Santorini vs Athens

Santorini and Athens are closely matched in January. Neither city has a clear advantage across all metrics. Your decision should come down to personal preference, cultural interests, and travel logistics rather than weather alone.

Santorini is on the cooler side at 13°C, requiring warmer clothing. Athens is cooler at 12°C.

For travelers who prioritize dry weather, Athens is the stronger choice in January. Santorini receives 1 more hour of sunshine per day, which matters for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

Santorini reaches an average high of 13°C (55°F) and drops to 11°C (52°F) at night during January. The daily temperature range is 2°C, meaning relatively stable temperatures from day to night.

Athens averages 12°C (54°F) for the high and 5°C (41°F) for the low, with a daily range of 7°C. The two cities feel quite similar in terms of temperature.

Both cities are in the Northern Hemisphere, so they share the same seasonal pattern in January.

Santorini receives approximately 60 mm of rainfall across 10 rain days during January. You can expect rain roughly every other day.

Athens sees 55 mm over 8 rain days. That makes Athens the drier option by 2 rain days and 5 mm of total precipitation.

Both cities share similar humidity levels at 65%.