What to Pack for Santorini in May

Heading to Greece and wondering what to pack for Santorini in May? I’ve been and I can tell you, this is a great time of year! Less crowds, cheaper prices and beautiful weather!

Of course, if you are wanting to swim, it might not be quite warm enough (at least for me), but for exploring and boat tours, the weather is absolutely beautiful! For my trip, I visited Athens and Santorini, only utilizing a carry-on. Regardless of how much you are packing, here are some essentials for your Santorini trip!

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Santorini’s Weather in May

Knowing what to pack for Santorini in May starts with understanding the weather. The days are warm and evenings are cool! While my friend and I were there we did experience some rain and one of the four days was overcast, but the majority of time it was warm and sunny!

The temperatures range from 64°F to 75°F (18°C – 24°C), making it perfect for exploring Oia or enjoying a Santorini Caldera Cruise.

While I did need a light jacket at night or in the morning, I spent most of the time wearing summer clothes. May and the other shoulder months of September and October are my favorite times to visit Greece!

• Temperature Overview: Average temperatures (18°C – 24°C or 64°F – 75°F).
• Weather Trends: Mild, sunny days and cooler evenings.
• Rainfall: Occasional light showers.
• Sun Exposure: Strong sun even in May, so sun protection is key.

What to Pack for Santorini in May

The beauty of warm weather is summer clothes take up less room and make packing in a carry-on so much easier! While you will need some light sweaters or jackets for the cooler mornings and evenings, most of what you will be packing is a lighter, summery wardrobe!

Summer Clothes

I’m a big fan of summer dresses! They are lightweight, take up little room, and could easily be a swimsuit cover up.

Lightweight pants or shorts are also great! Any of your normal summer attire would work great for Santorini in May! The weather is warm during the day, but not too hot, making it a wonderful time of year to be in Santorini!

Pants or Jeans

While I packed mostly dresses, I did pack and wear a pair of jeans! You may encounter a cooler day, or want to wear them at night! Either way, May can be cool enough for a pair of pants or jeans, especially at night or on a windy day!

Dinner Attire

It’s good to pack at least one nice dinner outfit! Of course, if you plan to enjoy a nice dinner every night, you may want to pack an extra option.

If you want to keep it in a carry-on, get creative with how you select your individual pieces. A nice blazer that can be worn with a dress and pants, can create several outfit options! Taking a light shawl is also a great option for dinner attire and won’t take much room in your carry-on.

Light Jacket or Sweater

When it comes to what to pack for Santorini in May, a light jacket or sweater is a must! The mornings and evenings are cooler, so pick at least one versatile warm option.

If you live in a cold climate, you may not need as warm of an option as I would need. Or if you are going late May versus early, you may want to adjust the thickness of your jacket.

However, you will want some type of jacket or sweater. I took a light windbreaker type jacket, which kept me warm in general, but also helped on the super windy day we had!

Swimsuit

The temperatures do get warm enough for a little sun bathing, especially if the sky is clear and sunny! There is also a cliff jump in Santorini which I enjoyed doing, though the water was very cold to me!

Whether you are staying somewhere with a pool, want to lounge on the beach, enjoy a boat tour, or cliff jumping, it’s a good idea to pack at least one swimsuit.

Pajamas and Undergarments

Don’t forget essentials like pajamas and undergarments when packing! I always pack enough undergarments to last the trip, without having to do laundry. However, some accommodations will offer laundering services.

Footwear

If you’re trying to pack in a carry-on, shoe selection will need to be very strategic. One pair of sneakers that are comfortable and versatile like Adidas Samba or Vans is perfect.

I love Havaianas flip flops because they are super comfortable and my feet like to breath. While they aren’t dressy whatsoever, they worked well for me when I was in Santorini exploring during the day and on the boat tour.

For dinner, I took some nicer sandals. They take up very little space and had a dressier vibe. Of course, if you plan on really upscale dinners, you might want to pack at least one versatile and dressy pair of heels.

It’s worth noting, walking around Oia or Fira in Santorini might be tough in heels. If you’re great with heels, you’ll be fine, but I was happy with flats.

I did not take water shoes, but I could see them as being useful. Santorini’s beaches are not the typical white sand beaches, so you might prefer having better protection on your feet depending on the activities you have planned.

The tour to the volcano I did, told us to wear good walking shoes. Some did try to walk in flip flops, but overall, a workout type shoe would be best. It’s a very dusty climb and your shoes will get dirty, so don’t bring your brand new workout shoes.

If you want to do hikes or get in a workout or two, then you’ll want to ensure you have room for your workout shoes, or wear them on the plane so they don’t take up too much space in your carry-on!

Accessories You’ll Need in Santorini in May

Sunglasses and a Hat

Some, if not most, of your time in Santorini will be sunny! Be sure to include in your Santorini packing list some sunglasses and a hat or two!

Santorini in May can be windy and sunny, so a hat with a wide brim and a drawcord closure would be very useful! Something like this Roxy wide brim bucket hat, because it’s practical, cute and easy to pack!

Beach Bag

Don’t forget something that can carry your beach gear. When you do a sailing tour or simply want to lounge at a beach club, you want something to carry your gear.

There are plenty of options when it comes to a beach bag, but consider the activities you will be doing, the size you actually need, if you need the bag to be water resistant or waterproof, and if it’s easy to pack!

Another thing to consider is if your personal item bag could double as a beach bag. I utilized this approach when I packed for Fiji. It’s not a traditional beach bag, but saves you from having to pack another item.

