Weather in Santorini in March

How March compares

March is the 9th warmest month of the year in Santorini and ranks 109th of 134 destinations we compare for March - see where else is hot in March. Within Greece it is 34th of 44 (Greece in March). Against London's average high of 10.5°C in March, Santorini is 3.5°C warmer by day and 7.6°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in March

The typical March day in Santorini peaks at 14.0°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 16.6°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 10.9°C; one night in ten drops to 8.1°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest March day here reached 20.8°C (2001-03-27) and the coldest night 2.8°C (2003-03-24).

Rain in March

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 6 days with 1 mm or more, 39 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest March was 1998 with 103 mm, the driest 2001 with 1 mm. Humidity averages 70%.

Sea temperature in March

The sea averages 16.1°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 15.1°C to 16.7°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (24.6°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.9 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.7 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:29 and sets about 18:25 local time in mid-March. Average cloud cover is 41%.

Is March a good time to visit Santorini?

March is not the strongest month here: cool days. The best months for Santorini on our scoring are July, August, September; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug.

Comfortable for walking, but keep a jacket handy

March is cool enough that you can plan walks without making midday heat the main concern. The warmest days reach around 17°C or more, but that is still light-jacket weather rather than dependable warmth for sitting outside. Pack layers you can remove during the afternoon and put back on as the temperature drops. Average nights are around 11°C, with the coldest falling to about 8°C or lower, so bring something warmer for evenings rather than relying on a thin top. There are about 6.9 hours of sunshine within 11.7 hours of daylight, giving you room to keep outdoor plans flexible rather than fitting everything into a short afternoon window.

Allow for rain and treat the sea as a backdrop

Rain is a planning consideration rather than a reason to rule March out. About 6 days receive measurable rain, so a waterproof jacket and shoes you are comfortable wearing in wet conditions make sense. Keep your outdoor plans movable and avoid making the whole trip depend on uninterrupted sunshine. The bigger limitation for a beach-focused holiday is the sea: at around 16°C, it is cold, not merely refreshing. Even the warmer end of its year-to-year range is only 17°C. You might enjoy time beside the water in suitable weather, but do not build the holiday around relaxed swims. March works better if dry-land activities are enough to make the trip worthwhile.