Santorini in May
Best balance of weather and crowds
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
May is the best month to visit Santorini.
May is excellent: services are fully open, temperatures are comfortable and crowds have not reached summer levels.
May in detail
What May actually feels like
- Weather
- 17–23°C
- Warm and sunny with light winds and long days.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Steady visitor numbers; the main sights are busiest around midday.
- Prices
- €€€
- Mid-range hotel rates.
+Warm, green and almost everything open.
–The sea is still cool and cruise days can be busy.
My tip for May
Book sunset spots and caldera-view dining ahead.
- Hiking
- Sunsets
- Wine tasting
How May compares
Against the other eleven months
1st of 12 overall in Santorini, 3rd for weather, 8th for space, 8th for value. The emptiest month is January; the best value is January.
See all twelve months for SantoriniPlan around
What’s on in Santorini in May
- Cruise ships
- Fira and Oia can feel overwhelmed when several ships are in port.
April–October
Weather
Weather in Santorini in May
In May Santorini averages a high of 23°C (73°F) and a low of 17°C (63°F), with about 8 mm of rain or snow. The warmest month is July (around 30°C) and the coolest is January (around 14°C); the wettest month is December.
- Average high
- 23°C
- 73°F
- Average low
- 17°C
- 63°F
- Precipitation
- 8 mm
Climate data: National Observatory of Athens Monthly Bulletins. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Santorini in May: the questions people ask
- Is May a good time to visit Santorini?
- May is the best month to visit Santorini. It ranks 1 of 12 months in Santorini overall (3 for weather, 8 for space, 8 for value). The main upside: Warm, green and almost everything open. The main downside: The sea is still cool and cruise days can be busy.
- What is the weather like in Santorini in May?
- Average highs are around 23°C and lows around 17°C. Expect about 8 mm of rain or snow. Warm and sunny with light winds and long days. For comparison, the warmest month is July (around 30°C) and the coolest is January (around 14°C).
- Is Santorini crowded in May?
- Crowds are moderate. Steady visitor numbers; the main sights are busiest around midday. The quietest month is January.
- How expensive is Santorini in May?
- Prices are at level 3 of 5 (€€€). Mid-range hotel rates. The best-value month is January.
- When is the best time to visit Santorini?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, May is the best month overall (this month). The quietest month is January and the best value is January.
Ready to book May in Santorini?
Warm, green and almost everything open.
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