Table of Contents
There's no single "best" time to visit Greece — it depends entirely on what you want from your trip. Beach vacation? You want warm water and reliable sunshine. Sightseeing marathon? Cooler temperatures and thinner crowds serve you better. Budget priority? Avoid summer entirely.
The good news: Greece has excellent travel conditions for 7–8 months of the year. The trick is matching the right month to your priorities.
Here's the complete breakdown — weather data, crowd levels, prices, and honest recommendations for every month of the year.
Greece Seasons Overview
Month-by-Month Breakdown
January
Weather: Cool and rainy. Athens: 8–13°C (46–55°F). Islands are cold and windswept.
Crowds: Virtually empty. You'll have major sites almost to yourself.
Prices: Lowest of the year. Great hotel deals in Athens.
What's open: Athens operates normally. Most islands have reduced services — many hotels, restaurants, and ferry routes close or operate minimally.
Best for: Budget travelers, urban exploration, avoiding tourists entirely.
Not ideal for: Beach vacations, island-hopping, outdoor activities.
Recommended destinations: Athens, Thessaloniki, mainland cities.
February
Weather: Similar to January — cool, sometimes rainy. Athens: 9–14°C (48–57°F). Late February can show first hints of spring.
Crowds: Still very low. Carnival season brings some local activity.
Prices: Low. Good value for city trips.
What's open: Similar to January. Carnival (Apokries) celebrations in Patras and other cities add color.
Events: Greek Carnival (2–3 weeks before Orthodox Lent) — Patras has Greece's biggest celebration.
Best for: Carnival experience, budget Athens, off-season exploration.
Not ideal for: Islands, beaches, predictable weather.
Recommended destinations: Athens, Patras (for Carnival), Nafplio.
March
Weather: Transitional — can be rainy or sunny. Athens: 11–17°C (52–63°F). Wildflowers begin blooming.
Crowds: Low but increasing. Easter crowds if Greek Easter falls in late March.
Prices: Still low, rising if Easter is this month.
What's open: More restaurants and hotels reopening. Some ferry services resuming.
Events: Greek Orthodox Easter (date varies) — the biggest celebration of the year.
Best for: Spring flowers, Easter celebrations, sightseeing without crowds.
Not ideal for: Beach vacations (water still cold ~16°C), guaranteed weather.
Recommended destinations: Athens, Peloponnese, Meteora, Hydra for Easter.
April
Weather: Warming up, occasional rain. Athens: 14–21°C (57–70°F). Wildflowers peak. Islands are greening.
Crowds: Moderate, especially around Easter.
Prices: Rising but still reasonable outside Easter week.
What's open: Most tourist services operational. Ferry schedules expanding.
Events: Greek Orthodox Easter (April in most years) — extraordinary celebrations, especially on Hydra, Corfu, and Patmos.
Best for: Sightseeing, Easter experience, wildflowers, photography.
Not ideal for: Swimming (water ~18°C — too cold for most), guaranteed sun.
Recommended destinations: Athens, Delphi, Peloponnese, Hydra, Corfu.
April verdict: Excellent for sightseeing and culture, not yet beach season.
May
Weather: Lovely. Athens: 18–26°C (64–79°F). Islands: 20–25°C. Warm, sunny, low humidity. Sea temperature ~20°C (swimmable for many).
Crowds: Building but manageable. Santorini/Mykonos getting busy.
Prices: Moderate — shoulder season pricing.
What's open: Everything. Full ferry schedules, all hotels and restaurants operational.
Why May is special: Arguably the best month for Greece. Warm enough for beaches, cool enough for sightseeing. Crowds are present but not overwhelming. Prices are reasonable. Wildflowers still visible.
Best for: Everything — beaches, sightseeing, island-hopping, photography.
Not ideal for: Hottest beach weather (July–August is warmer).
Recommended destinations: Santorini, Crete, Naxos, Milos, Athens.
