Greece is a place of year-round pleasures. There’s no bad time to visit Greece. Unsurprisingly, the most popular times to visit Greece are during the late spring, summer, and early fall months; it may sound like not many months are left behind, but truth is, Greece is ideal whether you opt for summer or winter getaways. The milder seasons offer a perfect time to visit one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, especially as post-covid, all the venues open their doors, inviting guests to stay, eat, and drink.
Greece tends to get particulalry hot in summer, especially if you are out for some urban exploring. Tourists that are used to colder climates may find the hot weather too much for their liking; a trend that helps year-round arrivals and the fight against seasonality.
The urban attractions of Athens thrive at full tilt all year long, while most Greek islands are at their best once summer arrives in all its glory. Whether it’s cool Mediterranean breezes you seek or the cheapest time to book that hotel room with a sea view in Mykonos, each season has its perks and downsides, depending on what you opt out to experience from your visit.
July is when things get summer-ready and sometimes uncomfortably humid in Athens, and the city is crowded with tourists then, too. August, naturally, means great beach weather, and if you like your big cities to yourself then it’s also a fine time for Athens, as most Athenians leave the capital; a certain magic appeals to the city when it is without its people.
September has lots of advantages (namely: fewer tourists, shorter queues), but the days are still long and warm and better yet, it’s less humid than in July and August. In Crete, the southernmost Greek island, you can go swimming well into October.
Autumn is also ideal for theme tourism; a perfect time for visiting vineyards during the grape harvest. Sip plenty of tasty local wines and get your hands dirty in the annual ritual, immersing yourself in a tradition dating back for generations. Then there’s the olives – visit in October or November and you can join in the olive harvest. The Peloponnese is an ideal destination for this where visitors can enjoy the massive feast and celebration that rewards the efforts of all who’ve helped – and, it’s only an hour from Athens.
