Here's everything you need to know about the best time to visit Greece and the Greek islands. Includes the best time to travel to Greece for sun, sea, beaches, outdoor activities and more!
Choosing the best time to visit Greece
Planning your next vacation, and wondering when is the best time to visit Greece? Let me help!
After four years of living in and writing about Greece, I've got some great travel advice to share. From when to visit Greece for tourist free summer sun on the Greek islands, to the best time to visit Athens, here's what you need to know.
Best months to visit the Greek islands
Some of the Greek islands close down completely in low season during the winter months. Other islands get super busy at certain times of year, particularly in August.
- Best time to visit Santorini: April, May, June, September, October, November
- Best time to visit Milos: June to September
- Best time to visit Mykonos: June, July, September
- Best time to visit Crete: June-September
- Best time to visit Zakynthos: June, July, September
- Best time to visit Naxos: June to September
- Best time to visit Kefalonia: June to September
- Best time to visit Patmos: June to September
When to visit Greece for weather and activities
Here's a condensed guide on the best time to travel to Greece for various activities and interests.
- Best time to visit Greece for the Weather: May and June, September and October.
- Best time to visit Greece for Swimming: Between April and October.
- Best time to visit Greece for Sightseeing: Between April and June, and September and October.
- Best time to visit Greece for Greek Island Hopping: Between May and October (avoid August!).
- Best time to visit Greece for Cycling: Between May and October (Avoid August!).
- Best time to visit Greece on a Budget: Between October and March.
- Best time to visit Greece for Skiing: Between December and April.
Let's take a look at the best time to go to Greece in more detail.
The best time to travel to Greece is…
There's no time like the present!
Whenever people ask me “When is the best time to visit Greece?”, I reply “Right now!”. Greece is a fantastic country to visit all the year through no matter what the season.
With that said, some months are definitely better than others depending on what your image of an ideal vacation is.
As an honorary local, let me introduce you to the best time to go to Greece based on as many different holiday types as I can think of.
I've also included some of my own travel experiences in Greece where I think they might help.
When to go to Greece
If we are talking about general summer type vacations, the standard answer on when is the best time to visit Greece, is between the months of April and October.
The season for tourism traditionally starts after Greek Orthodox Easter, and finishes towards the end of September, mid-October.
During this time, you can be more or less guaranteed of good weather for your beach holiday, the sea is warm enough to swim in, and the tourist infrastructure is open for business.
In particular, late May to September is ideal.
There is one small problem though, and that's August. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE seems determined to visit Greece in August!
This is a real shame for a number of reasons.
Greece in August
Firstly, the weather can be insanely hot during August. Higher temperatures sound great in theory, especially if you are coming from colder climes, but in practice it can really sap the energy from you, making sightseeing a bit of a drag.
For this reason, when people ask me when is the best month to visit Greece, I always say to avoid August!
Secondly, it's peak season, and there are just too many tourists.These are added to by the Greeks themselves who also decide to take their own summer vacations at this time en masse.
Thirdly, prices shoot up for accommodation during this month of the year, and it can become harder to find rooms by the coast. In short, if you do have a choice on when to visit Greece, maybe you might want to avoid August.
Athens in August: The Exception to the Rule
There's always an exception to the rule however, and so it is in this case when it comes to visiting Greece in August. You see, whilst everyone makes a mad dash to visit the coast in August, Athens is left virtually deserted.
August in Athens is actually my favourite time of year in the city. There's minimal traffic, at least 75% fewer people, and you can even find car parking spaces. Crazy right?! So, if you want to visit Athens during a quieter period, maybe August isn't so bad after all.
Note: I've no direct experience with staying in Thessaloniki at this time, but I suspect it may be similar.
What If I Don't Have A Choice?
I totally understand that some people are restricted by their circumstances, and that high season in August may be the only month they can take a holiday in Greece. If you are in this position, it pays to plan ahead.
My advice is to book your Greece flights and accommodation well in advance, especially when it comes to those super-popular Greek islands such as Santorini and Mykonos. Make sure you get a room with air-con as well, as you might need it!
Best times to visit Greece
If you do have some choice over what time of year to visit Greece though, this following quick guide might help. I've put down a bunch of different Greek vacation ideas based on activity as well as by month.
If you don't quite fall into any of these categories or want to ask a question, please leave a comment on the guide at the end. I'm always happy to help people with their Greek vacation plans!
