Best time to visit by weather Greece

January is the coldest month. The further north you move, the lower the temperature drops. In northern Greece, where the winds from Northern Europe and Russia blow, the temperature may drop to -10°C (14°F). On the islands, the weather is milder but considerably wetter. In the Mediterranean area, the rains are torrential, while in the Aegean, the rains come in downpours, mainly at night and early in the morning. The west coast of Greece is rainier, but rain showers are quickly replaced by the sun rays as soon as the sky clears up. If you plan to visit Athens or any island, an umbrella or a raincoat is a must. Although the amount of precipitation is high, you are unlikely to see snow. There is a chance for wet snow, but it would melt immediately. The only places with snow are the mountain peaks. In January, you can come over to visit ski resorts.

Although the weather in February similar to January, it gets sunnier throughout the country. The temperature in the coastal areas and on the islands may rise to 17°C (63°F), bringing a touch of spring to Greece. However, the days are generally gloomy, and short periods of improvement are followed by a row of cloudy, chilly days. The conditions are better on the Mediterranean islands and in Athens than along the Aegean coast. It rains all across the country, but the west coast is wetter and windier. In the mainland and the northern areas, it’s drier, but the winds from the north may bring snow and cold air masses there. In February, snow covers the mountain peaks. The weather is somewhat unfavorable around Greece, and February is not the best time to visit the country.

March marks the transition from winter. Although the weather is not ideal, it starts improving throughout the country. It still rains in all the regions, but the amount of precipitation and the frequency of rains decrease. In Athens and across the Mediterranean islands, the mornings are fresh, but during the day, the air warms up and promises more favorable conditions for outdoor activities. A jacket and a raincoat are still necessary to stay comfortable. The same is fair for the area of Thessaloniki. The gap between night and day temperatures is more significant, and early morning walks will be somewhat chilly. Most of the time, the sky is clear all over the country, with short periods of cloudiness. The gradual correction of the conditions makes March adequate time for sightseeing.

In April, the gradual transition to summer begins, but the weather differs depending on the region. The mainland areas, including Athens and Thessaloniki, experience a temperature gap between day and night. The morning freshness disseminates under the sunrays, and by noon, the temperature rises to 20°C (68°F). Considering the further decline in precipitation, April is a good time for exploring these major cities in Greece. On the islands, the weather also improves. The temperature doesn’t drop below 14°C (57°F), and during the day it starts getting hot. Although the conditions are generally favorable, the weather is somewhat unstable, and occasional rains still may pour.

On the Mediterranean islands and along the coastline, including Athens, the summer begins roughly in mid-May. On average, the temperature is over 20°C (68°F), peaking at 26°C (79°F), with pleasantly warm mornings and evenings. No rains and day-long sunshine make May an ideal time for exploring Athens. Although the water is too fresh for swimming, you can enjoy beautiful days on the island of Crete. Meanwhile, the weather in the Aegean region is slightly less favorable. The temperature there rises too, and the rains are rare. However, in May, the northerly wind Meltemi starts blowing at the Aegean Sea coast. Being the strongest in the afternoon, it might be bothering, intervening with your plans for walks and outdoor activities. Also, May is the month when thunderstorms hit the north and the mountains, mainly in the afternoons.

The weather in June is perfect throughout Greece. Regardless of the island you choose, the conditions will be excellent for beach holidays. The days are sunny and dry, and waters of the Aegean and the Ionian Seas warm up to 22°C (72°F). On the west coast, afternoons are windy and somewhat chilly due to the Meltemi wind. Meanwhile, the Ionian coast is not exposed to wind and deals with high humidity. The regions differ in terms of how hot it gets. In the inner areas of Greece, the heat is more perceptible as the sea breeze doesn’t moderate the warmth. In Athens, the day temperature might be uncomfortable for walks, and it’s better to plan sightseeing for mornings and evenings. In the mountains, the weather is mild, with occasional thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Together with August, July is the hottest month. On the islands, the heat gets scorching, with over 30°C (86°F) at noon. Even at night, the temperature doesn’t drop lower than 20°C (68°F). While on the islands the temperature gap is small, up in the mountains the difference between day and night temperatures is noticeable, with nights and mornings being chilly. A jacket and an umbrella won’t be excessive in these areas. The weather is dry and sunny on the islands and in the major tourist destinations, and there glasses and sunscreen are a must. The Meltemi winds moderate the heat in the Aegean area throughout the summer. But due to the wind, the sea can become rough, especially in the afternoon. The Ionian and Mediterranean Seas are calmer and warm up to 24°C (75°F).

The weather in August is almost identical to the conditions in July. All the islands have a great combination of warm water and day-long sunshine, and the climate is excellent for a beach vacation. During the hottest hours, it’s better to get away from the sun and rest indoors. The same is fair for Athens, which may experience the temperature over 40°C (104°F) at midday. Hence, August is not the best time to do sightseeing, unless you go out early in the morning. In Thessaloniki and on the Aegean islands, the northern winds moderate the heat. However, when Meltemi blows for several days in a row, the Aegean Sea can get dangerous. For the windy evenings, you’d find it useful to carry a light shirt.

September is an extension of summer in Greece. The weather conditions are almost the same as in late August, with a slight drop in the temperature. The first to experience a decrease in the heat are inland areas, the north, and the east coast. Simultaneously, the weather gets wetter, featuring occasional showers, mainly in the evening. Although the deterioration is slight, the weather is not good enough for beach holidays in these areas. Meanwhile, the conditions on the Mediterranean and the majority of Aegean islands are still good enough for swimming. The sky is clear, the weather remains dry, and the water is as warm as 23°C (73°F). By the end of the month, the heat decreases even on the islands, but the days are pleasantly warm.

The first half of the month marks the end of summer. In the majority of the regions, it’s still warm, with temperatures around 23°C (73°F), but the mornings and evenings get fresher. Bringing along a sweater or a jacket would be comfy. Besides, the frequency of rains increases; they are heavy, yet short. Typically, it rains early in the morning or late in the evening, and day hours remain sunny and cloudless. You can use this time to explore the cities of Athens and Thessaloniki. As the heat decreases, a day-long walk won’t be exhaustive. However, the days become shorter. In the Aegean area, the wind ceases to blow, the sea calms down and is usually as warm as 22°C (72°F). You can come over for swimming, but October is not a typical time for beach holidays in Greece.

In November, the entire country gets ready to live in a state of winter. The temperature decreases all over Greece. The coastal areas and the islands experience mild weather, with temperatures rarely getting lower than 16°C (61°F). Although it’s still sunny, the clouds cover the sky more often. The days get shorter, and the rains are not that frequent but occur regularly. If occasional downpours and a cloudy sky are not bothering you, November is a good time for sightseeing. The heat is gone, and so are the tourists. You need to dress warmer and carry an umbrella to make sure that neither cold nor shower would disturb you during the walk. At the same time, the mainland and the mountains already experience considerably lower temperatures.

In December, the weather throughout the country is not great, yet tolerable. On the Aegean Sea islands and in Athens, the conditions are mild and rainy. The temperature rarely falls below 15°C (59°F). During sunny days, the thermometer may show up to 20°C (68°F). In these areas, spring clothes and an umbrella would be enough for a comfortable stay. Meanwhile, in the inland and northern regions, you’d need to put on warm clothes as the conditions there are harsher. In Thessaloniki, the night temperatures may drop below freezing. The weather on the Mediterranean islands is unfavorable too: the sea is stormy, the rains are heavy and day-long, and strong winds blow.