Best time to visit Athens
April to May and September to October. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.
April to May and September to October
Sources point to spring and early autumn: mild weather, manageable crowds, outside the summer heat.
- “late spring (April – May) and early fall (September – October) offering warm weather, fewer crowds” axatravelinsurance.com
- “Spring is widely considered one of the best times to visit Athens” electrahotels.gr
- “Many locals consider autumn to be among the finest times to experience Athens” electrahotels.gr
4 of the 6 travel guides we read name these months.
Athens month by month
Average high and low in Athens
JanuaryChecking fares…Athens has mild winters, around 50 F on average.Greek Orthodox Epiphany falls on January 6.
FebruaryChecking fares…February has the most unpredictable weather and smaller crowds.Carnival is held in February.Athens winters are mild, around 50 F on average.
MarchChecking fares…By early March Athens picks up as temperatures rise and flowers bloom.Spring temperatures run 60-75°F (16-24°C) with fewer tourists than summer.
Best timeAprilChecking fares…Most trips to Greece start around April.Orthodox Easter falls in late April or early May.Greek Orthodox Easter is a major event that can affect travel plans.
Best timeMayChecking fares…May has bright sunshine and warm temperatures across nearly every region.May is shoulder season; ferries start and restaurants slowly open.May is generally not warm enough for the beach or sea.
JuneChecking fares…June has warm beaches without summer crowds.Sea temperatures are comfortable by June, with fresh nights.Athens Epidaurus Festival
JulyChecking fares…July and August are the hottest months, 35°C and above.July and August are the busiest months.
AugustChecking fares…August is hot and the islands are packed.Summer averages about 32°C, especially in Athens and the islands.
Best timeSeptemberChecking fares…September is quieter in the islands and Athens has less heat and fewer crowds.Sea temperatures are still good for swimming.
Best timeOctoberChecking fares…October opens archaeological sites and wineries with fewer travelers.Autumn in Athens runs 25-32°C with the warmest sea.Autumn has less queuing at landmarks and museums.
NovemberChecking fares…November starts the low season, which runs to March.Athens and Thessaloniki stay active in the low season.
DecemberChecking fares…Christmas markets run at Syntagma Square.Christmas celebrations are a key winter event.Athens winters are mild, around 50 F on average.
Weather: Athens averages from National Observatory of Athens (1991 to 2020 averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.
Every date to Athens from your city
Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.
What's on in Athens
Festivals and seasons through the year
Busy, quiet and what to watch for
Busiest
- June to AugustHot, busiest season with large crowds.
- July and AugustBusiest months, peak for cultural events in Athens.
Quietest
- November to MarchQuieter, cooler, fewer crowds; Athens stays active.
- WinterFewer visitors mean a more relaxed Athens.
Watch for
- SummerAthens has very hot summers.
- July and AugustTemperatures reach 35°C and above.
- WinterMany islands close down; hotels shut and ferries thin out.
- Late April or early MayOrthodox Easter can book accommodation early.
Questions people ask
- Is April too early to visit Greece?
- One source says most trips to Greece start around April, and waiting for spring is recommended.
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