When Is The Best Time To Go To Greece?
When is the best time to visit Greece? Greece gets a lot of attention in the summer. The sunshine during the summer months is something that makes the Greek scenery truly magical. But with all the tourists, the intense heat, and the increased costs, is it the best time to visit Greece?
There are other times of the year that might appeal. You might want cooler weather, you may want fewer tourists, heck – you may just not care if the weather won’t be 100% perfect. To help you make the best decision, we’ve broken it Greek weather down for you from January to December and even given you a round-up of Greece’s year-round festivals.
When is the Best Time to Go To Greece?
Weather in Greece in January
Greece isn’t super cold in January, but it’s not warm. It’s not exactly the best time to travel to Greece. Expect temperatures of around 10°C – and don’t be surprised if it dips below freezing in the mountains.
It’s the coldest month of the year, but it’s still generally warmer (on average) than most European countries further north. You should bring a jacket and sweater, for sure.
That said, there’s not a lot of sunshine. The days can be pretty overcast, rain quite a lot, and the seas can be quite cold.
Since it’s not completely boiling, this time of year might be good for hiking in Greece. The average low is 7°C – cool, not cold, making it one of the cheapest times to visit Greece. Athough many Greek islands that center around tourism will completely shut down. Meaning although prices are lower, you won’t get that full Greek experience that you would get in the summer.
Weather in Greece in February
January is the coldest month Greece has to offer, but February is a close second place. Like its predecessor, February has its fair share of light rain and overcast days, and is still one of the coldest months of the year. That doesn’t mean it’s freezing though.
The sunshine levels are getting up there! There are, on average, around four hours of sunshine daily. The rest of the time, it will be pretty cloudy. Towards the end of the month, things start to get a bit warmer and a bit sunnier.
The average temperature is still around 10°C, but if you want some warmer weather, one of the Greek islands further south would be a good idea. Crete, for example, boasts daytime highs of 16°C during February, and is an island that doesn’t completely revolve around tourism, meaning you can still enjoy Greek life!
Weather in Greece in March
Things warm up in March after a relatively mild winter (for Europe, that is). Spring is definitely on the way. Rainy days begin to be less of a thing; the arrangement of the mountain ranges on the Greek mainland means more rain in the west than in the east and south during March.
Average temperature, in Athens anyway, is 17°C, marking a stark improvement on February. The cooler weather in Athens means it’s a great time to tackle some activities that are not fun in the heat – like touring the Acropolis!
Evenings can still be pretty cold though. We’re talking around 7°C, so you’ll still need to wrap up warm if you’re staying out all day. Six hours of sunshine a day throughout the month, though!
The end of March sees the start of much warmer, less rainy days. Forget swimming in the seas though; they’re still very cold.
Weather in Greece in April
April sees a definite increase in temperatures, with a sunny start to the month and only a few rainy days scattered here and there.
I won’t say it’s the best time to visit Greece, but it is a pleasant time of year to visit. You beat the summer crowds, but you also miss the colder, wetter weather of winter. Athens’ average temperature is 20°C, but after dark, it still drops quite a bit to 10°C.
The sea is around 16°C, but you’ll still want some sunscreen because there’s sun going on. You’ll see an average of nine hours of sunshine a day – more sunshine, fewer clouds, and less rain. Summer is on the way!
Daylight savings has kicked in, too; sunset is around 8 pm. And, as ever, if you want more heat, head to Crete. It’s one of the best times to visit the largest Greek Island.
Weather in Greece in May
Spring is definitely in full bloom during May, making it one of the best times to travel to Greece. Things are inching towards what we’d consider ‘warm,’ and you’ll see around ten hours of sunshine daily. Little rain, too, which is always lovely.
At the start of the month, average temperatures are about 20°C, increasing to 22-23°C by the end of the month. The sea begins to get more bearable at a not-freezing 19°C.
UV levels can be pretty high, with all the sunshine, so make sure you slather on that sunscreen. Don’t be fooled, though. Evenings are still around 14°C, so it’s still not shorts and t-shirt after dark weather yet. It can be a great time to visit islands like Santorini and Mykonos before the summer crowds come.
Weather in Greece in June
In June, you start to realize just why Greece is such a popular vacation spot especially if you are on a popular island like Rhodes. June is the best time to travel to Greece and is when we generally try to get to the islands.
This is the start of a Greek summer, and it’s sunny pretty much every single day. The month may kick off with temperatures of around 24°C, but it ends comfortably hitting the 30s daily.
