Seasonal Planning for Greece Travel
During the shoulder months of spring and fall, you'll find reliably warm and sunny weather, excellent conditions for island hopping and outdoor sightseeing, and far fewer crowds than in high summer. Prices for hotels and flights are also noticeably lower, making it easier to experience the highlights—from the Acropolis to the Cycladic beaches—without the peak-season stress.
Summer brings classic postcard Greece: hot skies, warm seas, open-air festivals, and nonstop energy on islands like Mykonos and Santorini. The downside is intense heat, packed ferries, and the highest rates of the year. Autumn stays pleasant well into October, with great swimming weather and quieter archaeological sites. By late fall, temperatures cool, and some smaller island services begin to scale back.
Winter is the quietest and least costly period. Mainland cities, such as Athens and Thessaloniki, are ideal for cultural exploration, museums, and local cuisine; however, many islands can feel sleepy due to reduced transportation and hotel closures. Finally, spring gradually warms the country, with blooming landscapes, comfortable hiking conditions, and fully operational ferries by May. Overall, if you want the easiest, most balanced trip, aim for late spring or early fall—when Greece truly hits its sweet spot.
For ideas on planning your trip to Greece, see these tours and itineraries.
| Seasons | Pros | Cons | Best for | Where to Visit |
| Spring (Mar-May) |
Blooming landscapes; warm, sunny weather (especially in May); ferries run regularly; fewer crowds; hotels are easier to book |
|
Sightseeing at ancient sites and cultural attractions, swimming (May), hiking, experiencing Greek Easter customs |
Athens and major cities, Kardamyli for hiking and kayaking |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Hot, sunny, and dry; regular ferry service | Intense heat; peak crowds and high-season prices (especially Santorini and Mykonos) | Lying out on the beach, island hopping, watersports, museum visits, festivals and nightlife, hiking | Menalon Trail |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | Warm seas and comfortable temps (Sep & Oct); fewer crowds; regular ferry service; hotels are easier to book | Ferry routes dwindle, hotels and tavernas start to shutter (late Oct); uptick in rain (Nov) | Sightseeing at ancient sites; watersports | Athens, major cities |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | Mild and rainy on coasts, snow on mainland mountains; quiet | Many (island) hotels and ferries shut down (late Oct to Mar) | Skiing, cultural exploration, ruins to yourself (mostly), enjoying Christmas treats, eating fresh lemons and oranges during the winter harvest | Athens, Thessaloniki, Delphi, Mount Olympus and Parnassus (for skiing), Knossos, Crete, Santorini |
Spring in Greece (March to May)
There can be moderate rain and cool days in March. For many, late April to May is the best time to visit. Hotel prices are reduced, the days are warm and sunny, and it's a wonderful, wildflower-filled time for hiking in the mountains that cover 80% of the country. Spring in Greece is brief and pleasant, with May typically looking a lot like summer. By late May, the sea is also comfortably swimmable. There's plenty to do around this time of year—see this article for a list of 10 of our recommended activities.
Check to see if you'll be arriving around Orthodox Easter. If you are, it might be smart to stay in one place. This is a huge holiday in Greece—banks close, and the roads are busy with locals heading home to catch up with family.
Events in Spring
Feast of the Annunciation / Independence Day (March 25). The Greek Orthodox Feast of the Annunciation celebrates the Christian belief that on this day, Gabriel informed Mary she would give birth to Jesus. Independence Day celebrates independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1832. Celebrated together on March 25, cities throughout Greece host all kinds of festivities, including parades. Many restaurants and other tourist services close.
Holy Week / Easter, Nationwide (April). 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.
International Workers Day, Nationwide (May 1). The "worker's holiday" is an important part of the Greek calendar, and many businesses close. Athens hosts a huge rally, and some cities host flower festivals. In Greece, it's also often a day when many workers may go on strike, and many museums are closed.
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Greece in March
Greece in April
Greece in May
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Summer in Greece (June to August)
There's a reason why summer is the high season in Greece. The swimming is at its most refreshing. Every hotel, restaurant, and ferry route is open. The days are long and sunny, and there's almost no rain. On the Greek islands, prevailing north winds help keep the sweltering temperatures down, especially in the evenings, which can be wonderfully balmy.
In Athens and other large cities like Thessaloniki, it can get uncomfortably hot during the day, so if you're visiting during the high season, it's best to do your sightseeing in the early morning or evening. August is when the vast majority of Greeks living in the big cities head to the coast for their vacation, as it's not uncommon for temperatures to rise above 100°F (38°C).
