Ready to begin planning your dream Greek trip?
Among all journey concerns, selecting the most effective time to go to Greece might be on the prime of your precedence listing. With good purpose, too, as deciding when to go to Greece can majorly impression the value of your journey, the variety of vacationers visiting the nation, and the climate you’ll have all through your keep.
Lucky for you, we’ve put collectively a whole information on the most effective time to journey to Greece, full with a month-by-month breakdown of the climate in Greece, occasions and festivals, and the most cost effective time to go!
Keep studying to search out out all you could learn about the most effective time to go to Greece!
Quick Answer: When’s The Best Time to Visit Greece?
One of the most effective issues about Greece is it’s a implausible year-round vacation spot. The balmy Mediterranean local weather signifies that it’s heat in the summertime and delicate within the winter, permitting you to absorb the sights no issues if you select to go to Greece.
That being stated, Greece does have distinct seasons associated to tourism. So you might need to plan your travels round sure months to keep away from massive crowds and costly lodging and even worse, total cities shut down for the low season.
Our suggestion is to go to Greece throughout the shoulder season from May- early June and from late September to October.
High season in Greece is throughout the summer season months, beginning in late June and lasting till the center or finish of September.
August is the height month of the yr for tourism, particularly within the Greek islands because the solar is out and the air is scorching, good for lengthy days spent on the seaside.
During excessive season, you possibly can anticipate inflated costs for lodging, eating, parking and extra, together with hoards of vacationers in every single place from mainland Greek cities to the island seashores.
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On the opposite hand, off-season in Greece runs from November to March when the vacationers are sparse and the climate is cooler.
Winter within the Mediterranean means gray, cloudy days and the occasional drizzle. Some retailers and inns shut for the off-season, particularly in beachy locations, however to not worry, there’s nonetheless a lot open for a enjoyable journey in Greece.
The better part about visiting Greece throughout the off-season is that costs are total a lot cheaper than throughout the summer season months, good for an inexpensive trip on the fly!
Best Time to Visit Mainland Greece
If you’re planning to go to mainland Greece, you’ll be blissful to know that it’s nice all yr lengthy. The websites keep open and there’s a lot to do whether or not you need to uncover Delphi or admire archaeology in Athens.
While it’s nice year-round, the most effective time to go to mainland Greece is between May and October when the climate is balmy and the solar is shining. Shoulder months (earlier than June and after September) are particularly charming because the Greek mainland empties out slightly from the summer season crowds, making for a extra pleasurable journey.
You’ll in all probability need to keep away from spending a whole lot of time on mainland Greece throughout the hottest months of the yr; July and August get so heat that sightseeing all through the day might be quite disagreeable.
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Best Time to Visit the Greek Islands
Is the middle of your journey the Greek islands? If so, plan a trip for the summer season months when you possibly can take advantage of the seashores and outside actions.
Just needless to say August is the busiest time within the Greek islands and in addition the costliest. So for those who aren’t keen to interrupt the financial institution for this journey, plan it for another month.
If you’re visiting the Greek islands throughout the winter, you’ll discover it so much quieter and emptier than throughout summer season months. You could discover a lot of issues are closed, however make your approach to Santorini or Crete, the place sufficient stays open throughout low season for time whatever the climate.
Plus, issues can be a lot cheaper than throughout peak season, I can promise you that!
Planning a Trip to Greece
There are some prime concerns in the case of planning a visit to Greece, like when to go, how a lot it’s going to value, and thrilling occasions occurring all through the nation.
Best Months to Visit Greece
Overall, the finest months to go to Greece are anyplace between the tip of April and the start of November.
April is when the great climate begins to return out in Greece and by the point May hits, the solar is shining, the birds are chirping, and the water is beginning to heat up.
June, July, and August are the most well liked months of the yr in Greece and have sunshiney days, good for beaching, exploring and something in between. That being stated, keep away from August in any respect prices — it’s the busiest time in Greece!
On the opposite facet of summer season, September is when issues begin to settle down, each when it comes to crowds and the climate. By the time October rolls round, the nights are a lot cooler, whereas the times stay surprisingly nice. November is when the gray days come to their peak, however the starting of the month continues to be pretty — simply you should definitely pack a raincoat as you possibly can anticipate a number of showers!
