What’s the Weather Like in Greece? Climate Overview by Month & Region 

Greece has one of the most welcoming climates in Europe, with bright summers, mild springs and autumns, and gentle coastal winters. Knowing the weather month by month helps you choose between peak sunshine, quiet off season travel, or the shoulder months that balance both. With thousands of islands and a varied mainland, each region shifts season at its own pace. This guide to Greece weather by month covers the average temperature in Greece, sea temperatures and rainfall for every month of the year.

Southern regions, especially Crete and the Dodecanese, warm earlier and stay mild for longer. This makes Crete particularly appealing for those who prefer warm springs and extended autumns. Meanwhile, destinations like Athens, the Peloponnese and parts of the Cyclades like Santorini follow a steady Mediterranean pattern that suits Greece holiday packages across much of the year.

Greece Weather by Month: Average Temperatures

The table below shows the Greece average temperature by month, using Athens region figures rounded from long term climate records. Southern islands like Crete and Rhodes run warmer and stay mild longer; the northern mainland runs cooler with sharper seasons.

Month	Avg High	Avg Low	Sea Temp	Rainy Days	Good for
January	13°C	7°C	16°C	13	Museums, city breaks
February	14°C	7°C	15°C	11	Quiet sightseeing
March	16°C	8°C	15°C	11	Walking, early spring
April	20°C	12°C	16°C	8	Sightseeing, wildflowers
May	25°C	16°C	19°C	6	Beaches, best value
June	30°C	20°C	23°C	3	Swimming, island hopping
July	33°C	23°C	25°C	2	Peak beach, peak crowds
August	33°C	23°C	26°C	1	Warmest sea, busiest
September	28°C	19°C	25°C	4	Warm sea, fewer crowds
October	23°C	16°C	22°C	7	Culture, late beaches
November	18°C	12°C	20°C	9	Off-season, low prices
December	14°C	9°C	18°C	12	Christmas, quiet travel

These Athens region long term averages give a reliable Greece average temperature by month, but conditions vary by year and region, so check the Hellenic National Meteorological Service for official climate data.

Greece Weather Month by Month

Here is Greece weather by month in more detail. Use this Greece temperature by month breakdown alongside the table above to match each month to the trip you want.

January: Greece weather in January is the coolest of the year, with Athens averaging 13°C by day and 7°C at night. It is also the wettest month, with around 13 rainy days. Crete stays milder at around 15 to 16°C, making it the best winter escape for museums and city breaks.

February: February stays cool at around 14°C, but the days start to lengthen and almond trees blossom across the countryside by the end of the month. Crowds are at their lowest, so it suits quiet sightseeing and great value city breaks in Athens.

March: Is Greece warm in March? Not beach warm yet. Athens averages 16°C by day, nights drop to around 8°C and the sea sits at 15°C. Spring arrives in the second half of the month, bringing green hills and pleasant walking weather, plus Independence Day parades on 25 March.

April: Greece weather in April brings mild 20°C days, 12°C nights and wildflowers across the islands and mainland. The sea is still cool at 16°C, so it suits sightseeing over swimming. Orthodox Easter often falls in April or early May and is the biggest celebration of the Greek year.

May: May is one of the best months to visit, with 25°C days, sea temperatures reaching 19°C and only around 6 rainy days. Beaches are quiet and prices sit below summer levels. If your dates are flexible, May is when last minute holidays to Greece deliver summer warmth at off peak prices.

June: June brings proper summer heat, averaging 30°C with a 23°C sea and barely any rain. Days are at their longest, which makes it ideal for swimming, island hopping and long evenings by the water before the July crowds arrive.

July: July is the hottest month alongside August, averaging 33°C on the coast, and heatwaves can push inland temperatures above 40°C. The Aegean islands are cooled by the strong meltemi wind, which brings relief on hot afternoons but can disrupt ferry timetables.

August: August offers the warmest sea of the year at around 26°C and almost no rain. It is also the busiest month, as Greek families take their own holidays around the 15 August public holiday, so book ferries and accommodation well ahead.

September: Greece weather in September is often called the best of the year, with 28°C days, a 25°C sea still warm from summer and noticeably thinner crowds. Southern islands such as Rhodes stay especially warm, perfect for exploring quieter beaches.

October: October brings a gentle 23°C on average, with the sea still around 22°C and the first autumn showers. In the Dodecanese, Kos and its neighbours often stay beach warm well into the month, while the mainland suits culture and sightseeing.

November: November cools to around 18°C with roughly 9 rainy days, but sunny spells are common and the sea holds at 20°C. It is olive harvest season, many resorts close for winter and prices drop to their lowest, ideal for city breaks and food lovers.