Please note – I'm including August in the lists, but I hope my message about trying to avoid it got through!!
Best time to visit Greece for weather
There's lots of sunny weather between May and mid-October, with July and August being the very hottest months. If you see rain during these months, you should consider yourself witnessing something of a rare miracle, especially on the more southerly islands!
Talking of which, there is one small issue to keep in mind. The ‘Meltemi winds‘ can occur from mid-May to mid-September. These are dry, surprisingly strong winds that come in from the north Aegean Sea. There's no real predicting when they will happen, as they just arrive and last for 3 or 4 days before dying down.
The Meltemi winds have the bonus of being great if you are into windsurfing and want to cool down from the heat. They are not so good if you want to relax on a beach, and the wind happens to be blowing in the wrong direction!
If they do happen when you are on holiday on a Greek island, ask the locals if they know of any beaches which might be sheltered from them.
Best time to travel to Greece for Cycling
I'm on something of a mission to encourage people to cycle more in Greece! What it lacks in cycling infrastructure it makes up for in varied landscapes. Check out my recent Hercules Bike Tour of the Peloponnese!
If you are planning to cycle in Greece, the best months are May and June, along with September and October. These months will provide warm weather with less chance of rain.
Last year I cycled in Greece during August for a week, which was pretty hot. It reached above 36 degrees for most days. Don't be like me!
Best time to visit Greece for Sightseeing
Personally, I find it a lot easier to wander around some of the excellent Greek archaeological sites in cooler weather than when it's very hot. With this in mind, the best months for sightseeing are probably May and June, along with September and October.
Check out this guide on things to do in Athens in October.
You still get the benefits of the ‘summer hours' for archaeological sites then as well. During the winter months, the opening hours are reduced, with many main sites closing at 3 in the afternoon.
Best time to visit Greece for Swimming
Some hardy souls will tell you that you can swim in Greece all the year around. Winter swimming is not not quite for me, and the latest I've braved the waters has been November, getting in again in late March.
The rest of the year you are going to find the sea temperatures quite lovely for swimming.
Best time to go to Greece for Island Hopping
Avoid the month of August and you'll find that any month between May and October is great to island hop..
Interested in Greek island hopping, or want to include a few Greek islands in your travel itinerary? Check out my Greek island hopping guide, with practical information and tips such how you should allow for possible ferry delays and strike action.
Don't plan your timetable too tight! You might find this guide on the best time to visit Santorini useful. There is a little information inside about other Greek islands to visit from Santorini as well.
Best time to visit Greece for Skiing
What – Skiing in Greece? I hear you ask. Yes, you read it right. Greece has a couple of excellent ski resorts, with perhaps the most popular being Mount Parnassus near Arachova. It's just a few hours drive from Athens, and is also quite close to Delphi.
The ski season in Greece starts in December, with January being the most solid month. The ski season can go on until May depending on the snow that has fallen.
If you were visiting Delphi on a day trip from Athens in April, you might perhaps consider staying longer if you hear that the slopes are still open.
Best time to visit Greece on a Budget
Greece is a very affordable country to visit at any time of year, but the cheapest time to go to Greece is during the off-season.
The absolute best time of year to visit Greece on a budget, is between the months of October and April. Accommodation is easy to find and often at a much discounted rate during this period.
This is a great time to visit Greece in terms of value for money, although some of the tourist infrastructure does close down.
I loved visiting Santorini in November for example, as the temperature was still pretty good but there were virtually no tourists.
Counterbalancing this though, was a reduced selection of places to eat and drink at night. Still, I enjoyed my time on Santorini in November, and found it the ideal time to hike from Fira to Oia.
Budget minded travelers might want to check out this guide on the Greece currency, ATMs and using cash.
My opinion
On reflection, I would say the best month to come to Greece is in September. The average temperatures are still nice and warm, there are few rainy days, and the crowds have gone home.
A runner up would be shoulder season month June, although the later in June you make it the better. It's more laid-back, and the crystal clear waters are warming up nicely.
Greece Travel Planning Tips
If you've more or less decided when you want to take a vacation in Greece, you might be interested in these resources.
- Booking.com – Easily book hotels and accommodation online
- Get Your Guide – The tour booking website I use myself when traveling
- Ferryhopper – By far the best website to book Greek ferry tickets online.
Enjoyed this Greece Travel Guide? Why not pin this blog post about the best time of year to go to Greece for later?