June sees the highest daily average hours of sunshine, and it’s this time of year that beaches start to get busy. Sea temperatures are a not-too-bad 22°C. It’s also in June that the humidity levels aren’t too high yet, so you’re not feeling the heat as strongly. It’s a great time to visit Corfu and visit some of the fun Corfu beaches.
Sunset in June? Around 8:45 pm. Even the night temperatures (around 19°C) mean that you may not have to wear a sweater to dinner anymore. June is a popular time to visit, but still not PEAK summer (though things are picking up every day) making it the best time of the year to visit Greece.
Weather in Greece in July
Hot, hot, hot. Greece in July is hot. In Athens, temperatures can easily hit highs of around 33°C, and it rarely drops below 24°C.
In the Greek islands, temperatures can be a bit cooler, with an average of about 24°C; though the south is much warmer, naturally, than the north. If you’re looking for a good time of year to island-hop around the Aegean, it’s July. It’s the best time to visit the Greek islands for sunny days, but beware of the crowds and high prices. We typically recommend picking slightly lesser known islands during this time like Ithaca, Zakynthos or Naxos.
It’s hot and sunny throughout the month with practically no rain. Humidity is at its peak, but it’s never like uncomfortable Southeast Asian levels; only around 50%.
Beach-goers are out in full force, especially on Santorini or Mykonos. The water is around 24°C – perfect to cool off from the radiant heat of the sun.
Weather in Greece in August
A lot of countries feature a hotter August than July, but in Greece, July is often slightly hotter than August. That’s probably why (because of summer vacation, too) Greece is pretty popular with tourists and sun-seekers in August, so traveling to a lesser known island like Ithaca is a good idea.
That August sun can be brutal, though. It’s a good idea to stay out of the rays when it’s at its hottest in the early afternoon, and always wear sunscreen in Greece! With 11 hours of sunshine, the average daytime high during August is 31°C.
The Greek islands are still cooler, but don’t expect much heat relief. For example, Lefkada has an average high of 28°C. The good news is when you are at the beach you get that fresh ocean breeze and cans always jump in the Mediterranean to cool off. Almost all hotels and guesthouses will have AC so you can sleep comfortably at night.
Rain? What’s that? The country gets an average of 1mm throughout the month. Barely a drop. Leave that umbrella at home – unless it’s a sun parasol.
Weather in Greece in September
I love traveling to Greece in September as for me it is the best time to visit Greece. That’s because it’s pleasant – that is what we would say about Greece in September. It’s still warm, but the ‘worst’ of the heat is over, with only the islands furthest south still being hot. The average temperature, countrywide, is 29°C. In my opinion, this is the best time to cruise the Greek islands. We hit up Paros, Naxos, Tinos, and Milos in September and it was blissful.
It’s not just the non-stifling heat that makes it a pleasant time to visit – the tourists are mostly gone, making it a nice, almost crowdless time for a vacation.
Hours of sunshine go down pretty sharply in September. They go from around 11 in August to 9in September. Cloudy, overcast days are beginning to settle in for the fall towards the end of the month, but still there’s not a lot of rain and it’s often just fantastic.
Weather in Greece in October
Fall is on the way. Rain increases. This is Greece in October, it’s certainly not the best time to go to Greece, but it’s far from the worst.
The temperatures are still pretty decent, meaning it’s still one of the best times to travel to Greece. Athens boasts an average temperature of 24°C, which is still – for many people – warm. Nighttime in the capital is more like 14°C though, so when it comes to how to dress, we’d suggest bringing a light jacket for travel.
The average temperature of the sea is around 20°C, and it’s still a great time to go swimming in the ocean. However there’s not much heat in the air to cool off from, so you probably won’t want to be venturing into the sea all the time like you were in the summer.
Overall if you have wanted to visit Greece but have been hesitant because of the high heat, prices, and crowds you can have a great vacation in October. The earlier in the month you go the better as some tourist businesses and restaurants will begin to close up shop for the season.
Weather in Greece in November
The days get a lot colder in November. Like much of Europe this time of year, it’s not warm, but it’s still much warmer than northern Europe. Daytime temperatures in Greece are around 15°C – nighttime is 10°C on average.
The bright, sunny days of summer are starting to properly disappear now. Overcast skies bring increased chances of rain throughout the month. The end of November can be pretty rainy, and temperatures drop a little to around 14°C.