You’ll in all probability discover that the most effective months to go to Greece are throughout the shoulder season, both earlier than peak season or after if you’ll nonetheless have good climate with out a great deal of folks. April and early May are nice, in addition to late September, October, and early November.
Cheapest Time to Go to Greece
Greece has the potential to be the last word finances vacation spot with its distinct low seasons when the costs drop because the crowds skinny out.
Generally, you’ll discover that the most cost effective time to go to Greece is between March and May or October and November, particularly for those who’re hoping to hit the islands. This is when costs for lodging drop, eating places have a extra native really feel to them, and issues are total a lot cheaper than throughout the top of the summer season.
If mainland Greece is the point of interest of your journey, you’ll discover that it’s really most cost-effective from January to March. The climate in Greece will not be ideally suited throughout this time of yr, with a lot of rain and cloudy days, however inns and hostels are tremendous cheap and also you’ll be capable of save a ton of cash visiting throughout this time of yr!
Weather in Greece
For pure bliss in the case of climate in Greece, you must goal to be there early summer season or on the tail finish of peak season.
The finish of April, May, and June are when issues begin to warmth up, each on the mainland and the islands, with attractive, sunshine-filled days and clear blue skies. Temperatures common round 70°F in May and 75°F in June, good for exploring with out being drenched in sweat.
No matter what time of yr you’ll be visiting Greece, take a look at our Europe packing listing to be sure you’ll have the whole lot you want!
September and October additionally boast lovely climate in Greece; it’s not as torturously scorching as it’s throughout July and August however nonetheless heat sufficient to benefit from the seaside and plenty of outdoors time. In September, temperatures common round 82°F, ideally suited for taking a dip within the sea, nonetheless holding onto the warmth from summer season.
November by way of March is when the gray Mediterranean climate rolls in, with cooler days, cloudy skies, and plenty of drizzly climate. It’ll be cheaper to go to Greece, however this time of yr isn’t the most effective in the case of having fun with the seashores and exploring outdoors. November averages out to round 66°F, whereas March is even chillier with a median temperature of 59°F.
Festivals and Popular Events in Greece
Greece is well-known for big festivals and annual occasions that draw folks in from far and vast to partake within the festivities. These occasions are scattered all year long, however are positively price planning your journey round as a way to expertise a number of the craziness, as properly!
The most well-known competition in Greece is Patras Carnival, an enormous celebration in January (lasting into February) which is filled with parades, music, and an entire lot of enjoyable.
Other superb occasions to catch whereas in Greece are:
- Independence Day in March
- Athens International Film Festival in April
- Salsa Spring Festival in May
- Santorini’s International Music Festival in September
- Ochi Day in October
- the Christmas season in December
A Month-by-Month Guide on When to Visit Greece
Greece in January
Weather: Average of fifty°F, clouds, rain
Where to Go: Athens
Festivals & Events: New Years, Ephiphany, Patras Carnival
Greece in January is the coldest time of the yr whether or not you’re on the mainland or the Greek islands, with gray, overcast days and loads of rain.
That being stated, the vacationer crowd is sort of skinny throughout this time, so you possibly can usually discover nice offers on lodging, as long as you aren’t trying throughout the New Year interval. I
Despite the less-than-ideal climate, January continues to be month for sightseeing, particularly round Athens. You’ll have the traditional ruins all to your self, free from the hoards of individuals that include the great climate. Just be ready with the correct journey gear!
January has a number of enjoyable festivals like Ephiphany, the place a cross is thrown right into a physique of water and swimmers are supposed to retrieve it, and Patras Carnival, essentially the most elaborate competition of the yr.
During this time, folks take to the streets to parade round, dance to loud music, and socialize with everybody who has come from far and vast to have fun the New Year.
Greece in February
Weather: Average of 57°F, cloudy
Where to Go: Athens, Santorini, Crete
Festivals & Events: Carnival, Clean Monday
Greece in February nonetheless sees only a few guests, so it’s the most effective time to journey to Greece for those who’re trying to have the nation to your self. The climate continues to be fairly chilly, but it surely rains much less so that you’re capable of spend extra time outdoors.
