Recently updated on December 9th, 2024
Savannah is a city that charms visitors no matter when they come. Each season offers its own unique appeal and advantages.
In spring, blooming azaleas and mild temperatures make it an ideal time for the wide variety of outdoor activities available. Summer brings lots of energy with families exploring while the kids are out of school.
Fall offers cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, perfect for soaking up the city’s haunted history and festivals. Even the winter months have their perks, with fewer crowds, cozy fires, and still milder temperatures than much of the country.
If you’re reading this, it means you’re planning a visit to Savannah, and you are in for a treat! If you’ve never been before, you can expect to fall in love with this charming southern city on the coast of Georgia. If you’ve come before then you know what we’re talking about, but you need to know when is the best time to come back to Savannah.
Join us as we go through the seasons in Savannah and discover the pros and cons of visiting during each. We’ll explore the weather, the cost of each season as well as the festivals and other events that make each one unique.
Read on to find the absolute best time to visit Savannah.
Spring in Savannah
Springtime in Savannah’s Historic District (where you’ll likely spend the majority of your time) brings almost ideal weather. The days are generally warm and the nights bring cooler temperatures, perfect for outdoor dining.
Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the 3rd largest in the United States and the whole city revolves around the celebration. If crowds and lots of revelry are your thing, this is when you want to come. Be forewarned, though – the bars and restaurants are crowded, and the hotel rates are at their highest.
The Savannah Music Festival usually runs for 17 days, from late March into April, and celebrates a variety of musical genres. You’ll want to check out the lineup and plan your visit accordingly. This is an ideal time to combine your love of music with so much of what this historic city has to offer.
Take in the beautiful architecture with trolley tours or a walking tour, eat some of the fabulous local food, and just generally soak up some southern hospitality.
The spring months are also the ideal time to venture out of downtown Savannah and explore the area. The mild temperatures will make a side trip to Tybee Island perfect for enjoying the beach.
Oatland Island Wildlife Center is Savannah’s version of a zoo, but it is really so much better. Springtime is when you’ll find the animals at their most active.
Wormsloe State Historic Site will blow you away with the beautiful oak-lined avenue.
Summer in Savannah
The summer months in Savannah unofficially start with Memorial Day Weekend. There is a huge celebration at the Plant Riverside District, and you’ll love seeing the tall landmarks along the river (like the smokestacks) lit up in patriotic red, white, and blue colored lights.
In late May and early June, the temperatures can still be pretty pleasant, but even the evenings will be warm. Once mid-June rolls around, the truth is that Savannah is hot! There are many folks out there who love hot weather, and if that’s you, then that is when you want to come.
With the kids out of school, there are plenty of family activities, and early to mid-summer, the hotel prices can be on the upswing. By late summer, you’ll start to see rates come down. If you are a real budget-minded traveler, then you’ll want to know all about the Best Free Things to Do in Savannah.
Summer means the beach, right? The closest beach is Tybee Island, so it is naturally considered to be “Savannah’s Beach”. There’s a great campground there, and if you really want to get off the beaten path, make plans to head to Little Tybee Island.
For true beach lovers, you can plan your entire vacation around the best beaches in Georgia and check them all out. It’s only 100 miles from one end to the other.
The 4th of July celebration is also at the Plant Riverside District and includes a boat parade, live music, and fireworks.
Fall in Savannah
The early part of fall can still be quite warm, even hot by many standards. But, as you get into October and November the average high temperature will range somewhere in the 70’s. The fall months are personally my favorite time of year to visit.
Autumn is when I most enjoy a pub crawl of the best rooftop bars in Savannah. If beer is your thing, you’ll want to visit at least a few of the Best Breweries in Savannah.
There are fewer crowds except during special events like the Savannah Film Festival and the Savannah Jazz Festival. Of course, hotel prices will be higher and restaurants and bars will be more crowded during these times, but overall, fall is a good time to visit this charming city.
