Best time to go to Greece for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 16/04/2024When is the best time to go to Greece?
The best time to travel to Greece extends from early April to the end of October. This way, you will avoid a rainy winter throughout the country and cold weather in some regions.
However, if you don't like crowds, absolutely avoid the months of July and August. This peak tourist season, which coincides with school holidays, sees a high influx of vacationers from all over the world. If you have no choice, especially if you are traveling to Greece with family, consider making your reservations well in advance to ensure you have adequate accommodation at a reasonable price.
When to go to Greece based on your interests?
- For hiking, it's best to avoid the peak heat of July and August. Therefore, the months of May and June offer long beautiful days and nature in full bloom, making the landscapes stunning. September is also a good choice, once the tourists have left.
- For diving, it is best to favor the summer months: July, August, and September. The visibility is perfect and the water temperature ideal during this time.
- For enjoying swimming, this summer period can extend until the end of October, or even early November. Indeed, as the sea has warmed up all summer, the water temperature can still be around 25°C (77°F) .
- For visiting ancient sites, it is preferable to travel to Greece in spring and autumn. During these periods, the temperatures are pleasant, and the various ancient treasures are not too crowded.
Where and when to go based on the weather?
Attica Peninsula
Athens, Hydra Island, Lavrio...
Central Greece
Delphi, Gregolimano, Agrinio...
Crete
Heraklion, Chania, Matala...
Cyclades
Santorini, Mykonos, Paros...
Dodecanese
Kos, Rhodes, Karpathos...
East Aegean Islands
Samos, Chios, Lesbos...
Ioanian Islands
Corfu Island, Zante, Lefkáda...
North of Greece
Thessaloniki, Parga, Kavala...
Northern Aegean
Lemnos, Samothrace, Thasos...
Peloponnese
Kalamata, Nafplio, Patras...
Sporades Islands
Skiathos, Alonissos, Skyros island...
To get all the information about the climate and weather in Greece for a specific month, click on the corresponding link below:
Greece in january Greece in february Greece in march Greece in april Greece in may Greece in june Greece in july Greece in august Greece in september Greece in october Greece in november Greece in december
Best time to travel to Greece by cities
Climate and Weather in Greece
On most of its territory, Greece enjoys a Mediterranean climate which varies mainly according to the altitude or latitude of the region.
Like its neighbors Albania, Bulgaria, or Turkey, the climate in Greece follows four seasons:
Winter in Greece
This season is mild but very rainy, especially in the western part of the country. In December and January, it can rain for several days in a row. These days of bad weather are often interspersed with sunny days, known as the "halcyon days."
In terms of temperatures, the thermometer rarely exceeds 15°C (59°F) . Inland and in the mountains, snow is frequent, and you can go alpine skiing on the slopes of Mount Parnassus. If you prefer cross-country skiing or hiking, head to Mount Olympus.
As you may have understood, unless you are a fan of winter sports, it is better to avoid traveling to Greece during this season. Moreover, most ancient sites are closed during this period.
Spring in Greece
The weather in Greece in spring is very pleasant: rain is rare and the sun is shining. Perfect conditions to enjoy the country's wonders! The days are getting longer, allowing visitors to linger longer on the terraces of restaurants and cafes.
Although very short, spring is a very good time to travel to Greece. The only downside: the sea temperature is still very cool, around 16°C (61°F) in April and 19°C (67°F) in May. Nevertheless, hikers will find it ideal to cool off after a beautiful day of walking!
Summer in Greece
Summer arrives very abruptly and is a very hot season in Greece. In July and August, temperatures can reach between 40 and 45°C (113°F) in some regions, without a drop of rain! It can be challenging to visit tourist sites, as well as Athens.
Inland, the heatwave is almost constant. Along the coasts, temperatures are moderated by a sea breeze, the "meltemi," which cools the atmosphere, making it more bearable. If your stay is primarily for the beach, then the weather in Greece is perfect! Moreover, you can swim in many dreamy places with water that rivals the Caribbean.
Autumn in Greece
Let's be clear, the months of September and October are ideal for visiting Greece under optimal conditions:
- The sea has temperatures around 25°C (77°F) , a true paradise!
- The climate is warm without being stifling, so you can visit different sites and go on unforgettable hikes.
- The crowds are much lower than in July and August, making the trip even more enjoyable.
- To visit ancient sites, it is best to go to Greece in spring and autumn. During these periods, temperatures are pleasant, and the various ancient treasures are not too crowded.
