Greece has long been attracting travelers with its crystal clear waters, rich historical sites and delicious cuisine. One of the best times to visit, to avoid summer’s crowds and soaring temperatures, is in late spring or early fall. Here’s an overview of the main tourist seasons:
High Season: July to August Shoulder Season: April to June, September to October Low Season: November to March
Visiting all year round has its advantages: peak summer is perfect for a quintessential coastal holiday with sea swimming and dining in al fresco taverns, while low season offers a glimpse into local life and better prices. Winter is also the rainy season in Greece, but it’s a good time for a cultural holiday with fewer crowds at museums and archaeological sites.
Ready to start planning your trip? Whatever your priorities, here’s the best time to visit Greece.
Michela Boutignolle/Travel + Leisure
Best time to visit Greece with fewer crowds
Unsurprisingly, the most popular time to visit Greece is from late spring to early fall, when warm weather attracts beach and island-hopping visitors. According to CEIC data, Greece receives just under one million visitors per month from November to March, but more than six times that number in August. So if you’re not planning on hitting the beach, visiting in winter means you’re much less likely to encounter crowds.
November through March sees cooler weather (average temperatures between the mid-40s and low 60s F), making it a pleasant time to explore ancient ruins such as Delphi and modern art galleries and museums in Athens. However, many tourist sites and hotels close for the winter, especially in the Greek Islands, and rain is more likely from November through March.
Alessandra Amodio
Best time to visit Greece for good weather
If you’re looking for warmer weather but want to avoid extreme heat, May and September are the best months to visit Greece. The country is fairly large so temperatures do fluctuate, but the average May temperature in Athens is a high of 77°F and a low of 59°F. Mountainous areas, such as Mount Olympus, are usually cooler. In June, average highs reach the mid-80s F, making it perfect for swimming.
Summers can be hot, with average high temperatures in Athens sometimes reaching the 90s F, but the Greek Islands tend to be cooler, in the upper 70s to low 80s F. In October, average high temperatures drop to the upper 60s to low 70s F – cool, but not uncomfortably cold. Winter is Greece’s rainiest season.
Alessandra Amodio
The best time to visit Greece on the cheap
You may be able to save money on a trip to Greece by traveling during the low winter season. According to Skyscanner, the cheapest month to fly to Greece is November. You can usually find the cheapest airfares by booking your flight within a month or two of your planned departure date.
Hotel rates tend to be higher in July and August, so avoid these peak months if you want to save money. Note that rates go up slightly during Greek Orthodox Easter, which sometimes falls at the end of April. Similar spikes can be seen at the end of December and early January.
Alessandra Amodio
The worst time to visit Greece
There’s no bad time to visit Greece, but July and August can be uncomfortably hot and humid, especially in Athens, and the capital and the Cyclades islands (including Mykonos and Santorini) are also at their busiest and most expensive at this time of year, so if you’re looking for more space, cheaper prices and a more relaxed atmosphere, avoid midsummer.
Conversely, winter in Greece can see temperatures drop to as low as 40°F and it is also the rainiest season. The cool weather is perfect for exploring historical sites, shops and museums, but it’s too cold for swimming in the sea, and some resort hotels and attractions may be closed.
