Weather in Santorini in October

How October compares

October is the 5th warmest month of the year in Santorini and ranks 107th of 134 destinations we compare for October - see where else is hot in October. Within Greece it is 36th of 44 (Greece in October). Against London's average high of 14.6°C in October, Santorini is 5.9°C warmer by day and 9.2°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in October

The typical October day in Santorini peaks at 20.5°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 23.1°C or more. Roughly 1 in 83 days top 25°C. Nights average 17.6°C; one night in ten drops to 14.6°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest October day here reached 29.1°C (2020-10-06) and the coldest night 10.9°C (2018-10-26).

Rain in October

Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 4 days with 1 mm or more, 24 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest October was 2006 with 96 mm, the driest 1993 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 72%.

Sea temperature in October

The sea averages 22.1°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 21.2°C to 22.8°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (24.6°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 7.8 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.0 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:25 and sets about 18:43 local time in mid-October. Average cloud cover is 29%.

Is October a good time to visit Santorini?

It is a reasonable choice: warm days. The best months for Santorini on our scoring are July, August, September; months averaging 25°C or more: Jul, Aug.

Comfortable days, with a layer for evenings

October is warm rather than hot, so plan around comfortable days outdoors rather than reliable sunbathing heat. The average night low is 17.6°C, making a light jumper or jacket a sensible addition to your bag. Cooler nights can reach 14.6°C or below, so do not rely entirely on summer clothing. At the warmer end, days can reach 23.1°C or more, but temperatures of 25°C are unusual. Light clothes with an extra layer give you more flexibility than packing for constant heat. If you dislike feeling hot at midday, this is a better fit than a holiday built around high temperatures.

Plenty of sunshine, but keep plans flexible

There is still a useful amount of sunshine in October: about 7.8 hours a day within 11.0 hours of daylight. That leaves plenty of scope for spending time outside, though sunshine is not guaranteed throughout your stay. Rain is a possibility rather than the defining feature of the month, with about 4 rainy days. Bring a light waterproof and keep your outdoor plans flexible instead of assuming every day will be dry. The practical balance is favourable if you can accept an occasional change of plan; it is less suitable if uninterrupted sunshine is essential to your holiday.

The sea is still suitable for swimming

The sea averages 22.1°C, which puts October on the swimming side of the temperature guide rather than the bracing side. That makes it a reasonable choice if swimming matters to you but intense daytime heat does not. The year-to-year range is 21°C to 23°C, so the water may feel cooler in some years, and your own tolerance still matters. Choose a warmer, sunnier spell for a dip and have something dry to put on afterwards. The main compromise is on land: mild air temperatures do not promise the same warmth when you get out as you would want from a hot summer holiday.