The best time of year to visit Greece
Kris says
Dave thank you for an informative blog. What about visiting Santorini in March.? I am tentatively thinking this over. It is shoulder season So I can avoid tourist crowds and rates however I am wondering is the temperature and weather not amenable? Will many things be open to see and do?
Dave Briggs says
Hi Kris,
This would be pre-season opening (although up until 2020, the Santorini season was getting longer and longer!)
There will be places open, but not all. The weather will be warm – not warm enough for swimming or sunbathing probably, but nice enough.
It would be a good month for tourist-free photos!
I visited there a few weeks ago – check out this blog post on our other site for itinerary ideas: https://realgreekexperiences.com/4-days-in-santorini-what-to-do
Tina says
Just stumbled upon your blog and it’s very informative! Thanks for the work and effort put towards this. I am in the midst of planning a trip to greece this summer. Unfortunately I can only go in August due to work vacation restrictions. I have never been before and would like to visit Athens and at least one beach destination.
I have no interest in seeing Santorini or Myk. I’m planning to be there for 12 days. I am just looking to explore, relax, and have good food. Ideally I am looking for places that are easy to get around as I will not have access to a car and don’t feel comfortable driving in a new country. My budget is middle of the road.
Is there anything you would advise based off of this? I am especially struggling with picking an island/beach destination to stay in. When would be a good time to book hotels? Thank you
Dave Briggs says
Hi Tina,
This is a relatively tricky one due to the season.
It also depends what middle of the road budget is – it definitely means different things to different people!
Here’s some options that might be worth considering:
1. Athens – Kalamata (Kalamata has some lovely beaches. The Peloponnese is lovely. No island of course). Guide here on how to get from Athens to Kalamata
2. Athens and then a small Cyclades island like Schinoussa or Iraklia. The great bonus to these two islands (and you could actually do both given the time you have), is that they are small enough to walk around so no vehicle needed. We’ve got a book available on Kindle>>> a guide to Schinoussa and Iraklia.
Also free guides on the site here: Schinoussa and Iraklia
You can look at ferries to Greek islands here: Ferryhopper
I suggest booking hotels as soon as possible. If you use Booking, you may find they have cancellation policies that work in your favour if you change your mind, but make sure before booking anything!.
Shariq says
Hello,
Your site is lovely. A few of us with 2 little are visiting Athens is early March for a 3 night stay. We will have 3 full days and then leave in the afternoon on the 4th day. What are your suggestions to do? We will probably dedicate a full day to Athens. Thinking about doing a day trip to Nafplio. Are there any nearby islands that are worth going to in March for a day trip independently? I know the major popular islands are too far and require a separate trip.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you very much!
Dave Briggs says
Hi,
I’d suggest that two full days in Athens would be a nice amount of time, although you can see the highlights in one. I’ve two guide here:
1 day in Athens
2 days in Athens
There are a range of day trips you could then take. One nice one is to Delphi, but you can also go to Nafplio. The island of Hydra can also be reached on a day trip.
Take a look here for day trip suggestions: Athens day trips
fiona says
Hi Dave just back from travel agent and have booked landing in Athens 2nd Sept 2020 for 2 to 3 weeks. We already live in an amazing coastal area along the east coast of Australia. I notice that just about everybody asking advice on itineraries always include the very well known Islands eg Mykonos. Santorini, I have found that most popular tourist attracting coastal areas in Australia are not always where in my opinion the pick place to be so with this in mind what would you you suggest would be a well rounded itinerary to take in breath taking coastal/islands and the best of self drive scenery?. We are not a well travelled family (in fact no travel) but fit and outgoing the only Island that is a definite visit at this stage is Kythira (family ties)
We are two adults and two adult children on a budget.
Dave Briggs says
Hi Fiona,
Apologies for the late reply, as I was enjoy the chaos of Morrocco for a while!
In terms of road trip itineraries that seem to match your requirements, I’d like to suggest the following:
Road trip around Crete
Road trip in Mani (and the rest of the Peloponnese)
I would say that if you can only visit Santorini once, then do it, but expect a lot of tourists at that time of year.
A nice alternative would be Tinos Island where you could hire a car and check out the villages.There’s also plenty of great beaches.
Bottom line: The Peloponnese in Greece (even though not an island) has some great places to see such as ancient Greek ruins, Venetian castles, and some of the best beaches in Greece.