If you’re visiting Greece in February, head to locations like Santorini the place you will have a little bit of winter solar with out the vacationers or hit Athens for some historic sightseeing. No matter the place you go, you’ll discover that costs are a lot decrease than throughout peak season — win!
February is an entire lot of enjoyable in Greece, because it’s the month of Carnival which is well known all through the nation. That being stated, you’ll discover the most effective events round Athens and Crete, the place locals take to the streets to eat, drink, dance, and parade round.
To signify the tip of Carnival, there’s Clean Monday, a public vacation the place folks spend time outdoors flying kites.
Greece in March
Weather: Average of 60°F, sunnier days, much less precipitation
Where to Go: Crete, Rhodes, Mainland Greece
Festivals & Events: Independence Day
While nonetheless a bit chilly, the climate in Greece begins to get slightly higher in March, particularly as you journey additional south. Temperatures can attain as much as 70°F on the islands, heat sufficient for a while on the seaside and comfy exploration.
Plus, the vacationer crowds haven’t arrived but, so that you’re capable of take pleasure in some island serenity, uninterrupted.
If you’re visiting Greece in March, it’s a good time to discover the traditional websites all through the mainland. Visit Athens and Delphi with out lengthy entrance queues or a great deal of vacationers attempting to snap an image.
The largest occasion in March is Greece’s Independence Day when you’ll discover all types of festivities occurring all through the nation. Parades, ingesting, and an entire lot of enjoyable, folks take to the streets to have fun Greece on March 25!
Greece in April
Weather: Average of 70°F, sunny
Where to Go: Rhodes, Crete, Santorini, Naxos, Athens
Festivals & Events: Holy Week & Easter, Athens International Film and Video Festival
April is when issues begin to be fairly wonderful in Greece, making it the most effective instances to journey to Greece.
The solar begins to interrupt by way of the dreariness left behind by winter and temperatures creep upwards everywhere in the nation. While it’s nonetheless a bit too chilly to swim, April is when the ocean surrounding Greece begins to heat up, making it tantalizing for any beachgoers visiting throughout this month.
Planning a visit to Greece in April? Visit the Greek islands like Rhodes, Crete, Santorini, and Naxos and don’t neglect to pack a showering swimsuit! While it gained’t be too scorching, the climate is charming, with sunny days good for lounging round on the seaside with out getting overheated.
Since the vacationer crowds haven’t come out in full drive but, you’ll take pleasure in a little bit of serenity as you journey by way of the nation.
April brings Easter in Greece, celebrated all through the nation by nearly all of locals. Prior to Easter itself, there’s a Holy Week, which lasts from Palm Sunday to Easter Day. This is taken into account essentially the most non secular time of the yr in Greece. During this week, you’ll discover that many retailers are closed and the church buildings are overflowing, supplying you with a glimpse into the non secular lifetime of many Greeks.
Besides Easter, every April, there’s additionally an International Film and Video Festival held in Athens, the place folks from everywhere in the world come to indicate their films!
Greece in May
Weather: Average of 75°F, clear days, a lot of sunshine
Where to Go: Greek Islands, Athens, Korinthia
Festivals & Events: Salsa Spring Festival, Athens Jazz Festival
May is your final alternative to go to Greece earlier than the summer season crowds begin pouring in.
Greece in May is when low-cost lodging begins to dissipate, making room for the costly resorts and inns reopening for the summer season months. That being stated, you possibly can nonetheless discover some good offers early within the month whereas the climate begins to heat up.
May is sort of heat in Greece, irrespective of the place you’re within the nation. This is the month the place you can begin swimming within the sea and actually sunbathe on the seashores, making the Greek islands a super vacation spot throughout this month.
Mainland Greece additionally has wonderful climate in May, good for sightseeing and having fun with scrumptious meals on outside terraces.
If you’re visiting Greece in May, you possibly can’t miss the Salsa Spring Festival in Korinthia. It’s one of many prime occasions of the yr for dance in Europe, drawing in locals and foreigners alike. There are dance courses, performances, and plenty of energetic enjoyable so don’t miss out for those who’re in Greece throughout that point!
