Good Visiting Times
With the holiday ‘season’ running from late May to late September, you will find most people visit around these dates, however if you want to avoid the crowds and still be able to count on mostly good weather, either end of the season is a good time too. If you do choose May or September, it can be breezy, so pack a light jacket. Greek islands tend to be less humid than Athens and mainland Greece, but the temperature remains high in the summer – meaning pale bodies should slap on the factor 15.
Santorini has many feasts and festivals throughout the year, each a great way to see how modern Greece continues ancient tradition, and if you can coincide your visit with one it will add something special to your holiday. Although there are too many to mention here, the larger ones are the Feast of St. Ioannis in Monolithos on July 24th, the Feast of Panagia Episkopis on August 15th in Mesa Gonia and the Feast of St. John in Perissa on August 29th.
August also sees the Ifaisteia festival in Fira, which is one of the islands largest celebrations. Visitors will be treated to traditional dance, song and music, cultural demonstrations and a recreation in fireworks of the eruption that shaped the island. Chances are, whatever the date of your stay, a nearby church will be having a celebration complete with stalls selling wine and local foods, so check with your hotel. |
