The majestic island of Santorini is, without a doubt, one of the most popular Greek destinations. The picturesque village of Oia, known for the world’s most beautiful sunset, the extraordinary volcanic terrain and the out-of-this-world beaches, is an exciting vacation destination for anyone. Have you ever wondered what Santorini would be like a little bit earlier than the summer season?
Here’s a few good reasons why you should visit Santorini during May!

May falls in the Shoulder Season

“Shoulder season” is a term that many people like to use to describe the period right before -and after- the “high season”. So we are referring to spring and fall. Some people believe it is called that because of the need to wrap a scarf or a shawl around the shoulders during that period. Either way, shoulder season is a great time to holiday in Santorini, having many pros you probably hadn’t thought about!

Pros of shoulder season:

Vivid but not overcrowded

Visiting Santorini during May gives you the opportunity to enjoy the authentic cosmopolitan experience, as all the hotels, restaurants, beach bars and shops are open, but it is still not extremely overcrowded.

Weather

Just before the summer starts, the weather is still warm yet breezy in the Greek islands. Santorini has mild weather: northwestern winds make the air feel cooler, but at the same time warm enough to enjoy all the activities and experiences you normally would during the summer, without the more prominent summer heat of July and August.
During daytime, you will be wandering the streets of Thera and Oia or the beaches of Kamari and Perissa with t-shirts and shorts, but you would definitely need a light jacket during the evening or nighttime.

Lower prices

During shoulder season you can find various good deals, as the peak in high season prices hasn’t yet started.

What to do

Watch the world’s most breath-taking sunset with much less people around

Santorini’s magical sunset is one -if not the most- famous aspect of the island’s astonishing rare natural beauty. There are a few amazing view points from where visitors can admire it, however, the most popular one is the stunning village of Oia.

Oia is a beautiful picturesque village, built on top of a hill with white-washed cave houses, blue dome churches and amazing volcanic views of the Caldera. Sunsets offer an idyllic view: where the sun meets the sea in the horizon, it creates a palette of golden red colors that is absolutely captivating.

This amazing scenery attracts thousands of people from all over the world, so, as you can imagine, it can get pretty crowded. Finding a good watching spot can be a challenge, especially during high season. But, during May you will not have this problem and you’ll get front row seats and unobstructed views of the sunsets.

 

 

Swim in unique beaches

Santorini’s volcanic landscapes compose extraordinary beaches to visit. Crystal-clear waters meet black and red sand and create out-of-this-world sceneries. Visiting them during May is a huge plus, as the water is warm enough to swim, but they are not overcrowded.

While all Santorinian beaches are stunning, the ones that one shouldn’t miss are:
Kamari, with its incredible black sand. It’s the busiest and most popular of the island.
Red Beach, which offers an amazing view of pebbly red sand and a stunning volcanic backdrop.
Perivolos and Perissa, gorgeous black sand beaches in close proximity to hotels, restaurants and bars. They are essentially one very long beach, with Perivolos being on one end and Perissa on the other.

An excellent idea would be to book a catamaran tour, where you can enjoy a beautiful sailing day and dive in secluded, crystal clear beaches.

Book an extraordinary wine tasting tour

If you haven’t tasted Santorinian wine, you have not had a complete holiday experience. The island is renowned for its signature tasting wine, which has been produced and exported since ancient times. The island’s volcanic soils create a unique wine with a fresh, acidic taste. The most famous white wine varieties are Aidini, Assyrtiko, and Athiri, and Mandilaria and Mavrotragano for red.

There are plenty of wineries one can visit, by booking a wine tasting tour. Wander among the vineyards, learn about their history and taste the most exquisite wines, along with breathtaking views. Some of the top Santorinian wineries include Santo Winery Santorini (Pyrgos), Domaine Sigalas (Oia), Venetsanos Winery (Megalochori) and Gavalas Winery (Megalochori).

Visit the Akrotiri prehistoric ruins

Akrotiri is the ideal place to get in touch with the history of the island. “The Pompeii of the Aegean”, as some people like to call it, is an archaeological site where the remains of an once-buried Minoan city are displayed dating back to the 4th millennium BCE.
Whether you are driving, hiking or taking a cruise you should definitely visit the prehistoric city of Akrotiri and combine it with a visit to the Read Beach which is very close by!

As you can probably already tell by now, visiting Santorini in May can be an unforgettable experience. Don’t get us wrong, Santorini during the summer is the place to be.
But, if you are seeking a complete vacation experience including all the summer activities and experiences while excluding the high season crowd and the mid-summer heat, pack your bags and start planning your trip.