Santorini in September: What to Wear, Things to Do 

Thinking about visiting Santorini in September? Congratulations, you’ve successfully chosen one of the best times of the year to visit. 

The crowds are less intense, the water is warm and inviting, and the weather is still nice and toasty. 

In fact, the weather can be better in September than in the summer because it’s less windy. A phenomenon known as Meltemi winds peaks in July and August, causing strong gusts on the island and challenging conditions for sailing trips. 

Head to Santorini in September, and you’ll likely get the best of both worlds – the warmth of summer with the more relaxed vibes of the shoulder season.

Having said that, Santorini is, of course, a hugely popular place to visit, so you should still expect some crowds. 

In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about visiting Santorini in September, including how to beat those crowds, what to wear, and the top things to do as autumn dawns on the island. 

10 Things to Do in Santorini in September 

Since the weather is still pretty hot (especially by UK standards) and the chance of rain is pretty low, you can still do plenty of alfresco island activities in September. 

When we visited (towards the end of September), we found the weather was still perfectly warm enough to sunbathe on the beach and swim in the sea. 

It was also pleasant and sunny for sightseeing, but not too hot. Get up early enough, and you can easily beat the crowds in some of the top photo spots at this time of year, too. 

1. Take a Sunset Catamaran Cruise 

100% one of the best things to do in Santorini – especially in autumn when the chance of high winds is a little lower – is taking a sunset catamaran cruise. 

There’s something extra special about the perspective of the caldera from the water, and you also get to stop off at unique swimming spots along the way. 

One stop is with geothermal waters – don’t wear a white swimsuit because the sulfur can stain. You’ll also get to enjoy a BBQ buffet on board as you watch the sunset over Santorini’s most picturesque town. 

I recommend booking a boat cruise early on in your Santorini itinerary. That way, if adverse weather conditions mean it has to be cancelled, you can reschedule for later in the trip. 

I recommend a small-group cruise for the most romantic experience, like this one. The afternoon option sets off just after lunchtime and includes stops at two beaches for snorkelling, plus unlimited drinks. 

See rates and availability. 

2. Go Wine Tasting 

Santorini wine is famous worldwide, and what better way to toast to a stunning sunset than with a little wine tasting experience? 

Santo’s is the island’s most famous winery, set on a cliff overlooking the caldera just south of Fira. However, there are lots of other independent wineries across the island that are worth a visit. 

If you’re into your wines, a tour to visit multiple vineyards is a fantastic way to get a real taste for the terroir.

This trip includes pick-up from your hotel and stops at three different wineries across the island with tastings and nibbles at each one. 

The tour winds up at Santo for the amazing sunset, with generous pours throughout!

See rates and availability.

3. Take On the Famous Fira to Oia Hike 

If you’re up for a little adventure, the Fira to Oia hike is the perfect activity for Santorini in September. During peak summer, I imagine this hike would be unbearably hot. 

Even in September, it can get quite sweaty, so I recommend getting up early to take it on. The path starts in Fira and ends in Oia, although you can easily hike it the other way around, depending on where you’re staying. 

It’s well sign-posted from the centre of each town, but if you’re struggling to find it, just ask any local the way! 

A word of caution for the hike – it’s quite hilly in places, and the terrain can be quite rocky and dusty in parts. I definitely recommend closed-toe shoes with some grip. You’ll struggle in loose sandals or flip-flops. 

The whole hike takes about two and a half hours, and offers stunning views of both towns along the way, plus panoramic island scenery. 

Here is a Google Maps location of the start of the trail if you’re walking it from Fira. If you’re walking it in the other direction, here is the start of the path in Oia. 

4. Stay in a Caldera View Hotel with a Hot Tub

Okay, so this is less ‘something to do’ and more where to stay, but I truly believe it’s a huge part of the Santorini experience! 

If we’re being honest, part of Santorini’s appeal is the luxurious hotels with beautiful views you see on Instagram, and staying in one really feels like a bucket-list moment. 

Any hotel room with a caldera view and a balcony is pretty special, but one with a private hot tub makes for extra luxurious sunset viewing. It’s also a perfect choice for Santorini in September, when swimming pools might be a little too chilly. 

If you need to girl math it, staying in a nice hotel with a balcony view means you’ll save money on cocktails in a sunset bar – so economically it just makes sense… 

There’s a huge range of hotels to choose from in Fira and Oia that fit the bill, but some of my favourites are:

Aperto Suites: A beautiful mid-range boutique in the heart of Fira with romantic, sunset-facing suites and rooms with balcony hot tubs. 

