When to go to Greece?

Travellers planning a trip to Greece should consider the climactic conditions before their departure. The weather in Greece varies greatly depending on the region you are interested in visiting. Most of Greece, nevertheless, sports a fairly typical Mediterranean climate.

Athens and the Greek Mainland

An average Greek winter is not too cold but rainy, normal for a Mediterranean climate. It lasts roughly from October to March. Meanwhile, it is very common to enjoy a few sunny days in January and February, called “halcyon days”. If you are going to Athens in July or August, you likely won’t have any rain because the hottest and driest period of the year. The temperatures can easily hike up to 30 degrees Celsius, but cool down a bit in the spring and autumn where they float around 16 to 20 degrees. The further you go into the Peloponnese, the higher the temperatures will be. In northern Greece the winters are longer and colder but even in Macedonia, summers stay nice and warm. We would recommend, if possible, travelling during seasons of medium tourist flow like in April, May or September. This way you’ll avoid either extreme and the weather will alternate between sun and showers but you won’t be constantly stifled by the heat on your visits.

©scaliger

The Cyclades and the Ionian Islands

The islands of the Aegean Sea have dry and sunny weather during the summer. In the Cyclades, the meltimi wind blows very strongly bringing a pleasant freshness with it during the day. If you are travelling to the Cyclades in August, know that it very likely will not rain during your stay. Winter is comfortable in the islands and the temperatures verge on hot most of the time!

©kite_rin

The weather in Crete

Crete is one of Greece’s most visited islands, notable for its very sunny weather (over 300 days of sun a year) allowing you to plan your visits without having to worry about whether they will be cut short by rain. Meanwhile, it is cooler than mainland Greece because of its strong exposure to the meltemi, which lowers its otherwise stifling temperatures.

A Winter Trip to Crete

Going to Crete in the winter is not a bad idea. Quite the opposite in fact! You’ll be avoiding the often intense summer heat and crowds. The coasts are generally warmer than the interior of the island. From one spot to the next, the amount of precipitation is likely to vary tremendously: Rethimnon gets a lot of rain, while places on the western coast, like Matala for example, don’t get very much rain during the winter.

© Sébastien KOMARNICKI

 A Summer Trip to Crete

In July and August you should be expecting temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius and a water temperature of around 25 degrees, perfect for holidaymaking! Heraklion in August is probably not the best place to enjoy fresh air and tranquillity. Start your visits early in the morning and continue them in the end of the afternoon to avoid the intense midday heat.

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 Visiting Crete in Spring and Autumn

The best month to visit Crete is probably September, during which the temperatures stay rather warm without being oppressive, and the water temperatures are still more than high enough for swimming. April and May are a little bit cooler than the autumn months but are nevertheless great periods for travel. Just remember to bring a few warmer items to wear at night, when it gets chilly. In May and June the island will be flowering, ideal for hikers.

©gatsi