Best Time to Visit Greece and Greek Islands

by Mary Howard
- June 15, 2024

When’s the Best Time To Visit Greece and the Greek Islands?

I advise visiting Greece from late April to early November when there is lots of sunshine and little rain. . July and August are the busiest and most expensive months but are also the best for evening activities and beach celebrations. March to November is great for sightseeing (though July and August can be very hot when touring exposed historical sites, especially in Athens).

May and June:
Throughout May and June, Greece experiences early summer, with moderate to warm temperatures, blossoming foliage, and lush landscapes flourishing. The weather is generally sunny, with occasional light rainfall showers. I enjoy visiting within this timeframe for sightseeing activities, exploring archaeological sites, and outdoor pursuits like hiking and cycling. The islands and beaches welcome fewer visitors compared to the peak summer months, allowing for a more relaxed getaway. Accommodation pricing is also more reasonable.

July and August:
The months of July and August alongside the late portions of June and early September represent the peak tourist period in Greece, with consistently hot weather, mostly sunny skies, and substantial crowds at popular attractions. The islands, beaches, and coastal zones are quite busy during this timeframe, and the costs of lodging are typically greater. While I enjoy spending time at the shore and swimming in the summer months, the large volumes of people can overwhelm those wanting to sightsee or search for a more tranquil experience.

September and October:
September and October have warm temperatures, fewer crowds, and more affordable accommodations. The sea remains warm for swimming, and the weather is generally sunny and dry. I recommend this period for exploring the islands, visiting historic sites, and taking in the outdoors.

When I Like to Visit Greece

Residing in Dublin
Prime Time to Visit the Greek island of Santorini: April, May, June, September, October, early November
Best Time to Visit Crete: June and September
Best Time to Visit Rhodes Island: June and September.
Prime Time to Visit Naxos: June to September
Prime Time to Visit Paros: June to September
Best Time to Visit Ios: July and August
Best Time to Visit Athens: April, May, October, and November
Best Time to Visit Corfu: June, July and September
The ideal times of year to explore Nafplio and the Peloponnese region are June and September.

Best Months for Greece and the Greek Islands?

Best Time to Visit the Greek Islands: The Greek islands are at their finest from late May to early October for swimming, sunbathing, and beach weather; and from April to early November for sightseeing, hiking, and exploring. A good travel itinerary for Greece should consider the weather patterns of the Greek islands.
Best Time to Visit Athens: Athens has moderate weather year-round making winter an excellent time for authentic experiences with fewer crowds. Summer brings high temperatures but reliably clear skies and activities spilling onto sidewalks. Spring and fall offer the best combination of weather and visitor volumes.
Ideal Timeframe for Experiencing Fine Weather in Greece and Her Islands: For newcomers, agreeable climate usually outweighs other elements and the balmiest conditions in Greece and her offshore landscapes persist between late May and early October when sunshine, warmth, and swimming waters predominate. Sea temperatures rise throughout the summer months. The ocean will be cool for submersion in May (albeit weather possibly glowing). Waters are toasty in August and early September. Swimming in early May and late October sometimes feasible but not guaranteed.
Best Period for Greek Shores: If you hope to enjoy hanging out on the best coastlines in Greece and swimming in the sea, the best time to visit Greece is June, July, August, and September.
Preferred Time for Sightseeing: Generally, the best time for sightseeing in Greece is usually from April to around mid-May, or October extending into early November, when there will be fewer tourists to interrupt the views and the conditions are often quite mild; perfect for walking, but usually a bit too cool for swimming at the beach (with the exception of early October).
Best Period For Highland Hiking: April and May are wonderful months for trekking in the mountains, with the landscape blanketed in colorful wildflowers and the weather often ideal for the journey. October is another good time, when summer’s sweltering temperatures start to cool and the autumnal foliage is at its peak, transforming the mountains with vibrant shades of fall.
Optimal Time for Cost Savings: Lodgings are considerably less expensive in the low season (December to March) and shoulder season (April, May, October and November) than in the summer months. Transportation, food, and drinks usually keep costs consistent year-round so there’s small savings regarding that. If one desires pleasant weather but affordable hotels, then late May, early June, late September, and early October are superb times. There are no guarantees, but generally the initial three weeks of October can often delight visitors with great weather.
Best Time for Nightlife and Parties: The prime months for enjoying nightlife activities like dancing, partying and listening to live DJs on the islands of Mykonos, Paros, Ios, and Santorini are July and August. Late June and early September are also suitable for revelry on Mykonos. On Santorini, the nightlife scene remains active from late May through early October.
Best Period for a Honeymoon in Greece: If beach holidays are what you seek, then June through September is best. But if you prefer quiet solitude, sightseeing, and romance, then anytime from April through early November would be excellent.
Is August a Good Time to go to Greece?: One of the most common questions I get relates to traveling in Greece in August. If you want nightlife, packed bars, and live DJs then this is the best time to visit Mykonos (and Ios, Santorini, and Rhodes to a lesser extent). Yes, August is busy but even at the peak of the tourist season on the busiest islands, if you want to escape the crowds it’s usually a short walk or bus ride to some very quiet and tourist-free spots.

