What's The Weather Like in Santorini in May?
May is one of the best times of the year to visit Santorini, Greece, when the temperatures are high and the chance of rain is low.
Is May A Good Time To Go To Santorini?
The weather is great in May, but the island will also be relatively quiet compared to the busy summer months, resulting in cheaper accommodation, flights, restaurant and attraction prices.
Is Santorini Hot In May?
Throughout the month, the average temperature for Santorini is 20°C, formed of highs of 23°C at the warmest part of the day and lows of 17°C.
Extreme May Temperatures In Santorini
Although it happens rarely, temperatures can sometimes rise above 28°C or fall below 13°C during this month in Santorini. In recent times, the hottest May day ever recorded on the island saw temperatures rise up to 34°C. On the other hand, the coldest May day ever recorded in Santorini saw temperatures fall down to 9°C.
How Much Does It Rain In Santorini In May?
Across May, Santorini receives an average of 10.5mm of rain, which is spread out between three rainy days. With such an insignificant amount of precipitation falling on such a small number of days, you probably won't see as much as a drop of the wet stuff at all during your holiday in Santorini.
May unshine Hours In Santorini
Throughout May, Santorini enjoys an average of 12 hours of sunshine every day. This means you'll have endless opportunities to get out and about for a bit of exploring.
How Warm Is the Sea In Santorini In May?
If you do plan on hitting the beach in Santorini, you'll be pleased to hear that the average sea water temperature for the beaches in Santorini in May is 19°C. This makes May the first month of the year when it's warm enough to go swimming.
IS Santorini WIndy In May?
During the month, usual wind speeds in Santorini fluctuate between light and fresh breezes, almost never exceeding 12 m/s (strong breeze).
Santorini Hotels in May
Costa Marina Villas
When it comes to affordable accommodation in Santorini, Costa Marina Villas are a popular choice. Located just a short walk away from Fira, this complex is ideally located for families and couples who want to explore the island. Here you'll find a choice of double, triple and quadruple rooms, guaranteeing something for all group sizes. There are plenty of services and facilities available onsite, including free WiFi access, excursion booking, car rental and daily housekeeping.
Chromata Hotel
For something a bit more luxurious, consider staying at Chromata Hotel. This five-star hotel is situated in Imerovigli and is one of the most stylish hotels on the island. Here you'll find accommodation available in the form of double rooms, junior suites, senior suites, superior suites, honeymoon suites and Chromata suites, each of which boasts sea views. Guests are encouraged to take full advantage of the services and amenities available onsite, including cocktail bar, lounge restaurant, exclusive restaurant, infinity pool, Jacuzzis and internet access.
Aria Suites
Aria Suites are another great choice for holidaymakers looking for top end accommodation in Santorini. Situated in Fira, this boutique hotel is made up of only a small number of suites to maximise intimacy and customer service.
Guests can choose between various different suites, each of which features a minibar, fridge, air conditioning, free WiFi access and personal Jacuzzi. Onsite services and facilities include swimming pool, solarium, pool bar, massage and beauty therapies, hair salon and concierge.
Santorini Beach for May
Baxedes Beach
Make the most of the fantastic weather by hitting the beach during your holiday. Baxedes Beach is one of the most popular in Santorini, located in the north of the island just a short drive away from Oia. Perfect for families with young children, this beach is known for its dark volcanic sands and calm waters which create the ideal conditions for swimming.
Unfortunately, there are no services or facilities available directly on the beach, so you'll need to bring your own shade and chairs if you think you'll need them. On the other hand, there is a number of bars and restaurants in the area, so you'll have a small choice available when it comes to lunchtime.
Eros Beach
At the other end of the island, Eros Beach is another great choice when it comes to somewhere to soak up the sun. Unlike Baxedes Beach, this bay features light sands which are peppered with sun loungers and parasols which you can hire for a daily rate.
The sea at this beach is very calm, making is suitable for children and unconfident swimmers alike to enjoy. In addition to the sun loungers and parasols, Eros Beach also features facilities to play volleyball and a beachside bar which serves food and drink throughout the day. The only downside is that you'll need a car to access the beach you can't get to it on foot.
Bars and Restaurants
Mousiko Kouti
If you want to try the local food, make sure you dine at Mousiko Kouti. This restaurant comes highly recommended by locals and tourists alike and serves a top selection of Greek and Mediterranean specialities. Known for its incredibly generous portions, you'll need to visit this eatery on an empty stomach if you really want to get your money's worth.
The Black Stone
The Black Stone is another superb choice when it comes to local cuisine. Situated in Kamari, this restaurant serves traditional Greek dishes, each of which comes with a unique twist which brings it straight into the 21st century. Not only are the staff incredibly helpful, but they often put on their very own entertaining shows, making it a great night out for families with easily bored children.
Salt & Pepper
One of the most highly-rated restaurants on the island is Salt & Pepper. Tucked away into a back street, this eatery fills up weeks in advance, so try and make a reservation as soon as you can in order to avoid disappointment. Here you'll find a wide selection of Greek specialities, ranging from lamb kebabs to catch of the day. With such a comprehensive menu available, you're sure to find something for everyone to enjoy here.
Aegialos
Seafood lovers won't want to miss the chance to dine at Aegialos. Found on the seafront at Fira Beach, this eatery serves a fantastic selection of freshly-caught fish and seafood, ranging from grilled sardines to stuffed calamari. There is a superb choice of wines available to complement the seafood dishes, too, in addition to international beers, cocktails, spirits and soft drinks.
Things to do in Santorini in May
Lighthouse
Santorini is internationally renowned for its sunsets and the island's lighthouse is one of the best places from which to enjoy them. You can drive up to this site and park a short walk away or cycle straight up to it, depending on how energetic you're feeling.
The lighthouse known locally as 'Faro' marks the end of the island and is surrounded by volcanic rock and pine trees, making for a very picturesque setting. If you arrive an hour or so before sunset, you'll have the opportunity to snap a few photos whilst the sea is bright blue before the sun begins to set and everything gets drowned in orange and red hues.
The Monastery of Profitis Ilias
The Monastery of Profitis Ilias is one of the most-visited churches on the island, making it a must during your holiday. Located in Pyrgos, the simple stone church features traditional Greek-style architecture and offers fantastic views of the island below, so make sure you bring your camera with you. You'll definitely need a car to visit the site the Monastery of Profitis Ilias is located on a very tall hill and unfortunately, visitors aren't allowed inside the monastery, so you'll only be able to enjoy it from the outside.
Koutsoyannopoulo Wine Museum
Santorini produces some fantastic wines and if you want to try them you should spend a day at the Koutsoyannopoulo Wine Museum. The only natural wine museum in the whole of Greece, this popular attraction is located eight meters underground and stretches on for 300m in total.
During the tour, you'll have the chance to learn about the history of wine in Santorini, see the genuine tools and methods used to make the wines, and enjoy tasting the different wines that are made onsite. In May, the Wine Museum is open every day from 10 am until 7 pm and tickets are priced very reasonably. You can even purchase your favorite bottles from the gift shop before you leave.
Thirasia
Catch a glimpse of what Santorini looked like before tourism took over by spending the day at theisland of Thirasia. This island is located on the west side of Santorini and can be reached by catching a boat from the port on the main island.
The perfect place to relax, Thirasia provides you with the ideal environment in which to practice all sorts of outdoor activities, including walking, cycling, swimming, and sightseeing. The island's main attractions are its natural beauty, as well as the small number of churches that are peppered throughout. There is only a handful of restaurants available on the island, with most of them serving freshly prepared fish and seafood.
