Santorini in November sounds like a gamble. Will it rain every day? Will anything be open? Is it even worth the flight?
We live and work on the island all year, and November is when Santorini goes back to being a place where people live. The cruise crowds thin out, the caldera paths empty, and the light turns gold by four in the afternoon. Some travellers love it. Others arrive expecting summer and leave disappointed.
This guide gives you the honest picture: the weather in Santorini in November, what stays open and what closes, how to get there and get around, and who November suits.
Quick Answer: Is November a good time to visit Santorini?
November suits travellers who want quiet, low prices and walking weather, not beach days. Daytime highs average around 19°C (66°F), rain falls on several days a month, and the sea cools to around 19 to 20°C. Many hotels and restaurants in Oia and Imerovigli close for winter, while Fira keeps the most year-round options. Flights connect mainly through Athens, ferries run on a reduced timetable, and buses run less often, so plan your transport before you arrive.
Weather in Santorini in November
November is autumn proper. It is mild by northern European standards, but it is not beach weather, and the wind makes it feel cooler than the thermometer suggests.
| Measure | Early November | Late November |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | around 20 to 21°C (68 to 70°F) | around 17 to 18°C (63 to 64°F) |
| Night low | around 15°C (59°F) | around 13°C (55°F) |
| Sea temperature | around 20°C | around 19°C |
| Sunset (Oia) | around 5:20 pm | around 5:05 pm |
| Rain | some showery days | wetter, with occasional stormy spells |
Figures are long-term averages. For your actual dates, check the National Observatory of Athens forecast (meteo.gr).
Rain and wind
November brings the first real rain since spring. It usually arrives in bursts: a grey, blustery day, then two or three bright ones.
Wind is the bigger factor. A strong northerly makes the caldera edge feel cold, and it can delay or cancel ferries. Our drivers keep an eye on the forecast for exactly this reason; when the wind picks up, the port is where plans go wrong.
Can you swim in November?
Some people do. The sea around 19 to 20°C feels bracing, much like a British beach in August. On a calm, sunny day in early November, a quick swim at Kamari or Perissa is possible. Do not plan a beach holiday around it.
Daylight
Sunset comes early, around 5:00 to 5:20 pm. That gives you roughly ten hours of daylight, so start your days early and plan to walk or drive while the light lasts.
What is open in Santorini in November?
This is the question that decides your trip. The short version: the island is open, but it is not all open.
Hotels
- Fira has the widest choice of year-round hotels and is the best base in November.
- Kamari and Perissa keep a few properties open, usually the family-run ones.
- Oia and Imerovigli close most of their cave suites and boutique hotels from late October or early November. A few stay open, often at very good rates.
Book a hotel that confirms it is open on your dates, and ask whether breakfast and heating are included. Many Santorini buildings are designed for summer heat, not winter evenings.
Restaurants, cafes and shops
Fira’s centre keeps enough tavernas, bakeries and cafes open to eat well every day. Pyrgos, Megalochori and Kamari also have places that serve locals year-round.
Oia is the big change. Many of its restaurants and shops close, and the famous lanes are almost empty. For some visitors, that is the whole point.
Sights and activities
- The Akrotiri archaeological site and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira open year-round, on shorter winter hours.
- Wineries: some stay open for tastings; others take visitors by appointment. Call ahead.
- Boat trips to the volcano and hot springs run rarely, if at all. Treat any sailing as a bonus.
- The cable car in Fira runs on reduced hours outside the summer season.
Is Santorini worth visiting in November?
It depends on what you want. November rewards a certain kind of traveller, and frustrates another.
November suits you if you want
- Quiet villages and a real sense of island life
- Lower hotel rates, including caldera views that cost a fortune in August
- Walking weather for the Fira to Oia path and Profitis Ilias
- Photography, with soft light and empty lanes
- Wine, food and history rather than beaches and nightlife
November is the wrong month if you want
- Beach days and warm swimming
- Busy bars and a party atmosphere
- Daily boat trips and water sports
- The full choice of Oia restaurants and hotels
- Easy island hopping between the Cyclades
If you want sunshine with the full summer infrastructure, come in early October instead.
How to get to Santorini in November
Flights
Most direct international flights stop at the end of October, when airlines switch to their winter schedules. In November, Athens is your gateway. Domestic flights from Athens to Santorini take about 45 minutes and run every day.
Check baggage rules carefully; several fares on this route exclude hold luggage.
Ferries
Conventional ferries from Piraeus keep running through the winter, with a journey time of around 8 hours. High-speed services shrink or stop, and island-hopping links to Mykonos, Paros and Crete become patchy.
Strong winds can delay or cancel sailings. Do not plan a tight ferry-to-flight connection in November. Leave a full day of margin before an international flight home.
Our full guide on how to get to Santorini compares every route in more detail.
Getting around Santorini in November
Buses
KTEL buses keep running all year from the Fira hub, with fares around €2.20 to €2.80 in cash. In winter, frequency on the main routes drops sharply, and secondary routes run only a few times a day.
Always check the current timetable on the official KTEL Santorini website. Our Santorini bus guide explains how the network works.
Taxis
The island has around 35 to 40 licensed taxis, and fewer of them work in winter. Fares follow the same regulated meter as in summer. See our breakdown of Santorini taxi prices for route-by-route costs.