Samantha says
Hi Dave,
Hoping to take the husband and 2 kids (7&9) to Greece end of September to October for about 3 weeks. Trying to come up with a rough itinerary and we would like to visit Athens briefly, Crete, another island (not sure which – open to suggestions :)) and maybe Santorini briefly. Do you think that is too much for 3 weeks? I’m also trying to figure out if we can wing it a bit and book ferries/hotels for the islands when we get there and just book flights in and out of Athens?
We don’t want to be travelling every day and love a bit of relaxing, beaches but also sight seeing and a bit of adventure.
Thank you!
Dave Briggs says
Hi Samantha,
Apologies for the late reply, as I was away for a few days!
3 weeks is a great amount of time, and you can definitely add another island in.
At that time of year, you can be a lot looser with pre-booking things, apart from Santorini – I’d suggest you organise that accommodation in advance or at least start looking at where you might like to stay.
Keep in mind Santorini doesn’t have fantastic beaches – but Crete does!
As an additional island, I’d like to suggest Rhodes – great mix of beaches and castles! Also, the weather is nice there in early October.
I’ve got a plan here you could adapt – Athens – Santorini – Crete – Rhodes
Chris says
Hi Dave
Planning a 17 day trip to Ios, Santorini and Mykonos with a group of friends and we are debating between visiting during the last week of June and the first week of July, or the last week of July and the first week of August 2020. We are a young group looking for a good amount of nightlife, hot days on the beach etc. Our biggest concern, with relatively limited data and info on the internet is probably the WIND. We come from one of the windiest places on earth (think glasses and food blown off tables if a door is open, umbrellas lifted out to sea, anoraks, earache, its just generally unpleasant throughout summer from Dec to April ranging from 11 to 24 knots for sometimes 2 weeks on end with strong gusts day and night) so naturally we would prefer some calm. Is there any noticeable wind probability/severity between those two proposed date ranges? Or will it likely be the same (some sources indicate June to be less Windy than July and August) ? We are aware of other factors like prices and crowds during that time of the year but getting sand blasted, missing ferries etc are our main concern.
Thanks
Dave Briggs says
Hi Chris,
Chances are you think you come from one of the windiest places on earth, but you are about to find out you actually live somewhere quite calm!!!!
Ok – just joking… kind of.
The winds you have heard about are the Meltemi winds, and typically blow in July and August.
There can be some VERY windy days – we experienced this ourselves on Cycladic islands last year in late August.
With your own wheels, the solution is to drive out to beaches on the opposite side of whichever island you’re on if the wind is too strong.
The next best solution, is to get a hotel with a pool just in case.
I would say that late June would be the best choice – but you know how the weather changes from one year to the next. You’ll also find it a touch cheaper than August.
Note – Mykonos has nice beaches. Santorini, however, doesn’t have great beaches at all. So don’t spend more than 2 or 3 nights there (you won’t need much longer in any case).
Linda says
Hi Dave, We are planning on a 10 night trip to Greece – Mykonos, Santorini and Athens. Our choices of dates are April 12th which would include Greek Easter where we would be in Athens and then dates in early May. I am considering the April date as I have read that the week leading up to Greek Easter is fun filled but I am concerned about everything being closed on Easter Sunday and Monday in Athens. I would love your advice if as to whether we should pick the April date or go in early May.
Thanks
Linda
Dave Briggs says
Hi Linda,
I think visiting Athens for Orthodox Easter might be a nice idea. There’s some local processions you might be interested in, but also enough tavernas and other places open for visitors. You might need to check on the opening hours of archaeological sites and museums though.
However, I question if visiting Mykonos in April is a little early. Most people go for the beaches and the vibe, so things might not be in full swing in April.
Here’s a further read about spending Easter in Greece.
Sandy says
Hi Dave,
My family and I (my husband and 2 teenage boys) are planning a trip next August (I know…it’s just the only time we have off!). We will be coming to Greece from Italy (probably Bari) by ferry. We will have 10-11 days to spend in Greece, flying home to Canada out of Athens. I was wondering if you could suggest a realistic plan that involves Santorini and 1 or 2 other islands for beach time, allowing us to finish in Athens and have a couple of days there for sightseeing… Would Corfu be a good place to start, as it seems to be part of the ferry route? is it easy to get to Santorini from there? We are very happy to travel by boat and also happy to go off the beaten path…
Thanks so much!
Sandy
Dave Briggs says
Hi Sandy,
You closest islands would be Corfu/Ithaca/Kefalonia – all great places, but you can’t connect with Santorini easily.
