Best Time to Visit Greece

High Season: June • July • August

June is the best summer month in which to visit Greece as the beaches around the Aegean islands are warm and not overrun with summer tourists.

As summer truly sets in, crowds start to descend on popular islands and cities when countries known for traveling take their summer breaks.

Things heat up in August in temperature and activity, with visitors packing the islands.

Shoulder Season: September • October •  May

Greece can give you idyllic weather and small crowds, especially in May, prime shoulder season. Ferries start to run, restaurants slowly open and longer days with typical Mediterranean sunlight provide great weather across the islands and mainland.

May is generally not warm enough to lounge on the beach or dive into the sea, but brings a wonderful sense of island life, with blossoming colors and pleasant temperatures.

In late September and through October you can still find pockets of warm water and hot beaches around the islands, with the summer heat lingering. October also opens archeological sites, wineries, and breathtaking scenery, with fewer travelers to compete with.

Low Season: December • January • February

In December, picturesque villages across the country, among them Zagorohoria, shimmer with glittering lights and a jovial festive ambiance that embodies the holiday spirit.

February has the most unpredictable weather, but sees smaller crowds and bargains.

The cooler winter weather gives you the chance to enjoy the mountains, valleys, and coastline without the crowds, while city stays are quiet, with entire neighborhoods seemingly all yours.

Best Months: June • July • August • September

Enjoying the idyllic Greek islands and wandering around the Plaka and alleyways of Athens are best enjoyed during the summer months and early spring, from June to September.

The days are warm and long, the dry weather making it ideal for walking around cities and towns or lazing on a sun-drenched beach. For guests looking to avoid the peak of summer, consider traveling in June and through September.

Best Months: April • May • June • July • August • September • October

While Athens remains open for visitors at any time of the year, the best time to visit the capital city is between April and October.

The weather is mild in the spring and fall, with restaurants, cafes, and other experiences open as the temperatures rise and summer sets in. Various festivals take place during the year, so planning a trip to Athens to embrace the Epidaurus Festival in the summer or Athen’s Jazz Festival in the spring may drive your time to visit.

As spending time on one of the many idyllic Greek Islands is a highlight of a visit to Greece, ensuring ferries are running and restaurants are open will be key in combining the capital with island experiences.

Athens can provide an incredible introduction to Greece and you can find more exciting ways to explore the country with the best cities to visit in mainland Greece.

Learn more: Athens & Santorini Vacations

Best Months: May • June • July • August • September

The best time to visit Santorini, one of Greece’s most popular islands, is from May to the end of September.

The Cycladic gem is well known for its white-walled, blue-roofed buildings, breathtaking views, and vineyards. Witness grape harvesting in August and enjoy a wine tasting in September.

Black-sand beaches, caldera hikes, and cafes invite guests to explore the many facets of this beautiful island.

Learn more: Santorini Vacations

Best Months: June • July • August • September • October

June to mid-October is the best time to visit the beaches of Greece. The weather warms quickly along the mainland shores of island coastlines by mid-spring, especially across the southern beaches like Crete or those on the Peloponnese peninsula.

The waters reach peak heat by August, with the sandy and pebbly shores around the country receding beneath the warmth of the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Ionian seas. Many resorts along the coastline open in mid-May to kickstart beach season, which gives you an early opportunity to enjoy the shores, waters, and seafood without the crowds, but the water is not yet comfortable.

The end of September generally marks the end of beach season in Greece, with the majority of international and local travelers returning home. Many resorts and beach towns close by the end of September as the waters cool, but certain island destinations continue their beach season into mid-October. As the season winds down, you can enjoy a similar feeling of seclusion as when visiting at the opening of beach season.

Learn more: Best Beaches in Greece

Best Months: June • July • August • September • October

One of the most picturesque ways to explore the beauty of Greece is on a cruise and the best time for cruising the Greek islands is between June and October.

