Ready for your dream trip to Greece? With its long coast and thousands of stunning islands, Greece is a great time to go visit during any time of the year. Since it is such a popular tourist destination, it is important to plan ahead! Whether you are seeking historical city sites or a relaxing time along the sea, Greece has so much to offer every visitor. We have curated the ultimate breakdown guide of the best time for you to plan your perfect trip to Greece based on what you are looking for in your travels:
SUMMER (June-August)
Summer marks the busiest time of the year for tourism in Greece so expect large crowds upon arrival. With that, accommodation tends to be the most expensive at this time. Expect hot and dry temperatures with heat waves up to 100°F. Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen and wear a hat! Be prepared to drink lots of water and spend some time either at your resort’s pool or in the warm blue ocean. If looking to experience the islands such as Santorini, Mykonos or Crete, summer is a great time since all of the hotels, shops and restaurants will be open for visitors. The nightlife is also at an all-time high at this time of the year so partiers get ready to unite. Many Greek islands such as Mykonos, Paros, Ios, and Skiathos are known for their summer parties. Check out the world-renowned DJs that make their way to these islands for only a few months every year. With stunning views all around, this social scene is easily comparable to Ibiza’s. Summer is when most music and arts festivals are in full swing in Greece. The Athens and Epidaurus Festival is the country’s most prestigious annual summer arts festival. If traveling to Greece in the month of August, take note of the public holiday, the Assumption that falls on August 15th. During this date, life in Athens comes to a stop as many of the city families travel to the islands or countryside for the holiday. If planning on staying anywhere besides Athens during this holiday or in the 2 weeks following, it is crucial that you plan ahead and reserve way in advance.
FALL (September & October)
Known as one of Greece’s shoulder seasons, Fall is one of the best times to visit. Since it does not fall during peak season, prices tend to be cheaper than compared to the more expensive summer months. You also won’t find the insane crowds that the summer months are known for bringing, making relaxing on the beach an achievable goal for you. Another benefit of visiting Greece in the Fall is that these months tend to bring along amazing weather! Enjoy the comfortable temperatures and marvel at the beautiful colors of gold and brown that the season change brings.
WINTER (November-March)
Weather in Greece’s winter months is not always the most ideal with the chilly and rainy trends. You may even have the rare chance to experience some snow! But, this doesn't mean you can’t experience the occasional bright and sunny days from time to time. If looking to escape the crowds, this is a great time to visit as this is when the country is the least crowded. Keep in mind that Greece is a very seasonal destination and with that many shops and accommodations are closed around this time. If you are set on visiting Greece in the winter, pick an island that is far south or east for the best chance of experiencing the rare days of warm winter weather. If looking to embrace the winter weather to the fullest, skiing is quite popular in Greece as its a mountainous country. Make sure you book in advance as many of these resorts fill up quickly and early. If in Greece for Christmas, check out the festive lights in city centers, such as Athens. Also in Athens, if choosing to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the city, you’ll be greeted with festive fireworks over the Acropolis as you ring in the New Year.
SPRING (April-May)
Like Fall, Spring is also one of Greece’s shoulder seasons. Enjoy the great weather, lack of crowds and cheaper accommodation. Take in all of the stunning wildflowers blooming around you. If planning on spending a good amount of your vacation outdoors, this is a great time of the year to visit. Especially if you were wanting to avoid sweating profusely while checking out the ruins in Athens. Greek Orthodox Easter is the most important holiday on the Greek calendar and occurs every spring. You can count on experiencing candle-lit processions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday followed by lamb roasts and fireworks. Corfu is hands down the most famous island when considering experiencing the most colorful Easter celebrations.
AIRFARE
Not only to hotel prices tend to fluctuate throughout the year, but flight prices to Greece do also as well. Unsurprisingly, when looking at airfare prices, you will find them to be at peak price during summer months due to travel demands. You can choose to fly nonstop from the United States into Athens which tends to be on the more expensive side. The other option is to find a cheap ticket into London and then you can find a smaller Greek carrier airline to get you to Greece.
As you can see, depending on when you decide to go, you can have a very different experience depending on the time of year you travel. What season sounds like the right fit for you? In Greece, you’ll be guaranteed a great time no matter what time of year! Grab a date and book your adventure to Greece with Acanela today!
Post written by: Kirsten Cusack, @kirqsak