January in Santorini averages highs of 13 °C (56 °F) and lows of 10 °C (49 °F), with about 8 rainy days and 9 h 56 min of daylight. The sea is cold, around 18 °C (64 °F).
January weather in Santorini at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is January a good time to visit Santorini?
Tough month: cold and some rain. January is usually low season in Santorini: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in January 2026
- Thu 1 Jan: New Year's Day (Πρωτοχρονιά) public holiday
- Tue 6 Jan: Epiphany (Θεοφάνεια) public holiday
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in Santorini in January
January's weather suits a mix of outdoor sights and museums, so the open-air ones come first.
- Oia sunset — arrive an hour early outdoors
- Fira to Oia caldera walk — about 10 km, best in cool months outdoors
- Red Beach and Perissa — black and red volcanic sand outdoors
- Caldera boat trip — volcano and hot springs outdoors
- Akrotiri — Bronze Age town under ash indoors
- Wineries — Assyrtiko tastings indoors
Where to stay: Fira for transport and value; Oia or Imerovigli for caldera views; Kamari or Perissa for beaches.
What to pack for Santorini in January
- A warm jacket and layers; evenings drop to around 10 °C (49 °F).
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Santorini costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €60–170 | €250–680 |
Excluding flights. January is usually low season in Santorini: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
January in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | 12° / 5° | 7 | Tough month |
| Istanbul | 9° / 4° | 11 | Tough month |
| Cairo | 20° / 9° | 1 | Great time to go |
Plan your Santorini trip
- Is Santorini Expensive? Real Costs and a 2026 Budget Guide
- How to Choose an AI Trip Planner in 2026 — 7 Things That Actually Matter
- Best Time to Visit Greece: Month-by-Month Guide 2026
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is January a good time to visit Santorini?
By the numbers, January is a tough month: cold and some rain, with average highs of 13 °C (56 °F) and about 8 rainy days. January is usually low season in Santorini: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper. The best months for weather are May, September, October.
How warm is Santorini in January?
Average highs are 13 °C (56 °F) and lows 10 °C (49 °F) (2015–2024 averages). The sea is cold, around 18 °C (64 °F).
Does it rain a lot in Santorini in January?
Expect about 8 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 57 mm in total. It is the wettest month of the year in Santorini.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.