December: December averages 14°C in Athens, with around 12 rainy days and snow on the mountains. Cities like Athens and Thessaloniki light up for Christmas, making it a cosy, crowd free time for culture, food and quiet travel.

What Is the Weather Like in Greece in Spring (April–May)?

Greece in spring runs 20°C in April and 25°C in May, with sea temperatures reaching about 19°C by late May, enough for early season swimming. As spring arrives, Greece awakens gracefully. During April, daytime highs in Athens reach around 20 to 22°C, making sightseeing and coastal strolls pleasant.

Temperatures go up even more in May and it is common to find temperatures of 23 to 26°C in Athens, Crete and most of the Aegean islands. May weather in Greece is perfect for those who want sunshine without the heat experienced during the summer months. Temperatures of the sea start rising as well, particularly in the areas of Crete, also providing early season swimming with calm beaches and fewer people. Late spring is one of the best value windows for Greece holidays.

What Is the Weather Like in Greece in Summer (June–August)?

Greek summers reach 30 to 33°C on the coast and hotter inland, with sea temperatures peaking at 26°C in August, the warmest and busiest time of year. If you are wondering when is Greece hot, the answer is mid June to early September, when the average temperature in Greece climbs above 30°C on the coast. Greek summer is characterised by the heat, clear sky and still sea. Islands enjoy the invigorating breezes, more particularly those of the Aegean, and make them most comfortable even on the hottest common afternoons. 

Ideal for swimming, sailing and long beach days. Summer is peak season across the islands, offering postcard perfect conditions for island hopping, water sports and vibrant coastal evenings, and if you’re weighing up all inclusive holidays, July and August are when resort demand runs highest.

What Is the Weather Like in Greece in Autumn (September–October)?

Greece in autumn holds 28°C in September and 23°C in October, with the sea still warm at 22 to 25°C and noticeably thinner crowds. September is widely considered one of the most balanced months for weather in Greece. In September, conditions resemble early summer, with temperatures of approximately 24 to 28°C and waters still warm from August. Ferries, beaches and towns are lively without being congested.

In October there is a gentle warmth. October weather in Greece is generally between 20 and 24°C during the day, which suits cultural tours, sightseeing and late season beach visits to Crete. Even though rainfall slowly increases, the climate is generally pleasant. Many travellers who like cheaper prices and a mild climate prefer to visit Greece in autumn, when relaxing Greece holiday packages still feel like summer. September and October also open up more of the mainland and islands than peak summer comfortably allows; our guide to the best places to visit in Greece (existing link) covers where to go once the crowds thin out.

What Is the Weather Like in Greece in Winter (November–March)?

Greek winters stay mild on southern coasts, where Crete typically sits at 14 to 17°C mid winter, while northern and inland regions drop close to freezing with mountain snow. The typical Greece winter temperature on the coast ranges from around 13 to 16°C by day, with nights between 5 and 9°C. The sun also shines and this makes it appropriate for off season walking holidays, food excursions and travelling locally. Crete stays the most reliable winter base, with mild coastal weather year round; see the best places to visit in Crete (existing link) for where that mild winter is actually worth spending.

Other regions closer to the north and to the interior cool more, with almost freezing conditions. Snow covers the mountainous areas, making the scenery totally different. Winter is not the time to go to the beach; it is the time for museums without crowds, cultural exploration and quiet attractions.

How Does Weather Vary by Region in Greece?

These regional climate patterns follow data from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service. Greece temperature by month follows the same overall curve everywhere, but the average temperature in Greece can differ by 5°C or more between Crete and the northern mainland in winter.

• Southern Islands & Crete: Warmest year-round, earliest springs, longest summers. 
• Cyclades & Aegean Islands: Breezy summers, mild winters and comfortable autumns. 
• Ionian Islands (Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos): Green, lush landscapes, hot summers and the wettest winters in Greece. If you are heading west, see our guide on where to stay in Corfu.
• Mainland South (Athens, Peloponnese): Hot summers, gentle winters, reliable sunshine.
• Northern Mainland: Hot inland summers, colder winters and the sharpest seasonal contrast in the country.

These differences help travellers find the right place for their taste, whether that is warm beaches, adventurous treks or quiet low season trips. Greek islands temperature by month runs slightly warmer than the mainland in winter, as the surrounding sea keeps nights milder.

Choosing the Best Time to Visit Greece

Greece works year round, but the sweet spots are clear. May and September give you summer warmth without summer crowds or prices. July and August deliver the hottest seas and the busiest beaches. Winter suits anyone who wants museums without queues and mild coastal walks. Once you have checked Greece weather by month and picked your dates, our holiday packing guide will help you pack for the season.

Pick the month that matches the trip you actually want, and Greece rarely disappoints. Whichever Greece temperature by month suits you best, Travelodeal can help you find a holiday that fits your dates and budget.

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