May verdict: Top recommendation for most travelers. Best balance of weather, crowds, and prices.
June
Weather: Warm and sunny. Athens: 23–31°C (73–88°F). Islands: 24–29°C. Sea temperature ~23°C (ideal swimming). Very little rain.
Crowds: Increasing, getting busy at hotspots. Pre-family-vacation crowds.
Prices: Rising toward peak. Still better than July–August.
What's open: Everything, at full capacity.
Why June is special: Summer weather without peak summer crowds. Schools are still in session (until mid-June), so family crowds are lower. Temperatures are hot but not brutal.
Best for: Beach vacations, island-hopping, swimming, outdoor dining.
Not ideal for: Budget travel (prices rising), avoiding heat entirely.
Recommended destinations: All islands — Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, Naxos, Milos, Rhodes, Crete.
June verdict: Excellent choice. Summer weather, manageable crowds.
July
Weather: Hot. Athens: 27–35°C (81–95°F). Islands: 26–32°C. Very little rain. Meltemi winds in Aegean (cooling but can disrupt ferries). Sea temperature ~25°C.
Crowds: Peak season begins. Very busy at popular destinations.
Prices: Peak season pricing.
What's open: Everything, at maximum capacity.
What to know: This is classic Greek summer — guaranteed sun, warm seas, full nightlife, buzzing atmosphere. But: crowds are significant, heat can be oppressive for sightseeing, and prices are highest.
Best for: Beach lovers, nightlife seekers, those who want full summer experience.
Not ideal for: Budget travelers, those avoiding crowds, extensive sightseeing in heat.
Recommended destinations: Beach-focused islands — Mykonos, Ios, Lefkada, Zakynthos. Consider lesser-known islands to escape crowds.
July verdict: Peak summer experience with peak summer downsides.
August
Weather: Hottest month. Athens: 28–36°C (82–97°F), sometimes 40°C+. Strong Meltemi winds. Sea temperature ~26°C (warmest).
Crowds: Maximum. Greek vacation month — locals join tourists.
Prices: Highest of the year.
What's open: Everything. August 15 (Assumption) is a major holiday.
What to know: August is when Greeks take vacation. Popular islands are at absolute capacity. Heat can be extreme — the Acropolis has closed during heatwaves. Meltemi winds can disrupt ferry schedules but provide relief from heat.
Best for: Those who can only travel in August, beach lovers who embrace crowds.
Not ideal for: Budget travelers, crowd-avoiders, heat-sensitive travelers.
Recommended destinations: Meltemi-protected islands (Ionian Sea — Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkada), lesser-known Cyclades (Sifnos, Serifos), Crete (big enough to escape crowds).
August verdict: If you must travel in August, book early and choose destinations strategically.
September
Weather: Still warm, easing heat. Athens: 24–30°C (75–86°F). Islands: 23–28°C. Sea temperature ~24°C (warmest for swimming!). Less wind than August.
Crowds: Decreasing after first week. Families return to school.
Prices: Dropping from peak. Good value by late September.
What's open: Everything still operational.
Why September is special: The secret best month. Sea temperature is at its warmest (water has heated all summer). Air temperatures are comfortable. Crowds thin dramatically after the first week. Prices drop. Weather remains reliable.
Best for: Beach vacations, swimming, value seekers, those who missed summer.
Not ideal for: Nothing — September has few downsides.
Recommended destinations: All islands — Santorini, Crete, Naxos, Paros, Milos. The entire country is excellent.
September verdict: Top recommendation alongside May. Best swimming temperatures, manageable crowds, good value.
October
Weather: Cooling. Athens: 18–24°C (64–75°F). Islands: 19–24°C. Sea temperature ~22°C (still swimmable for many). More rain possible, especially late October.
Crowds: Low and dropping.
Prices: Shoulder season — good deals available.
What's open: Most services operational through mid-October. Some closures begin late month.
