Best time to visit Athens
Best time of year to visit Athens
Choose March to May and September to November as the best time to visit Athens. These months guarantee warm sunny days and thinner tourist crowds with lower airfare and hotel prices. Springtime in Athens brings Easter celebrations and wild poppies at the Acropolis, and autumn harvests figs and grapes and celebrates the Day of Ohi. If you don't mind dealing with heat and hordes of tourists, a period between June and August has special stuff to offer: exquisite beaches along with gastronomical explosion with the taste of moussaka, courgette balls, and fresh Horiatiki salad. December being the wettest and gloomiest month, the umbrella should be an integral part of your winter trip. Enjoy hiking as the landscape gets greener from December to February.
13 THINGS TO DO IN ATHENS (JUNE 05 - JUNE 14)
Mediterranean Cruises
Enjoy an award-winning vacation, highlighting picture-perfect coasts, ancient history, and fine cuisine
Greek Island Cruises
Discover the best isles of the Eastern Mediterranean and historic port cities of Turkey
Moussaka
Greece beats all of the Mediterranean with its layered variation of moussaka
Artisan Honey and Baklava
This golden sweet can be eaten with Greek yoghurt, or enjoyed in traditional baklava
Wild Poppies at the Acropolis
Bright splashes of red enlivens the ancient stone ruins of the Athenian Acropolis
Horiatiki Salata
No place on Earth can compete with an authentic Greek Salad in its birthplace
Summer Coffee (Frappe)
Solving the biggest summer struggle of coffee lovers since 1957
Beach Season
Greek seaside tavernas welcome tourists year round, but during the high season people go wild for the beach
Meteora
Meteora is a stunning rock formation with 24 monasteries in total, of which six still remain active
Courgette Balls or Kolokythokeftedes
Lightly fried spicy zucchini patties served with traditional tzatziki sauce is a perfect way to start any meal
Fruit Season
Hot greek summers would be incomplete without a juicy fruit plate
Diving
Explore ancient submerged treasures while diving in Greece
Dolmades
This authentic Greek dish of ancient origin has many different regional varieties, though none without stuffed grape leaves
22 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE
August Full Moon Festival
overAthens' monuments bathed in moonlight offer free admission only once a year—an occasion not to be missed
Apokries or Carnival
out of rangeBefore the long-lasting fast, Greeks feast on meat with a huge party that stretches over three weeks
Holy Week & Orthodox Easter
out of rangeFestive traditions feature Lent mourning ceremonies, nightly Easter candle lighting, and colored egg cracking
Olives and Olive Oil
out of rangeRaw Greek olives are a great seasonal delicacy and don't forget virgin olive oil too!
Spartathlon
out of rangeOne of the world's toughest races covers the distance from Athens to Sparta
Athens Authentic Marathon
out of rangeThis Greek marathon will make you travel back to glorious ancient times
Athens Coffee Festival
out of rangeFind out how the Greeks make such great coffee
Sea Urchins
out of rangeThe creamy texture and pleasant flavours breakdown prejudices about seafood
Figs
out of rangeThis ancient country still abounds with this ancient fruit
Hiking
out of rangeThe rich architectural heritage and natural attractions of Athens are best explored on a leisurely hike
Rakomelo
out of rangeA strong local spirit that warms up the heart and body
Day of Ohi (Oxi)
out of rangeFlower garlands and placards all over the streets signify the anniversary of Greece's historic declaration "No!"
Wine Season
out of rangeTop-notch new Greek wines should be tried first-hand
Kourampiedes (Kourabiethes)—Greek Christmas Butter Cookies
out of rangeDuring Christmas vacation in Greece, try these delicious traditional butter cookies which look like small snowballs
Melomakarona—Greek Christmas Honey Cookies
out of rangeChristmas in Greece won't be complete without these traditional festive sweets!
Birdwatching
out of rangeHerons, egrets, gulls, warblers, ducks, grebes, owls and other feathery fellows will delight your eyes and ears
Squid
out of rangeGreek squid is splendid during the winter months and especially delicious when cooked with spinach, spices, and olive oil
Taramosalata or Fish Roe Dip
out of rangeA palatable fish roe speciality is an excellent complement to a modest lean Lent meal
Greek Easter Food
out of rangeLent is over and Greeks finally feast on lamb delicacies like Magirista, Arni Pashaulino, and Tsoureki
New Year's Eve
out of rangeThe seventh largest city in the European Union, Athens knows how to party
Theophania or Epiphany
out of rangeAn inspiring tradition of throwing a cross into the water and diving after it highlights the celebration
Athens Flying Week
out of rangeThe biggest air show in the Balkans
