Santorini. Who doesn't know of it? Who doesn't want to visit someday? Thanks to captivating social media images and the accessibility of information via the internet, this Greek island is well-known and highly sought after. But it's not just about what one sees on the screen. In Santorini, reality lives up to expectation. The island is simply picture perfect: whitewashed buildings nestled atop hilly terrain, steps laid out like tasteful pieces of adornment, the iconic blue domes, breathtaking views, and if you're a female, those dreamy flying dress photo opps don't hurt! Santorini truly is beautiful!
That being said, I had perhaps one of the most unconventional experiences in Santorini. I'm about to share that with you. So what made it outside of the norm? Here's why: I visited at an odd time. My trip wasn't in the peak season (May-September), I opted for a winter visit in December. Yes, you read that right, a winter visit. Though this decision definitely informed the quality of my stay, I don't regret it. Before rolling your eyes or closing the tab, hear me out. If you are a bargain hunter and would rather visit Santorini while reducing the burden on your finances, I'd say this type of visit may be worth embarking on. This depends on what you're looking for, of course. If you're looking for the quintessential, IG reel experience, then perhaps this isn't a good fit. If you're open, here is a summary of my experience. Feel free to assess if this model might work for you, or not.
Pros of Visiting Santorini in the Winter
It's cooler- yes, I went in December, but it wasn't at all freezing cold. Santorini experiences mild winters. While summers can be hot and sticky, the weather was refreshing and airy during my stay - I didn't even require a jacket most times. Since most areas of Santorini can be explored on foot, cooler temperatures make for more pleasant walks, particularly to savor the stunning coastline.
You have the island to yourself- from my research, Santorini can get super crowded during peak season. Combine crowds with heat, and that's not a combo that makes for a relaxing dream vacation. Considering the island is made up of many narrow walking paths, dense crowds can make trekking around less pleasant. During our visit, the island was peaceful, unrushed & quiet, allowing us to soak in the natural beauty!
Lower prices: Everything will be more affordable. I'm always on board for that! Accommodation and flights will be lower. This allows you to do, and see more, especially within the region of the Greek islands. There are several stunning destinations a short journey away, so there’s much to explore.
The Cons to Visiting Santorini in the Winter
Everything is closed- in the off-peak period, locals tend to close their businesses and take a long vacation themselves. We found that many, many restaurants were seasonally closed. Strolling downtown also felt a bit underwhelming, as almost everything was out of service. With careful research, we were able to find opened restaurants. On the bright side, we received great customer service as these eateries were less crowded.
Less Frequent Buses: buses are the main way to get around the island. During the off-peak season they run less frequently. It's helpful to be aware of this and plan accordingly.
Swimming is not Gonna Happen- because it can get chilly, you may have to rule out that idea of photos in the infinity pool overlooking the cliffs and coastline. When it comes to the beaches, what's most stunning is their unique physical beauty, due the island's past volcanic activity. Red Beach, for example, offers red sand from red lava rock formation. This fascinating aesthetic can still be enjoyed as eye-candy in colder weather. Some of the beaches may not lend for the most pleasant swimming experiences anyway, as they have rocky shores and gravel in place of soft sand. So you may not be missing out entirely by not being able to swim.
Assessing the Pros and Cons, I still don't regret my decision to visit Santorini during its winter season. It was still a noteworthy and enjoyable experience. Quintessential? No. Lovely? Yes! Locals were friendly, the physical beauty was stunning and it felt like a dream.
In case you're intrigued by the idea of visiting Santorini for a fraction of the price, here are some other tips that you might find helpful.
•Consider flying with a budget airline such as Ryan Air from mainland Europe.
•Track flights on Google Flights ideally from between 2-6 months before your trip. I have a whole blog on how to visit Europe for less. It includes this and other pointers to get to the continent.
•Hotel Tonight- last minute isn't usually good for budget trips, but this website creates an exception. Featured in Forbes and the Today's Show, and tried and proven by yours truly, this platform works. It allows you to book last minute unreserved rooms in high quality hotels. Give it a try!
I hope these tips were helpful! So, would you do it, would you visit Santorini in the winter?
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