Visiting Santorini in the low Season? This is what to expect on your Greece holiday.
What is the Low Season in Santorini?
The low season in Santorini temperature drops between late November and early March. The Spring and Summer months are warm but it is also when tourists ramp up to visit. Meaning flight prices and hotel rates also rocket.
What Santorini is like to Visit in Low Season
On our visit in March 2022, the Covid-restrictions were lifted and Greece began allowing entry back to its islands for tourists.
The temperature fluctuates between 13-16C (55-60F). But as an island, Santorini is incredibly windy so the air felt a lot colder, even though the sun looks incredibly bright. Besides the weather is much milder for a Mediterranean holiday, and you will find lots of workers and worksites.
Tourism is the biggest economy in Santorini, so the entire island gears up for peak tourist season during low-traffic months. This means many of the buildings will be restored internally and externally. Expect to see many workers painting the exteriors of the iconic villages.
Santorini has local laws (according to locals), that they are only allowed to do major work during the low tourist season, so everyone schedules work during these times.
There are Less Food and Bar Options
With many works going on. Expect a lot of tourist bars, restaurants and shops to be closed during these periods. As many of them will make their main income during the peak tourist seasons. Many bars and restaurants that cater to tourists will be closed. Food and bars are still available but are likely to be what would be considered “local spots”.
If you are not staying in Oia and Fira, you may struggle to find evening dining. So it is best to get the numbers of local food places that will deliver to your address.
Addresses in Santorini are not similar to postcodes in the UK or zipcodes in the US and Canada. Each home does not have an individual marker. Post and deliveries are done by “landmarks” this may be the local post office or an iconic building that is close to the area you are in.
There are Few to No Tourists
The best reason to visit Santorini off-season is that there aren’t many tourists. Meaning that you can enjoy the Caldera hike and each part of the island in relative peace. Our driver for our stay told us it is basically impossible to move around freely in peak season. Often tourists are fed up as they don’t get to enjoy the island as they would like to.
If you are an avid photographer, or someone who is not fussed about the weather being in the 20C+ then going off-peak may be a more sensible choice. You can enjoy the island, relax and get to see the entire island and its surroundings as it is easier to drive around.
Our favourite part of the trip was walking from the Imerovigli hiking trail to Oia, then down to the old-town pier. Our entire journey across the hike was person-free, and we truly felt we had the island to ourselves, allowing us to soak in the beauty and serenity of the island.
It is Significantly Cheaper to Travel
One of the best reasons to travel to Santorini off-season is that the island is significantly cheaper.
Flights and accommodations are much cheaper. Meaning you can stay in a much nicer vila, with a great view, without breaking the bank.
