Santorini in January

In January, Santorini averages 14°C (57°F) during the day and 9°C (48°F) at night, with around 8 days of rain (75 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

January in Santorini is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

14°C
Avg high
9°C
Avg low
8
Rain days
75 mm
Rainfall

How January compares to the rest of the year in Santorini

11th
warmest month of the 12
1st
wettest month of the 12
21%
of yearly rainfall falls in January
9 h 57 min
daylight on the 15th

January is one of the coolest months in Santorini (11th of 12) and one of the wettest months (1st of 12). Daytime temperature runs 7°C below the annual average (21°C). January runs 2°C cooler than December (16°C) and stays flat into February.

January sunrise & sunset in Santorini

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:28 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:25 PM
Day length
9 h 57 min

Times shown for Santorini local time (Europe/Athens), calculated for the 15th of January. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Santorini — January

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of January, in Santorini's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:28 AM – 7:08 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
7:08 AM – 8:08 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
4:45 PM – 5:45 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
5:45 PM – 6:25 PM

📅 When to book — Santorini in January

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on January's tier (Shoulder) and Santorini's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.
⚠ Christmas / New Year travel is a global premium-pricing event — many destinations 30-50% above normal. Book 4+ months ahead if your dates are Dec 20 - Jan 2.

Crowds & pricing — January in Santorini

Shoulder

Santorini is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Sun & mosquito risk — January in Santorini

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
5.8
Moderate
Use SPF 15-30 for prolonged outdoor exposure; sunglasses recommended at peak hours.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●○○○○
Minimal
Occasional mosquitoes possible near standing water. Repellent rarely needed.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Sea temperature in Santorini — January

17.7°C (64°F)
cool
swimmable but bracing — wetsuit helps for long sessions

Across the year Santorini's sea swings from 17.1°C (March) to 25.8°C (August) — January sits at 17.7°C.

Santorini in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 14°C / 57°F 9°C / 48°F 75 mm 8 0
February 14°C / 57°F 9°C / 48°F 55 mm 6 0
March 16°C / 61°F 11°C / 52°F 40 mm 4 0
April 18°C / 64°F 13°C / 55°F 15 mm 3 0
May 22°C / 72°F 16°C / 61°F 5 mm 1 0
June 27°C / 81°F 20°C / 68°F 1 mm 1 0
July 28°C / 82°F 22°C / 72°F 1 mm 1 0
August 28°C / 82°F 22°C / 72°F 1 mm 1 0
September 26°C / 79°F 19°C / 66°F 5 mm 2 0
October 23°C / 73°F 17°C / 63°F 30 mm 4 0
November 19°C / 66°F 14°C / 57°F 55 mm 7 0
December 16°C / 61°F 11°C / 52°F 80 mm 8 0

Other cities with similar January weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Santorini in January →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Santorini in January?

In January, Santorini averages a high of 14°C (57°F) and a low of 9°C (48°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Santorini in January?

January sees occasional rain in Santorini, with about 8 rainy days on average.

Is January a good time to visit Santorini?

January is cool. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Santorini in January?

Pack a warm jacket and layers. See the full January packing list for Santorini for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Santorini on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.