Weather
Spring has arrived, bringing plenty of bright, sunny days, crystal-clear skies, and little rain. Athens averages 68°F (20°C), but may feel more like summer to visitors from northern climes. Northern Greece is somewhat cooler, and the Peloponnese, Cyclades, Dodecanese, and Crete are a degree or two warmer. The Aegean and Ionian waters, however, haven't yet warmed up and remain too cold for swimming in comfort. Evenings can still be cool, so pack a fleece jacket along with your swimwear and sunscreen.
Crowds & Costs
A steady flow of visitors is beginning to arrive—including the first tour groups—and cruise ships are showing up at Santorini and other major islands. But you'll still be enjoying Greece without the crowds of summer. Hotels generally charge shoulder season rates, offering bargains while they last. Note that during Easter week, hotel prices are higher and many restaurants close.
Where to Go
In Athens and other popular venues, you'll have the best of both worlds: relatively few visitors and mild sunny weather that seems tailor-made for sightseeing. This is a fabulous time to ferry-hop the Greek Islands, from Corfu to Crete, and the party scene is warming up on Mykonos and Santorini without yet being rowdy. Virtually any region is good for hiking, with lush green foliage and spring flowers blooming like crazy.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
What to Do
April is ideal for sightseeing: temperatures are perfect, the air is crystal clear, and you're not yet having to compete with heaps of tour groups in Athens and top historical sites such as Delphi, Epidavros, and Mycenae. Plus, Athens has two really cool festivals (detailed below).
It can still be a bit cool for day-in, day-out sunning, so focus on cultural and nature activities, such as culinary adventures, museum visits, and hiking. However, it's certainly warm enough—just—to consider a beach vacation, despite the still-chilly seas. This is a wonderful time for hiking, or take advantage of low prices on a sailing adventure. And there's no more romantic time for a honeymoon!
Events in April
Athens International Film Festival. From documentaries to full-length feature films, Athens is a cinema buff's heaven.
Athens Technopolis Jazz Festival. The capital is the place to be if you love jazz. This five-day event in late April is one of Europe's top jazz festivals, drawing major international talent.
Feast of St. George, Nationwide. Normally celebrated on April 23 (but on Easter Monday if Easter falls after that date), this Greek Orthodox ceremony is hosted at monasteries, churches, and rural communities—St. George was the patron of shepherds—with feasting and dancing.
Holy Week / Easter, Nationwide. Easter is the most significant religious festival on the Greek Orthodox calendar. Every town in the country will have some festival, with lots of feasting and often ending with fireworks. Many shops, and some restaurants, close. Easter is preceded by Holy Week, which sometimes falls in March.
Traveling to Greece in April? Check out these great itineraries
Historic Athens, Mainland Greece, Cyclades & Crete - 21 Days. — This 21-day sightseeing adventure is the ultimate tour for lovers of antiquity
Local Life on Crete - 6 Days. Crete never looked so good as in April! Check it out on this exciting itinerary that immerses you in the local culture
Argolic Gulf Adventure - 10 Days. From bicycling in Athens to a trip aboard a fishing boat, this itinerary guarantees a fun-filled 10 days.
More Helpful Information
Greece in March
Greece in May
Best Time of Year to Visit Greece
How Many Days to Spend in Greece