Santorini in March: Weather, Crowds and What to Do

March suits travelers who want quiet streets, lower hotel rates and room to walk, and who can live with a coin toss on the weather. February is still deep winter on the island, and by April the days are longer and warmer and the island is waking up fast. March sits in between, with a little of both: calm lanes and more places opening week by week.

What is the weather like in Santorini in March?

March can start out wintry, with heavy showers, and then turn sunnier as the weeks go by. As the month goes on, sunny days become more frequent and the wind gradually eases. Showers in March tend to be scattered and brief, so a wet spell does not have to spoil your plans.

The sea is cool, and a swim will make most people shiver. Plan on coastal walks and boat sightseeing, and keep the beach for basking on a bright afternoon. If you do want to test the water, the dark volcanic beaches such as Perissa are a good place to try, since the lava absorbs heat and the water there tends to be warmer. A few hotels reopen with heated pools and spas, and that's the comfortable way to get wet this month.

How does March compare with February and April?

February is the wettest and quietest of the three, with many hotels and restaurants still shut for the winter. March gives you much of the calm of winter with a growing share of spring: more sunshine than the island has seen since October, more places open each week, and blossoms starting to color the landscape.

Choose April if warmth matters more to you than quiet. For a beach trip with a sea warm enough to swim, aim for June through October.

Is March a good time to visit Santorini?

For travelers who like their sightseeing unhurried, yes. Visitor numbers tick up from winter, but this is still low season. You can wander among the blue-domed churches of Oia, Fira and Imerovigli without a crush, frame photos without strangers wandering into them, and enjoy the soft spring light that makes the white walls glow. Sunset spots in Oia, Imerovigli and at the Akrotiri lighthouse stay relaxed.

Hotel rates drop well below peak season, and many caldera-view hotels reopen during the month, which puts a cliffside room within reach of more budgets. Fira works well as a base for getting around and eating out, Imerovigli is known for its calm and views, and Oia has a romantic feel with thinner crowds.

The trade-off is that March is a reopening month. Some hotels and restaurants are still closed, beach facilities are mostly shut, and the island can feel sleepy if you arrive expecting the scenes on Instagram. What you get in return is a glimpse of ordinary island life. It's wise to check ahead that your hotel's services and amenities, including any pool or spa, are up and running.

Two dates can reshape your plans. March 25 is both Greek Independence Day and the Feast of the Annunciation, marked with modest parades and flags; most restaurants and other tourist services close that day, so plan meals around it. Holy Week and Easter, the biggest festival of the Greek Orthodox year, fall in March or April depending on the year. If they land in your dates, expect feasting and fireworks in the villages, with many shops and some restaurants closed.

How do you get to and around Santorini in March?

Flights are thinner than in summer, because many seasonal routes don't start until April, so check schedules for your exact dates early.

Ferries run all year, since islanders depend on them, but the tourist-oriented route between Mykonos and Santorini generally does not operate from late October until mid-March. A trip in early March may fall in that gap. March timetables usually aren't published until December or January, so check them before you lock in an island-hopping itinerary.

On the island, a rental car gives you a lot of flexibility, especially for wineries, archaeological sites and remote villages, and the roads are generally quiet this time of year. Greek law requires U.S. visitors to carry their U.S. license, and insurance companies may require an international driver’s permit. Don't leave passports, valuables or luggage in a parked car, since thieves target rentals. Public buses run more often than in winter but still on a lighter schedule. Without a car, a guided bus tour is an easy way to cover Oia, Fira, Pyrgos, Akrotiri and a winery or two in a day.

What should you pack for Santorini in March?

Think layers. A light jacket for breezy evenings, a sweater or two and sturdy walking shoes cover most days. Add a rain jacket or small umbrella, plus a hat and sunscreen, because the sun can be stronger than the air temperature suggests. A reusable water bottle helps on long walks, and a swimsuit is worth packing if your hotel has a heated pool.

What is there to do in Santorini in March?

This is a month for walking, tasting and learning.

• Hike the caldera path from Fira to Oia. The air is fresh, the vegetation is blooming and the trail is far less busy than in summer. Check the wind before you set out.
• Visit a winery. Tastings are relaxed, the views are wide and the vineyards are far more comfortable than in summer heat. Look for whites such as Assyrtiko, Aidini and Athiri, or reds such as Mandilaria and Mavrotragano. Santo Wines near Pyrgos and the Koutsoyannopoulos Wine Museum, a couple of miles outside Fira, offer a more hands-on visit.
• Explore Akrotiri, the ancient Minoan city in the southwest, sometimes called the Pompeii of the Aegean. Its ruins are remarkably intact, with frescoes and a sophisticated drainage system, and with few visitors and mild weather you can take your time.
• Take a boat trip to the volcano at Nea Kameni and walk its volcanic paths. Boat tours and catamaran cruises run more regularly from March, weather permitting, and carry fewer passengers than in summer. Some tours stop at the hot springs, which are better for looking at than swimming in now.
• Eat well. More restaurants reopen through the month, and the villages of Fira, Pyrgos and Megalochori serve traditional Greek cooking in a relaxed setting. Kokkalo in Fira and Lauda in Oia are well regarded. Try tomatokeftedes, the tomato fritters Santorini is known for, along with the local spelt pie.

What do Americans need to know before traveling to Greece?

U.S. citizens can enter Greece without a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business. Your passport should have at least three months of validity beyond your planned departure date, and you may be asked for proof of sufficient funds and a return ticket or other evidence of departure. Greece is generally safe, though petty crime is common at popular tourist spots, so keep an eye on your bag in busy places and carry a passport or photo ID at all times. Transport strikes can interrupt seaports and airports, so leave some slack around your ferry and flight days.