Stella Rocca A Mare: Chic cave suites in Imerovigli (a quieter spot within walking distance of Fira), with a beautiful communal pool and restaurant. 

Aspaki by Art Maisons: A truly bucket-list, pinch-me moment hotel in Oia – some rooms come with hot tubs overlooking the famous blue domes. 

5. Have a Cooking Class with a Local 

In case the weather forecast does turn a little downcast, a cooking class is a fantastic indoor activity for Santorini in September. It takes place in Oia over lunchtime, and includes all your food and drinks. 

Honestly, it’s worth doing anyway because you’ll get to learn how to cook a traditional meal with the help of Areti, a 68-year-old lady who’s lived nearly her whole life on the island. 

She’ll teach you some authentic island dishes, including appetisers, a main course and dessert, and you can wash it all down with a local wine too. 

The best part? You get to take a copy of the recipe cheat sheets home with you – the ultimate souvenir to take a taste of Santorini back home. 

See rates and availability.

6. Go Horse Riding 

Horse riding might not be the first activity you associate with Santorini, but it should be!

Riding on the black sand beaches with the wind in your hair truly feels like something out of a movie, and makes for a fun afternoon no matter the weather. 

The experience takes place from the stables in Vlichada, not far from Agios Georgios and Perissa Beach. If you need transport from your accommodation, the stables can arrange that too. 

Once you arrive, you’ll be given a helmet and all the necessary equipment. The tour is suitable for all ability levels and includes a few hours riding among some of the wildest landscapes on the island. 

You can choose a private ride or a small-group tour, which is limited to just six participants. 

See rates and availability.

7. Explore Famous Fira and Oia 

Honestly, one of the best things to do in Santorini in September is simply wandering the streets of the famous villages, like Fira and Oia. 

Both are perfect on the clifftop known as the caldera, and it’s where you’ll find all those Insta-worthy views of the sugar-cube buildings. 

There are also lots of quaint domed churches to explore; look out for the Three Bells of Fira, the Three Domes in Oia, and the pretty square with the Church of Panagia Akathistos Hymn, also in Oia. 

My advice would be to head out as early as you can in the morning, because even in September, the midday crowds can be intense. 

How bad they are usually depends on how many cruise ships are docked on that day, but head out early in the morning (before 8am), and you’ll get the gorgeous streets to yourself for a few precious moments. 

We liked getting up early, going for a wander to snap some photos, and then heading back to our hotel for breakfast on the balcony. 

8. See a Movie Under the Stars 

There are a couple of fun outdoor cinemas in Santorini for those in the know. They stay open throughout September, and the weather is still plenty warm enough to enjoy a classic under the stars. 

The main outdoor movie theatre is located at Kamari Beach, which is on the opposite side of the island to the caldera. However, you can easily get there by bus, taxi, or if you’ve hired a car.

If you’re staying in Fira and don’t want to travel, there’s also a smaller outdoor cinema at the pizza place called Volkan on the Rocks. Here you can enjoy incredible volcano views alongside the movie, and packages are available that include dinner beforehand, too. 

See the movie timetable for Volkan on the Rocks here or for Kamari Open Air Cinema here. 

9. Check Out the Black Sand Beaches 

No trip to Santorini would be complete without a visit to its famous black sand beaches, and it should still be plenty hot enough in September for a little sun tan session.

We went at the end of September, and it was more than warm enough to lie out in the sun all day. 

The two main beaches to visit are called Perivolos Beach (including Agios Georgios) and Kamari. Buses run regularly from Fira and Oia to these two beaches, and they’re lined with beach clubs and authentic tavernas for your lunchtime souvlaki. 

There are also some more remote beaches (such as Red Beach), but these are more for taking photos than spending the day, since there are no facilities, and frequent landslides mean it’s not the safest spot. 

You can book a bed at a popular beach club in Perivolos in advance – this might be worth doing if you’re heading there on a weekend or during a busy period! 

10. See a Quieter Side to Santorini 

If you’re spending several days in Santorini and want to see a more authentic side to the island, some of its lesser-visited villages will be for you. 

These are most easily accessible if you’ve hired a car, but some (such as Pyrgos) can also be visited by bus. 

Pyrgos is right in the centre of the island, offering panoramic views to all points of the compass. It’s becoming more and more popular, so you might want to get to this one early in the day. 

You can also visit Megalochori, which is a 15-minute drive along the caldera from Fira. This gorgeous little village has churches built right into the cliffside, beautiful cobbled squares where locals get their coffee, and a warren of whitewashed streets to explore. 