The best choice might be to get to Athens, and then move out to Santorini from there. I’d recommend Naxos over Mykonos for the kids.
Might I suggest a rough itinerary as follows: From Igoumenitsa go overland to Meteora. From Meteora, go down to Delphi. Delphi to Athens. Athens straight to Santorini. Santorini to Naxos. Naxos to Athens.
If you just want beaches and islands, go overland to Athens, then Athens to Tinos (hire a car for a few days), Tinos to Naxos, Naxos to Santorini, Santorini to Athens.
Check out my main guide to greek island hopping for more, including guides to the various islands mentioned!
Doaa says
Hi Dave am planning to travel to Athens from 27/12 till 3/01 your advices and recommendations as this is the first time to visit and am wondering is the weather will be like other countries in Europe like Germany as I stayed the last new year there at Munich and it was freezing.
Dave Briggs says
Hi,
Yes you can expect it to be cold, but not the freezing weather of say Berlin.
You’ll definitely need a jacket!
During your visit, if you are still in Athens, make sure to see the New Year’s fireworks near the Acropolis.
I’ve two guides here you may find interesting for further reading:
How to spend Christmas in Athens
Things to do in Athens in winter
Katie says
Hi Dave,
My husband and I are very interested in visiting Santorini and staying in Oia. However, we do not have much flexibility when it comes to dates. Our options are April 3-10 or June 27-Jul 5. My fear with the beginning of April is that many stores and restaurants will be closed and that will limit what we are able to do. I also worry that bus transportation will be difficult due to it not being a tourist time if we are staying in Oia.
How is the wind during April? Is there a possibility it will be cold, rainy and windy?
If we go at the end of June beginning of July is it very crowded during this time? Is taking the bus as a form of transportation difficultly to do with lots of waiting in lines?
My hope is when I am there I am able to take lots of pictures without a crazy amount of crowds. Also, we would like to be able to do something at night, but it doesn’t have to be a crazy party scene.
In your opinion, what dates do you suggest for us to go?
Dave Briggs says
Hi Katie,
I think given your two choices I would actually go for your June/July dates.
Note – yes, there will be lots of people. But there’s pretty much always going to be lots of people, so not a lot to be done about that.
For nice photos, can I suggest you take the walk from Fira to Oia
You’ll be able to use the buses without too much waiting (apart from the sunset buses). There’s limited taxis on the island that can call their own shots with prices. A possible option is to hire a car just for the days you need it.
Check out my main guide to Santorini for more planning.
Julie says
Hi there,
we were thinking of visiting Athens area and interesting archeological sites of Greece and taking a 3-4 days cruise to the Greek Islands from June 23-July2, 2020. Would it be too hot at this time? Looking at past weather for this time period and looks to be around 30-35degrees. Seems a bit too hot for sightseeing. Suggestions?
Thank you for you help,
Julie
Dave Briggs says
Hi Julie,
During the dates you mention, I wouldn’t say that 35 degrees is typical, but we all know that the world’s temperatures and weather patterns seem to change from year to year!
I would say you’ve actually chosen a very good time of year to visit Greece. Hit the Acropolis after 17.00 (but before it closes) for the best combination of slightly cooler temperatures and fewer tourists.
Sima says
Hi Dave,
I am planning a Honeymoon in november, I wonder if Greece is a good idea, We would like to swim and chill in the islands. Do you think that we can swim in Med-November? What are the islands that you advise?
Dave Briggs says
Hi Sima,
In my opinion the water will be too cold to swim in for most people in November (you may still find one or two brave souls though!).
November is, however, a good time to visit Santorini as there are fewer tourists and lower prices, which means you would get nice hotels for less money than in August for example.
If you’re visiting Greece in November, it would be more about sightseeing than relaxing on a beach.
Elizabeth Lanoue says
Hi Dave,
We’ve never been to Greece. We’d like to go this September, around the end of the month for one week. We’d like to go to Zakinthos, that’s the only island I know for sure we’d like to go to. Good idea to go there? Or do you think we should reconsider and try to see a couple of the more popular islands?
Thank you very much for your advice.
Dave Briggs says
Hi Elizabeth,
Zakynthos is a good choice of island.
If you were considering visiting other islands nearby, your best choices are Kefalonia, Ithaca and perhaps Corfu.
If by popular islands you mean Santorini and Mykonos, that will involve wasting quite a few hours on transport as there are no direct connections with Zakynthos.