What to know: Early October maintains summer feel — swimming, outdoor dining, pleasant weather. Late October becomes autumnal — variable weather, some ferry reductions, island services starting to close.
Best for: Value seekers, shoulder season sweet spot (early October), fewer crowds.
Not ideal for: Guaranteed beach weather (later in month), full island services (late October).
Recommended destinations: Crete (latest-season swimming), Athens, Rhodes (warm late), Santorini (crowds gone, still beautiful).
October verdict: Early October is excellent; late October is transitional.
November
Weather: Autumnal. Athens: 13–18°C (55–64°F). Rain more frequent. Islands cooling and quieting.
Crowds: Very low.
Prices: Low — off-season begins.
What's open: Reduced schedules. Many island hotels/restaurants closing for winter.
Best for: Athens city break, budget travel, avoiding all tourists.
Not ideal for: Beach vacations, island-hopping, predictable weather.
Recommended destinations: Athens, Thessaloniki, mainland cities, Crete (still mild).
December
Weather: Cool and rainy. Athens: 9–14°C (48–57°F). Islands are quiet.
Crowds: Minimal except holiday period.
Prices: Low (outside Christmas/New Year).
What's open: Athens fully operational. Islands very limited — many properties closed.
Events: Christmas markets, New Year's celebrations in Athens.
Best for: Athens Christmas experience, low prices, urban exploration.
Not ideal for: Islands, beaches, outdoor activities.
Recommended destinations: Athens, Thessaloniki.
Quick Decision Matrix
Best Time by Destination
Best Time for Santorini
Peak experience: May–June, September–October. Beautiful weather, manageable crowds.
Avoid: July–August (extremely crowded, cruise ship overload) unless crowds don't bother you.
Shoulder gems: April (fewer tourists, caldera views still stunning) and late October.
Why timing matters: Santorini's narrow paths and small villages can't absorb unlimited tourists. In August, Oia at sunset is a crush of thousands. In May or September, you might have magical moments almost to yourself.
See our Santorini travel guide and 3 days in Santorini.
Best Time for Athens
Best: March–May, September–November. Comfortable sightseeing temperatures.
Summer caveat: July–August is brutally hot for outdoor sites. Visit the Acropolis early morning or face 35°C+ on exposed marble. The Acropolis has been closed during extreme heatwaves.
Winter option: Athens is a year-round destination — museums, food, and culture don't close. Winter visitors find emptier sites and lower prices.
Why timing matters: The Acropolis has no shade. Ancient Agora has minimal shade. Temple of Zeus has no shade. Sightseeing in 38°C heat is genuinely unpleasant and potentially dangerous.
See our Athens travel guide and 3 days in Athens.
Best Time for Crete
Longest season: Crete's size and southern position means longer warm seasons than smaller islands. Swimming possible May–October, sometimes into November.
Peak: June–September for beaches.
Shoulder gems: May and October — excellent hiking weather, beach days, fewer crowds.
Regional variation: Crete is big enough that south coast stays warmer longer than north coast. Elafonissi and south coast beaches can be pleasant in late October when northern beaches feel autumnal.
See our Crete travel guide and best places to visit in Crete.
Best Time for Greek Islands Generally
Best for most islands: May–June, September–October.
Summer trade-off: July–August has guaranteed weather but maximum crowds.
Late season winners: Rhodes, Crete, and Dodecanese stay warm longer than Cyclades. If you want October beach weather, head east and south.
Early season consideration: Cyclades can be windy in April and early May. Water temperature may be too cold for swimming until late May.
See our Best Greek Islands guide and best Greek islands by month.
Best Time for Mykonos
Best experience: May–June, September. Summer weather without peak crowds (though Mykonos is always busy).
Peak madness: July–August. Mykonos is a party island that reaches fever pitch in summer. If you want the full Mykonos experience, this is it. If you want any chance of peace, avoid.
Shoulder benefit: Early June and September have excellent beach club weather with slightly saner crowds.
See our Mykonos travel guide.
