So, you’re finally planning that dream vacation in Greece but can’t figure out the best time to visit? Many travelers consider the ideal time to visit the Mediterranean country to be the hot, dry summer months of June, July, and August. But there’s plenty to do beyond this period, which is also the busiest and most expensive time to holiday there.
The shoulder-season months of May and October, when the beaches are quieter, the water is warm enough to swim, and hotel rates drop, are increasingly attractive. If you’re looking to tour the ancient sites or go sailing, spring or fall is appealing because you can still expect mostly sunny days (the country gets 250 per year) but with more comfortable temperatures.
To save cash and get under the skin of the capital, Athens, while dodging peak-season crowds, consider a winter trip. Here’s the best time to visit Greece, whether you intend to island-hop, explore archaeological wonders, or avoid the crowds.
Best time to visit the Greek islands
- Best months: April–June, September–October
April through October is the best time to go island hopping in Greece. While it can occasionally rain in the spring or fall, the weather is generally sunny and warm. It’s slightly cooler up north, but the further you head south, the temperatures rise. Check Meteo for up-to-date forecasts.
Generally, from about mid-May, Greece’s seas are warm enough for swimming and stay that way until the end of October. June has become an increasingly popular month to visit, though it can be quite hot and busy, with temperatures sometimes reaching the mid-90s Fahrenheit.
Flight fares, accommodation rates, and crowds peak in July and August, particularly in popular island groups like the Cyclades, Ionian, and Dodecanese. These are Greece’s two hottest months, when average temperatures hover around the low 90s but frequently reach the mid-90s; however, the odds of a heat wave, when the thermometer can go as high as 113 degrees, are higher.
Once summer breaks end in late August, the islands become decidedly more serene, making September and October perfect months to wind down by the water. Average temperatures range in the mid-80s and low 80s, respectively.
Best time to visit Greece for sailing
- Best months: April–June, September–October
With more than 6,000 islands and islets, 227 of which are inhabited, Greece is home to some of the world’s most desirable sailing spots. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced sailor or have never stepped foot on a yacht, there are countless itineraries to choose from. Rates are particularly tempting in April, May, and October, when marina berths are easier to find and northerly winds, which can be quite fierce in July and August, are much less likely.
In the relatively calm, turquoise seas of the Ionian Sea, flotilla yacht charters are great for family and friends seeking easygoing sailing between islands, including Corfu, Lefkas, and Paxos. Challenging conditions await seasoned sailors in the Aegean, particularly in the Cyclades, where pirates once roamed. To the southeast, the Dodecanese Islands feature historical and cultural attractions such as Rhodes’ medieval old town and Leros’ Mussolini-era rationalist architecture.
Best time to visit Greece for sightseeing
- Best months: April–May, October–November
Spring and fall make for superlative sightseeing. Exploring ancient hot spots like Delphi, ancient Epidaurus, and Olympia on foot is much more pleasant in spring temperatures averaging from the 60s to the high 70s. Rainfall and cooler temperatures are a possibility—so you may need to layer up—but you can mostly get by with a T-shirt.
Visiting archaeological sites in early spring or late fall means more room to move, compared to summer when cruise ship passenger tour groups descend on them en masse. Ticket booth queues are considerably shorter.
Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece, gets its fair share of visitors. But they’re largely concentrated in the summer months.
Photo by Marco Argüello
Best time to visit Greece to avoid the crowds
- Best months: October–May
Summer is Greece’s high season, so if you would rather dodge the crowds, time your trip accordingly. September sees significant numbers of visitors, particularly among those not tied to school holiday periods.
By October, the beaches, towns, and tavernas of Naxos, Paros, and Kos are gloriously sedate. Take a ramble through the colorful Cretan port town of Chania in November, and blue skies are almost guaranteed. This is the month when you’ll find some of the best rates for domestic flights and hotels, though keep in mind that many accommodation options close by the end of October.
With winter’s arrival, consider going to Greece’s northwestern mountain areas. Aside from the Christmas and New Year period, relatively few travelers venture to the Epirus region—where crackling fireplaces and a hearty welcome await guests of stone-built boutique lodgings. Some of the loveliest are scattered throughout the traditional villages of UNESCO World Heritage–listed Zagori, home to Vikos Gorge.
Winter is also the best time of year to capture Santorini’s ethereal beauty without being sandwiched by selfie-snappers. Expect average temperatures of 55 degrees and a small number of hotels catering to an eclectic group of off-season travelers.
Best time to visit Athens
- Best months: October–May
Many people tack a stay in Athens onto the start or end of a Greek island jaunt during the busy summer period—but consider instead dedicating a good week to digging into the nitty-gritty of this dynamic city.
The best time to schedule a visit to the Greek capital is during late fall, winter, or early spring. This is when Athens is at its prime and, more notably, when Athenians are in town. So, you’ll gain a better perspective of what life is really like here.
Make no mistake—it can be chilly between December and March. But if you’re willing to risk a rainy day or two, this is when you’ll capture the Acropolis and its monuments in golden afternoon light sans the tourist crush. You’ll have treasure troves like the National Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Islamic Art almost completely to yourself. At the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, enjoy a free concert after a walk through herb-scented gardens by day, or catch a performance at the Greek National Opera by night. Bonus: You’ll be able to easily snag a table at Athens’s burgeoning collection of Michelin-starred restaurants or established family-run mezze joints that never go out of style.
