Month guide · Athens · Greece
Athens in August
What August is really like in Athens: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: George E. Koronaios, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
August is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 33°C (91°F), lows of 24°C (75°F), about 1 rainy days and roughly 13.6 hours of daylight. Very hot; many Athenians leave for the islands around 15 August, so the city is quieter and some local restaurants close.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 33°C (91°F) / 24°C (75°F)
- Rainy days
- About 1
- Daylight
- About 13.6 hours
- Sea temperature
- 27°C (81°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in August
August is the 2nd-warmest month in Athens: days average 33°C (91°F) against a yearly average high of 23°C (73°F), and nights fall to about 24°C (75°F). Rain falls on roughly 1 of its 31 days. Compared with July (33°C (91°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs drop to around 29°C (84°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:40
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 20:19
- Daylight
- About 13.6 hours
- Sea
- 27°C (81°F)
Summer (June–August). Hot, dry and bright, with the Athens Epidaurus Festival, open-air cinemas and beach days, but heatwaves that make midday sightseeing hard.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 4 for crowds (the peak is June at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: August is one of the pricier months.
Events in August
- Dormition of the Virgin Mary — national holiday (15 August)
- August full-moon evening openings at some archaeological sites (usually August)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Historic site · Kerameikos
Kerameikos
The ancient cemetery of Athens, outside the Dipylon Gate, has grave monuments lining the Street of the Tombs, a small museum of funerary sculpture and remains of the classical city walls.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
Historic site · Plaka
Roman Agora and Tower of the Winds
If you are short on time, the Tower of the Winds can be seen well from the lane outside the fence.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
Market · Omonia
Varvakios Central Market
Athens' central meat and fish market on Athinas Street has traded in its iron-roofed 19th-century hall since the 1880s.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
- Photo spot
Museum · Makrygianni
Acropolis Museum
Visit after the Acropolis, when you can match the sculptures to the places you have just seen, and have a drink on the café terrace facing the Parthenon.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Kids
The sea averages 27°C (81°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Athens.
What to pack
For highs near 33°C, lows near 24°C and 1 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Athens?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Athens in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Athens?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Very hot; many Athenians leave for the islands around 15 August, so the city is quieter and some local restaurants close.
+How warm is Athens in August?
Average highs are around 33°C (91°F) and lows around 24°C (75°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Athens in August?
Expect rain on about 1 days of the month, so it is usually dry.