Best time to visit

Best time to visit Greece

Our pick: June and SeptemberBest valueChecked 22 October 2026

June and September are the sweet spot: hot, sunny, and the sea is warm, especially in September. July and August are the hottest and busiest. Many island hotels and ferries close or cut back from November to April.

Best value
Busy and pricier
Quiet

RatingBest value

Areas covered3 on this page

The meltemi wind blows across the Aegean in July and August, cooling the Cyclades but making ferry crossings rough.

Where timing differs

Cyclades (Santorini, Mykonos)Busy and pricier
Packed in summer. Many places shut in winter.
Crete and RhodesBest value
Longest season, warm into late October.
AthensBest value
Spring and autumn are best for sightseeing.

Month by month in Athens

J9°
F10°
M12°
A15°
M20°
J25°
J28°
A27°
S24°
O19°
N15°
D11°

Best valueBusy and pricierQuiet

Average temperature each month (NASA POWER, 2001 to 2025), coloured by season.

Month by month in Greece

April and May: Warm, green and quiet. Greek Easter is a highlight. The sea is still cool.
June: Hot, long days, before the July crowds.
July and August: Hottest and busiest. The meltemi wind cools the Cyclades but makes ferries rough.
September: Warm sea, fewer people, lower prices. Many think it's the best month.
October: Still warm in Crete and Rhodes. Smaller islands start to close.

Choosing an island by season

Crete and Rhodes, in the south, have the longest seasons and are warm from April into late October. The Cyclades, including Santorini and Mykonos, are best from June to September. The Ionian islands, like Corfu and Zante, are greener and a little wetter in spring and autumn.

Before you go

Greek Easter is a big holiday. Ferries and hotels book up.

Stay and do

Ready to book Greece? Compare places to stay and things to do.

Hotels in Athens in September Tours and tickets in Athens

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Questions people ask

When is the sea warmest in Greece?

Late August and September.

When is the best time to visit Greece?

June and September: hot and sunny, with a warm sea and fewer crowds than July and August.

Are the Greek islands open in winter?

Many island hotels, restaurants and ferry routes close or cut back from November to April. Crete, Rhodes and Athens stay open.

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Waymark summarises official UK government (FCDO) travel advice and other public sources to help you plan. It is not a substitute for that advice, which can change at short notice. Always read the latest FCDO page for your destination and check your insurance before you book. Content last checked 22 October 2026.