Greek Travel Guides

Greece Weather by Month

Greece Events and Festivals

Greece in January

First Day of January/Saint Basil`s Day – The first day of the new year is an important national holiday in Greece dedicated to celebrating both the arrival of the new year as well as Saint Basil, the Greek equivalent of Santa Claus. Saint Basil is recognized in a manner similar to Christmas Day in North America, with gift giving and feasting. A special traditional cake called vasilopita that has a coin baked inside is enjoyed, where finding the piece with the coin signifies good fortune. The holiday itself is seen as a day of luck and leisure, commonly involving lingering card games and social gatherings at homes, cafes or clubs throughout the day.
Epiphany – The celebration of Epiphany that occurs on January 6th in many parts of Europe such as Greece is a time when the Blessing of the Waters ceremony takes place. During this ceremony, a cross is thrown into a body of water like a lake, river or the sea, and those who retrieve it are believed to receive good fortune in return. There is usually an organized ritual, and the ceremony held at the port of Piraeus in Greece is particularly elaborate.”
The Patras Carnival – The Patras Carnival is the largest yearly celebration in Greece and one of the biggest in Europe too. Originating purely from Italy, it includes elaborate festivities involving parades, street music, dancing, balls, treasure hunts, and additional entertainments. It commences in mid-January and continues through mid-February each year.

Greece in February

Festival: In addition to the Patras Carnival, other Festivals are held throughout Greece, generally in February, typically three weeks before the start of Lent. Some of the best festivities can be enjoyed in Athens, Skyros, Chios, Lamia, Crete, Heraklio, Zante, and Naousa. Expecting to find plenty of drinking and feasting, costumes, parades, dancing, marching bands, and more.
Clean Monday – One of the most significant celebrations throughout Greece, Clean Monday occurs on the initial day of the seventh week before Easter Sunday, which also signifies the end of the Carnival festivities. As a public holiday, it includes outdoor activities, consuming shellfish, and commonly building and flying kites.

Greece in March

Independence Day and the Feast of the Annunciation – These two festivities are commemorated simultaneously on March 25. The streets fill with all kinds of festivities and parades. Due to the occasion, some sites may be closed and roads at times are blocked too.

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Greece in April

The Religious Celebrations of Holy Week and Easter – Holy Week is commemorated from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, sometimes falling in late March, but most often it is in April. In 2022, April 24 marks Easter Sunday, and Holy Week spans April 17 through April 23. For Greeks, Easter represents the biggest devotional holiday of the year. During Holy Week, numerous stores have special business hours and there are church services every evening. Just before midnight on Saturday, many Greeks gather at church with Easter candles, and just before midnight the lights are switched off, representing Jesus` death, just before the priest announces that “Christ Has Risen.” This is followed by kisses, cheering and fireworks. On Easter, friends and relatives congregate for a large feast.
Athens International Film and Video Festival – This event in Athens showcases some 250 films and videos across experimental, narrative, short, feature-length, and documentary genres from worldwide.
The Ceremony of Saint George – The Ceremony of Saint George (Agios Georgios Day) is an important rural celebration on April 23rd each year that involves feasting, dancing, and merriment, with the events taking place where Saint George, the patron of shepherds, is seen as the patron. Some of the best are found in Skyros, Skiathos, and Arachova.

Greece in May

May Day/International Workers’ Day – May 1 is commemorated as May Day and International Workers’ Day in Greece. Major strikes and/or demonstrations as well as parades may be scheduled on this day, popularized by the Soviet Union as a holiday for workers. During May Day, flower festivals are common as it falls during the peak of flower season. Most monuments, museums, attractions, and some shops will be closed, though most restaurants will remain open.
Salsa Spring Festival – One of Europe’s top dance gatherings, the Salsa Spring Festival features some of the best dancing teachers and performers from all over the world along with top local artists in late May in Loutraki, Korinthia.
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Greece in June

Athens and Epidaurus Festival – One of the biggest yearly festivals highlights dance, theater, music and opera at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus underneath the Acropolis, as well as music and drama at the Theater of Epidaurus. It operates from mid-June through early September.
Komboloi Museum: Very small museum dedicated to komboloi; the traditional worry beads that Nafplio is particularly renowned for producing. Situated upstairs of a little storefront in Old Town – you can buy your own on your way out. Link
Miaoulia Festival, Hydra – This gala on Hydra honors Admiral Miaoulis who played a pivotal role in the Greek War of Independence. It features parades, art shows, circus acts, dance performances, and more.
Navy Week – Navy Week honors the nation’s long relationship with the ocean in late June. Harbors and fishing towns all through Greece have events and ancient recreations. Crete deals a big celebration with sailing, swimming, music and dancing.