Car hire
A rental car gives you the most freedom in November, and prices are at their lowest. Fewer rental offices open in winter, so book before you arrive.
Airport and port transfers
A pre-booked transfer matters most in the quiet season. With fewer buses and fewer taxis, an evening arrival in November can leave you waiting a long time.
Our prices stay the same all year: private transfers from the airport start at €40 to Fira and €60 to Oia. We track your flight or ferry and wait for you on arrival. See our airport transfers and port transfers.
Things to do in Santorini in November
Walk the caldera
The Fira to Oia path runs about 10 km along the caldera rim. In summer, it is a dawn-only walk. In November, it is comfortable all day, and you may share it with no one. Our guide to getting from Fira to Oia covers the route.
Explore ancient Akrotiri
The Bronze Age town at Akrotiri, buried by the volcanic eruption around 3,600 years ago, is one of the most important sites in the Aegean. In November, you can walk its covered streets without the summer tour groups.
Pair it with the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira, which displays the town’s famous wall paintings.
Visit the inland villages
Pyrgos, Megalochori and Emporio stay alive all year because people live there. Climb to the top of Pyrgos for a 360-degree view of the island, then find a taverna full of locals.
Our 5-hour private tour links Oia, Pyrgos and Red Beach with a local driver.
Taste Santorini wine
The harvest finished in August, and the new wine is resting in the tanks. November tastings are slower and more personal. Call ahead, because several wineries switch to appointment-only visits.
Watch an empty Oia sunset
In August, thousands of people crowd the castle in Oia for sunset. In November, you might share it with a few dozen. Arrive by 4:45 pm, and bring a warm layer for the walk back.
What to pack for Santorini in November
- Warm layers: a sweater and a windproof jacket
- A waterproof layer or compact umbrella
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip; wet marble paths are slippery
- Long trousers for evenings
- Swimwear, only if you are brave
- Sunglasses; the low winter sun is bright
Santorini in winter: what changes after November
November is the gateway to Santorini in winter. From December to February, the island is at its quietest. More hotels close, temperatures drop to around 14 to 15°C by day, and the weather is less predictable.
Christmas and New Year bring some life back to Fira. Otherwise, winter Santorini suits people who want solitude, writing time, or a very local experience. If that is you, November is a gentle way in.
Mistakes to avoid in November
- Booking a hotel without confirming it is open. Seasonal closures are common.
- Planning around direct flights. Most stop at the end of October.
- Scheduling a tight ferry connection. Winter winds cancel sailings.
- Relying on the bus at night. Services end early and run less often.
- Packing for summer. Evenings on the caldera are cold and windy.
The takeaways
Santorini in November is a different island from the one on the postcards. Here is what to remember:
- The weather is mild but mixed, with highs around 19°C, some rain, and cool, windy evenings.
- Fira is your base. It keeps the most hotels, restaurants and bus links open.
- Athens is your gateway. Direct flights and fast ferries mostly stop.
- Transport needs planning. Fewer buses and taxis make a pre-booked transfer the safest way to arrive.
- The reward is quiet. Empty paths, empty sunsets, and a real sense of island life.
When your dates are set, book your Santorini transfer and we will meet you when you land.
FAQ: Santorini in November
What is the weather like in Santorini in November?
November weather in Santorini is mild and changeable. Daytime highs average around 19°C (66°F), falling from about 21°C early in the month to about 17°C at the end. Nights drop to around 13 to 15°C, rain falls on several days, and strong winds make evenings feel cooler.
Is Santorini worth visiting in November?
Yes, if you want quiet villages, lower prices and good walking weather. No, if you want beach days, nightlife or daily boat trips. Many hotels and restaurants in Oia and Imerovigli close for winter, so base yourself in Fira.
Are hotels open in Santorini in November?
Some are. Fira has the widest choice of year-round hotels, and Kamari and Perissa keep a few open. Most boutique hotels and cave suites in Oia and Imerovigli close from late October or early November, so confirm your hotel is open before you book.
Can you swim in Santorini in November?
You can, but the sea is cool at around 19 to 20°C. A short swim on a calm, sunny day in early November is possible at Kamari or Perissa. November is not a beach holiday month.
Are there direct flights to Santorini in November?
Very few. Most direct international flights stop at the end of October. In November, travellers usually fly to Athens and take the 45-minute domestic flight to Santorini, which runs every day.
Do ferries run to Santorini in November?
Yes. Conventional ferries from Piraeus run through the winter and take around 8 hours. High-speed services and island-hopping routes reduce sharply, and strong winds can delay or cancel sailings.
Do buses run in Santorini in November?
Yes. KTEL buses run all year from Fira, with fares around €2.20 to €2.80 in cash. Winter frequency drops sharply, so check the current timetable on the official KTEL Santorini website before relying on a connection.
Is Santorini cheaper in November?
Yes. Hotel rates in November are among the lowest of the year, and car hire costs less. Taxi fares follow the same regulated meter all year, and pre-booked transfer prices stay fixed.
What is Santorini like in winter?
Santorini in winter, from December to February, is quiet and local. Daytime highs sit around 14 to 15°C, more hotels close, and the weather is less predictable. Fira stays the liveliest village, especially around Christmas and New Year.