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Choose your place first. Athens and the islands differ. Compare mainland, Ionian and southern island weather below.

Weather scores use Athens as a reference. They are not forecasts or measures of snow, prices or crowds. How to use these ratings

Athens weather by month
AvoidFairGoodGreatIdeal
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Athens. Higher is better. Some booking links earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Best months
Apr to May, Sep to Oct

The steadiest weather, peaking around Apr.

Shoulder
Mar, Jun to Jul, Nov

Other months to compare; prices and crowds depend on your destination and dates.

Low season
Aug, Dec to Feb

Compare current prices for your dates. Weather cannot show the cheapest month.

The year at a glance

The month ratings above track Athens. Summer is hotter there than in Heraklion. Check the city table for your destination.

Island and mountain conditions differ. Summer winds can affect ferry trips; check current sailings before travel.

Apr
Top Athens score
33°C
Warmest, Jul
65mm
Wettest, Dec
6°C
Coldest, Jan

Greece weather by place

The score above uses Athens. Compare northern Greece, Corfu, Crete and Rhodes before choosing a month.

Swipe the table sideways on a small screen.

Average daytime high and monthly rain, 2001–2020

MonthAthensThessalonikiCorfuHeraklionRhodes
Jan12°C
66 mm rain
9°C
47 mm rain
13°C
125 mm rain
14°C
88 mm rain
15°C
167 mm rain
Feb13°C
58 mm rain
11°C
38 mm rain
13°C
110 mm rain
15°C
75 mm rain
15°C
112 mm rain
Mar16°C
53 mm rain
14°C
48 mm rain
15°C
96 mm rain
16°C
42 mm rain
17°C
63 mm rain
Apr19°C
30 mm rain
18°C
40 mm rain
18°C
55 mm rain
19°C
23 mm rain
19°C
41 mm rain
May25°C
21 mm rain
24°C
46 mm rain
22°C
42 mm rain
22°C
15 mm rain
24°C
22 mm rain
Jun30°C
19 mm rain
30°C
37 mm rain
26°C
27 mm rain
26°C
5 mm rain
28°C
6 mm rain
Jul33°C
12 mm rain
33°C
29 mm rain
29°C
16 mm rain
28°C
3 mm rain
31°C
3 mm rain
Aug32°C
8 mm rain
33°C
24 mm rain
30°C
25 mm rain
28°C
4 mm rain
32°C
3 mm rain
Sep28°C
29 mm rain
27°C
47 mm rain
26°C
81 mm rain
26°C
18 mm rain
29°C
18 mm rain
Oct23°C
49 mm rain
21°C
51 mm rain
22°C
115 mm rain
23°C
46 mm rain
25°C
52 mm rain
Nov18°C
69 mm rain
15°C
44 mm rain
18°C
151 mm rain
20°C
59 mm rain
20°C
95 mm rain
Dec14°C
86 mm rain
10°C
64 mm rain
14°C
155 mm rain
16°C
85 mm rain
17°C
161 mm rain

In October, Corfu gets more rain than Heraklion. July days are hotter in Athens and Thessaloniki than Heraklion.

These five points miss the Cyclades, mountain weather and sea conditions. Summer island winds can also affect a trip.

Sources and weather limits

NASA POWER / MERRA-2 estimates use daily data from 2001–2020. Highs are average daily highs; rain is the average monthly total. These are map-based averages, not forecasts or station records. The Athens score and older city map use separate inputs.

Athens data · Thessaloniki data · Corfu data · Heraklion data · Rhodes data · Visit Greece climate guide · Ionian Islands · Checked October 2026

Greece month by month

Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Athens.

JanuaryCool with a little rain.Great 70
Daytime high
13°C / 55°F
Overnight low
6°C / 43°F
Rainfall
56 mm

Cool with a little rain.

FebruaryCool and dry.Ideal 75
Daytime high
14°C / 57°F
Overnight low
6°C / 43°F
Rainfall
47 mm

Cool and dry.

MarchCool and dry.Ideal 83
Daytime high
16°C / 61°F
Overnight low
8°C / 46°F
Rainfall
41 mm

Cool and dry.

AprilMild and dryIdeal 100
Daytime high
20°C / 68°F
Overnight low
11°C / 52°F
Rainfall
30 mm

Mild and dry.