If you're coming here between mid-June and September, that's when European schools are out for summer, so you'll want to book your accommodations and activities as soon as possible. Unless you're planning a special meal, there's no real need to make restaurant reservations in advance.
The higher elevations are cooler and not quite so busy, so if you like hiking and cycling, that's definitely a possibility during high season. If you fancy an adventure, you might want to check out the Menalon Trail—it runs for 47 miles (76 km) through the mountains in the heart of the Peloponnese region.
Events in Summer
Athens & Epidavros Open-Air Festival, Athens (June-August). A huge event, and heaps of fun, with theater, music, and dance performed beneath the Acropolis and al fresco at the Ancient Theater of Epidavros. It begins in mid-June, lasts three months, and draws an A-list of international talent.
Philippi Festival, Kavala (July). The second-oldest festival in Greece (after that of Epidaurus) is held in the ancient theater of Philippi and features classical and contemporary drama, dance, music, and more.
Panagia, Nationwide (August 15). The Dormition of the Virgin Mary (Panagia), a Greek Orthodox celebration, is a major national holiday with church services, feasts, and island festivals, often called the "Summer Easter," when Greeks flock to villages and famous pilgrimage sites like Tinos for celebrations and community spirit.
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Greece in June
Greece in July
Greece in August
Fall in Greece (September to November)
With fewer crowds and sunny weather, mid-September to mid-October can be a perfect time to visit Greece. The average fall temperature is typically a bit warmer than in spring; swimming on the coast is still good until mid-October, and hotel prices are often a bit lower past the summer season.
By late October, many ferry companies have ceased operations, and hotels and tavernas are starting to close in anticipation of winter. By November, sunny days are typically interspersed with cooler, gray days.
Autumn can be a really great time to visit Athens. The weather is cooler, the tree leaves are starting to turn golden, and if you time it right, you might almost (almost!) have the Acropolis to yourself. Check out this five-day itinerary, or make it a stop on a lengthier trip.
Events in Fall
Ifestia Festival, Santorini (September). The annual Volcano Festival is dedicated to the volcano that shaped the island's famous landscape after its eruption in 1646 BCE—estimated to have been 100 times more powerful than that of Vesuvius. You'll find live music and a fireworks display on the caldera rim, accompanied by sound and light effects that represent the volcanic explosions.
Ohi Day, Nationwide (October 28). Marked by military parades, church services, folkloric displays, and national pride, this World War II "Day of No" anniversary is a powerful window into Greek resilience and culture (celebrating the nation's refusal to surrender to Mussolini's forces).
Athens Marathon, Athens (November). Also known as "The Authentic," the marathon is held annually on the second Sunday of November, following the historic route from Marathon to Athens.
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Greece in September
Greece in October
Greece in November
Winter in Greece (December to February)
Greece's winters are typically mild compared to the rest of Europe. Southern Greece usually feels autumnal until about mid-December. The coldest months are January and February, which can be pretty rainy throughout this season.
Come winter, it's possible to join the locals for some skiing in the Greek mountains. About a two-hour drive from Athens, Mount Parnassus is home to four of the biggest resorts in the country. While they may not pack the punch of resorts in the Alps, the crowds are fewer, and prices are lower. Plus, you could tack on a side trip to the ruins of Delphi while you're here. It's also possible to ski on Mount Olympus at Elatochori Ski Center.
The farther south you go, the warmer winter gets in Greece. This can be a great time to visit Crete, the largest and most southerly of the Greek islands. You likely won't get the chance to do much sunbathing on the beaches, but Minoan strongholds with amazing ruins—like Knossos—will be quiet, and there are lots of local cultural activities around this time of year. This is also a good time to visit the island of Santorini, which still has hotels and restaurants open through winter. On smaller islands, many accommodations and restaurants close up shop, and ferries and flight routes pare down across the country.
Events in Winter
Epiphany, Nationwide (January 6). A major national and religious holiday (in the Greek Orthodox calendar), Theofania (Epiphany) celebrations take place throughout Greece each year. The local Orthodox priest leads a procession through town, visiting each house to offer a blessing, and typically ends at a body of water, into which the priest tosses a cross. Swimmers dive in, hoping to retrieve it for good luck. Piraeus, Athens' port, has the biggest such "Blessing of the Waters" celebration.
Carnival, Nationwide (February). Cities throughout Greece host flamboyant carnivals, with plenty of dancing and feasting, when aromas of barbecue waft through the air. You'll also find carnivals from Athens to Zanthos, with those in Xanthi and Corfu among the best.