Did you know that Savannah is considered to be one of the most haunted cities in America? You can certainly take a ghost tour anytime, but October is filled with events offering a great way to experience the paranormal side of the historic district and beyond.
Plan ahead to book your stay in one of the most haunted hotels in Savannah and then choose to visit several of the above average number of haunted houses for a city this size.
Outside of the festivals and Halloween, you will find somewhat lower prices in the fall season, and I think it’s the perfect time to enjoy walks along cobblestone streets on the Savannah River, take tours of a few of the historic homes, and in general, just soak up the rich history.
Winter in Savannah
Beginning with December, winter is a magical time to visit the hostess city. There is still mild weather most days in December, and the crowds are generally smaller, and hotel prices are quite reasonable.
The historic architecture that the city is famous for shines brightly with Christmas lights, and the special events at this time of year are plentiful.
A unique experience is to enjoy a classic holiday movie in one of the historical theaters in the city. Then there are carolers, special holiday trolley tours, and a spectacular Christmas Market at the Plant Riverside District.
The Enmarket Savannah Bridge Run is a great way to get some exercise, enjoy the great outdoors, and see a famous Savannah site from a different perspective. The Talmadge Memorial Bridge is the location of this event, and it ends with a fun after party!
Beginning in January there will be some cold days, but even in the dead of winter you’ll find some days with mild temperatures. I think this is a lovely time to experience the city when it’s a bit quieter. It’s the perfect time to do a little museum hopping, experience some more of those historic homes and enjoy the great culinary delights of this city with less competition for a table or a spot at the bar.
Coffee shops are numerous in Savannah and each one has its own unique personality. Winter is the perfect time to search out the best burgers in Savannah or visit the great local bookstores and see how many books about Savannah you can find.
So when is the best time to go to Savannah?
The truth is, there is no bad time to go. Personally, I think the best time to visit Savannah is mid to late spring or mid to late fall. I like mild temperatures and lighter crowds with a lot of breathing room to soak up the history, the architecture and the culinary scene.
You may thrive on water sports and fun in the sun. If that’s you, then you’re going to love Savannah in the summer.
Your interests may be in ghosts, haunted places, cemeteries, and tales of the paranormal. If so, you’ll absolutely love Savannah in the early fall.
Love a lot of partying crowds? If you’re the type that goes to Mardis Gras and thinks it’s the best fun there is, then you’re going to thrive on the merriment around St. Patrick’s Day.
Savannah is truly a city for all seasons. No matter what time of year you go, you’ll find yourself planning your next trip before you leave. Schedule a visit in a different time of year next time and answer the question yourself. What is the best time to visit Savannah?
FAQ’s about when to visit Savannah
Officially, the hottest month is July. But we can tell you from personal experience that August is also quite hot. There can be hot days in June as well as going into September. If you don’t love the heat, just plan accordingly by scheduling some indoor activities in the middle of the day and packing plenty of loose-fitting, light clothes.
June 1st to November 30th is hurricane season, though the number of hurricanes at the beginning and the end are definitely fewer. If you plan a trip to Savannah during this time just be sure to check the cancellation policy of your accommodations before you book. When it gets closer to time for your trip keep an eye on the forecast.
The hotel rates are at their lowest and the crowds are thinner in January and February. It very rarely gets extremely cold, making this a great time to enjoy the historical sites and the restaurant and bar scene that the city is famous for. Budget friendly travelers will appreciate Savannah’s free DOT shuttle bus system.
While in Savannah, consider visiting the rest of Coastal Georgia
- The Top 15 Things to Do on St. Simons Island
- 14 Best Bars on St. Simons
- Your Guide to Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island
- Emma’s Driftwood Farm – A Corporate Retreat and Event Venue
- Fun Things to Do in Brunswick Georgia
- Darien Georgia Restaurants
- The Blessing of the Fleet – Coastal Georgia Style
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