Best Time for Rhodes
Extended season: Rhodes has Greece's longest tourist season — reliable warmth from April through November.
Best: May–June, September–October. Warm, fewer crowds than summer.
Summer: Excellent beach weather but packed Old Town and resort areas.
Winter option: Rhodes remains mild in winter (15–18°C). Medieval Old Town exploration is pleasant year-round.
See our Rhodes travel guide.
Best Time for Italy and Greece
Planning a combined trip? Weather aligns well:
Best: May–June, September–October. Comfortable in both countries.
Summer: July–August works for beaches but is hot for Italian cities (Rome, Florence are brutal).
Spring: April is lovely for Italian cities, transitional for Greek islands.
Routing tip: Start in Italy (Rome, Florence), then head to Greece for beaches as weather warms.
See our Italy and Greece trip guide.
Best Time for Peloponnese
Best: April–June, September–October. Perfect for archaeological sites and road trips.
Summer consideration: July–August is hot for ruins (Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae have limited shade) but fine for beach towns like Nafplio and Kardamyli.
Spring bonus: April–May brings wildflowers and green landscapes. The Peloponnese is spectacularly beautiful in spring.
See our Peloponnese guide.
Weather Data by Month
Festivals & Events by Season
Spring
- Greek Orthodox Easter (March–April, date varies) — The biggest celebration of the year. Spectacular on Hydra, Corfu, Patmos.
- Clean Monday (start of Lent) — Kite flying, picnics, beginning of Carnival season.
Summer
- Athens & Epidaurus Festival (June–August) — Ancient drama and concerts at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and Epidaurus theater.
- Assumption of Mary (August 15) — Major national holiday. Churches packed, islands very busy.
Fall
- Wine harvest (September–October) — Grape harvest festivals in wine regions like Santorini and Nemea.
- Ochi Day (October 28) — Military parades marking Greece's refusal of Italian ultimatum in 1940.
Winter
- Christmas & New Year — Celebrations centered in Athens. Syntagma Square lights up.
- Carnival (February–March) — Patras hosts Greece's biggest carnival with parades and parties.
Final Recommendations
First-time visitors: May, June, or September. Best overall experience.
Beach vacation priority: Late June, July, or September.
Budget priority: October, April, or November (for Athens).
Avoiding crowds at all costs: November–April.
Families (school schedule constraints): June (before schools end) or late August/early September.
Honeymoon/romance: May, June, September — avoid August crowds.
Need help planning your trip? Try our free AI trip planner for personalized recommendations based on your dates and interests.
FAQ
What is the best month to visit Greece?
May and September are generally the best months for most travelers. May offers warm weather (20–26°C), manageable crowds, reasonable prices, and wildflowers still visible. September has the warmest sea temperatures of the year (24–25°C), declining crowds after the first week, and shoulder season pricing. June is also excellent — full summer weather without peak August crowds. The "best" month depends on your priorities: August guarantees the hottest weather but brings maximum crowds and prices.
Is September a good time to visit Greece?
September is one of the best times to visit Greece. The sea temperature is at its warmest (water has heated all summer), making swimming ideal. Air temperatures remain comfortable (23–28°C) without August's extreme heat. Crowds thin significantly after the first week as European schools resume. Prices drop from peak levels. Weather remains reliable with minimal rain until late September. The only potential downside is very late September, when some seasonal services begin reducing hours — but early-to-mid September is arguably the perfect Greece travel window.
When is the cheapest time to visit Greece?
The cheapest time to visit Greece is November through March (excluding Christmas/New Year). During these months, hotel prices drop 30–50% from peak rates, flights are cheaper, and you can find excellent deals in Athens and Thessaloniki. The trade-off: most islands operate on reduced schedules or close entirely, weather is cool and rainy, and swimming isn't an option. For budget travel that still includes islands and beaches, early May or late October offer the best value with warm weather — prices are significantly lower than summer while conditions remain pleasant.