By the way – Zakynthos itself is also a very popular island!
A couple more guides here you might find useful:
Things to do in Kefalonia
Things to do in Ithaca
Dhruv says
Hi Dave
Thanks for putting such an informative blog together. It is really amazing. I was planning to visit Greece in early November for our honeymoon for 10 nights. Can you recommend the best possible itenary we can have?
I was interested in beaches, quiet surroundings and beautiful places to visit. Apart from Athens and Santorini what could be another island? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Dave Briggs says
Hi Dhruv,
Congratulations on your forthcoming wedding!
Early November is really the start of the off-season for the Greek tourist industry.
Some islands, such as Santorini, are extending to being year-through destinations.
Crete, the largest island, doesn’t close down at all.
As such, my suggestions would be something like Athens – Santorini – Crete – Athens.
When in Athens, consider a day trip to Delphi.
Pamela says
Hi Dave! Thanks for the info on your site! I am heading to Greece in September, traveling alone. I’m planning on a mix of independent and guided touring. I’m looking at the ferries for my island hopping opportunities. I know there can be delays. Can you share any more info on the ferries, or other good ways to island hop? I’ll be in Athens to start, with a short guided tour scheduled for classical Greece (Delphi, Mycenae, Olympia). Not sure why I’m feeling timid about using the ferries. Could just be lack of that experience.
Dave Briggs says
Hi Pamela!
By coincidence, I have just written a whole collection of blog posts on different ferry routes.
To make things easier though, this site should be your first port of call (forgive the pun) – Ferryhopper
This is by far the easiest site to book ferry tickets on.
Now onto my blog posts which you may find useful:
Greek Island Itinerary for 14 Nights / 16 Days
Greece Itinerary: 7 Days in Greece for First Time Visitors
How to get from Athens to Santorini – 2019 Travel Guide
Also, feel free to join our facebook group and ask any questions you may have: Real Greek Experiences
Stacey says
Hi Dave
This blog post is super informative. I am looking to visit Greece in October for three weeks. My plan was to visit Santorini, Sifnos, Milos, Chania, Monemvasia and I would love to add in Assos (Kefalonia) and Zakynthos if time permits. I was hoping you could offer some advice as to whether the ferries will be running between those islands during Oct. I saw above you mentioned you have been swimming in Nov and I was wondering if you think the water is comfortable in October?
Dave Briggs says
Hi Stacey,
Sounds like a great trip you have planned!
For ferries, the timetables may or may not be ready yet for October. Ferries.gr is a good site to keep an eye on timetables.
You might also want to keep in mind that flights might also be an option between some destinations.
I personally think the water will be warm to swim in October on sunny days.
If you’ve not already, please sign up for my free guides which i send out of the course of a couple of weeks! – Free Guides to Greece.
Elena says
Hi Dave,
We are looking to cycle in Greece beginning in mid April. Have looked at many of your sites, initially found you with the Hercules tour of the Peloponnese. We plan to travel as inexpensively as possible, and wild camp where appropriate. Do you have a daily budget estimate, including local food and market eating?
Dave Briggs says
Hi Elena,
Greece is a great country to cycle around – but prepare for hills!
Bike budgets are always a tricky one come up with.
I wasn’t particularly trying to save costs on my Greek tours, and ended up spending 750 euros per month for one person based on cheap hotel rooms for 80% of the time.
For two people (because of shared accommodation) that could be say 1300 Euros for 2 people.
If wild camping religiously, cooking two meals a day, and eating one meal out, you could get by on as little as 10 – 15 euro a day each.
Happy tailwinds cycling in Greece!
BTW – I have a bike touring newsletter you might be interested in. You can find the signup form on this page – Bike Touring Tips.
Tiffany says
Hi Dave,
A friend and I are looking at travel to Greece this spring, potentially over Easter. My thoughts on itinerary are Athens, the Peloponnese, and Crete, but these are initial thoughts. I want a balance between ruins, cultural experiences, great food/wine and some quality beach time. For this reason, my preference is for a summer trip. My friend leans toward spring and will want more active pursuits like biking, hiking, or tennis. Will I freeze my bum off at the beach?
Greek Easter is the last weekend of April this year, so maybe the weather will be beach friendly? I also like to scuba dive.
Dave Briggs says
Hi Tiffany,
I hope you are well!
Your itinerary sounds great – all my favourite places!