Cruises in the summer months of June and fall months of September and October allow guests to enjoy a quieter and less-crowded cruise, while ports will not be as busy. Island hop at a leisurely pace, discover aesthetic wonders on idyllic islands, and explore villages and local traditions, all culminating in a spectacular sunset.

For visitors who enjoy a Greek cruise during the summer months of July and August, the warm weather will be at its peak and there will be a wider variety of cruise liners to choose from. Summer festivities will be in full swing, with restaurants, bars, and other entertainment venues open on every corner.

The islands can really shine with life and beauty during certain seasons and you can explore different ways to enjoy your time when discovering our best things to do in Greece in June and best places to visit in Greece in June.

Learn more: Greek Island Hopping Vacations

Best Months: April • May • June • September • October

April to June and September to October are the best times for sightseeing in Greece. The mild weather and smaller crowds support its beauty, with access to the country’s diverse culture and captivating heritage.

Spring and fall also give you the best access to Greece’s countless ancient ruins, hanging monasteries, vineyards, and museums. It is true that Greece is a fabulous destination to visit in any season, but your trip depends on how you wish to experience the country.

The climate changes dramatically between the northern mountains and the southern islands throughout the year, so much depends on your goals. Your hopes for the excursions you want to take and the activities you wish to enjoy will inform the perfect time of year for your Greece itinerary. You can also find new ideas and inspiration for your vacation with our best Greece itineraries.

Learn more: Best Places to Visit in Greece

Best Months: July • August • September • October

The best time to visit Greece for wines is from the warm summer month of July to the post-harvest season in October.

Ancient varietals thrive and with a variety of characteristics, from fruity and full to soothing and sweet, there’s a wine for every occasion.

Whether partaking in a traditional feast, a lively festival, or a wedding, you can sample the famous varieties thriving from the Peloponnese to Santorini, Crete to Florina.

Best Months: August • September

September is the best time for grape harvesting in Greece. The vineyards across the country differ by region, with producers accounting for the diverse climates across the peninsula and islands.

While modern production methods are in place in Greece, the harvest retains a sense of age-old authenticity and importance, ensuring ancient heritage and traditional practices remain an integral part of contemporary culture.

Harvest time is also traditionally a family affair, with communities gathering to stomp and celebrate the upcoming production of Greek wines.

Best Months: March • April • May • September  • October

The spring months of March, April, and May, as well as September and October in the fall, are the best times to visit Greece for olive-oil tasting.

Often referred to as the ‘Gold of Greece’, olive oil is a tasty and popular product of the country, and visitors can get a hands-on experience, from harvesting to production, and tasting the end product.

From tours of olive plantations to taking part in harvesting and production, enjoying olive oil during a cooking class or in a local taverna, visitors are encouraged to dive into the world of olive oil when visiting Greece.

Best Months: May • June • July • August • September

There are many tantalizing food festivals and experiences to whet your appetite, with the best time for Greek food experiences usually taking place in the late spring and summer.

Spend time exploring the street-food scene of Athens during the Athens Food Festival in May or indulge in the snail festival in Chania, Crete, in early August. Discover the popularity of feta and the importance lentils play in Greek food during summer festivals.

If food events or festivals are not to your taste, simply enjoy Greek cuisine, from olives to loukoumades, on idyllic beaches, in quaint tavernas, and at your hotels during the vibrant tourist season spanning May to September.

Learn more: Greece Food & Wine Tours

Best Months: April • May • September • October

The best time to visit Greece to avoid crowds would be in the late spring month of May and early fall, as August rolls into September. The weather is still inviting, yet the crowds have started to dissipate.

As ferries start to run and cafes dust off their tables and chairs, setting menus for the tourist season, visit key sites in Athens and the Greek islands knowing you are ahead of the rush. Once the heat of summer subsides, the fall weather a few weeks ahead, visitors can enjoy quieter settings that will still be vibrant with Greek traditions and passion.

