Best time to visit · Athens · Greece
The best time to visit Athens
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Joanbanjo, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best times to visit Athens are April to early June and September to October, when it is warm enough for rooftop evenings and swimming but cooler than the 33–38°C of high summer. July and August are the hottest and busiest months; November to March is mild, quieter and cheaper, and ideal for museums and ruins.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–June and September–October
- Shoulder season
- March and November
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 33°C (91°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 13°C (55°F))
- Rainiest month
- December (~9 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and November
Seasons
Athens has a hot, dry Mediterranean climate: long summers with highs above 30°C from June to September and regular heatwaves, and mild winters when it rarely freezes. Most of the year's rain falls between November and February.
March–May
Spring
Wildflowers on the ancient hills, Orthodox Easter celebrations and comfortable sightseeing temperatures; the sea stays cool until late May.
June–August
Summer
Hot, dry and bright, with the Athens Epidaurus Festival, open-air cinemas and beach days, but heatwaves that make midday sightseeing hard.
September–November
Autumn
Warm September seas, golden October light and the Athens Marathon in November; rain returns later in the season.
December–February
Winter
Mild, sometimes wet and occasionally cold, with quiet ruins, low prices and snow sometimes dusting the mountains around the city.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°C | 7°C | 8 | 16°C | 9.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 14°C | 7°C | 7 | 15°C | 10.7 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 16°C | 9°C | 7 | 15°C | 11.8 h | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 20°C | 12°C | 5 | 17°C | 13.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 25°C | 16°C | 3 | 20°C | 14.2 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 30°C | 21°C | 1 | 24°C | 14.8 h | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 33°C | 24°C | 1 | 26°C | 14.5 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 33°C | 24°C | 1 | 27°C | 13.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 29°C | 20°C | 2 | 25°C | 12.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 24°C | 16°C | 5 | 22°C | 11.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 19°C | 12°C | 7 | 19°C | 10.1 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 15°C | 9°C | 9 | 17°C | 9.5 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Epiphany — blessing of the waters at Piraeus and along the coast (6 January) |
| February | Apokries — Carnival season with costume parties (February or March, before Lent); Clean Monday — kite flying on Philopappos Hill (first day of Lent, February or March) |
| March | Independence Day parade in central Athens (25 March) |
| April | Orthodox Easter — midnight Resurrection services and fireworks (April or early May) |
| May | Open-air cinemas start their season (usually May) |
| June | Athens Epidaurus Festival — theatre, music and dance, including the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (usually June–August) |
| July | Athens Epidaurus Festival continues; Open-air cinema season at its peak |
| August | Dormition of the Virgin Mary — national holiday (15 August); August full-moon evening openings at some archaeological sites (usually August) |
| October | Ohi Day — national holiday with parades (28 October) |
| November | Athens Authentic Marathon — from Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium (usually second Sunday of November) |
| December | Christmas tree and festivities in Syntagma Square (December); New Year's Eve fireworks over the Acropolis |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–March and November, and the sights are quietest in November–February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Athens?
The best times to visit Athens are April to early June and September to October, when it is warm enough for rooftop evenings and swimming but cooler than the 33–38°C of high summer. July and August are the hottest and busiest months; November to March is mild, quieter and cheaper, and ideal for museums and ruins.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Athens?
Usually in January–March and November. Mild and sometimes rainy, with crisp, clear days that are ideal for walking the ruins without crowds.
+What is the rainiest month in Athens?
December, with about 9 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Athens get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 33°C (91°F) and lows of 24°C (75°F).