Greece in July

Chania airport

This festival based at Sani Resort in Halkidiki begins in mid-July and runs through mid-August. It features film screenings, classical music concerts, and avant-garde theater acts. A hyperlink is provided to the Sani Festival website.
Philippi Festival, Kavala – This event takes place at the ancient theater of Philippi in Kavala, a northern Greek city, launching in mid-July and continuing through late August. It highlights music and theater performed by talented young artists.
Festival of Hippocratia, Kos island – Actually a grouping of cultural happenings honoring the island of Kos` traditions and customs from July through October. Includes classical and folk music shows, theatrical performances, art exhibitions, and additional events.

Greece in August

The International Music Festival of Aegina – This yearly occasion includes musical performances complemented by the ocean waves on Avra Beach and other areas around the island of Aegina for most of August.
Festival of Olympus – Performances are held at the restored ancient amphitheater throughout August as part of the Olympus Festival.

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Houdetsi Music Festival – An annual four-day music event held each August in the Cretan village of Houdetsi, featuring a variety of genres from around the world.
Festival of the Assumption of the Virgin – August 15th is an important day of spiritual pilgrimage, a festival that celebrates Mary’s ascension to heaven. As many Greeks return home to visit, travelers may face difficulty finding accommodations. It’s especially elaborate in Tinos, when thousands arrive to participate in the all-night vigil at the cathedral of Panagia Evangelistria.

Greece in September

International Music Festival, Santorini – The International Music Festival of Santorini takes place over the initial three weeks of September in the heart of Fira village. It features top artists from all over the globe, including classical and tango music, solo recitals, orchestras, operatic tunes, and piano duets.
Annual nut ceremony, Aegina – Each year in mid-September across four days, a celebration of all things pistachio occurs with products for sale along with performances, plays, exhibits, and evening culinary events.
Festival of Tastes and Traditions, Rhodes – Held annually over two days in mid-September in the village of Pefkos, this festival features wine tasting, live culinary demonstrations, exhibitions of traditional products, traditional music and dancing, a parade, and more.

Greece in October

Chestnut Festival Elos, Crete – The Chestnut Festival is celebrated annually, typically over the last weekend of October in the village of Elos. It includes roasted chestnuts and other foods, traditional folk music, dancing, and drinking.
Dimitria Festival, Thessaloniki – Held on October 26th each year, this festival features music, ballet, and opera.
Remembrance Day – This annual public festival and national holiday on October 28th features military processions, traditional dance, folk music and parades honoring the nation`s refusal to succumb to Axis powers in 1940.

Greece in November

Feast of the Archangels Gabriel and Michael – Churches throughout Greece named for these archangels will host ceremonies on November 8th.
Remembering the Polytechnic Uprising – On November 17th, Greeks commemorate the tragic 1973 student revolt at Athens Polytechnic University, where tanks ended many young lives. There`s often a march to the US Embassy with stone throwing, so avoiding that area on this date is suggested.
Saint Andreas Remembrance Day, Patras – Since Saint Andreas is the patron saint of Patras, this city hosts a major celebration honoring the saint annually on November 25th. It starts the evening before with mass continuing into the morning, followed by a procession.

Greece in December

Chania Rock Festival – This annual event, situated in the historic center of Chania on the island of Crete during the first half of August, highlights a diversity of Greek and worldwide performers, emerging artists, and rock bands.
Kladaries, Kozani – Each year on December 23, Kladaries commemorates the shepherds who lit bonfires to announce the birth of Christ. In the village of Siatista, residents gather together to light fires and dance around them while enjoying the local wines.
Christmas Day – December 25th is a public holiday, and while it’s not viewed as important as Easter in the Greek Orthodox faith, it’s celebrated with feasts and religious services, as well as gift giving, Christmas caroling, trees, and decorations.
New Year’s Eve – December 31st, New Year’s Eve in Greece is traditionally celebrated by children singing carols outside while elders converse, play cards, dine, imbibe, and smoke. Today, most people celebrate in a manner seen worldwide, frequenting bars, attending parties, and watching firework shows held in town squares across Greece.

about me

Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

Join us on our journey!