
You will be able to swim and sunbathe, with the only difference being the slightly less amount of people surrounding you at the beach.
You can expect this time of the year to be pretty comfortable, as the temperatures are not too high nor too low.
Chances of rainfall are very low, only 11mm over the two rainy days in September, so casual, light clothes could be accompanied by thin jackets or jumpers for men. For women, thin cardigans, pashmina or a shawl dress make the perfect combo for the night out.
What to wear in Santorini in October?
Many would agree that October is the best month to visit Santorini if autumn breaks are your cup of tea. The temperatures are slightly decreasing, as the average minimum is around 17 degrees, rising to the average maximum of 24 degrees C.
The expected amount of rainfall is around 38mm, during 4 rainy days. This means that you will still get the chance to enjoy the sunny days and beautiful landscapes.
Despite the temperatures decreasing, the seawater temperature remains around 23 degrees C, which makes it warm enough and safe enough for swimming.
Even though we said “autumn break”, since the temperatures are still high enough for spending your days on the beach, you will definitely need your beach kit- sun protection, swimsuits, comfy T-shirts, and shorts to wear during the day.
Because the rain expectancy is slightly higher in October, we recommend packing an additional jacket or a jumper, along with some sneakers, especially if you are planning your visit during the latter part of October.
What to wear in Santorini in November?
If you are on a budget, or simply want to avoid high temperatures and enjoy exploring the streets of Santorini without having to dodge packs of tourists around every corner, then November will most likely be your pick.
As the last month of autumn, the number of tourists decreases along with the temperatures.
You can expect the weather to be pretty mixed – some days are going to be sunny with 19 degrees C as a maximum average, while others days will be windier, with a daily minimum being a 14 degrees C average.
There is a good chance that the sea water temperature will not be as enjoyable, as the average temperature in November is 20 degrees C, with 8 rainfall days expected.
You can, however, enjoy sunbathing without having to fear the UV lights and having to constantly look for sunshade.
For the warmer days, you can go with standard beach outfits – dresses, skirts, polo shirts, and shorts.
But, for the colder days, and also night times, we recommend packing a pair of pants or jeans, along with a jumper, jacket, or a cardigan as the weather can change pretty quickly.
What to wear in Santorini in December?
For peace and quiet lovers, December is usually the best choice for traveling to Santorini.
Even though it’s officially winter, the temperatures are not nearly as low as they are in other countries.
The average daily minimum during December is 10 degrees, and the average maximum is 17 degrees.
Despite the fact that the rainfall expectancy is 7mm over the course of 11 rainy days, you will still be able to catch some sunshine.
Swimming during this time of year is not recommended as the seawater temperature is 18 degrees, which is usually too cold for most people and is not considered safe.
However, the weather is ideal for exploring the area, and going for hikes and walks.
The winter dress code for Santorini should be jeans or pants, paired with a thicker jumper or a sweater, a warm jacket or a raincoat, along with closed, comfortable shoes to protect your feet from rain that may fall.
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