When is the best time of year to visit Greece? That depends on what you want to get out of your holiday. While typically considered a summer destination, Greece has plenty to offer year-round. Here is a guide to help you decide when to visit Greece for an unforgettable vacation!
Discover the best time to visit Greece
Summer is the most popular time for people to visit Greece. However, Greece is a destination that shines year-round, offering something special in every season!
From sun-soaked beaches in summer to quiet ancient sites and snow-capped mountains in winter, the best time to visit Greece depends on your preferences and what you want to get out of your holiday.
Whether you’re chasing beach weather, blooming landscapes, serenity, or vibrant city life, this guide will help you discover when to plan your ideal Greek getaway.
Visiting Greece in summer
Greece is typically considered a summer destination, with the summer months being June, July and August. This is when most people visit from all around the world, to enjoy the warm, dry climate, lovely beaches and clear blue sea.
The Greek islands and coastal areas are at their most vibrant in summer, and all businesses are open, welcoming visitors. Beach bars are lively all day long, and there is plenty of nightlife.
Is summer the best time of year to visit Greece?
For many people, summer offers the quintessential experience of Greece. Lazy beach days, long nights, and some sightseeing in between. However, the summer months are also the warmest and busiest time of the year to visit Greece.
During the summer, temperatures in Athens sometimes exceed 38-40 C (100-105 F), and there are large crowds queuing to see the Acropolis and the other ancient sites in the Greek capital.
As for the islands and coastal areas, you’ll see them at their most vibrant in summer – in fact, the most famous ones, like Santorini, can get uncomfortably busy. Accommodation and car rental prices skyrocket, and advance booking is essential, especially for August.
If beach time is a priority, and you don’t mind high temperatures or busy resorts, then summer is the best time to visit Greece. Have a look at these tips, so that you know what to expect:
- Top 10 tips for visiting Greece in summer
- How to stay cool in the summer in Athens
- The best time to visit the Greek islands
However, if you want to discover some of Greece’s many other faces, or just avoid the summer crowds, you could always visit Greece during the other seasons.
What is Greece in autumn like?
The months of September, October and November are autumn in Greece. The weather gradually gets cooler all over the country, and there are typically rainy days, especially in certain regions such as the Ionian islands.
If you like swimming, September is probably the best month to visit Greece. The sea is much warmer than in early summer, the tourist crowds are gone, and accommodation is much more affordable.
Most of the islands are still lively in September. If you are visiting Greece in October or November, you will find that many hotels, restaurants and bars on the islands have closed down for the season.
Here are some of the warmest Greek islands to visit in October.
Autumn activities in Greece
In bigger cities like Athens, normal activities resume after summer, and the temperatures are much more pleasant for sightseeing than in July or August. Still, daytime temperatures can sometimes exceed 30 C (86 F) in September.
Overall, autumn is great for sightseeing – you can visit the ancient sites and museums and walk around Athens without the summer crowds. It’s also a good time for cultural events, concerts and performances. For example, have a look at this article about Athens in November.
Travelling to Greece in autumn can be very rewarding for travellers who likes nature and hiking. Mainland Greece, as well as many of the islands, are very mountainous, and you can enjoy beautiful autumn colours anywhere you go.
If you are in Greece in autumn, you can even pick chestnuts! Every year, many areas in Greece organize chestnut picking festivals in October. The photo below was taken in the mountainous area of Nafpaktia, a few hours from Athens.
Is there anything to do in Greece in the winter?
Winter in Greece falls during the months of December, January and February. And while these are not the most common months to visit Greece, there is still a lot to do in terms of sightseeing and museum-hopping.
The main attractions in Greece are nowhere near as crowded as in summer, apart from the occasional school trip. Make sure you are informed of the shorter closing times, and plan your visit accordingly.
You can also visit the various mountain villages all around the country. If you are visiting during Christmas or New Year’s, make sure you book your accommodation in advance.
Yes, you can go skiing in Greece!
Did you know that temperatures in many areas of Greece drop to 0 C (32 F) or less in winter? The lowest temperature recorded in Greece in the last couple of decades was -25.1 C (-13.2 F) in Florina, north Greece!
Mainland Greece has a very mountainous terrain, and several ski resorts operate throughout the country. Parnassos, Kalavrita and Vasilitsa are among the most popular ski resorts in Greece.
Even if you go skiing in Greece, the sun may eventually appear, so make sure you pack some sunblock! And if you come from a country with a cold climate, bring a swimsuit too – winter swimming in Greece is not so uncommon.
With all that said, while Athens never get as cold as most other European capitals, snow is not uncommon. This is me outside my house in Athens in February 2021!
Visit Greece in spring
March, April, and May mark the spring season in Greece, and the country comes alive with blooming flowers and greenery. Late spring is the time that seasonal destinations, like the islands, start preparing for summer.
While March can still be rainy and grey, the weather slowly transitions into a milder and drier climate in April. By May, sunny days become more frequent and daytime is longer.
Spring is the ideal season to visit Greece if you want to explore the ancient sites, go hiking in the mountains, or try white water rafting. It’s also a fantastic time to enjoy the beaches before the summer crowds arrive – though the water will still be fresh.
One of the best things about spring in Greece? The abundance of fresh seasonal produce, like strawberries and cherries, as well as fields of poppies and daisies!
Celebrating Greek Easter in spring
A special time to visit Greece in spring is during Greek Easter, which is a major religious holiday. It is celebrated in April or May with unique customs, church masses and special culinary traditions, such as lamb on the spit.
All in all, if you visit Greece in spring, you will experience the charm of Greece at its most colourful and refreshing. However, spring is not the best time to go swimming, or to experience nightlife and beach parties on the islands. You’ll have to wait a couple of months for that!
Conclusion: When is the best time of year to visit Greece?
As always, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question! It all depends on your preferences, and what you are interested in doing when you visit Greece.
Here is a brief summary:
- Spring in Greece – Best for sightseeing, outdoor activities, hiking, nature, swimming (late spring), Greek Easter
- Summer in Greece – Best for beaches, sun, swimming, island nightlife
- Autumn in Greece – Best for sightseeing, outdoor activities, mountains, lakes, swimming (early autumn)
- Winter in Greece – Best for cities, museums, skiing, Christmas break, winter road trip
More Greece Travel Guides
I hope you enjoyed this guide! You might also be interested in some of these other posts about Greece:
- 20 Things you should know about Greece
- Greek island groups
- How to see Ancient Athens for free
- Cheapest time to visit Greece
Hi! I’m Vanessa from Athens and I love travelling around Greece and the Greek islands. Follow me on my social media:
- Facebook page and very active Facebook group
- Amazon
Are face masks required in Greece? We will be traveling in Greece this October.
Hi Dennis, no masks are no longer required! Enjoy your time!