Reasons to Love Athens in September

September is a great time of year to visit Athens, with lots of exhibitions, events, concerts. Here are some reasons to love Athens in September.

There is something special about Athens in September. People have returned from their summer vacations, and the city has a renewed life and energy.

I think it's a great time of year to visit Athens, because in addition to the usual attractions, there are an endless amount of events, exhibitions, shows and other things to do. Here's why to love Athens in September.

Athens in September

Once you have lived in a place for a while, you start to notice its rhythms and cycles throughout the year. This is definitely the case with Athens, and the two most contrasting months are August and September.

Most people don't realise that August is the month when there is a virtual exodus of Athenians. Huge numbers of people leave the city for their summer vacations, and some businesses close for a couple of weeks.

You can even easily find parking spots. Crazy, but true!

What makes September in Athens so special, is all those people have returned with renewed optimism, energy, and creativity.

In a way, it feels like people are setting new resolutions and goals, which to a certain extent they are.

There is a Greek phrase you might hear often from June onward, which is ‘apo septemvrio' (from September). This is used when making future plans that no one really wants to start during the summer.

Athens Weather in September

For me though, what really makes September the best month to visit Athens, is the weather. The insanely hot heat of August has faded away, and we're left with warm temperatures which are far more enjoyable.

You might still need to visit the Acropolis in early morning or late afternoon in order not to melt, but its still warm enough to comfortably sit outside and enjoy a taverna meal at night.

During the daytime, you can expect highs of 28 degrees and evening lows of 20 degrees. There's plenty of sunshine, and very little rain in Athens during September.

Things to do in Athens Greece in September

In addition to seeing all the normal points of interest in Athens such as the Parthenon, Temple of Zeus, and Acropolis, there are also specific events and activities you can enjoy during September.

Let's start with ….

Events in Athens in September

In September everyone returns from their vacations, breathing new life into the city. Dozens of exhibitions, shows and concerts crop up all over Athens, and there is a palpable sense of creativity.

Take a more detailed look here for events and festivals in Athens.

Shows, Exhibitions, and Events in Athens

It feels that there are more events and exhibitions held in Athens in September than at any other time of year. From photography exhibitions to live music concerts, there is something for everyone.

One weekend, I had to decide between the Athens Bike Festival at Technopolis, or the Athens Flying Week Air Show held at Tanagra Airport. I decided on the Air Show, which made for something a little different for me!

I might have also set a new life goal to own a helicopter. It's a plan in progress!

Full Moon Events in Athens

Whilst August may be the most celebrated month for full moon events such as outdoor concerts, September is a worthy contender.

There is something almost magical about listening to music under a clear sky, with a full moon shining overhead.

One year, I attended the ‘100 Guitars for Greece' event at the Herodion Theatre on the slopes of the Acropolis. I really can't imagine a more perfect venue for an outdoor classical guitar concert!

Outdoor Cinemas in Athens Finish in September

Outdoor cinemas are still quite popular in Athens and throughout Greece. They don't run all year of course, just during the months when the weather is at its finest.

September is really the last month to watch a movie at an open-air cinema. If you're staying in the center of Athens, you could consider Cine Paris , located at Kydathineon 22, next to Filomousou Square in Plaka. Another option is Cine Thisseio.

Visit Athens City Highlights and Attractions

You'll of course want to see the essential points of interest during your trip to Athens. Typically, the extended summer opening hours for archaeological sites and museums run through September. This makes it easier to work out a city itinerary as you'll have more time to play with.

The Athens points of interest you might consider visiting during your Athens tour include:

The Acropolis (and Parthenon)
The Acropolis Museum
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Ancient Agora
National Archaeological Museum
Plaka
Monastiraki
Lycabettus Hill

Athens Side Trips

September is still a great month to take a day trip from Athens to surrounding places of interest. This is because the daylight is still relatively long, making such tours worthwhile.

Key places of interest you might consider as a day trip from Athens include:

Delphi
Mycenae and Epidaurus
Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon
Meteora (Although it's a LONG day!)
Nafplio

Fresh Grapes in Greece

September heralds the start of the grape picking season, and these find their way to market. At one Euro per KG, it's pretty hard to go wrong!

I think one of the things I love most about living in Greece, is the abundance of fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables. It is certainly making my diet a healthy one.

By the way, can you name the grape variety shown here? Extra bonus points for you if you leave a comment below!

Shopping in Athens

To be perfectly honest, this had to be pointed out to me by the Mrs. I'm not really one for window shopping, or noticing what goes on with fashion. Typical guy, I suppose!

Anyway, apparently, the fashions change at this time of year. You will see the autumn clothes hit the Athens store in September, more boots rather than shoes on display, and more sales or offers as summer stock is cleared.

Personally, I bought a new T-Shirt back in March 2016, so I don't need any new clothes quite yet!

Hotel Prices Drop in Athens in September

It is at this time of year, that hotel prices in Athens start to drop. You can pick up some surprisingly good bargains if you look around.

To save you the time though, I have put together a list of the best 10 hotels near the Acropolis in Athens. I am nice like that!

Visiting Athens in September is a great idea, because the temperatures are not as high as July and August, and the archaeological sites still open late.

During the last weekend in September, the museums and archaeological sites are free for entry. You might be interested in this complete list of all the museums in Athens.

Bike in Athens

Whilst you can always take a cycling tour of Athens throughout the year, September is ideal because of the weather. It feels a lot more pleasant because of the temperatures, and also there are slightly fewer tourists.

Read my experiences of exploring Athens by Bike.

Last Swim of the Summer

Finally, one of the best reasons I love Athens in September, is the continuing quest for the last swim of the summer. Will it be this weekend or next weekend? The only way to make sure, is to continue going to the beach every weekend until the water temperature is too cold!

In 2016, the 18th of September it was still good enough to hit the beach for a few hours and swim in Rafina (the closest beach to where I live). Will next weekend be the same? I certainly hope so!