The best time to go to Athens is from the end of March to the beginning of June or from the end of September to the beginning of November, when the weather is warm but not too hot and the number of tourists in July and August has decreased.Athens is generally a good destination throughout the year, although the weather can be cold and wet from November to March (some years, even in winter, there is snow in Athens).
The best time to visit Athens when the weather is good : Athens is very hot (and very crowded) in July and August, when evening temperatures can rise to 40°C. A better plan for warm and pleasant weather is to visit between mid-April and mid-June or mid-September until the end of October, when temperatures usually range between 20°C and 25°C March and November also have good tourist weather, but be prepared for cool nights and some rain.
Best time to sightsee: the best time to sightsee in Athens is when the weather is mild and there are fewer tourists interrupting the sights: April to mid-May or October to early November are the best times to visit the historical sites.
The best time to visit the Acropolis : the best time to visit the Acropolis is in the early morning, especially in the summer months when it is unbearably hot in the late morning and early afternoon.As Athens is a major stop on Mediterranean cruise routes, tour buses are already parked at 8 am when it opens, so you should be there and ready to go the minute the doors open to stay ahead of the crowds. The next best time is near the end of the day, about two hours before closing.
The best time for beaches : Greater Athens has the longest coastline of any capital, with 16 blue-flag beaches. The best time to visit them is in September, when the biggest crowds have left but the water is at a pleasant temperature of 24°C, having warmed up all summer.
The best time to experience the authentic Greek celebrations : Easter is the most important celebration in the Greek calendar, and the Greeks celebrate seven full days during the Holy Week. This is a good time to visit for those who are looking for a local experience, with the opportunity to enjoy the candlelight processions, the fireworks and the sumptuous festivities.
Travel seasons in Athens
High season (mid June to mid September) : summer in Athens is the high season, a good time to visit if you want to experience heat and a lively nightlife.There will be a particularly lively atmosphere with many tourists on the streets, and this season you will also see the highest accommodation rates and airfares. In August, many locals, including shop and restaurant owners, go on holiday to the mountains or beaches, which means that some companies will be closed.
Mid season (April to mid June, mid September to October) : the mid season is the time when you feel the best to visit Athens. From April to the end of spring and again in early autumn, the weather is usually pleasant, with high temperatures ranging from 20 to 20. This is also when there are better deals on accommodation and flights, and most shops, attractions and restaurants will be open.
Low season (November to March) : the low season is from late autumn to winter Although this time of year brings more grey days and rain, snow is rare in the city with low temperatures, usually well above freezing point There is a lot of room for sightseeing (crowds are rare and alignments are rare) and discounts on hotels and airfares are generally available The downside is that Greek ferries will not run on a full schedule.
Climate in Athens by month
The weather in Athens in January:
The coldest month of the year in Athens is January, but compared to cities in more northern climates, it is practically mild.The weather can be unpredictable, with sun, rain, wind or snow, with an average high temperature of 13°C and rarely much colder than 7°C at night. On a particularly pleasant day, it can rise to 17°C, making it possible to enjoy an outdoor dinner in cafes right in the middle of winter.The month does present some scattered storms, with an average of 57 mm of rainfall for 9 days.while winter brings shorter days, even in early January there are more than 9 and a half hours of natural light to enjoy the outdoor views.when it comes to packing, you’ll want to bring a mix of clothing for colder and warmer days, along with a rain jacket and/or a travel umbrella.)
The weather in Athens in February
February does not produce much change as the average temperature in the high temperatures rose only 14°C and the chances of rain decreased a little to 47mm in the 7 days of this month.Expect plenty of sunshine and getting warmer days as February progresses, along with fewer crowds and cheaper accommodation rates. It is still advisable to bring a mixture of clothing: when the sun comes out you may feel much warmer than you read the thermometer, and it can also get quite cold in the late hours of the night, with the temperature still dropping to 7°C.(Average maximum temperature: 14°C. Average rainfall: 47 mm.)
The weather in Athens in March
March marks the beginning of spring, and temperatures are really warming up now. The maximum rises by three degrees to 17°C and (especially during the second half of the month) there are usually some very pleasant days with temperatures in the low 20’s. Usually there are much more sunny than rainy days in March, and the average amount of rain decreases to 41mm in 8 days.With that relatively small amount, many will visit this month and not see much rain, if any, making an umbrella unnecessary.With those warmer days, you will need more short-sleeved shirts and, if you are lucky, shorts or dresses (perhaps combined with leggings for extra warmth), although you will also want to have some sweaters or sweatshirts, as well as long trousers and a jacket for cool nights.
Athens Climate in April
Warm weather officially arrives in April, with a high average now of 20°C.It is a good time to visit Athens with lots of sunshine and little rain (only 31mm of precipitation in six days).the hours for attractions are now extended and the days are getting longer, while the lines are much shorter than in summer and crowds are few.with the temperature dropping to 12°C, a jacket or sweater and long trousers are recommended for the evening, but during the day, you will probably need warm weather clothes such as dresses, skirts, shorts and T-shirts.Although the sea temperature is starting to rise, at 16°C you probably won’t swim much, but you may need a swimming suit (average maximum temperature: 20°C. Average rainfall: 31 mm.)