Also in May is the Athens Jazz Festival which lasts 5 days and gives free jazz performances for guests. How superb is that?
Greece in June
Weather: Average of 77°F, sunny, lovely
Where to Go: Pretty a lot anyplace
Festivals & Events: Athens and Epidaurus Festival, European Music Day, Navy Week
June is the official begin of the summer season season in Greece, and with it brings massive vacationer crowds from everywhere in the world. The climate is nothing in need of wonderful, with heat climate and lengthy sunny days. It’s no marvel folks come from far and vast to take pleasure in Greece in June!
You’ll discover that is the most effective time of yr to go to locations like Mykonos and Santorini (though there’s certain to be a great deal of folks with the identical thought) and fewer fashionable spots like Naxos and Paros. It’s additionally a good time to go to Corfu and benefit from the coast, in addition to Rhodes and Crete.
Accommodation costs are inclined to soar in June (though they’re nonetheless less expensive than dates later in the summertime), so you should definitely ebook your lodge early to lock in price.
Besides vacationers, June additionally brings round a lot of enjoyable festivals and occasions in Greece. The largest of those occasions is the Athens and Epidaurus Festival, crammed with dance performances, theater exhibits, and opera. While it opens throughout June, it lasts by way of to early September, offering enjoyable for all.
In June, there’s additionally European Music Day which is well known all through Greece and all of Europe. There’s additionally Navy Week held in late June, the place you possibly can catch historic reenactments round port cities and alongside the coast.
If you’re in Crete, you’ll discover there’s an enormous celebration for Navy Week with a lot of boating, splashing round within the water, and music.
Greece in July
Weather: Average of 86°F, extremely popular, very sunny
Where to Go: Greek Islands, Corfu, Syros
Festivals & Events: The River Party, Festival of the Aegean, Athens Festival, Sani Festival
Hello July and hiya scorching climate, vacationers, and umbrella-lined seashores!
Greece in July is when summer season is on the cusp of its hottest, with steamy days, heat water, and never a cloud in sight. The Greek islands are particularly alluring in July, however flights and lodging are costly and you’ll be certain there can be heaps of individuals in every single place you go.
Mainland Greece is positively sweltering in July, with common excessive temperatures creeping up previous 90°F, making sightseeing sticky and ugly within the scorching climate. Instead, hit locations like Corfu to benefit from the seaside or the much less fashionable Greek islands to interrupt away from the crowds.
July kicks off tons of artwork and cultural festivals all through Greece that run by way of the remainder of the summer season. You have the Festival of the Aegean on Syros Island full theatrical occasions, the Athens Festival with Greek music performances in historic theaters, and the Sani Festival in Halkidiki laden with jazz musicians and a energetic environment.
A real spotlight is the River Party in Nestorio, a competition welcoming tons of DJs and dwell acts the place you possibly can camp, swim, and revel in attractive Greek surroundings. It can’t be missed!
Greece in August
Weather: Average of 83°F, clear, sunny, scorching
Where to Go: Greek Islands
Festivals & Events: August Moon Festival, Chania Rock Festival, International Music Festival of Aegina
The peak of peak season, Greece in August is when you possibly can anticipate all the nation to be flooded with vacationers. Prices are at their highest, seashores are past crowded, and you’ll anticipate lengthy waits in every single place you go.
Weather is wonderful throughout Greece all through August, with tremendous sunny days and never a touch of rain. If you do find yourself planning your Greece journey in August, you should definitely pack all your swimsuits to benefit from the heat waters as they’ve been heating up all summer season.
There are tons of enjoyable occasions and festivals in Greece in August. Check out the Olympus Festival the place you possibly can take pleasure in performs in an historic theater and the August Moon Festival in Athens when all the main historic websites are open all evening lengthy for enjoyable musical performances.
Speaking of musical performances, August is the most effective time to be in Greece for concert events and dwell exhibits. There’s the Chania Rock Festival in Crete, the Houdetsi Music Festival, and the International Music Festival of Aegina, simply to call a number of, all of which function musical acts from Greece and past.
