Winter
Dec → Feb12 to 14°
nights 5 to 8°
- 8 rainy days · 69 mm
- 7.7 h of sun
- sea 17°
When is the best time to visit Greece?
In short: May to June and September to October, to visit the Acropolis and Delphi without a heatwave and enjoy the islands before or after the summer crush. September is the best compromise: the sea at its warmest, 29 °C in the afternoon in Athens against 33 °C in July and August, and ferries to the Cyclades still frequent.
- Ancient sites: In April, May, September and October, the Acropolis, Delphi and Olympia can be visited at 20 to 29 °C in Athens, well away from the summer peaks.
- Swimming in the islands: From June to September, when the Aegean is at its warmest; September keeps the summer water with fewer people on the beaches.
- Sailing and the meltemi: In summer, the meltemi, the seasonal wind of the Cyclades, cools the hot days and drives the sailing boats; it also makes the sea rougher.
- Winter in Athens: From December to February, the museums and sites of Athens remain easy to visit at 12 to 14 °C, while the mountains are covered in snow.
Best avoided: For the islands, December to March, with a cool sea and the heaviest rain (86 mm in December in Athens); for the mainland, July and August, when the French foreign ministry (France Diplomatie) reports temperatures regularly above 40 °C.
Sources: visitgreece.gr, visitgreece.gr, diplomatie.gouv.fr
- Jan12°not recommended
- Feb14°not recommended
- Mar16°not recommended
- Apr20°fair
- May25°recommended
- Jun30°recommended
- Jul33°fair
- Aug33°fair
- Sep29°recommended
- Oct23°recommended
- Nov19°fair
- Dec14°not recommended
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in Greece, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Sunshine | Rainfall | Rainy days | Sea | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12° | 5° | 7.3 h | 72 mm | 8 d | 17° | |
| February | 14° | 7° | 8.5 h | 50 mm | 7 d | 16° | |
| March | 16° | 8° | 9.6 h | 52 mm | 7 d | 16° | |
| April | 20° | 11° | 11.4 h | 27 mm | 5 d | 17° | |
| May | 25° | 16° | 12.2 h | 30 mm | 5 d | 19° | ✓ |
| June | 30° | 20° | 13.5 h | 31 mm | 6 d | 24° | ✓ |
| July | 33° | 23° | 13.6 h | 10 mm | 2 d | 27° | |
| August | 33° | 23° | 12.9 h | 12 mm | 2 d | 28° | |
| September | 29° | 20° | 11.4 h | 30 mm | 3 d | 26° | ✓ |
| October | 23° | 15° | 9.6 h | 28 mm | 3 d | 24° | ✓ |
| November | 19° | 11° | 8.2 h | 65 mm | 7 d | 22° | |
| December | 14° | 8° | 7.3 h | 86 mm | 8 d | 18° |
The four seasons in Greece, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Athens) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Spring
Mar → May16 to 25°
nights 8 to 16°
- 6 rainy days · 36 mm
- 11.1 h of sun
- sea 17°
Summer
Jun → Aug30 to 33°
nights 20 to 23°
- 3 rainy days · 18 mm
- 13.3 h of sun
- sea 26°
Autumn
Sep → Nov19 to 29°
nights 11 to 20°
- 4 rainy days · 41 mm
- 9.7 h of sun
- sea 24°
Book early for May to June and September to October
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. The selection does not depend on these links.
Daylight in Greece, month by month
The time between sunrise and sunset, from shortest to longest. Not to be confused with the sunshine hours in the table above, which count clear skies. In June there are 14h47 of daylight, in December 9h32, a difference of 5h15.
9h48Jan
10h44Feb
11h51Mar
13h08Apr
14h12May
14h47Jun
14h33Jul
13h37Aug
12h22Sep
11h08Oct
10h03Nov
9h32Dec
Calculated for the latitude of the reference point "Athens" (37.98°). Values on the 15th of each month, local solar time.
