When to Visit Greece: Our Month-by-Month Guide

Spring: Greece in bloom

April opens the season. The hillsides are covered in poppies and asphodels, the air smells of wild thyme, and the villages come back to life after the quiet of winter. It is a time for long sleeves in the morning and short sleeves by afternoon, with that soft light that photographers adore.

May is perhaps the most generous month. Temperatures invite you to linger without ever feeling oppressive, the sea begins to warm up for the bravest swimmers, and archaeological sites can be visited in precious calm. In June, the warmth settles in gently, the days grow longer, and that first swim after a walk becomes a delightful ritual.

Spring is also when Greece celebrates Orthodox Easter, a highlight of local life. In the villages, candlelit processions, communal meals, and festivities create a unique atmosphere. If your dates happen to coincide with this celebration (usually in April or early May), you will experience an unforgettable moment of togetherness.

Discover our suggestions for spring, and more specifically for April, May, or June.

Summer: Greece under the sun

July marks the heart of the Greek summer. The heat is honest, the sun generous, and the meltemi blows across the Cyclades, keeping the air breathable. This is the time to seek out the windswept islands, to walk in the early morning, to linger in the shade of a plane tree with an iced coffee. You walk early, swim often, and dine late beneath the stars.

The meltemi deserves a word of explanation. This northerly wind, characteristic of summer in the Aegean, blows mainly from July to September. In the Cyclades, it can be vigorous (especially on Mykonos, Tinos, or Paros) and occasionally delay ferries. But it also has its virtues: it tempers the heat, clears the sky, and gives late afternoons an incomparable luminosity. On the southern coasts of the islands, sheltered from the wind, you enjoy a calm sea and protected coves.

In August, Greece lives at holiday pace. This is the busiest period, particularly on the most famous islands (Santorini, Mykonos). Temperatures regularly exceed 33 °C inland, and the sea reaches 26 °C, its annual high. For those who embrace the heat and the energy, it is a festive season, punctuated by panegyria (village patron saint festivals), the most important being August 15th, the Assumption, celebrated throughout the country with processions, music, and shared meals.

For travellers who love the raw light and balmy evenings, the Greek summer has its charm. Explore our ideas for July.

Autumn: intimate Greece

September is a wonder. The sea is at its warmest, the light turns to gold, the crowds disperse, and the Greeks themselves seem more relaxed. The grape harvest begins, the first raisins dry on the terraces, and the tavernas return to their village rhythm. This is the month when Greece reveals itself without pretence.

October extends this gentleness with a touch of happy melancholy. The gorges are deserted, the coastal paths bathed in low-angled light, and the olives begin to ripen. In Crete and the Peloponnese, temperatures remain ideal for walking. This is the season for curious travellers, those who prefer depth to excitement.

Explore our suggestions for autumn, September, and October.

Winter: Greece at rest

From November to March, Greece rests. Ferries become scarce, accommodations close, and rain visits the islands. It is a season that is beautiful in its own way, but not well suited to walking holidays. Kelifos takes a pause, while Greece catches its breath and prepares for the following spring.

Worth noting: the Greek winter is not uniform. On the islands, temperatures remain mild (10 to 15 °C), but rainfall increases significantly, especially in the Ionian Islands (Corfu receives over a metre of rain per year). In the north of the country, around Thessaloniki, winters are colder, with nights close to 0 °C. Crete and the Dodecanese, on the other hand, enjoy a milder winter, and some travellers appreciate the absolute tranquillity of this season.

To learn more about this season, see our winter page.

Each region has its own calendar

Greece is more diverse than you might imagine, and the best time to visit varies by destination. The Cyclades, exposed to the meltemi, are best visited in spring or September. Crete, further south, lends itself to walks from April and remains pleasant through November. The Ionian Islands (Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos), greener and wetter, are at their best from May to October. The Peloponnese and mainland Greece, with their gorges, ancient sites, and mountain villages, are ideally explored in May, June, September, and October, when temperatures allow long days of walking without excessive heat.

Our recommendation

If we had to choose two months, they would be May and September. May for the freshness of the landscapes, the gentle temperatures, and the pleasure of arriving before the crowds. September for the warmth of the sea, the autumn light, and that precious feeling of having Greece to yourself.

In both cases, you will find peaceful trails, authentic villages, generous seasonal cuisine, and the gentle rhythm that makes a Kelifos trip so special.

One final tip: accommodation and flight prices vary considerably by season. In May and October, rates are often 20 to 30% lower than in July and August, for a noticeably better travel experience. This is one of the advantages of visiting during the shoulder seasons, on top of the pleasure of having Greece nearly to yourself.

Continue the journey

• Crete, between villages and the Libyan Sea: the south coast of Crete at your own pace, between secret gorges and turquoise coves.
• Sifnos, Milos and Kimolos, the enchanted Cyclades: three islands, three faces, one shared Cycladic art of living.
• Corfu, the Emerald Isle: the greenest of the Greek islands, between olive groves and the Ionian Sea.

Solène Roux

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