Greece is not the same every month of the year, as it’s a country with four distinct seasons and a hot summer. The best time to visit Greece and the Greek islands depends on what you are looking for, whether for your holidays in my beautiful country.
First time in the Cyclades? Here is exactly where Santorini is — and why it is not in Italy.
A trip to Greece is completely different in the winter and compared to the summer, as there are different things you can do in every season.
BEST HOTELS IN GREECE AND THE GREEK ISLANDS:
- In Athens:The Dolli
- In Santorini:Cavo Tagoo
- In Mykonos:Amazon Suites
- In Crete:Creta Maris
- In Corfu:Akrotiri Beach Resort
- In Naxos:Nissaki
- In Paros:PAROCKS
- In Skiathos:Skiathos Palace
- In Milos:Noma Milos
- In Ios:Hide Out Suites
- In Meteora:Doupiani House
- In Delfi:Amalia Hotel
Greek islands like MykonosandSantorini are probably the most famous destinations in Greece, but you have to be aware of their peak and shoulder seasons, as they can be swamped with tourists during certain times of the year.
VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
- Best Time to visit Greece for beaches and swimming in the sea: May to October (sea water will be warm enough)
- Best Time to Visit Greece for Weather: The weather in Greece is at its best between June and October (temperatures between 20-35 degrees C and very minimal rain)
When is summer in Greece (read to find out) - The Best Months to visit Greece: May or October, when the weather is warm but less crowded everywhere.
- Best Time to Visit Greece for Honeymoon: June or September is the best time to visit Greece for a honeymoon, as the weather will be warm enough and the crowds will be minimal.
- Best Time to Visit Mykonos and Santorini: The best time to visit Santorini and Mykonos islands is May, mid-June, and mid-September or October. Both islands can get extremely crowded even in June or September in recent years, so you should probably avoid these months too.
- The best Greek Island for teenagers: Crete, as it has the most exciting things to see and do.
- The best Times for partying, buzz, and crowds areJuly, August, and early September (when all Greek islands and mainland Greece are buzzing with people and tourists).
- Avoid visiting Greece in August by all means: August is by far the worst time to visit Greece, as it is the month when Greeks go on holiday, and it will be packed and super expensive everywhere.
- Most businesses, hotels, restaurants, cafes, and bars on the Greek islands are closed between November and March, which is considered the low season (or winter) in Greece.
Weather in Greece
Here are the average temperatures in Athens, Greece, for the whole year: 
As the figure above shows, Greece has very mild weather compared to other European countries or even North American weather. The weather on the Greek islands can be very windy in the summer (July and mostly August), but this cannot be predicted, so I am not going to give you any advice other than that you should be prepared for it.
As a rule of thumb and according to my experience of having visited almost all Greek islands over the last 35 years, the only thing that can ruin your Greek holidays is not the temperature or rain but the strong winds that you may encounter, which will prevent you from enjoying a day on the beach.
Some Greek islands are notoriously windy (such as Andros or even some parts of Crete), but in general, you shouldn’t worry that much, and chances are that you won’t face any typhoons or storms (there is none of this in Greece, by the way!).Best Time to Visit Greece for swimming and beach life
The best time of year to visit Greece for beaches and swimming is during the summer months of June, July, August, and September. This is when the sea waters are hot and you will enjoy the most beach bars and clubs on every island (or even mainland Greece).
Best time to visit Greece for good weather
You should be very careful during that time because the sun can be very harmful if you do not protect your skin adequately or hydrate yourself regularly. If you are not used to those temperatures or you want less hot weather, then you should visit Greece in May or October. The weather is definitely less hot during these months.
You should also remember that the weather during the winter (or low season) months from November to April can be very unpredictable. You may get 25 degrees and sun, or you may get 0 degrees and snow!