What to do in Greece, month by month
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiking | ||||||||||||
| Beach & swimming | ||||||||||||
| Towns & culture | ||||||||||||
| Diving & snorkelling | ||||||||||||
| Long days | ||||||||||||
| Events | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
EventsOrthodox EasterApril to MayPatras CarnivalFebruary to MarchAthens and Epidaurus FestivalJune to AugustDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
- Hiking: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December
- Beach & swimming: June, July, August, September, October
- Towns & culture: January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December
- Diving & snorkelling: July, August, September
- Long days: May, June, July
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall, sea), not from an opinion.
What's on in Greece, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. These events fill the hotels and push prices up: something to aim for or to avoid, depending on what you want.
- April to MayOrthodox Easter big crowds
Epitaphios processions on Good Friday, candles lit at midnight on Saturday and lamb on the spit on Sunday, all over the country.
- February to MarchPatras Carnival big crowds
Patras parades with floats and costumed groups for several weeks, up to Clean Monday, which marks the start of Lent.
- June to AugustAthens and Epidaurus Festival
Ancient drama and concerts are staged at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, at the foot of the Acropolis, and in the theatre of Epidaurus.
Travelling off-peak
When to visit Greece, region by region
A country's best time is an average, and it hides big differences. Here is what the records say for each area, month by month: ✓ for a recommended month, ~ for a fair one, a dot for a month to avoid. Hover over a cell for the temperature.
| Area | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇷 Athens | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · |
| 🇬🇷 Santorini | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · |
| 🇬🇷 Crete | · | · | ~ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · |
| 🇬🇷 Corfu | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · |
| 🇬🇷 The Cyclades | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · |
| 🇬🇷 Rhodes | · | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · |
Month by month, in detail
January
Not recommended12°5° at night
- 72 mm · 8 d
- 7.3 h
- sea 17°
Low season, lower prices
February
Not recommended14°7° at night
- 50 mm · 7 d
- 8.5 h
- sea 16°
Busy, without the crush
March
Not recommended16°8° at night
- 52 mm · 7 d
- 9.6 h
- sea 16°
Busy, without the crush
April
Fair20°11° at night
- 27 mm · 5 d
- 11.4 h
- sea 17°
Busy, without the crush
May
Recommended25°16° at night
- 30 mm · 5 d
- 12.2 h
- sea 19°
High season, book early
June
Recommended30°20° at night
- 31 mm · 6 d
- 13.5 h
- sea 24°
Busy, without the crush
July
Fair33°23° at night
- 10 mm · 2 d
- 13.6 h
- sea 27°
Busy, without the crush
August
Fair33°23° at night
- 12 mm · 2 d
- 12.9 h
- sea 28°
Busy, without the crush
September
Recommended29°20° at night
- 30 mm · 3 d
- 11.4 h
- sea 26°
Busy, without the crush
October
Recommended23°15° at night
- 28 mm · 3 d
- 9.6 h
- sea 24°
Busy, without the crush
November
Fair19°11° at night
- 65 mm · 7 d
- 8.2 h
- sea 22°
Low season, lower prices
December
Not recommended14°8° at night
- 86 mm · 8 d
- 7.3 h
- sea 18°
Quiet, then the holidays
Read the twelve months in detail
January. Cool: 12 °C at best, 5 °C at night. Expect 8 days of rain in the month (72 mm). Expect 7.3 h of sunshine a day. Sea at 17 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
February. Cool: 14 °C at best, 7 °C at night. Rain stays light: 50 mm over 7 days. Expect 8.5 h of sunshine a day. Sea at 16 °C, too cold to swim. Busy season, without the crush.
March. Cool: 16 °C at best, 8 °C at night. Rain stays light: 52 mm over 7 days. Plenty of sunshine: 9.6 h a day on average. Sea at 16 °C, too cold to swim. Busy season, without the crush.
