Greece
The best time to visit
When to go to Greece
Go in May and June or September and October for warm, dry days, swimmable seas and lighter crowds. July and August are hot and packed, and winter is mild but many islands wind down.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Athens. Higher is better. Some links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Apr.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
The quietest, cheapest stretch of the year.
In short
The year at a glance
Greece runs on a long, dry Mediterranean summer. The month ratings track Athens, where late spring and early autumn bring warm, rainless days, blooming or golden landscapes, and a sea that stays swimmable from late May into October. The peak of July and August is hot and very busy.
The islands largely follow the same rhythm but with a catch: outside the May to October season, ferries thin out and many hotels and tavernas close, especially on the smaller islands. The mainland and Athens stay open and pleasant for sightseeing year round.
Month by month
Greece month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Athens.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°C / 55°F | 6°C / 43°F | 56 mm | Great 70 | Cool with a little rain. |
| February | 14°C / 57°F | 6°C / 43°F | 47 mm | Ideal 75 | Cool and dry. |
| March | 16°C / 61°F | 8°C / 46°F | 41 mm | Ideal 83 | Cool and dry. |
| April | 20°C / 68°F | 11°C / 52°F | 30 mm | Ideal 100 | Mild and dry. Athens hotels in April |
| May | 25°C / 77°F | 15°C / 59°F | 23 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. Athens hotels in May |
| June | 30°C / 86°F | 20°C / 68°F | 11 mm | Ideal 93 | Hot and dry. |
| July | 33°C / 91°F | 23°C / 73°F | 6 mm | Ideal 80 | Hot and dry. |
| August | 33°C / 91°F | 23°C / 73°F | 6 mm | Ideal 80 | Hot and dry. |
| September | 29°C / 84°F | 19°C / 66°F | 14 mm | Ideal 97 | Hot and dry. Athens hotels in September |
| October | 23°C / 73°F | 15°C / 59°F | 52 mm | Ideal 97 | Warm and dry. |
| November | 18°C / 64°F | 11°C / 52°F | 57 mm | Ideal 91 | Mild with a little rain. |
| December | 14°C / 57°F | 8°C / 46°F | 65 mm | Great 73 | Cool with a little rain. |
By city
Which city, which month
The strip above rates Athens. Pick a month to see how 8 cities compare.
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens Attica | 70 | 75 | 83 | 100 | 100 | 93 | 80 | 80 | 97 | 97 | 91 | 73 |
| Thessaloniki The north | 50 | 67 | 79 | 100 | 98 | 93 | 87 | 87 | 100 | 99 | 83 | 62 |
| Ioannina Epirus and the Pindus | 41 | 51 | 71 | 81 | 89 | 100 | 90 | 90 | 96 | 77 | 55 | 46 |
| Corfu Ionian islands | 56 | 64 | 76 | 87 | 100 | 100 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 66 | 51 | 50 |
| Mykonos Cyclades | 73 | 75 | 83 | 96 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 91 | 77 |
| Santorini Cyclades | 68 | 78 | 83 | 96 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 90 | 76 |
| Rhodes Dodecanese | 53 | 71 | 85 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 90 | 90 | 97 | 94 | 82 | 52 |
| Heraklion Crete | 76 | 81 | 87 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 97 | 97 | 100 | 96 | 94 | 81 |
Same 0 to 100 rating as the strip above, from each city's own long-run normals.
By region
Where you go changes when you go
Athens and the mainland
Hot summers and mild winters. Spring and autumn are ideal for the Acropolis and ancient sites, without the summer heat.
The Cyclades and islands
Santorini, Mykonos and the rest are at their best from May to mid June and late August into September, warm but a touch calmer.
Crete and the south
The warmest, longest season of all, with swimming well into October and mild winters.
Backpacker route
Athens, Meteora and down the Cyclades to Crete
A few days in Athens, a train north to the monasteries at Meteora, then ferries south through the Cyclades to Santorini and on to Crete. Late May, June and September are the sweet spot: ferries running, sea warm, crowds thin.
Lines show the order of stops, not the roads or ferry tracks.
Athens
The Acropolis, Plaka and Psyrri. Base for the train north and the ferries south.
Nafplio
A Venetian harbour town, with Epidaurus and Mycenae close by.
Meteora
Monasteries on rock pillars. One full day covers the main ones; cover shoulders and knees.
- Train back, then the ferry from Piraeus
Paros
Naoussa harbour, Parikia and the beaches in between. A sociable hub island.
Naxos
The biggest Cycladic island: long beaches, hill villages, and the best value of the group.
Milos
Volcanic coves and the moonscape at Sarakiniko. Rent a scooter.
Santorini
The caldera, Oia at sunset and the Fira to Oia walk. Two nights is plenty.
Heraklion, Crete
Knossos, the old harbour, then Chania or the Samaria gorge. Fly home from Heraklion.
Chania
The prettiest harbour in Crete, and the base for the Samaria gorge and Balos.
Route drawn from Santorini Dave, Greece itinerary and island hopping, Tourlane, Greece itinerary 2 weeks, Bucketlistly, 2 weeks backpacking Greece, Hostelz, Greek islands backpacking route. Check timetables for the month you travel.
Go for
Best time to visit Greece for
Islands and beaches
Late May to mid June and September, with warm seas, sunshine and fewer crowds than the August rush.
Ancient sites
April, May, June, September and October, when Athens and Delphi are pleasant rather than scorching.
Nightlife
July and August, when Mykonos and the party islands are at full tilt.
Quiet and value
May and October bring the best mix of good weather, open tavernas and cheaper rates.
On the calendar
What is on, and when
Island season, May to Oct
Ferries run, tavernas open and the Aegean warms up for swimming.
Warm seas, September
The sea is at its warmest after a summer of sun, ideal for late swimming.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Greece
Compare hotels and rentals around Athens, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions