Quick answer
May, June and September are the best times to visit Greece. The islands are open, the sea is warm enough to swim and highs sit at 23–27°C on Santorini. July and August are the busiest and priciest, with strong meltemi winds and 35°C-plus heat in Athens. From November to March, most Santorini and Mykonos hotels close.
Month-by-month at a glance
- Jan14°Avoid
- Feb14°Avoid
- Mar16°Fair
- Apr19°Good
- May23°Best
- Jun27°Best
- Jul29°Good
- Aug29°Fair
- Sep26°Best
- Oct22°Good
- Nov19°Fair
- Dec16°Avoid
Greece weather, crowds and what to expect
| Month | High / Low | Rain | Crowds | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryAvoid | 14° / 9° | 60 mm | low | Most island hotels and restaurants closed; ferries on winter schedules. Athens is fine for a city break. |
| FebruaryAvoid | 14° / 9° | 50 mm | low | Wet and windy on the islands. Carnival season in Patras and Athens. |
| MarchFair | 16° / 10° | 40 mm | low | Islands start waking up late in the month. Clean Monday in 2027 falls on 15 March. |
| AprilGood | 19° / 12° | 20 mm | medium | Wild flowers and mild days; the sea is still cold. Most hotels open by Easter. |
| MayBest | 23° / 16° | 10 mm | medium | Warm, clear and green. Orthodox Easter falls on 2 May in 2027, so book early. |
| JuneBest | 27° / 20° | 2 mm | high | Long days and a swimmable sea. Peak honeymoon month from India. |
| JulyGood | 29° / 22° | 1 mm | high | Hot and crowded. Meltemi winds can cancel fast ferries; Athens often tops 35°C. |
| AugustFair | 29° / 22° | 1 mm | high | Peak prices and crowds; 15 August holiday sells out ferries. Oia at sunset is shoulder to shoulder. |
| SeptemberBest | 26° / 20° | 10 mm | medium | Warmest sea of the year and easing crowds. Our pick for most couples. |
| OctoberGood | 22° / 17° | 30 mm | medium | Mild and quieter; some island businesses close from mid-month. |
| NovemberFair | 19° / 13° | 50 mm | low | Islands mostly shut. Good for Athens, Delphi and Meteora at low prices. |
| DecemberAvoid | 16° / 11° | 65 mm | low | Island season over. Athens has Christmas lights in Syntagma Square. |
Long-term monthly averages. Individual years vary — check a forecast in the week before you travel.
Festivals and events in Greece
15 March 2027
Clean Monday
Kite-flying and lenten picnics on the first day of Orthodox Lent; plenty of vegan food everywhere.
2 May 2027 (Holy Week from 25 April)
Orthodox Easter
Candlelit midnight service on Saturday and feasts on Sunday. Ferries and island hotels fill up.
June to August
Athens Epidaurus Festival
Drama and concerts at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus below the Acropolis and the ancient theatre at Epidaurus.
15 August
Dormition of the Virgin Mary
Greece's biggest summer holiday. Ferries sell out days ahead around this date.
28 October
Ohi Day
National holiday with school and military parades.
Usually the second Sunday of November
Athens Marathon
The classic route from Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium; central Athens roads close.
When is the best time to visit Greece?
May, June and September. Santorini and Mykonos are fully open, the sea is warm enough to swim from late May, and highs of 23–27°C make the Acropolis and the Fira–Oia caldera walk manageable. September has the warmest sea of the year and thinner crowds than summer, which is why we suggest it to most honeymooners.
What's wrong with July and August?
Nothing, if you book early and accept the trade-offs. Hotel prices on Santorini are at their highest, the Oia sunset is shoulder to shoulder, and cruise ships can land thousands of day visitors on Santorini on busy days. The meltemi, a strong northerly wind, can make fast ferries rough or cancel them. Athens regularly passes 35°C, and the Acropolis has closed during midday hours on heatwave days.
Can you visit Greece in winter?
Athens, yes — it's mild (13–16°C), the Acropolis has short queues, and Delphi and Meteora are easy trips. The islands, no. From November to March most Santorini and Mykonos hotels, restaurants and tour operators close, ferries run reduced schedules, and the caldera views come with wind and rain.
Planning around Indian holidays
- May–June: the classic honeymoon window. Book caldera-view rooms 4–6 months ahead and your VFS appointment 6–8 weeks out.
- Diwali (October–November): early dates work well for islands; later dates suit an Athens-and-mainland trip.
- Orthodox Easter: in 2027 it falls on 2 May. Expect full ferries and some closures on Good Friday.
IndiGo began non-stop flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Athens in January 2026, which makes a 6–7 night Greece trip easier. Check our Greece visa guide before you book.
For costs see Greece trip cost. For the Santorini village choice see where to stay in Santorini, and for sights, things to do in Greece.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best month to visit Santorini?
Is Greece too crowded in summer?
Are Greek islands open in winter?
Does wind affect ferries in Greece?
How we checked this page
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
