What is the best time to visit Greece in 2025
In this article I will analyze what is the best time to visit Greece depending on the activities and things you want to do. Greece has so much to offer that there is definitely not always the best time to do everything, so you need to know which season suits each to have the best experience. Everything I describe is based on my own experiences and habits.
The best time to visit the islands is from May to September.
Best time to visit the islands
The reasons to visit the islands are the summer holidays, the traditional food and in some cases their attractions. Summer here is extended and lasts from May to September. With the weather being good and the sunshine almost guaranteed you will enjoy the scenery of the islands without fear of it becoming cloudy or raining. If you prefer cheaper holidays with more stay options, cheaper flights and without crowds of tourists choose mid-May to mid-June and mid-September to mid-October. During the summer there are a lot of tourists and the prices are suoer expensive especially on the most popular islands. The temperatures are fine without heat waves thanks to the meltemi wind that blows all summer. The islands that are popular for their attractions such as Santorini, Naxos and Syros can be visited all year round.
The best time to visit Athens is from September to June to see the sights without high temperatures.
Best time to visit Athens
Downtown Athens is a year-round destination, with the Acropolis and the rest archaeological monuments being a magnet for tourists from all over the world. It is advisable to avoid visiting them during the midday hours of summer due to the excessive heat. The temperatures are very high and walking on the Acropolis at 37°C is difficult, while if there is a heat wave it is dangerous, especially for the elderly and children. For more pleasant temperatures visit outside of summer and winter.
In contrast summer is very nice on the Athenian Riviera, that is, on the coastal front of the southern suburbs of Athens. In summer the Riviera has a better climate with a breeze, unlike the center of Athens which lacks cool air and can be stifling. With beaches, bars and nightclubs with live music it is the ideal destination in Athens for the summer.
Best time for swimming
Here I will tell you a secret. The sea takes time to warm up. Summer may have arrived and it may be hot but the sea is still cold. The temperature has been satisfactory to me since mid-June. In September, although the temperature drops significantly, the sea remains warm until the end of the month. It goes without saying, however, that the waters are not warm everywhere, such as in Platys Gialos in Sifnos where I swam in July and the waters were pretty cold. Also when it is very very hot sunbathing requires caution so as not to get burned.
I once tried swimming in October but it's not easy. I warmed up on the beach first, like running and doing some gymnastics, and then I would dive in. It wasn't so much like swimming as it was more like exercise because you have to keep moving in the sea to stay warm.
Best time for sightseeing
Here we dont't need heat. Outdoor sightseeing requires walking so you need cool weather but also relatively long daylight hours to see more sights. The best period is from late March to late May and from mid-September to late October. In the summer you have to start very early so that you are finished by 10 am when the temperature really rises. Days with heat waves are prohibitive for outdoor sightseeing.
Best time for cheaper
The low and mid-season are cheaper in all destinations when demand is low. Prices are generally more reasonable and do not compare to the excesses of the high season. And when I say cheaper I do not only mean stay but also flights, drinks and food. Hotels and Airbnbs have low occupancy so you have more choices and better prices. Read more details about the low and mid-season below.
Best time for avoiding the crowds
If you are bothered by crowds avoid August when is the peak. Even I get annoyed in August. Athens empties and the islands and the countryside fill up. There is a sense of inseparability everywhere, on the beaches, on the streets and in the shops you can't find anywhere to sit. If you want to travel during the high season without crowds then I recommend visiting less popular destinations. Don't rule out the mountains though. In the summer you can visit mountainous Greece at very cheap prices and even swim in rivers. If this interests you, you should look at the destinations of Epirus.
Best time for good weather
For sunshine and blue skies choose the summer months, June to August, where the chances of clouds and rain are very small. It is of course accompanied by a lot of heat while on the islands the meltemi wind is cooling but at high intensity it becomes annoying. It is also ideal for sunbathing, water sports and swimming after sunset.
Best time for nightlife
July and August are the best months for nightlife in Greece, without exception. So if you're interested in finding bars and clubs packed with people, even with guest DJs, choose these months for your holidays.
When is high - shoulder - low season
High season: is in all destinations July and August. However it depends on the destination. In Santorini for example, it is from May to September. In low-profile destinations it is limited to these two summer months. High season means beaches and bars full of people with prices everywhere raised.
Shoulder season: Easter to June. The duration depends on when Easter falls, April or May. Tourist traffic increases due to the mobility brought by the good weather and not so much by the increase in tourists. Popular destinations are in high season during this time.
Low season: September to December with a break at Christmas and then January to Easter. During this period nothing moves except for long weekends and public holidays. After the summer and after Christmas tourist traffic drops dramatically because everyone has gone on their trips, spent money and returned to their routine. Christmas and the long weekends are busy in mountainous destinations.