April. Mild, 20 °C in the afternoon and 11 °C early in the morning. Rain stays light: 27 mm over 5 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.4 h a day on average. Sea at 17 °C, too cold to swim. Busy season, without the crush.
May. 25 °C in the afternoon and 16 °C at night. Rain stays light: 30 mm over 5 days. Plenty of sunshine: 12.2 h a day on average. Cool sea (19 °C), for the brave. High season: book early.
June. 30 °C in the afternoon and 20 °C at night. Rain stays light: 31 mm over 6 days. Plenty of sunshine: 13.5 h a day on average. The sea is at 24 °C: pleasant swimming. Busy season, without the crush.
July. Real heat: 33 °C at the warmest of the day, 23 °C at night. Hardly any rain (10 mm over 2 days). Plenty of sunshine: 13.6 h a day on average. The sea is at 27 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
August. Real heat: 33 °C at the warmest of the day, 23 °C at night. Hardly any rain (12 mm over 2 days). Plenty of sunshine: 12.9 h a day on average. The sea is at 28 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
September. 29 °C in the afternoon and 20 °C at night. Hardly any rain (30 mm over 3 days). Plenty of sunshine: 11.4 h a day on average. The sea is at 26 °C, a proper swim. Busy season, without the crush.
October. Mild, 23 °C in the afternoon and 15 °C early in the morning. Hardly any rain (28 mm over 3 days). Plenty of sunshine: 9.6 h a day on average. The sea is at 24 °C: pleasant swimming. Busy season, without the crush.
November. Mild, 19 °C in the afternoon and 11 °C early in the morning. Rain stays light: 65 mm over 7 days. Expect 8.2 h of sunshine a day. The sea is at 22 °C: pleasant swimming. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
December. Cool: 14 °C at best, 8 °C at night. Expect 8 days of rain in the month (86 mm). Expect 7.3 h of sunshine a day. Cool sea (18 °C), for the brave. Quiet at the start of the month, then busier as the holidays approach.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Greece?
May to June and September to October, to visit the Acropolis and Delphi without a heatwave and enjoy the islands before or after the summer crush. September is the best compromise: the sea at its warmest, 29 °C in the afternoon in Athens against 33 °C in July and August, and ferries to the Cyclades still frequent.
Which month should you avoid in Greece?
For the islands, December to March, with a cool sea and the heaviest rain (86 mm in December in Athens); for the mainland, July and August, when the French foreign ministry (France Diplomatie) reports temperatures regularly above 40 °C.
What is the hottest month in Greece?
July, with 33 °C on average in the afternoon and 23 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Athens).
What is the coldest month in Greece?
January, with 12 °C at best during the day and 5 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Athens).
What is the driest month in Greece?
July: 10 mm over 2 days of rain, against 86 mm in December, the wettest month.
Which month has the most sunshine in Greece?
July, with 13.6 h of sunshine a day on average. Note that this counts clear skies, not the length of the day.
When can you swim in Greece?
The water reaches 22 °C or more in June, July, August, September, October, November (warmest 28 °C in August), measured in 2023-2024 on the nearest coast (Athens).
When is the best time to hike in Greece?
January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November, December: highs between 12 and 29 °C and no more than 9 days of rain a month according to 2015-2024 records (Athens), the safest windows for walking.
When to go diving or snorkelling in Greece?
July, August, September: the sea is above 25 °C, warm enough to stay in a long time without a thick wetsuit. 2023-2024 records on the nearest coast (Athens).
Plan this trip
📒 The free printable Greece guide: itinerary, map, where to sleep→
🗓️ Best time to visit: all our destinations→
Compare with other destinations
Photos: Kevin Lee / Pexels · Joan Costa / Pexels · Gu Bra / Pexels · Efrem Efre / Pexels · jimmy teoh / Pexels · Diana Rafira / Pexels · Vitalii Dobrianskyi / Pexels · Huy Phan / Pexels · Charalampos Kiriakou / Pexels · K / Pexels · Francesco Ungaro / Pexels