What is the cheapest time to visit Greece?

The cheapest months are the November-to-March low season, when flights and Athens hotels drop sharply - but bear in mind most islands largely shut down, with limited ferries and closed hotels. For the best value while the islands are still open and the weather is good, aim for May, early June or October: shoulder-season prices with warm, sunny days and swimmable seas.

What months should you avoid in Greece?

July and August are the ones to weigh carefully: they're the hottest (regularly 33°C+), the most crowded and the most expensive, with island hotels and ferries booked out. They're wonderful if you want guaranteed beach weather and buzz, but if you'd rather have space and value, come in May-June or September. Deep winter (November-March) is best avoided for the islands, which mostly close.

When is the sea warmest for swimming in Greece?

The Greek seas are at their warmest from July through early October, peaking around 25-26°C in late August and September. This is why September is such a favourite - the water is at its most inviting just as the summer crowds and heat ease off. In May and June the sea is pleasant but still cool from winter; by June it's comfortable for most swimmers.

Is May a good time to visit Greece?

May is one of the best months to visit Greece. Days are warm and sunny (around 25°C), the islands are fully open, wildflowers are out, ancient sites like the Acropolis and Delphi are pleasant to explore, and prices and crowds are well below the summer peak. The only caveat is that the sea is still warming up, so early May swims can feel brisk.

How far in advance should I book a trip to Greece?

For July and August - and popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos in June or September - book flights and hotels three to six months ahead, as the best places sell out and prices climb. For the shoulder months and mainland trips, four to eight weeks is usually fine. Athens (ATH) is the main hub; many islands also have direct summer flights worth comparing.

What is the weather like in Greece year-round?

Greece has a classic Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers (33°C+ in July-August) and mild, wetter winters (12-15°C in Athens). Spring and autumn are warm and largely dry - the sweet spots. The islands are sunnier and breezier than the mainland thanks to the summer meltemi winds, while northern Greece and the mountains are cooler and see real winters with snow.

Month by monthGreece2026

The Best Time to Visit Greece

Best: May–June & September–OctoberCheapest: November–March (low season)

Photo: Giles Laurent · CC BY-SA 4.0

Greece is a summer icon, but the smartest time to go is on either side of the peak - when the sea is warm, the islands are open and the crowds and prices haven't hit their August ceiling. Here's every month rated for weather, crowds and cost.

Updated 6 July 2026

In Brief

When is the best time to visit Greece?

The best time to visit Greece is late spring (May-June) and early autumn (September-October) - warm, sunny days, swimmable seas and open islands, but without the July-August peak in heat, crowds and prices. July and August are the hottest and busiest, ideal if you want guaranteed beach weather and lively nightlife but happy to pay for it. The islands largely wind down from November to March, when Athens and the mainland stay open and cheap.

Best time to go

May–June & September–October

Cheapest time

November–March (low season)

When to avoid

July–August (heat, crowds & peak prices)

Greece climate at a glance

Avg daytime high (°C / °F) · rainfall · season

Peak seasonGreatShoulder / valueOff-peakmore drops = wetter

13°55°F
Jan
14°57°F
Feb
16°61°F
Mar
20°68°F
Apr
25°77°F
May
30°86°F
Jun
33°91°F
Jul
33°91°F
Aug
29°84°F
Sep
23°73°F
Oct
18°64°F
Nov
14°57°F
Dec

Find your month

Every month in Greece is rated for weather, crowds and price. Drag the slider to find your sweet spot — the greener the month, the better value the trip.

Sweet spot — best value

Cheapest window: November–March (low season)

March: $ · Low crowds · 16°C, mild, showers

See March hotels

Flights to GreeceCompare fares for your month on Trip.com Hotels in GreeceBook earlier for peak-season dates Things to doTours & tickets in Greece

Greece month by month

Every month rated for weather, crowds and price, so you can match the trip to the month.

Peak seasonGreatShoulder / valueOff-peak

Month	Weather	Crowds	Price	What it's like
Jan	13°C, cool, wet	Low	$	Low season: cool and often wet, with most islands quiet or closed. Athens stays open, cheap and uncrowded.
Feb	14°C, cool, wet	Low	$	Still winter - mild by northern standards but changeable. Good for budget city breaks in Athens, not the islands.
Mar	16°C, mild, showers	Low	$	Spring stirs - wildflowers, mild days and low prices, though the sea is still cold and island services limited.
Apr	20°C, mild, pleasant	Moderate	$$	Warm, green and blooming, with quiet ancient sites; islands begin to reopen, and Orthodox Easter is a highlight.
May	25°C, warm, sunny	Moderate	$$	One of the best months: warm, sunny and dry, the sea warming up and the islands fully open before the crowds.
Jun	30°C, hot, dry	High	$$$	Reliably hot and dry with long days and warm seas; high season is under way but not yet at its August extreme.
Jul	33°C, hot, dry	Peak	$$$	Peak summer - very hot and busy, with the meltemi winds cooling the Aegean islands. Book everything well ahead.
Aug	33°C, hot, dry	Peak	$$$	The hottest, most crowded and priciest month, when Greeks holiday too. Fabulous energy, but reserve far in advance.
Sep	29°C, warm, dry	High then easing	$$	The connoisseur's month - the sea at its warmest, summer heat easing and the crowds thinning after the first week.
Oct	23°C, mild, sunny	Moderate	$$	Pleasantly warm with the sea still swimmable early on; islands wind down through the month at shoulder prices.
Nov	18°C, cool, wet	Low	$	Autumn rains set in and most islands close for winter; fine for a cheap, quiet Athens or mainland trip.
Dec	14°C, cool, wet	Low	$	Low season and often wet; the islands are dormant, but Athens is atmospheric, cheap and festive for city breaks.

Time it right: Greece's seasonal highlights

Island season
May–October
The window when ferries run frequently and island hotels, tavernas and beach clubs are all open - May, June, September and October are the sweet spots.
Orthodox Easter
Spring (movable feast)
Greece's most important holiday, with candlelit processions and feasting - deeply atmospheric, but domestic travel and island ferries book up fast.
Meltemi winds
July–August
Strong, cooling northerly winds sweep the Aegean at the height of summer - refreshing on the beach, but they can disrupt small-boat crossings.
Wine & olive harvest
September–October
Autumn brings grape and olive harvests across the mainland and islands - warm days, golden light and thinning crowds.

Best time to visit Greece: FAQ

The timing questions travelers ask most before booking.

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Where to go, by month →

See the best destination for every month

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The Best Time to Visit Greece

When is the best time to visit Greece?

Greece climate at a glance

Greece month by month

Time it right: Greece's seasonal highlights

Island season

Orthodox Easter

Meltemi winds

Wine & olive harvest

Best time to visit Greece: FAQ

Continue Planning Your Trip

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When is the best time to visit Greece?

Greece climate at a glance

Greece month by month

Time it right: Greece's seasonal highlights

Island season

Orthodox Easter

Meltemi winds

Wine & olive harvest

Best time to visit Greece: FAQ

What is the cheapest time to visit Greece?expand_more

What months should you avoid in Greece?expand_more

When is the sea warmest for swimming in Greece?expand_more

Is May a good time to visit Greece?expand_more

How far in advance should I book a trip to Greece?expand_more

What is the weather like in Greece year-round?expand_more

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