I’m not sure how long you will be visiting for from the information given, but it might have an influence on how long to stay in each place (or even cut one area out if just a week).
I would personally veer more toward the summer for stability of weather and warmth of the waters for swimming.
That said, I went bike touring in Greece in April, and had plenty of 30 degree days!
Given the activities you’d both like to do, I’d say June is probably the best month overall.
If you’ve not already, please sign up to my Greek newsletters – There will be some useful info in there which will get sent out to you over a series of days that might help you plan the trip to Greece – Free guides to Greece.
Kei says
Hi Dave,
We are planning to visit Greece from Sept 29th for 14 nights/16 days. We are interested in Athens, Naxos, Santorini and Rhodes, and if possible to add Paros in the itinerary.
1. Which island would you suggest to start/end (via ferries or flight) and fly back home to Toronto? 2. If we need to choose between Naxos and Paros, which island would you recommend? 3. Is it easy to get around via buses within each of the islands? 4. Also would love to hear your hotel/area suggestions for each of the islands.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Dave Briggs says
Hi Kei,
Apologies for the delay in responding. Turns out my answer went on for a bit, and I ended up turning it into a blog post!
Here’s the answers to your questions – Greek island itinerary.
Have a great trip to Greece!
Stephanie says
Hi! I find this article very helpful, however, I have one question: If I want to visit santorini between april 10th-16th, is it a good time to do it? considering that I live in a tropical country where temperatures go from 25 C to 30 C all year round, so I´m not use to cold weather, and I´m expecting to be able to relax by the pool and swim in the ocean.
Thank you for your help!
Dave Briggs says
Hi Stephanie,
I hope you are well!
I think that April is a great time to visit Santorini in terms of there being less tourists.
However – I don’t think you’ll be swimming at that time of year. Personally I find it a little cold, and if you come from the tropics you might too!
If any of the hotels have a heated pool option, that might be a wiser choice. If not, I’d question the need for a hotel with pool unless you are feeling brave!
In terms of swimming in the sea – Almost definitely not at that time of year. If you take the Santorini volcano tour though, you can swim in the hot pool section during the tour.
Enjoy your trip to Greece!
jane smith says
Hi-We are thinking of coming to Greece the first 2 weeks of September and would like to see Athens, Santorini, Naxos and Crete. I know August is really crowded but what should I expect in early September? Should I be worried about crowds especially in Santorini? Are there islands that would feel less crowded and touristy in early September? thanks, Jane
Dave Briggs says
Hi Jane,
I hope you are well!
I think that September is the perfect month to visit Greece, as most European’s holidays are over with by then.
You might expect a little crossover on the first few days of September though, depending on how the holidays fall (it varies from year to year).
Unfortunately, Santorini is a bit of a victim of its own success. The later into your vacation you can leave visiting there the better. Don’t expect to have the island to yourself though, and sunset can be a bit of a crowd so get there early!
If you are looking for a more low-key island, Milos might be worth considering. Here’s my Milos travel guide so you can check it out.
Shrutee says
Hi Dave..
Hope you are doing good… we are planning for our honeymoon trip to Greece on 29th April till 7th May 2019..
And planned to visit Athens, drive to Napflio & Meteora and then ferry to Santorini..
Just wanted to know whether there are more places better than this which you suggest to replace with..
And also need some hotel suggestions in Santorini and Athens..
Thanks in advance and have a good day..
Dave Briggs says
Hi Shrutee,
I hope you are well!
I think you itinerary may run into problems with Nafplio as it’s in the wrong direction so to speak.
You can do it just about – but you’ll be doing a lot of driving!
Might I suggest dropping Nafplion, and on the way from Athens to Meteora, you stop by at Delphi instead(one of the best sites in Greece).
Here’s just an idea for you:
Arriving in Athens:
With two people, it’s cheaper to get the bus or metro from the airport to the centre. Read my guide here.
If you do want a taxi, you can pre-book taxis here at no extra cost – Welcome Taxis.
Where to stay in Athens:
My recommendations for staying in Athens are always to stay somewhere near the historic centre. This way, you’re within easy walking distance of everything you want to see.
I’ve got a post here about it: Hotels near Athens centre
Budget hotels in Athens: Note – they are not in the best areas!
What to do in Athens:
I think for sightseeing, my 2 day guide to Athens would be useful – 2 days sightseeing in Athens.
On day 3, drive out to Delphi.
After seeing the site, continue on to Meteora and stay the night.
