GreeceBest Time to Visit

Spring and fall are the ideal times to plan trips to Greece. The cobwebs are brushed off in time for Orthodox Easter (Pascha), when the first visitors start to arrive. Weather conditions between Easter and mid-June are sublime. Pleasantly warm in most places, the beaches and ancient sites are relatively uncrowded, and public transport operates close to full schedules. Vacation packages are also typically less expensive at this time of year. The high season peters out in September, and conditions are ideal once more until the end of October for a Greece trip. By November, the endless blue skies of summer have vanished, with November to February being the wettest months. It can get surprisingly cold, and snow is known to fall on the mainland and in the mountains of Evia and Crete. But the sun god of lore is never far away in this country, and there are also plenty of sunny days. Visitors who prefer the calm that reigns at this time of year may be in luck if Helios decides to shine down on you.

When is Greece’s peak tourist season?

Mid-June to the end of August is the high season; it’s party time on the islands with everything in full swing. Many European travellers seek to use their vacation time enjoying a Greece trip with summer sun and beach. 

If you like it hot, the best time to visit Greece is in July and August, with temperatures soaring to 40°C (100°F) in the shade just about anywhere in the country. Beaches are packed, and the ancient cities are swarming with tour groups. Fun can be had by the water, where diving and swimming over ruins offers a sublime experience. If planning Greece tours in the summer, do make most bookings in advance, including accommodation and ferry tickets, as popular times can become booked up.

Expect the week around Orthodox Easter to be very busy due to Greeks travelling to visit family. Elaborate celebrations are abundant during this holiday. However, museums will be closed.

Which is the most affordable time to visit Greece?

Winter is the most affordable time for a Greece vacation, with chilly windy days and many hotels shutting down, particularly on the islands. Some of the smaller islands close completely as islanders head off to homes in Athens for a few months. Smaller hotels shut their doors from the end of November until the beginning of April, along with seasonal cafés and restaurants. Bus and ferry services are either drastically reduced, or simply cancelled. 

That said, some travellers specifically seek out the winter for their Greece vacations to explore museums and historical sites such as Delphi and Meteora, as they are much less crowded. Entrance fees at state-run museums and ancient ruin sites see their rates significantly reduced between November 1 and March 30. You will find both airfare and accommodation to be most affordable from December to March. Also keep in mind, if you do visit in the winter, you can even get in a ski weekend, as there is good snowfall just two hours north of Athens!

How long should I plan to visit Greece?

If you have limited time, you can absolutely get a taste of Greece during a one week trip. Plan to spend 3 days in Athens, where you can experience the famed Acropolis ruins from the 5th century B.C. Continue your Greece vacation on the island of Crete, with historical treasures, coastal cliffs, and pristine beaches. 

Ideally, visiting Greece for 12-14 days will allow you to visit Athens, plus a couple more islands. Enjoy a stop in Mykonos for the whitewashed houses dotting the cliffs over the ocean. Then, while in Santorini, you can cruise over to the Nea Kameni volcano island and walk across the black rock lava fields. 

When is the ideal time to visit Greece?

A good travel agency will tell you that shoulder months including April, May, September, and October are ideal for being less busy, and you can still relish in warm weather. You can spend time sitting outside at cafes or wandering shops on the cobblestone streets of Plaka in Athens. In particular, heading to the southern part of the Aegean Sea to visit the Dodecanese Islands and Crete, you will find the weather pleasant, the sea thoroughly warm, and the crowds wondrously thinned.