Greece is one of the best spring destinations in Europe, and visiting the warmest Greek islands in April gives you a unique early summer feeling away from the crowds!
The Islands of Greece in April
If you’re looking for an early vacation and a little sun in April, then you need to visit Greece! The Greek islands at this time of year are just starting to open up for the tourist season, have enjoyable mild to warm weather, and certainly have none of the crowds you’ll see in the summer months of July and August!
April is one of my favourite times to travel to the Greek islands, and as I sat down to write this post, I realised I have visited Rhodes twice in April. So, if I was to be asked which is the best Greek island to visit in April, Rhodes would have to be my answer!
Keep in mind that if you plan to visit Greece in April, it is very much a shoulder season month. Tourist businesses such as seaside tavernas and hotels are just starting to open up, and you’ll find virtually empty beaches and quiet attractions like castles and archeological sites. In a way, by visiting the Greek islands in April, you’ll see them at their most authentic.
One note on Greek Easter: Orthodox Easter celebrations often happen in the month of April (although in 2024, Greek Easter is on the 5th May). This can be an excellent opportunity to experience the most important religious period in Greece, but be aware that many attractions and businesses will close during the Easter weekend.
Also read: Spring in Greece
Greek Islands Weather In April
A quick word about the weather! While generally speaking the weather in Greece in April is warm and dry, there can be rainy days. While there can be beautiful sunny days, there can also be overcast days.
Day time average temperatures in April on Greek islands like Rhodes, Kos, and Crete can exceed 20 degrees. The evenings cool down though, so you’ll need a jacket for going out at night.
In short, expect days of pleasant weather in April in Greece, but there may be a few surprises along the way. You’ll want to pack a swimsuit when going to the Greek islands in April, but you’ll also want a jacket and perhaps a mini umbrella just in case!
Warmest Greek Islands In April
The southern islands like Crete and Rhodes tend to be the warmest islands in Greece in April. Technically, Symi is the hottest Greek island in April with average day time temperatures of over 21 degrees.
While you can go swimming during April in the southern Greek islands, the waters may not be warm enough for extended swims. Still, if you are after a cooling splash if the beach gets too hot for you, you’ll enjoy it!
The Ionian islands in April, located on the west of Greece generally have much cooler and potentially rainier weather. As we all know from the last few years though, weather patterns are ever changing, so even these beautiful islands may be suitable for a Greek island holiday in April if extensive beach time is not a priority.
Best Greek Islands To Visit In April
In my opinion, when choosing which Greek island to go to in April, it makes sense to pick destinations which have a mix of things to see and do and don’t just rely on beaches.
The larger Greek islands perhaps make the most sense, unless you are putting together an April Greek island hopping trip. In addition, if more stable weather is a priority, then the southern Greek islands are a good starting point for April vacations.
Here’s the hottest Greek islands in April to consider visiting:
Rhodes
I’m going to start with Rhodes being perhaps the best of the Greek islands in April to visit, simply because I’ve been there twice during this time of year!
With average day time temperatures of 20ºC, and 12ºC in the evenings, the Rhodes April weather is pretty stable, especially later on in the month.
There’s also plenty to see and do in Rhodes in April. The Old Town of Rhodes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in April, you can better enjoy the Street of Knights, the Palace of the Grand Master and the magnificent castle town without the crowds.
Outside of Rhodes Town, there’s Lindos which is a picturesque village famous for its Acropolis of Lindos, and many beautiful beaches and bays to discover.
When last in Rhodes we took a kayaking trip along the coastline past places like Anthony Quinn Bay. It was a truly enjoyable experience, especially as the weather in Rhodes in April is more conducive to this type of activity than 40 degree heatwaves in the summer!
Also read:
Crete
Crete is the largest island in Greece, and also one of the most southern, making it an ideal Greek island destination in April.
With an average of 8 hours sunshine in Crete in April, and day time average temperatures of 19 degrees, Crete is one of the most popular islands to visit in Greece during April.
Due to its size, Crete really has everything. It’s packed full of historical sites like Knossos Palace, beautiful towns to walk through like Chania and Rethymnon, and of course has hundreds of beautiful beaches.
April might be a good time of year to go to popular beaches like Elafonissi beach or Vai Beach in Crete as they will be less crowded then. Crete is also something of an outdoor adventurers paradise during April, and hikers have their pick of gorges, trails surrounded by spring flowers, and mountain paths to choose from.
Symi
Located just slightly north of Rhodes, and a short ferry ride away is Symi. In fact, you could quite easily combine Rhodes and Symi together in an island hopping trip in Greece during April.
Symi is a tiny island, but seems to pack in more beauty per square meter than others!
For me, the joy of visiting Symi island in April, is being able to comfortably walk around the main town and island in enjoyable temperatures without the numbers of other visitors seen later on in the year.
Again, I seemed to find myself kayaking in Symi in April. It seems like there is a theme developing here I know!