Public holidays
January: New Year's Day the first day of the year, is a holiday. January 2 is a working day but supermarkets and most commercial shops are closed. Workers take leaves during this period. Winter destinations are in full as snow has fallen in the mountains. Epiphany on January 6, the religious holiday of the Baptism of the Lord marks the end of the holidays.
February: on Carnival Sunday carnivals take place all over the country. The largest is in Patra and another popular one is in Xanthi. Clean Monday follows Carnival.
March: Clean Monday immediately after Carnival Sunday marks the beginning of the Easter fast. It is a long weekend and if the weather is good it is an occasion for kite flying and picnics in the countryside. March 25 is the national holiday about the beginning of the Greek Revolution. A large military parade is held downtown Athens.
April: Greece is in the rhythm of the Holy Week and Easter, many people go to the church. Good Friday and Easter Monday are holidays so it is a four day long holidays Many people go to their villages to spend the holidays with relatives for the traditional lamb skewering.
May: May 1st is Labor Day. If it falls on the Easter holidays it is moved a few days later.
June: Holy Ghost Day in mid-June, it is always a Monday and is not a holiday for all workers. Schools and the public sector are closed so it is a three-day holiday and a reason to go on an excursion in early summer before the summer holidays begin.
August: August 15th is celebrated the Assumption of the Virgin Mary but the whole week is like a summer holiday. Athens empties and most businesses close, resulting in it being a ghost town. During this period many folklore festivals are held throughout Greece.
October: October 28 is the anniversary of OXI. A large military parade is held in Thessaloniki.
December: Christmas is December 25th and the following day is a holiday 26th. Many workers take leaves. Usually they are divided into Christmas, New Year's and Epiphany groups so as everybody get his leave.
The weather by month
January is a winter month and you should be well dressed with warm clothes. The maximum temperature reaches 10 - 15°C while a very warm day can reach 20°C. Cloudy, rainy and few sunny days are the scene of the month. Snowstorms take place in the high mountains and temperatures are freezing as at night they can drop below 0°C.
Islands it is cold but the temperatures are not freezing. The temperature ranges at 15°C. The weather brings cloudy and rainy days.
Northern Greece it is a cold month with temperatures that range from below zero to a maximum of 15°C. Snow also falls in the lowlands. There is frost in the morning. Even if it's sunny, it's a sun with teeth as we say in greek.
Best destinations for January Arachova, Elati - Pertouli, Trikala in Corinthia, Florina.
February the winter scenery continues but more intense with more clouds, rain and snow. Maximum temperatures at 15°C but it does not prevent the carnival events.
Islands winter temperatures but without being freezing. The weather brings more rain. Temperatures below 15°C. Morning and evening below 10°C.
Northern Greece constant temperature below 15°C. Very cold and of course the mountains remain snow-covered.
Best destinations for February Metsovo, Zagorochoria, Xanthi, Nymfaio.
March is an unpredictable month that can start with nice days or with the radiators on. Nothing is guaranteed. Generally it has cold temperatures that can reach 10°C. Sunshine breaks are more frequent without meaning that it is hot or that spring has arrived. It is the end of winter so storms may continue. At the end of the month the temperature fluctuates around 20°C with mornings and evenings being cold. On the last Sunday daylight saving time is applied so the activities you can do increase.
Islands cold days with temperatures as low as 5°C. The meltemi wind can be strong.
Northern Greece a winter month with freezing temperatures in the morning and at night that can drop below 0°C. The temperature ranges from 10°C but on good days it can reach 15°C.
Best destinations for March Kastoria, Aegina, Hydra.
April is a truly spring month where temperatures start to rise. Of course, you still need a jacket but the scenery changes. There are more sunny days and fewer cloudy ones. The temperature is below 20°C. Easter brings the first outing of spring. At the end of the month the temperature rises more, consistently above 20°C. Now we wear jackets and the weather is more pleasant.
Islands the weather improves and the temperature approaches 20°C, but the mornings are chilly.
Northern Greece the temperature rises to hover around 20°C but it is cold in the mornings and evenings so warm clothing is still needed.
Best destinations for April Patmos, Tinos, Nafplio.
May now we throw away the jackets, we can only wear them in the morning and evening. The midday temperatures are consistently above 20°C and during the month the first 30°C appear. Even if it is cloudy it is no longer cold. The temperatures are ideal without cold and heat, you may not even need air conditioning. The more daring ones timidly begin their first swims.
Islands summer is slowly starting. The tourist traffic begins, the meltemi wind starts to blow but not with great intensity. A warm and cool month.