Athens weather in May
May is a good time to be in Athens.For most, it will feel like the peak of summer, only the crowds of tourists will not have arrived yet. The temperatures in the afternoon reach 25°C on average, while some days the mercury rises to 30°C.When it comes to packing, you may need a light jacket or sweater for evenings in temperatures as low as 16°C, but now it’s all about summer clothes, including sunscreen, sunglasses and a bathing suit.Now that the average sea temperature increases to 19°C, going to the beach to swim is more comfortable now.(Average maximum temperature: 25°C. Average rainfall: 23mm.)
Athens weather in June
Both the heat and the crowds arrive in June, with an average rise of five degrees over the past month to 30°C.The later in the month you visit, the higher the temperatures, and some days will reach mid-30’s. Rain is virtually unknown now, with only 11mm of precipitation falling on a day in June on average, and nights are quite warm with the temperature dropping to 21°C.Now is the time for almost everyone to enjoy swimming at the beach with the sea temperature rising three more degrees to 22°C, which means that wearing a swimsuit is really a must, along with plenty of sunscreen, a protective hat and light clothing…(Average maximum temperature: 30°C. Average rainfall: 11mm.).
Athens weather in July
With the peak of summer now here, Athens experiences some of the highest temperatures of the year: average maximum temperatures of 33°C, with some days the mercury extends to 40°C.There will be no rain, but you can expect long, hot days with the sunrise just after 6 am on day 1 and the sunset at 8:51 pm. This month it’s all about spending time at the beach, with the sea temperature at 24°C, which means you can wear more than one swimsuit and plenty of summer clothes to keep you cool and protected from the sun. Even at night you won’t need a sweater or jacket with an average low temperature of 24°C.(Average maximum temperature: 33° C. Average rainfall: 6 mm.)
Climate in Athens in August
The conditions in August are very similar to those in July, although the average maximum increases to 34° C.What is different is that the city gets quite empty with most of the locals taking their two-week vacation now.while it will be very hot, as the weather is drier, it is bearable for many, and the quieter streets make it a little more pleasant than in July.when you need a break from the heat, head out to sea and enjoy a refreshing swim, be sure to bring plenty of protection from the scorching sun, including sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.(Average maximum temperature: 34°C. Average rainfall: 6mm.)
Athens weather in September
While early September will be similar to August in terms of heat, things will start to cool down gradually with a high average temperature reduced to 29°C and water temperatures still ideal for swimming at 24°C.Many believe that it is an ideal month to visit Athens, especially in the second half, as crowds also decrease considerably. There is still no need to worry about rain, with only 14mm of precipitation in three days on average and with the temperature dropping to 20°C in the early morning hours, you will probably not need a jacket or sweater.(Average maximum temperature: 29 ° C. Average rainfall: 14 mm.)
The weather in Athens in October
It begins to cool significantly in October, although it may seem an idyllic climate to many, with the average high temperature now at 24 ° C and lows around 16 ° C.During the first half of the month, it can be warm enough to swim with the sea temperature still quite warm due to the summer heat at 22°C.The later in the month you arrive, the more likely you are to need a jacket or a sweater, but it is a good idea to bring a mix of clothing for any visit in October, with long and short sleeve shirts, shorts and pants. There is a better chance of rain with 53mm in five days, although most falls later in the month.(Average maximum temperature: 24°C. Average rainfall: 53mm.)
Athens weather in November
November, in Athens, often feels like someone turned on the air conditioning, with an average high temperature of another five degrees at 19°C and a low temperature at a relatively low temperature of 12°C.At the beginning of the month, there is usually more sunlight than clouds, but in the second half you see more grey days and a decent chance of rain with 58mm of precipitation for days.while the water is still warm enough to swim at 20°C, cooler daytime temperatures mean that few people head to the beach to swim now.Visiting Athens this month means wearing an outfit that can be layered and carrying a rain jacket and/or an umbrella for travel.the days will also be shorter, at the end of the month the sun rises at 7:20 am and sets at 5:06 pm (average maximum temperature: 19°C. Average rainfall: 58 mm.)
Athens Climate in December
December brings some of the coldest temperatures of the year to Athens, but the winters here are relatively mild with the high temperature at 15°C and the low at 9°C.There is a lot more rain, with an average of 98 mm of precipitation in 11 days, which means bringing an umbrella and a waterproof jacket if you visit now. There may even be some days with snow, although it is probably just dust. The second half of the month tends to bring more sunny days. You also see the shortest day of the year, with 9 hours and 31 minutes of light on December 21.)
Events and festivals in Athens by month
January in Athens
New Year’s Day / St. Basil’s Day : a Greek national holiday, January 1st celebrates New Year’s Day and St. Basil’s Day.It is similar to Christmas Day in North America and many other places in the world, as St. Basil’s is the Greek version of Santa Claus. People exchange gifts and some make a special cake with a coin inside known as a vasilopite.Many businesses and tourist attractions will be closed, although most restaurants, cafes and bars will be open.
Ephiphany : January 6th is Ephiphany in many places in Europe, including Athens.One of the oldest Christian celebrations, it represents the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, as well as the famous visit of the Three Kings. In the Greek capital, visitors can experience a spectacle worth seeing, with thousands of people gathered for the Blessing of the Waters in Piraeus, the main port of Athens.
Souvenir Expo : for five days in mid-January, from 8 to 12 January 2023, the largest exhibition of folk art and tourist items arrives in Athens.the Souvenir Expo presents products inspired by Greek tradition, with outstanding masterpieces on display, including handmade decorative items, tourist clothing and objects of high classical value.