Kos
Like Symi, Kos is one of the Dodecanese islands, only it’s much bigger. Some visitors find that they can fly into Rhodes, island hop to Symi, then on to Kos, and then fly out of Kos to Athens or back home. There are less flights available to and from Kos in April compared to later on in the year though.
The advantages of visiting Kos during April are the pleasant springtime weather, which is especially suited to exploring all that the island has to offer.
Many people associated Kos with boozy summer holidays, but the reality is this island as a rich history, archaeological sites, charming villages and lovely beaches. Kos town is also one of the most cycle friendly cities in Greece!
Make sure to visit the Plane Tree of Hippocrates, the Asklipieio, thermal springs at Thermes Beach, and castle of Palio Pili. Don’t forget that delicious Greek food while there as well!
Karpathos
Another Greek island to consider visiting in April is Karpathos. One of the most beautiful islands in Greece, famed for its lovely beaches with crystal clear waters, Karpathos is located between Crete and Rhodes.
There will be far fewer crowds in April, and it can be a good time to enjoy cultural experiences, especially in the traditional village of Olympos. April is also a less windy month when compared to other months which is an added bonus.
One of the most enjoyable things I did on Karpathos was the hike to Ancient Vrikounta on the northwest coast of the island. April is about the perfect month to do this!
By the way, we have a Karpathos travel guide book coming out soon on Amazon – stay tuned!
Kasos
Finally, I want to mention tiny Kasos island as a hidden gem. While it might not be one of the most popular Greek islands to visit in April or at any time of year for that matter, it has a sleepy charm that wins over certain types of people.
If you are looking for vibrant nightlife and adrenaline fuelled holidays, Kasos is not going to be for you. However, if you prefer quiet walks, genuine hospitality, and an island which few other tourists make the effort to reach, you are going to love it here.
It’s the type of place where weeks or months at a time can easily slip by. So if you are one of the growing number of travelers with time on their hands to explore the Greek islands in April at leasure, why not head to Kasos and see what you think!
Outdoor Activities Greek Islands April
April is a very good month to partake in some outdoor activities on the Greek islands. You get the benefit of the natural beauty of coastlines and landscapes, but none of the over-bearing heat that can affect Greece during the summer.
Hiking on the Greek islands in April is an obvious choice, but also kayaking and cycling are good ways to see a different side of the places you choose to visit. I personally find that April is a lovely time of the year for bicycle touring.
I’ve already mentioned how the weather can have some rainy days, and on a 2023 bike tour in Evia island, I had both rain (not much though!) and lovely sunny days!
FAQ About Greek Islands To Visit In April
Readers who want to plan an April Grecian adventure often ask questions similar to:
Are the Cyclades islands warm in April?
The Cycladic islands of Greece are not as warm as the more southern Greek islands in the month of April. Average temperatures range from 14°C to 18°C, and the weather is characterized by bright sunny days, clear skies, and little rain. Evenings can still be cool though, so it's advisable to pack a fleece or light jacket. On the whole, the Aegean Sea remains too cold for swimming comfortably, but the Cyclades islands are perfect for sightseeing, hiking, and exploring cultural sites.
Is Santorini hot in April?
In April, Santorini experiences relatively warm and dry weather, with day time an average temperature ranging between 14°C to 20°C (57-68°F) and an average high of 19°C (66°F). As might be expected, temperatures are higher towards the end of April than at the beginning. Overall, April is considered the “shoulder” season, offering milder temperatures, fewer crowds, and lower hotel prices compared to the peak summer season, making it a good time to visit Santorini.
Which Greek island celebrates Easter with a rocket war?
The Greek island of Chios celebrates their unique Easter festivities with a traditional event known as the “Rocket War” or “Rouketopolemos.” This unique and spectacular custom takes place annually in the town of Vrontados, where two rival church congregations perform a “rocket war” by firing tens of thousands of homemade rockets at each other, with the objective of hitting the bell tower of the opposing church.
Is mid April a good time to go island hopping in Greece?
Mid-April is generally a good time to go island hopping in Greece as long as serious beach time is not a priority. During April, the weather is delightfully sunny especially on the more southern islands, with temperatures rising from the high teens to the high twenties in just a matter of weeks. The summer crowds have not yet appeared, making it a great opportunity to visit popular island-hopping stops without encountering large numbers of tourists.
– Dave Briggs
Dave is a travel writer who's been living in Greece since 2015. He's spent many months traveling between the Greek islands researching blog posts such as this one on the best Greek islands to visit in April. His goal is to visit every inhabited Greek island – there's over 220 of them so how realistic this is remains to be seen!
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Hello Dave
Your latest email is well timed. I have recently booked flights to Rhodes and accommodation in Kasos, Karpathos and Halki for a couple of weeks in May.
Regards
David
Hope you enjoy Karpathos and Kasos (especially Kasos!!) as much as I did!
The paperback book guide to Karpathos and Kasos is now available: Karpathos and Kasos Travel Guide Book