Northern Greece the weather opens up, temperatures rise and can reach 30°C. However the chill persists in the morning and evening something that makes a jacket essential.
Best destinations for May Nafpaktos, Santorini, Mykonos, Symi, Naxos.
June is the first summer month, now we wear light clothes. People start swimming at the beaches. The Holy Spirit long-weekend is the occasion for the first summer excursion of the year. Probably the first heat wave will make its appearance. It is hot from morning to night.
Islands hot but with cool temperatures thanks to the meltemi wind, maximum temperatures at 30°C or lower. The weather is sunny.
Northern Greece summer month with high temperatures above 30°C. The weather is sunny.
In summer interest shifts to the beaches
Best destinations for June Spetses, Amorgos, Ios, Thassos, Areopoli - Limeni.
July high temperatures throughout the month push us to seek an oasis of coolness by the sea to relieve ourselves. Morning and night temperatures are around 25°C. During the day consistently around 35°C or above. Usually there is either a heat wave or high temperatures for many days. Now more than ever we need to be near the sea not only for swimming but also for the cool temperatures. At noon a rest is essential because with so much heat you cannot function.
Islands month of the meltemi wind with several beaufort every day. When it blows with high intensity it is incredibly annoying. Because of this the northern beaches are not suitable for swimming. However it provides relief from high temperatures and heat waves are rare.
Northern Greece high temperatures around 35°C with sunshine. Heat waves are not that common.
Best destinations for July Skopelos, Leros, Serifos, Tzia.
August summer scenery this month too with temperatures above 35°C and morning and evening above 20°C. However August is divided into two. After the 20th of the month the day gets noticeably shorter and the temperatures drop, the holidays end and people wish each other a good winter. I would say a shorter and nicer summer begins with the heat continuing but below 35°C, at night it drops below 20°C. Usually there can be rain showers. Heat waves also subside as they are not common after this date.
Islands same summer scenery as in July. This is also the month of the meltemi wind. The temperatures are slightly lower.
Northern Greece sunshine with a temperature around 35°C. At the end of the month it drops slightly.
Best destinations for August Lipsi, Astypalaia, Lemnos, Nisyros.
September September is a warm month, don't forget that autumn enters on the 21st of the month. Temperatures are bearable, around 30°C. The heat waves subside once and for all. Clouds make their appearance more often. As the month goes on the heat is limited to the midday hours. At night, until the middle of the month, the temperature fluctuates around 20°C but at the end it drops to 15°C. The air conditioning is not needed as much as the temperatures are cool. At the beginning of the month it is summer but towards the end this feeling has stopped.
Islands clear skies in September too. The meltemi wind drops noticeably. It is the last month of summer with temperatures around 30°C.
Northern Greece summer month at least until the middle, the temperature below 30°C. At the end of the month it can reach 25°C. Slowly the morning chill is coming.
Best destinations for September Kefalonia, Ithaca, Alonissos, Karpathos.
October now summer is a memory and summer clothes are put in the closet. Autumn is coming for good and the clouds are settling permanently in the sky. We wear long clothes but not thick and warm, it is still autumn. Mornings and evenings are chilly and a jacket is needed. The heat is limited to midday when you can still wear short sleeves. At midday the temperature exceeds 20°C but can reach 25°C. In the morning it can be as low as 10°C. Daylight saving time is in effect until the last Saturday, so until then we can do activities without any limitations.
Islands the temperature ranges from 20°C - 30°C. The meltemi wind continues with less intensity. Sunshine prevails although clouds appear.
Northern Greece autumn scenery, the morning chill has come. Temperature below 30°C.
Best destinations for October Santorini, Crete, Paros.
November the day has shortened considerably. Winter time is now in effect and night falls early. The sun passes low on the horizon and it becomes more difficult to see it. The maximum temperature is at 20°C or even lower. Morning and night below 15°C or even 10°C. The clouds are getting heavier and bring rain. Even if there is sun it doesn't bring much heat anymore. Now we wear long sleeves and jackets.
Islands lower winds this month with temperatures around 20°C. The days bring clouds with moderate winds.
Northern Greece mornings and evenings are now cold, a jacket is needed. The maximum temperature is around 20°C.
Best destinations for November Ioannina, Trikala.
December winter sets in and heavy rains, storms, low clouds and low temperatures begin. The maximum temperature is around 15°C. In mornings and evenings the temperatures are very low. Usually at the end of the month the first snowfall on the mountains comes.
Islands winter scenery with cold but not freezing temperatures.
Northern Greece cold, frost in the morning, first snow falls in the mountains.
Best destinations for December Karpenisi, Pelion, Kalavrita.
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