However, as a rule of thumb, bad weather in Greece lasts only a few days (3-5 days on average). Every time we have terrible weather in Greece with snow or colder temperatures…it’s on the news!Best Time to Visit Greece for a Honeymoon
The great thing about June in Greece, though, is that the islands are generally less crowded and less expensive. This does not apply to Santorini and Mykonos, though, as they are costly any time of the year nowadays, but you will find fewer tourist crowds during those months.
When is summer in Greece?
Summer in Greece is June, July, and August, but you will also get sunny, warm weather in May and September. To understand the temperatures in Greece, bear in mind that April and May are the hottest months in major European cities such as Paris or London, UK.
June, July, and August can be very hot (taking into account the global climate change as well…), you may get temperatures of up to 43-44 degrees Celsius (110 Fahrenheit).
Weather in Greece in September
I keep telling people who want to go to Greece that September is the best month because the weather is not too hot, and most places are not too crowded with tourists. The weather in Greece in September is exceptional, with temperatures up to 32 degrees Celsius. Here is the weather in Greece in September in a nutshell: 
FAQs
u003cstrongu003eWhat is the best month to travel to Greece?u003c/strongu003e
u003cspan style=u0022box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;u0022u003eThe best months of the year to travel to Greece and u003c/spanu003ethe Greek islands are June and September. This is usually called the shoulder season in Greece, while July and August are the peak season (or high season). During these 2 months, you will get warm summer weather (between 20-35 degrees Celsius or 70-95 degrees Fahrenheit), but you will also get fewer tourists and lower prices. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eThe summer months in Greece are June, July, and August, but most tourists and the large cruise ships go to Greece in July and August, so these are the busiest and most expensive months. So, I would say that the best time to go to Greece is mid-June or mid-September, when you will get warm weather but fewer tourists.
When should you avoid Greece?
You should avoid visiting Greece during July and August as these are the busiest and hottest months. You should also know that 99% of the Greeks go on holiday in August. If you want to visit any Greek island, such as Santorini or Mykonos, in that case, you should avoid July, August, and possibly September, as last year’s September felt like August in these two islands.
What is the cheapest time to go to Greece?
The cheapest time to go to Greece is the low season (or winter), which is the months between November and March. You can also visit Greece in April or May, but this is usually when the Greek easter occurs, and it’s usually when the Greeks go to the countryside or the islands they come from to celebrate Easter Sunday of the Greek Orthodox Easter. Usually, the prices of hotels and Airbnb were slightly higher during that time. If money is an issue for you, I would recommend visiting Greece during the winter or at least in the shoulder seasons of May-June and September-October.
u003cstrongu003eHow many days in Greece are enough?u003c/strongu003e
You need at least 7 days in Greece, depending on your situation and if your visit is part of a more extended European visit. In theory, the minimum number of days you need in Greece is 3. During these 3 days, you can spend 1 day in Athens and then head to one of the Greek islands (make it Santorini if you can, as it is the most impressive Greek island). I do not generally recommend visiting Greece for such a short period, as I am not a big fan of the tick-the-box holidays, and I like to spend some proper quality time anywhere. Still, I also understand that everyone’s situation (and bank account…) is different, so that’s my advice!
u003cstrongu003eWhich Greek island is the prettiest?u003c/strongu003e
If you ask a Greek this question, you will get a different answer! However, it is globally accepted that Santorini is the prettiest island of them all, and there are excellent reasons to believe that in general. Every Greek island is a beautiful destination, and you can find beauty and amazing places on each one, even the lesser-known ones.
CONCLUSION
The best time to visit Greece is sometime between June and September. All areas are usually less crowded in June, but you will still get awesome warm weather. You should be able to go swimming and enjoy the sunny summer weather.
You should avoid August, the most crowded month of the year, and accommodation and restaurants can be costly. Remember that most businesses (hotels, rooms, bars, restaurants, and shops) on the islands operate mostly between May and October.
The weather in Greece in September is fantastic. It still feels like summer for the most part, with sunny days and warm sea waters.