Finally, you could also visit Emporio, which is a few minutes’ drive inland from Megalochori. This medieval village has somehow managed to stay relatively untouched by tourism and offers a window into the authentic way of life on the island.

It’s a photographer’s dream, complete with bougainvillaea-draped walls, typical Cycladic architecture, and a few happy splashes of colour. 

**Read my full 7-day beat the crowds Santorini itinerary here.**

Festivals and Events in Santorini in September 

Ifestia Festival 

Taking place on the third Saturday every September in Santorini, the Ifestia Festival is a homage to the incredible volcano that islanders call home. 

It’s an evening of celebration dedicated to the way the volcano has shaped this incredible island and includes artistic events, including a re-enactment of the landscape-altering Thera Eruption from around 1600 BC. 

The day ends with a spectacular fireworks display from the crater of the volcano – yet another reason to bag yourself a hotel room with a caldera balcony view. The display includes light and sound effects to re-create the drama of the original explosion and lava flow.  

Greek Orthodox Festivals 

On September 8th, the Birth of the Virgin Mary is a date in the religious calendar that includes feasts, processions, and special services where locals pray to the icons of the Virgin Mary in churches across the island. 

There’s also a religious feast, procession, and high mass in Kamari on 24th September dedicated to the Virgin Mary, known as Panagia Myrtidiotissa.

Santorini Weather in September 

The weather in Santorini in September is generally warm and sunny. You might experience some overcast days or the odd rain shower, but chances are, they will be brief. 

We found (in late September) that it was hot enough for short sleeves all day and well into the evening. I brought a jacket in case it got cold in the evenings, but never needed to wear it. 

Temperatures in Santorini in September 

The average high temperature is 26°C /  79°F, while at night, it drops down to about 20°C / 68°F. 

What to Wear in Santorini in September 

You should pack lightweight, summer clothes for Santorini in September, including linen fabrics, flowy dresses, shorts, t-shirts and sandals. 

I generally wore a summer dress or shorts during the daytime, with a maxi dress for the evenings. 

Sandals with a little bit of grip and ankle support were handy in the daytime, especially when we were exploring the cobbled towns. 

In the evenings, slip-on sandals were perfectly fine. You don’t need to dress up in the evenings in Santorini, and I wouldn’t recommend high heels because some of the streets are very steep and uneven. 

I recommend packing a jacket or lightweight jumper in case you do experience some colder temperatures in the evening. 

September in Santorini: FAQs

Is Santorini hot in September?

Yes, Santorini is still hot in September, with temperatures typically ranging from 26°C /  79°F in the daytime to about 20°C / 68°F at night. You might see a few clouds in the sky, but rain is still pretty rare at this time of year.

The later in September you visit, the higher the chance of rain and cooler temperatures. 

Is September a good time to visit Santorini?

September is a fantastic time to visit Santorini, offering slightly fewer crowds and more favourable weather conditions than the peak summer season.

It can be less windy, thanks to the absence of the Meltemi winds, which blow at their strongest in July and August. The temperature is lovely and warm, perfect for both sightseeing and sunbathing. 

You can avoid the crowds in big towns like Fira and Oia by heading out to explore early in the morning, and relaxing back at your hotel during the middle of the day, when the cruise ship crowds descend. 

How to get to Santorini?

You can get to Santorini by plane from many major airports across Europe, or by ferry from other Greek islands and cities such as Crete, Athens, and neighbouring Cycladic islands.

I use OMIO to check ferry options and prices and book tickets in advance. Here are some of the most convenient ferry itineraries you could consider:

• Athens to Santorini ferries (prices starting from €26)
• Crete to Santorini ferries (prices starting from €17)

When you arrive, ask your hotel to arrange a transfer to pick you up from the airport or ferry port. Many of the hotels are not located on a drivable road, so you will need a driver with knowledge of your hotel and how to get there. Some higher-end hotels will also send porters to help you with your luggage.

Where to stay in Santorini?

If you came to Santorini for those famous sugar-cube views, I recommend staying in Fira, Oia, or Imerovigli. These towns offer those iconic views and an incredible choice of bars and restaurants overlooking the volcano. 

Hotels I recommend are: 

San Giorgio: Stylish, no-frills hotel in Fira
Stella Rocca A Mare: Chic cave suites in Imerovigli
Aspaki by Art Maisons: Once-in-a-lifetime Oia hotel
Aperto Suites: Boutique hot tub suites in Fira

If your budget is tighter, you can also consider Pyrgos, which is inland a little, within walking distance of Fira, or Kamari Beach, which is well linked to Fira by bus. 

Have more questions about visiting Santorini in September? Let me know in the comments; I’d love to help plan your trip.