MayWarm and dryIdeal 100
Daytime high
25°C / 77°F
Overnight low
15°C / 59°F
Rainfall
23 mm

Warm and dry.

JuneHot and dry.Ideal 93
Daytime high
30°C / 86°F
Overnight low
20°C / 68°F
Rainfall
11 mm

Hot and dry.

JulyHot and dry.Ideal 80
Daytime high
33°C / 91°F
Overnight low
23°C / 73°F
Rainfall
6 mm

Hot and dry.

AugustHot and dry.Ideal 80
Daytime high
33°C / 91°F
Overnight low
23°C / 73°F
Rainfall
6 mm

Hot and dry.

SeptemberHot and dryIdeal 97
Daytime high
29°C / 84°F
Overnight low
19°C / 66°F
Rainfall
14 mm

Hot and dry.

OctoberWarm and dry.Ideal 97
Daytime high
23°C / 73°F
Overnight low
15°C / 59°F
Rainfall
52 mm

Warm and dry.

NovemberMild with a little rain.Ideal 91
Daytime high
18°C / 64°F
Overnight low
11°C / 52°F
Rainfall
57 mm

Mild with a little rain.

DecemberCool with a little rain.Great 73
Daytime high
14°C / 57°F
Overnight low
8°C / 46°F
Rainfall
65 mm

Cool with a little rain.

Which city, which month

The strip above rates Athens. Pick a month to see how 8 cities compare.

100Athens100Thessaloniki81Ioannina87Corfu96Mykonos96Santorini100Rhodes100Heraklion
April

CityJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Athens Attica70758310010093808097979173
Thessaloniki The north50677910098938787100998362
Ioannina Epirus and the Pindus4151718189100909096775546
Corfu Ionian islands56647687100100909088665150
Mykonos Cyclades737583961001001001001001009177
Santorini Cyclades687883961001001001001001009076
Rhodes Dodecanese537185100100100909097948252
Heraklion Crete7681871001001009797100969481

Same 0 to 100 rating as the strip above, from each city's own long-run normals.

Where you go changes when you go

01

Athens and the mainland

Hot summers and mild winters. Spring and autumn are ideal for the Acropolis and ancient sites, without the summer heat.

02

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.

03

Crete and the south

The warmest, longest season of all, with swimming well into October and mild winters.

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.

AthensNafplioMeteoraParosNaxosMilosSantoriniHeraklion, CreteChania

Lines show the order of stops, not the roads or ferry tracks.

  1. Athens

    The Acropolis, Plaka and Psyrri. Base for the train north and the ferries south.

  2. Nafplio

    A Venetian harbour town, with Epidaurus and Mycenae close by.

  3. Meteora

    Monasteries on rock pillars. One full day covers the main ones; cover shoulders and knees.

  4. Train back, then the ferry from Piraeus
  5. Paros

    Naoussa harbour, Parikia and the beaches in between. A sociable hub island.

  6. Naxos

    The biggest Cycladic island: long beaches, hill villages, and the best value of the group.

  7. Milos

    Volcanic coves and the moonscape at Sarakiniko. Rent a scooter.

  8. Santorini

    The caldera, Oia at sunset and the Fira to Oia walk. Two nights is plenty.

  9. Heraklion, Crete

    Knossos, the old harbour, then Chania or the Samaria gorge. Fly home from Heraklion.

  10. 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.

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

Compare weather and current prices for your dates.

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 in Greece

Compare places to stay around Athens. Choose your dates on the booking site.

We may earn a commission when you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. Recommendations and weather ratings are independent of commission.

Before you choose a stay

  • Check the exact location and transport connections.
  • Compare the full price, including taxes and fees.
  • Read cancellation terms before you book.

Your travel month helps with planning. Enter your own dates on the booking site.

Ready to book?

Compare actual rates for your travel dates. The weather scores above do not predict accommodation prices or availability.

Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights

Good to know

What is the best time to visit Greece?
May to June and September to October, with warm, dry weather, swimmable seas and far smaller crowds than July and August.
Can you visit the Greek islands in winter?
You can, but many hotels and tavernas close and ferries run less often, especially on the smaller islands. Crete and the larger islands stay more active.
When is the sea warmest in Greece?
September, after a full summer of sun, which is why early autumn is so popular for swimming.

Where else, and when

Every country on one map, or jump straight to another guide.