The uniqueness of the Greek islands
Quite different from the mainland climate, the weather on the islands also varies depending on the archipelago where you are:
- The Ionian Islands experience a lot of humidity in winter, making them greener than the others for the rest of the year. Additionally, the low exposure to wind makes summer temperatures very hot.
- The Cyclades often suffer from drought when summer arrives, lasting six months in this tourist-favored archipelago. Rain can indeed be completely absent between May and October. Summers, however, are quite cool, thanks to the wind.
- The Sporades and Dodecanese have a climate quite similar to the Cyclades, with less wind and a hotter summer.
Temperatures and rainfall in Greece
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Greece and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Athens, Heraklion, Corfu Island, Kos and Mykonos, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Greece
Find out when Greece has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in Greece
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December. The number of visitors to Greece is high in: June, July, August and September.
- Very low season in Greece: January, February, March and November.
- Low season in Greece: April, May, October and December.
- High season in Greece: June and September.
- Peak season in Greece: July and August.
Figure: Visitor index for Greece month by month
Average price for flights to Greece
A return flight between New York City and Athens is generally cheaper if you go in november ($ 726 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 490 more for your airline ticket to Athens if you go in july.
Where to go in Greece?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Athens | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 77°F | 85°F | 90°F | 90°F | 85°F | 74°F | 67°F | 59°F |
| Heraklion | 59°F | 61°F | 63°F | 67°F | 74°F | 79°F | 83°F | 85°F | 81°F | 74°F | 68°F | 63°F |
| Corfu Island | 56°F | 58°F | 59°F | 65°F | 70°F | 77°F | 83°F | 86°F | 79°F | 72°F | 67°F | 59°F |
| Kos | 58°F | 59°F | 61°F | 67°F | 72°F | 79°F | 85°F | 85°F | 81°F | 74°F | 68°F | 61°F |
| Mykonos | 58°F | 58°F | 59°F | 63°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 76°F | 70°F | 65°F | 61°F |
| Paros | 58°F | 59°F | 61°F | 63°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Rhodes | 59°F | 61°F | 63°F | 67°F | 72°F | 79°F | 85°F | 85°F | 81°F | 76°F | 70°F | 63°F |
| Samos | 58°F | 58°F | 61°F | 65°F | 72°F | 79°F | 85°F | 86°F | 81°F | 74°F | 67°F | 59°F |
| Santorini | 59°F | 61°F | 61°F | 65°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 68°F | 63°F |
| Skiathos | 54°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 70°F | 77°F | 81°F | 83°F | 77°F | 70°F | 65°F | 58°F |
| Thessaloniki | 50°F | 54°F | 59°F | 68°F | 77°F | 86°F | 92°F | 92°F | 83°F | 72°F | 63°F | 54°F |
| Zante | 58°F | 58°F | 59°F | 65°F | 70°F | 77°F | 83°F | 85°F | 79°F | 72°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Chania | 58°F | 59°F | 63°F | 68°F | 76°F | 81°F | 86°F | 86°F | 83°F | 76°F | 68°F | 61°F |
| Agrinio | 54°F | 58°F | 61°F | 70°F | 77°F | 86°F | 94°F | 95°F | 85°F | 76°F | 67°F | 58°F |
| Alonissos | 54°F | 56°F | 59°F | 63°F | 70°F | 77°F | 81°F | 83°F | 77°F | 70°F | 65°F | 58°F |
| Antiparos | 58°F | 59°F | 61°F | 63°F | 70°F | 76°F | 79°F | 81°F | 77°F | 72°F | 67°F | 61°F |
| Chios | 56°F | 58°F | 59°F | 65°F | 72°F | 77°F | 83°F | 85°F | 79°F | 72°F | 65°F | 59°F |
| Delphi | 47°F | 50°F | 56°F | 63°F | 72°F | 79°F | 85°F | 85°F | 77°F | 67°F | 59°F | 50°F |
| Gregolimano | 50°F | 54°F | 59°F | 67°F | 77°F | 85°F | 90°F | 92°F | 83°F | 72°F | 63°F | 54°F |
| Hydra Island | 58°F | 59°F | 63°F | 67°F | 76°F | 83°F | 88°F | 88°F | 83°F | 74°F | 67°F | 61°F |
Legend:
perfect weather
good weather
tolerable weather
bad weather
very bad weather
About Greece
What can I do in Greece?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Greece reliable?
Climate data for Greece has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Greece allows us to determine the average for each month in Athens, Heraklion, Corfu Island, Kos, Mykonos, Paros, Rhodes, Samos, and 185 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.