Places to stay in Meteora: Hotels near Meteora.
Day 4 – Sightseeing in Meteora
Then, stay a second night.
Head back to Athens the following day.
Transport to and from Santorini :
A combination of ferries and flights would be the best choice, which way around you do it will perhaps depend on your flights into Greece.
Personally, I would definitely want to fly back into Athens to get the plane home rather than take a ferry (just in case it’s delayed or strikes).
Skyscanner is a good way to keep an eye on flight prices – Skyscanner
I also like Google Flights as a way to monitor prices.
For ferries, take a look at Aferry.
You don’t really need to book ferry tickets well in advance for foot passengers though. It’s probably cheaper directly through the ferry company website if you choose to do so.
Things to do in Santorini:
I’ve got a few posts about things to do in Santorini here: Santorini Travel Blog
Cheaper places to stay in Santorini – Santorini Hostel, San Giorgio Hotel, Villa Roussa
I hope that helps toward your travel planning!
Vamsi Vallabhaneni says
I am planning a trip to Greece in mid to last week of November. I wanna visit Athens, Santorini and Mykonos. Is this best time to visit these three places ??
What should my travel plan be like ??
First Athens, then Santorini followed by Mykonos or First Athens then Mykonos and then Santorini ??
Dave Briggs says
Hi Vamsi,
I think November is a great time to visit Athens (Any time is actually!) – Just keep in mind that archaeological sites may have shorter opening hours.
Santorini – I personally visited in November and really enjoyed it. We were lucky with the weather that it was clear skies. There are much fewer tourists, although some businesses will have closed for the winter.
Mykonos – No personal experience of visiting Mykonos in November. It really depends what it is you want to see and do when there. Many people head there for the beaches and the nightlife – November would be the wrong time of year for that.
I would consider swapping Mykonos out for spending more time on the Greek mainland.
It doesn’t matter what order you do anything in – Just remember to leave enough time between connections to allow for bad weather delaying ferries (if you are not flying).
Antoinette Axiaq says
Hello
How about visiting ports pireaus mykonos rhodes for a hours on a cruise in mid AUGUST!!!!!!
Thanks
Dave Briggs says
Well, the problem of accommodation is solved because you are on the cruise (if I understand you correctly).
But the amount of tourists there at that time is a different matter!
Sara Pearson says
Hi – thinking of a family trip to Greece for the Christmas holiday (Dec. 21-Jan 5, 2019). I know it’s not going to be warm, but I’m wondering whether the tourist infrastructure closes down? I’m very intrigued by your ‘road trip through ancient Greece’ and wonder if December is a good time for that? Or might you have suggestions for modifying? Since we are 5 people we’d need to rent a van – are those easy to come by? Thanks in advance!
Dave Briggs says
Hi Sara,
Greece is a strange country in the winter. Most of the apartments and small hotels are physically designed for summer months meaning there is no insulation. And they can be surprisingly cold at that time of year.
However great news – Greece does have some fantastic ski resorts! And the small towns near the ski resorts are geared for people staying in them (lodges, log fires, that sort of thing!).
Here’s my take on a winter road trip in Greece-
* Archaeological sites have reduced opening hours – Most close at 15.30
* Some mountain roads may be affected by snow (if it happens to be snowing when you travel).
* You could throw in some winter sports into your itinerary – have a look at Arachova and the Parnassos Ski Centre for more inspiration. You could tie this in with a visit to Delphi.
* Tourist infrastructure is reduced considerably on the islands – but mainland Greece in the ‘important areas’ there will always be something open
* Santorini is now a year around destination – reduced services, but fewer tourists make the views more appreciable. I visited one year in November and had nice weather and quiet sunsets!
* You are going to get a better feel for ‘authentic’ Greece without the tourist crowds
* The south (Peloponnese) will be marginally warmer – Perhaps your road trip could loop up to Delphi, then to Nafpaktos (possible winter activities there), and then a loop of the Peloponnese
* Christmas is not a big thing in Greece – it would be nice to see the non-commercial side of things!
* New Year is celebrated in Athens with fireworks near the Acropolis which is fun. I would say that other major centers also have events which you could start checking. Celebrating New Year in a new country is always an experience!
Hiring a vehicle for 5 – I think you’d need to start contacting people to see what they might have available. You could also ask if there were any winter driving restrictions.
In conclusion – I personally think it would be an interesting time to visit and probably a lot of fun. What you are going to lack of course, is that beach time and sun.