Humidity also rises (~70%), and getting caught in a sudden downpour is not uncommon. Sea temperatures, if you love the sea, are still not ‘cold,’ though so you can get some swimming in! Overall it’s far from one of the best times to visit Greece, but the crowds are gone and prices are low, meaning you can experience Greece like a local!
Weather in Greece in December
December is one of the coldest months of the year: the average temperature is a mere 12°C. It’s not exactly the best time to go to Greece, but it is far from terrible. The start of the month is pretty cloudy, too, and overcast skies (and rain, of course) persist throughout the month.
Coastal areas can get pretty windy, with an average wind speed of around three mph blowing from across the sea.
The average hours of sunshine per day are at their lowest, but there is still time to get out and have some fun! Interestingly the sea temperatures throughout the month are, in general, pretty mild, at around 17°C. The humidity in December is at the highest Greece sees all year: 75%.
Winter Festivals and Events in Greece
Just before Spring starts, from mid-January to late February (even around early March), is Greece’s pretty wild Carnival season. Known in Greek as Apokreas, this has its roots in Ancient Greek tradition, but today, everybody knows Carnival. It’s a time of merrymaking and excess the world over – and yes, in Greece, too.
People will be parading in colorful costumes, eating, drinking, and then on the first day of Lent, things get calmer (see below).
Winter is obviously also the time of Christmas. Not such a big deal as Easter in the Greek Orthodox tradition, it’s still a thing. There are carols (kalanta) on Christmas Eve, boats festooned with lights are erected in town squares and people’s homes (it’s a tradition), and naturally, the food is awesome. If you are going to Greece for festivals, the winter is not exactly the best time to travel to Greece.
Spring Festivals and Events in Greece
Being home to the Eastern Orthodox Church, the most important holiday is Easter. It falls in either April or May, which is later than the Western (Catholic and other Christian) churches.
Festivities begin with the first day of Lent, Kathara Deftera – or ‘Clean Monday.’ Picnics and kite-flying abound.
The Sunday before Palm Sunday is St Lazarus’ Day, marked by fireworks. On Good Friday, you’ll see dramatic processions of people carrying candles. Easter Sunday means big feasts. In Crete, there’s even a local tradition where people light bonfires to burn effigies of Judas.
May 1 is Labor Day (and the Feast of the Flowers) and is marked by a general shift from cities to countryside by the Greek population. Kids fly kites; people have picnics, it’s all very nice.
March 25, however, is Greek Independence Day. People take to the streets and wave flags.
Summer Festivals and Events in Greece
You can bet that during the best time to travel to Greece there will be loads of festivals. Though there are a lot of Christian festivals going on in Greece, it’s in summer that you might be able to catch the Hellenic Festival. This is a musical, dance, and drama extravaganza, with local and international performers taking the stage at crumbling, historic venues.
Navy Week celebrates Greece’s rich maritime tradition. Experience historical re-enactments and late-night parties in June. On the island of Hydra, the celebrations end with a light show and the burning of a boat. It gets pretty lively.
August means the Moon Festival. It celebrates the full moon, naturally, and people all over come out from their houses for parties in town squares. Athens is a good place for this when people perform under the moonlight in places like the Acropolis.
The day of the Panagia (August 15) is the second biggest day, only after Easter, in Greece. Particularly notable in the island of Tinos, where people literally crawl up steps to see the holy icon in the church, it’s observed across the country.
Fall Festivals and Events in Greece
With all the festivals throughout the year, it’s almost like fall is the time for Greeks to take a breather. There are nevertheless lots of wine festivals in September!
Thessaloniki has a two-week wine festival, for example, Corinth has a lively grape festival, and there are lots of local wine festivals in villages such as Ambelona. All to do with the grape harvest.
Santorini boasts an International Music Festival during this time of year, making it the best time of the year to visit Santorini. Here there are orchestras from all over the world performing at venues in Thera.
Ochi Day, on October 28th, celebrates Greece’s refusal to ‘let’ fascist Italy occupy it during WWII. Military parades in towns and cities, as well as a lot of flag-waving, are par for the course.
When is the Best Season to Travel to Greece?
High season (June-September)
Like most places in Europe, Greece’s high season runs from June to mid-September. This is when you will find the best sunny weather as noted above, but also crowds, especially on the popular islands like Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete. Days are longer, the weather is HOT, so you’ll want to be close to a pool or ocean. Hotel and car rental prices are at their highest.
