In April, spring is in full swing in Santorini. The weather on our island has already changed significantly compared to March. This month, there is much more sunshine, less wind, and higher temperatures both day and night.

We can responsibly declare: already in early April, Santorini is very, very good, and the closer to the end of the month, the sunnier, warmer (or even hotter!), and generally more pleasant it becomes πŸ™‚

Although our island is volcanic and rather deserted, in April a variety of plants turn green, flowers bloom, and the air smells completely different. Winter is already very far behind us – that’s for sure.

What is the weather like in Santorini in April

In early April, the weather undergoes a transitional period. Both the air and sea temperatures increase daily, while overcast days, cloudiness, and precipitation decrease. However, it is not yet considered beach season as the sea remains very refreshing. April is the ideal time for hiking around the island:

Spring in Santorini is a rare time when the volcano is covered in green. This is a beautiful sight to behold.
Spring in Santorini is a rare time when the volcano is covered in green. This is a beautiful sight to behold.

However, April is tacitly considered to be the beginning of the summer tourist season on our island – and for good reason. In general, the weather in April in Santorini is already quite stable, with sunny and completely cloudless days much more often than in previous months, and precipitation is already extremely rare. Strong winds are also almost nonexistent.

Air and water temperature in April in Santorini is tuned to summer: +20 degrees Celsius in the air and +17 degrees in the sea

Santorinika Travel Agency, from personal experience of living on the island

The island experiences mostly sunny days throughout the month, with occasional cloudiness. Overcast days are rare, with at most three to four days of complete cloud cover. For a longer stay of a week and a half, you can expect more cloudless skies. However, if you are visiting for just a few days, it is advisable to plan your trip towards the end of the month.

In early April, the weather in Santorini tends to be cloudy. However, as the month progresses, it becomes less cloudy. The weather can vary significantly between the first and second halves of the month, particularly during the last few days when the island can experience very hot weather.

Now for the details.

Air temperature in Santorini in April

The temperature continues to rise: in early April the thermometer rarely shows night temperatures below +15 … +17 degrees, and during the day the temperature rises to an average of +18 … +20 degrees. If the sun is shining brightly at this time it feels quite… hot!

Daytime temperatures in Santorini in April
Daytime temperatures in Santorini in April

The temperature may reach +24 degrees on some days, but this is rare and usually only occurs in the latter half of April.

Night temperatures in Santorini during April do not reach the summer highs. Typically, temperatures range from +12 to +14 degrees in early April and +15 to +17 degrees in the second half of the month. Therefore, April is still quite refreshing in Santorini. If you plan to take an evening promenade and watch the sunset, be sure to bring something warm!

Nighttime temperatures in Santorini in April
Nighttime temperatures in Santorini in April

The graph displays daytime temperatures with a yellow line and nighttime temperatures with a blue line, based on data from previous years:

 

Don’t be surprised to see the lines go side by side. In April, the weather in Santorini may still be quite brisk, but the important thing is that temperatures are generally more stable and tend to rise towards the end of the month.

Of particular weather anomalies we recall record-breaking temperatures during the day: the air in April heated up to as much as +31 degrees! The coldest night was only +5 degrees.

Water temperature in Santorini in April

The same characteristic – “refreshing” – can be used in relation to the sea: the water temperature in April in Santorini can be refreshing even without going into the sea! πŸ™‚ Count on a guaranteed +17 degrees, which can only be compensated by the volcanic beaches, where the black sand gets very hot under the sun and in a sense encourages to go into the water to refresh a little.

Water temperature in Santorini in April
Water temperature in Santorini in April

The water temperature in April in Santorini is about +17 degrees

Santorinika Travel Agency, from personal experience of living on the island

In short, we would not advise you to seriously count on the beach season in Santorini in April. The sea will certainly be cool; April is still a great time to travel around the island and do some sightseeing, but for a beach holiday, the weather is usually not very suitable.

Only 2018 stands out as a recent year when the water temperature in April had already reached a comfortable +20 degrees Celsius, allowing for comfortable swimming on the eastern beaches of the island. However, this is still an exception. Statistics are available to support this:

 

Sunny days and precipitation in Santorini in April

As previously mentioned, April has a high number of clear sunny days, with up to 13 hours of sunshine per day. However, during the first half of the month, clouds, including rain clouds, may still move in from the sea:

Average number of sunny hours in Santorini in April
Average number of sunny hours in Santorini in April

At the beginning of the month, sunrise on the island occurs approximately at 7:00, and sunset in Santorini in April can be seen at 19:40. Near the end of the month the time changes: you will wake up earlier, because the sunrise is already at 6:25, while the sunset will be later – approximately at 20:05.

Rains in Santorini in April

Although the weather can get a little bad at the beginning of April, we don’t get any heavy rains in this month. The amount of rain that falls in Santorini during April is about an centimetre and a half. Roughly speaking, one more or less noticeable rainfall throughout the month:

Rains in Santorini in April: number of days with precipitation
Rains in Santorini in April: number of days with precipitation

The average precipitation is only 13 millimeters of water per month. Imagine a ruler to visualize the amount of rainfall: less than a centimetre and a half of rain falls during the whole month! Compared to the previous month, this is a very significant change – look at the graph:

Average precipitation in Santorini in April (millimeters)
Average precipitation in Santorini in April (millimeters)

Rain in Santorini in April is rare, but it is possible

Santorinika Travel Agency, from personal experience of living on the island

If it does rain, don’t worry. It’s unlikely to be heavy and won’t last long!

What can be useful for holidays in Santorini in April

The weather in Santorini in April is perfect for exploring the island in all its aspects. The sea may not be warm enough for swimming, but it is perfect for walks, and the lack of heat and scorching sun makes it possible to go on excursions around the island. And that’s not to mention that it’s one of the two months when nature is at its best all over the island!

Are you planning a holiday in Santorini in April? Or are you already on the island? We are happy to help you organise your vacation! Check out tips, services and offers:

Airplane tickets

If you try SkyScanner or Aviasales, you can find low-cost tickets to Santorini in advance.

Hotels and villas

If you check accomodation in advance, you’ll be pleased with the number of great hotels in Santorini. We also recommend you to pay attention to the selection of our favorite hotels. We stay in many of them ourselves

Transfers

If driving is not your thing, it’s best to arrange a way to get around the island beforehand. Check the bus timetables, compare taxi offers from Kiwitaxi and our transfer options.

Book a car

There are not many cars in the car hire companies, so once again the aggregator service comes in handy: all the options in one place.

Tours and guides

In our online store you can choose and book group or private tours in Santorini in advance.


Santorinika

Santorini Travel Agency: group excursions and boat trips, private guides and individual itineraries, helicopter aerial excursions, yacht and catamaran rentals - everything you may need for your vacation in Santorini!