Looking at when to embark on specific experiences or outings, consider getting up early or visiting a site at the end of the day to avoid large crowds. Knowing when to visit and what to do can greatly impact your overall experience. Find more information with our best things to do in Greece in April and best places to visit in Greece in April for more ideas on how you can enjoy your vacation.

Best Months: May • June • July • September • October

May and June, as well as September and October, are the best months for a family trip to Greece. These shoulder seasons in spring and fall still present warm weather and waters for families to enjoy.

If school vacation dictates your Greek adventure, July will offer warm and sunny days, with plenty of entertainment and adventure for the entire family. Avoiding the peak summer month of August will afford families the chance to explore the popular beaches of Mykonos, the historic Venetian harbor of Chania in Crete, or family-friendly Naxos with fewer crowds.

One highlight of experiencing the Greek islands in the slightly cooler months of May and October is that families will be encouraged to explore ancient heritage sites for which Greece is famous.

Find more information on the best time to visit Greece for families or discover inspiration for your trip with our top things to do in Greece with families and best cities to visit in Greece with family.

Learn more: Greece Family Vacations

Best Months: June • July • August • September • October

The best time for couples to embark on a romantic Greek escape is in June and early July, as well as September and early October.

As the shoulder season sneaks into peak time, you can enjoy the gorgeous ambiance of iconic islands and popular cities, stunning landscapes and captivating ruins without the massive summer crowds.

The weather ranges from warm to hot and pleasant, with space to hike, sunbathe, or indulge in romantic activities like a luxury spa treatment or private cooking class with panoramic views of the countryside or seas.

How you enjoy your time as a couple is about your goals, with our most romantic places in Greece for couples and most romantic things to do in Greece for couples providing inspiration.

Learn more: Greece Tours for Couples • Greece Honeymoons

Best Months: May • June • July • September • October

The best time for seniors to visit Greece is in the off-peak months of May and June, and again when the summer buzz dies down around September and October.

Avoid crowded town labyrinths, packed beaches, and noisy restaurants by traveling outside of the peak month of August, still fully embracing and soaking up the country’s sunshine and energy.

Consider staying just outside the city centers, on quieter islands, and heading out for walks, beaches, and must-see sites early or late in the day. Greece is a beautiful destination in which to relax and take it all in.

Learn more: Greece Tours for Seniors

Best Months: April • May • June

April to June gives you the best window for spring and early summer activities. Excursions to museums or ancient ruins are year-round activities that you can enjoy no matter the climate, but a number of excursions are best in pleasant weather.

The warmer days of the summer months of July and August mean more time in the tranquil waters of the Mediterranean, Ionian, or Aegean seas, or sailing and wine tasting as sunsets take you from day to night.

Activities: Open-air thermal baths • Hiking • Cycling • Wine-tasting tours • Sailing • Spelunking

Best Months: October • November • December

October and December are the optimal times for fall and winter activities in Greece. In the fall, the temperatures offer a combination of comfortable warmth and refreshing cold, depending on whether you are visiting the islands, central, or northern Greece. Many autumn festivals celebrate cuisine, offering a cheerful ambiance in the different regions.

The winter then replaces the colorful foliage and harvest period with calm from Athens to Crete, Santorini to the Zagori village. Snow caps the mountain slopes and the soft light supports good photography.

January also hosts the Feast of Saint Basil, the equivalent of Greece’s Christmas Day, and the Patras Carnival features the fantastic activities you can enjoy in October to December and February.

Activities: Skiing • Snowboarding • Hiking • Olive Harvest • Christmas markets • Cooking classes with seasonal ingredients

Whether sailing around Santorini, finding the perfect family-friendly island, or immersing yourself in the unforgettable ruins of ancient civilizations, Greece is a destination for unforgettable adventures and timeless island escapes. For inspiration on where to travel during your custom trip, find our sample Greece vacations. Our Greece travel guide has more information to help you plan your best experiences.

Before planning a trip it’s normal to have questions about the process, where to go, and what to do during your Greek vacation. How to plan a trip to Greece: frequently asked questions can help you with the challenges of planning an international trip.