Greece in September
Weather: Average of 75°F, sunny, heat
Where to Go: Athens, Greek Islands, Corfu, Peloponnese
Festivals & Events: Athens International Film Festival, Reworks Festival
Ahhh, Greece in September brings a breath of recent air as issues start to chill down. While the primary half of the month continues to be riddled with vacationers, crowds begin to skinny out in the direction of the tip of the month, giving approach to a quieter end-of-summer vacation.
The climate in Greece continues to be pleasant in September, from the islands to Athens. You’ll really discover that it’s extra pleasurable than throughout the top of summer season as a result of you possibly can sightsee with out melting and nonetheless get a tan on the seaside.
In September, Greece welcomes the Athens International Film Festival which lasts 12 days on the finish of the month. Other notable occasions in Greece in September are the Reworks Festival with acts from around the globe and the tip of the Epidaurus Festival the place Greek dramas are placed on within the historic amphitheater.
Overall, September is a very nice time of yr to journey to Greece, irrespective of the place you need to go.
Greece in October
Weather: Average of 68°F, sunny days, cool nights, rain on the finish of the month
Where to Go: Athens, Santorini, Mykonos
Festivals & Events: Chestnut Festival, Dimitria Festival, Ochi Day
October is when Greece lastly welcomes autumn after an extended, scorching summer season. The lingering summer season vacationers head again dwelling and by the tip of the month, the nation actually empties out. Seasonal locations begin to shut up, however you will discover severe offers on the locations that keep open.
Santorini and Mykonos nonetheless have so much occurring in October, however the smaller islands can be quite quiet. October is a good time to sightsee on mainland Greece, exploring historic cities and historic websites with nice fall climate.
While it’s a extra low-key month when it comes to occasions, there are nonetheless a number of festivals to be loved in Greece in October. There’s the Chestnut Festival held yearly in Crete and the Dimitria Festival in Thessaloniki. There’s additionally a nationwide vacation on October twenty eighth referred to as Ochi Day which is filled with parades, folks music, and dancing.
Greece in November
Weather: Average of 60°F, some solar, some showers, overcast
Where to Go: Athens, Meteora, Crete
Festivals & Events: Thessaloniki International Film Festival
If you’re hoping to go to Greece throughout off-season, November is your finest guess. With the nation virtually empty of holiday makers, you’ll have the place all to your self!
The climate in Greece in November isn’t terrible, but it surely’s definitely a bit chilly. Some days are spectacularly sunny, whereas others are gray and overcast. You can anticipate an honest quantity of rain in Greece in November — however with heat afternoons and no crowds, it’s well worth the ache of carrying an umbrella.
November is a good time for sightseeing because it’s a bit too nippy for the seaside, and with out the crowds, you possibly can snap good photos at historic websites with out the vacationers within the background.
As it’s distinctly off-season in Greece in November, there isn’t an excessive amount of occurring byways of occasions in Greece. However, there’s the annual Thessaloniki International Film Festival all through the month which showcases a number of the finest new works in Europe!
Greece in December
Weather: Average of 55°F, cloudy, windy, wet
Where to Go: Athens, Meteora, Mt. Parnassos
Festivals & Events: Christmas, New Years Eve
December is when winter units in all through Greece, with blustery, cloudy, wet days. There’s snow within the mountains, ideally suited for any skier, and a enjoyable environment because the nation gears up for the vacation season.
While it’s positively the pit of off-season, Greece in December might be quite pleasurable.
Bundle up and hit the historic websites round Athens or heat up in one of many a whole lot of museums all through the nation. Head as much as the mountains to take pleasure in some snow, or higher but, make your approach to Meteora which is positively magical with a crystal dusting of recent flakes right now of the yr.
Christmas is without doubt one of the most festive instances of the yr in Greece, with loads of occasions main as much as the precise day.
When Christmas time lastly comes round, the streets are lined with colourful lights and stuffed with carolers, and pink-cheeked guests are in every single place you flip. Soak up the energetic environment in Greece throughout this magical time!
After Christmas comes New Year’s Eve, which is well known with gusto throughout Greece with crowded bars and fireworks counting all the way down to the New Year.
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