Shoulder Season (April -May and October-November)
The weather in Greece is cooler during these months, some would consider it much more comfortable than prime summertime weather. It’s not as busy as the summertime, but you’ll still see lots of travelers lingering about. Prices on accommodation and car rentals will drop during this time. The shoulder season is typically a fantastic time to visit Greece.
Low Season (Late November- early April)
The temperatures are cooler during the low season in Greece. You’ll still see plenty of sunny days but also overcast days and little to no sunbathing. It’s a little cold to take a dip in the water, but you can still enjoy the beaches with some clothes on to keep warm in the breeze. The upside is you’ll find low prices and low numbers of tourists.
When is the Cheapest Time to Visit Greece?
The cheapest time to visit Greece is in the low season. That would be from November to April when the weather is cooler and the sun is more sporadic than in the summer. It’s now that tourism is low, so prices will be slashed around Greece.
The only issue is that a lot of tourist shops close up shop for the winter, and you’ll be hanging out with mainly locals – not a bad thing! Just important to know in advance that you won’t get the full “European summer feeling” during this time.
When is the Best Time to Visit the Greek Islands?
Because the Greek islands get so incredibly busy (and hot) during peak season the shoulder season is the best time to visit the Greek islands. May, early June, late September, and October will provide pleasant temperatures, cheaper prices, and fewer people.
That being said we visited a few quieter islands in July on our last trip to Greece (Lefkada and Ithaca) and stayed away from hotspots like Santorini, and found the crowds manageable with prices only slightly on the higher side. It’s best to look at your own budget and what you want out of a trip to Greece to determine the timing that is best for you.
When is the Best Time to Go To Greece for Honeymoon?
The best time to visit Greece for a honeymoon is June and September. Spring and Autumn are warm, but not too warm, so it’s great for couples who want to do outdoor activities.
When is the Best Time to Visit Santorini?
Santorini is one of the most popular islands in Greece. As mentioned above the Greek islands get so incredibly busy during peak season. This means that the shoulder season is the best time to visit Santorini. Santorini is expensive, especially in the area of Oia. If you go in the shoulder season you’ll finder fewer people and cheaper prices.
When is the Best Time to Visit Greece for Nightlife?
Mykonos, Ios, and Zakynthos are by far the most popular party islands in Greece. During the summer the clubs on these islands bring in world-class DJs and party the whole night away. If you are going to Greece to the party you will want to visit between June and September.
Plan and Pack for Greece
Spending a summer on one of the many Greek islands? Lucky you. You may be wondering just what to pack for Greece. The islands are beautiful, swarming with history, and populated with some of the friendliest people in the world.
READ MORE GREECE TRAVEL TIPS
I hope you enjoyed this guide on the best time to visit Greece! Hopefully you found it useful. Here are a few relevant articles for more travel around Greece!
- How Much Does a Trip to Greece Cost?
- The Best Things to do in Corfu
- The Best Things to do in Milos
- The Best Things to do in Rhodes
- The Best Things to do in Paros
- The Best Things to do in Naxos
- 20 Greece Travel Tips to Know Before You Go
- 30 Fun Facts About Greece You Should Know!
- Car Rental Greece: 16 Important Things To Know
Greek Travel Planning Resources
- ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Greek: “Yasou” and “Efharisto”
- Currency: Euro – (EUR) – €
- Visa: Schengen visa. Which is 90 days in the European Union out of 180. Many nationalities are granted this on arrival for free. Check with your embassy to see if that is you.
- Weather: The weather in Greece is a Mediterranean climate. This means winters are mild and rainy, while summers are warm and dry with plenty of sunshine throughout the year.
- What to Pack: Warm weather clothes and a swimsuit, don’t forget a good pair of clothes to go and a jacket for cool nights. Read about what to wear in Greece.
- Budget: If you’re in the initial stages of planning, check out our awesome post that breaks down how much a trip to Greece costs.
- Rent a Car: We suggest most visitors consider renting a car for the best trip possible. Try Discover Cars to compare quotes from different rental agencies. Check Price Here!
- Protect Your Trip: Don’t forget to purchase travel insurance! We always carry travel insurance to protect us from injury, theft, or a canceled trip. We use HeyMondo for our insurance needs.
- Tours in Greece: Check out our list of the best tours you can enjoy in Greece!
- Travel Adapter: Make sure you find a good adapter to keep your personal electronics charged. Otherwise, you may be paying for a cheap one once you land. Purchase one here.