Options to Consider for a Beach Bag:

Personal Item Bag: Tote Bag for Work, Casual Handbag

Mesh Beach Bag: Mesh Beach Tote Bag

Splash Proof Tote: ALOHA Collection Tote Bag – Packable Splash-Proof Beach Bag with Zipper Top

Waterproof Dry Bag: Dry Bag

Backpack: JanSport SuperBreak One Backpacks

Beach Towel

Your accommodation may offer a beach towel, and if not, you can do what I did and purchase a cheap towel while there. I still have it because it was a thin, lightweight, Turkish type towel that I was able to squeeze into my carry-on.

If you don’t want to buy one there, just keep it lightweight so it’s easy to pack and quick to dry!

Checkout LANE LINEN Beach Towels

Purse or Fanny Pack

Consider your purse or bag for exploring the island! You’ll want something easy to carry around that can hold all the essentials needed for the day.

Your purse or a fanny pack would be great! Or a small backpack could be perfect!

Waterproof Camera or Case

Another thing to consider is a waterproof camera like a GoPro or a waterproof case for your phone!

I know iPhone’s are supposed to be waterproof these days, but I’m too paranoid. I used this waterproof phone case for Fiji and it worked amazing!

If you don’t care about the photo quality underwater, a simple waterproof phone pouch can keep your phone dry during any water activities.

Sunscreen

You can pack your favorite sunscreen or just buy some when you arrive in Santorini!

With carry-on luggage you are limited on liquids, so you can pack a travel size sunscreen, but if you have a lot of other liquids to pack, buying on arrival might work better.

If you are checking a bag, then definitely pack your favorite sunscreen! I try to find more natural sunscreens that are also reef safe.

Living in Florida, I have been using Blue Lizard for years and love it! It does leave a white cast as most natural sunscreens do, so if you’re not used to more natural sunscreens, you may not like it.

Another one to consider is Sun Bum. Regardless of what you choose, a sunscreen for sunny Santorini is a must! Even if it’s not as strong of a sun in May, the cooler temperatures or windy conditions will have you unaware of any sunburning that might be happening! So I definitely recommend lathering up!

Toiletries and Personal Items

This is obviously going to vary from person to person. However, if you plan to pack a carry-on then you will need to be creative with packing your liquids!

I’ve been using these small containers when i pack a carry-on and I love them! I put all my essential liquids and gels so they can easily fit in a quart size bag.

Another method I use is to simply limit the liquids where I can. For example, I have some shampoo and conditioner bars that I use when traveling. This worked well for me in Fiji where I knew I would have to wash my hair more often being in and out of the ocean.

I also don’t wear a ton of makeup to begin with, so that helps a lot when traveling as well! Also consider the packaging for some liquids. This hand sanitizer comes in a small and sleek container making it easier to fit in your liquids bag.

Of course, don’t forget any necessary medications or vitamins!

Travel Essentials

When traveling to Greece, don’t forget an adapter! You will need one if traveling from the States.

Also consider a portable phone charger, especially if you plan to take a lot of photos and videos of your travels! The view is stunning, so you will definitely want to take pictures!

Depending on where I am going, I also take a water bottle with me. Usually I take it for the airport travel portion mainly, but it can also be useful in general!

The travel pillow I love is the trtl travel pillow! It keeps your head propped up, so you don’t arrive to your destination with a massive kink in your neck! If you have a smaller frame, consider Infinity Pillow as it also has great reviews!

Travel Documents | Updated Visa Requirements

This year there are major changes in regards to travel to Europe! Since Greece is part of the Schengen countries, US citizens will soon need to apply for a visa to visit!

The process is said to involve an online application, but is not live at the time of writing this. From what I’m reading it’s set to go live mid 2025. Be sure to check the US Department of State and the ETIAS site.

U.K. Visa

One of the ways I save money on flights to Europe is to get there as cheap as possible and then travel around. While the Schengen visa will cover a lot of European countries including Greece, the United Kingdom is not part of it.

They do have their own online application process and from what I read on their site, you may still need a visa even if you’re traveling through! Check the official U.K. site to learn more and apply as needed.

Bonus Tips for Santorini in May

Tours

I don’t usually pack my itinerary with tours, but I do research and book any I absolutely must do! It’s a good idea to pre-book some things to ensure they don’t sell out. For tours I like to book with Viator and GetYourGuide. I’ve only had good experiences, but it’s always good to read reviews!

Car Rental

If you plan to rent a car, it’s a good idea to do so in advance! I rented ATV’s on arrival with the help of my Airbnb host. However, if you plan to drive and especially if you want an automatic car (manual is most common in Europe), then book in advance! I personally use Expedia most often to reserve a vehicle and you’ll pay at the car rental place, in my experience anyway.

You may not need a car for your entire stay. It will depend on where you stay and how many tours you book. For days you do tours, they typically include pickup and dropoff so you won’t need a car. However, if you have dinner plans at various locations on the island every night, then a car for your entire stay might be worth it.

Sailing the Greek Islands

Most likely you have already planned the basic itinerary, but if not you may consider a sailing trip! I haven’t done this yet, but it sounds dreamy!

You can use a site like SEARADAR to find a yacht with a captain and crew if needed. You will likely need to rent for at least a week and then you can island hop the beautiful Greek islands!

I’ve found the prices surprisingly affordable! Of course, if you are sailing in May, pack extra warm clothes for nights on the water!

What to Pack for Santorini in May

If this is your first trip to Santorini, you chose a great month! I hope this was helpful and you know what to pack for Santorini in May!

This Greek island is stunning and unlike any other! I hope you have the best trip and love it as much as I did!