Santorini Sunset Time, Month by Month
Updated October 27, 2026
Quick answer
Sunset in Santorini is at 20:37 in mid-June, 19:27 in mid-September and 17:04 in mid-December, Greek local time. Sunset cruises are timed to it: the 5-hour sunset catamarans we track leave between about 14:15 and 15:30, and the shorter volcano sunset cruises leave from Athinios at 16:30.
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:29 | 17:25 | 9.9 h |
| February | 07:06 | 17:58 | 10.9 h |
| March | 06:29 | 18:24 | 11.9 h |
| April | 06:44 | 19:51 | 13.1 h |
| May | 06:11 | 20:17 | 14.1 h |
| June | 05:59 | 20:37 | 14.6 h |
| July | 06:11 | 20:36 | 14.4 h |
| August | 06:35 | 20:10 | 13.6 h |
| September | 07:00 | 19:27 | 12.4 h |
| October | 07:24 | 18:43 | 11.3 h |
| November | 06:55 | 17:10 | 10.3 h |
| December | 07:22 | 17:04 | 9.7 h |
How to read the times
The times are for the 15th of each month. Across a month sunset shifts by up to about 45 minutes, later through spring and earlier through autumn. They are for a sea-level horizon: from a clifftop terrace the sun stays up a little longer, and behind a headland it can disappear sooner. For a specific date, use the times shown on your cruise listing.
The clock change
Greece is on Eastern European Time and moves to summer time on the last Sunday of March, back on the last Sunday of October. That is why sunset jumps from 18:24 in mid-March to 19:51 in mid-April: most of that hour is the clock, not the sun. In 2026 the clocks went back on 25 October.
What time sunset cruises leave
Sunset cruises move their departure with the season. The wooden boat listing says its schedule is adjusted 'depending on the sunset time', and the volcano tour says sunset cruise durations vary with daylight hours. These are the departure times stated on listings we track:
- 5-hour sunset catamarans — One private sunset catamaran leaves at about 15:00 to 15:30 and returns at about 20:00 to 20:30. The small-group catamaran's sunset slot in mid-April leaves at 14:45. Another shared catamaran says that from mid-September to March it starts earlier, at 14:15 from Vlychada.
- Sunset sailing from the Old Port — One 5-hour sunset sailing cruise leaves the Old Port of Fira at 15:00 and returns after sunset.
- Volcano sunset cruises — Several 3 to 4-hour sunset cruises leave Athinios at 16:30, with meeting times of 16:00 or 16:15. The volcano and hot springs tour's 4-hour sunset option is one of them.
- Hotel pickup — The sunset and small-group catamarans say pickup can start about 1.5 hours before departure.
Where to be at sunset
Oia, on the north-western edge of the island, is the best-known place to watch from land, and it is crowded in summer. From the water, the luxury catamaran and the small-group catamaran stop below Oia, and the sunset catamaran stays out on the water to watch the sun go down. The sunset guide compares the options.
Sunrise
Sunrise ranges from 05:59 in mid-June to 07:29 in mid-January. No cruise we sell sails for sunrise; morning catamarans typically leave at around 9:30 to 10:00.
Frequently asked questions
What time is sunset in Santorini in June?
About 20:37 in mid-June, the latest of the year. Mid-July is almost the same, at 20:36.
What time is sunset in Santorini in May?
About 20:17 in mid-May, Greek summer time.
What time is sunset in Santorini in September?
About 19:27 in mid-September, falling to about 18:43 by mid-October.
What time is sunset in Santorini in August?
About 20:10 in mid-August.
When should I book a sunset cruise for?
Book the sunset option on the listing and let the operator set the time; they move departures with the season. Expect to be collected from your hotel in the early to mid-afternoon in summer.
Sources