Want to plan your next sun-kissed holiday but unsure when the best time to travel is? Here’s everything you need to know about when to visit Greece and its Islands, so you can relax knowing you’ll be in the right place, at the right time!
When Is The Best Time To Travel To Greece & Greek Islands?
As dreamy as it would be to click our fingers and land on one of Greece’s idyllic beaches, it’s probably best to do a little research and find out when you can get the most out of its islands. Luckily for you, we’ve listed the best times to travel below so you can start planning your next adventure, today:
- The best time to visit Santorini: April, May, June, September, October and early November
- The best time to visit Crete: May, June, July, August, September, October
- The best time to visit Rhodes: June, July August, September
- The best time to visit Corfu: May, June, July, August, September
- The best time to visit Kos: June, July, August, September
- The best time to visit Halkidiki: June, July, August, September
- The best time to visit Costa Navarino: June, July, August, September
- The best time to visit Athens: March, April, May, September, October and early November
While the above guide provides a general trend on when’s best to visit Greece’s resorts, it also depends on what you plan to do during your stay. For example, if you want to explore on nature hikes and sightseeing tours, it’s better to visit during the spring months – or if sunbathing is the most important thing on your agenda, the summer months of June, July or August will be best. It’s worth noting however that August is the hottest time to travel to the most of the destinations, so be sure to pack your sun cream and don’t deny a doze in the shade!
When Is The Best Time To Visit Greece For Its Activities?
Soak Up The Sights
Want to tick off the world-famous UNESCO sites, wander the medieval towns or go hiking along the clifftops? Spring is the best time to visit Greece if you plan on having an active holiday, with the months of April, May and October generally being the most popular for sightseers. In addition to experiencing milder weather (which is still lovely and warm), these months are less frequented by tourists, so you won’t be brushing shoulders with large crowds while trying to get your snap of the Acropolis!
We wouldn’t advise going swimming however, as the waters may be a bit too chilly.
Beach Life
Heading off on a summer beach holiday? If you want nothing more than to lounge on the golden sands and splash in the sea, then the summer months of July, August and September are best. The temperatures will be toasty enough to lie in, without being uncomfortable, although we would advise that you relax with a swimming pool or the sea within reach, as you’ll need to cool off – ahh, it’s a hard life!
City Stays
If your visiting Greece for its city life, destinations such as Athens and Thessaloniki are great for short stays in late autumn and winter. October is a good month to travel if you fancy a city break, since the hotels and monuments on the mainland remain open throughout the year. By day, explore a treasure trove of Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman history with pleasant temperatures in the late teens and early 20’s, while in the evening you can soak up the cosmopolitan nightlife.
What Are The Best Seasons To Travel In?
When Is High Season In Greece?
High season in Greece falls in the midst of the summer months, running from mid-June to mid-September. This is when you’ll experience the most intense heat (with the islands often reaching temperatures of 40°C), bigger crowds and higher prices – especially in August, one of the most popular months to travel.
What Is Shoulder Season?
Shoulder season is known as the period between the high and low seasons of a destination’s tourism – and is often the best time to travel. Greece’s shoulder season runs through late spring and early autumn (April to mid-June and mid-September to October), when the weather is mild with pleasant sunshine, the crowds are fewer and hotel and airfares are much cheaper.
If you don’t have to prioritise travelling with little ones during the school holidays, this is a great time to consider a holiday to Greece.
When Is Low Season In Greece?
Low season (also referred to as off-season) is not considered the best time to travel, as much – but not all – of the destination’s tourism, such as hotels and restaurants, will be closed for winter. Greece’s low season runs from November to March, and while the country’s winter weather can be mild with temperatures in the early teens – there is still chance of rain.
Hotel and airfare rates are at their lowest and if you did still want to travel, it’s better to head to the larger islands such as Crete and Corfu or the mainland cities where there will be more tourism available – the plus side, you won’t need to worry about finding a space on the beach!
