Season guide · Athens · Greece
Athens in spring
March–May: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Wildflowers on the ancient hills, Orthodox Easter celebrations and comfortable sightseeing temperatures; the sea stays cool until late May. Expect highs up to 25°C (77°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F), with about 15 rainy days across March–May. April–May are among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- March–May
- Temperatures
- 9°C (48°F) to 25°C (77°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 15
- Sea
- 15°C (59°F) to 20°C (68°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in spring
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | 16°C (61°F) | 9°C (48°F) | 7 | 11.8 h | 3/5 |
| April | 20°C (68°F) | 12°C (54°F) | 5 | 13.1 h | 3/5 |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 16°C (61°F) | 3 | 14.2 h | 4/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 20°C (68°F) against a yearly 23°C (73°F), and 15 of the year's roughly 56 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in spring
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- 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)
Make the most of the weather
Historic site · Acropolis
Acropolis and Parthenon
The rocky citadel above the city holds the Parthenon, completed in 438 BC for Athena, the Erechtheion with its Caryatid porch, the Propylaea gateway and the small Temple of Athena Nike.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Views
- Architecture
Historic site · Thiseio
Ancient Agora and Temple of Hephaestus
Enter from Adrianou Street in Monastiraki and climb to the Temple of Hephaestus for a view of the Acropolis across the Agora.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Outdoors
- Kids
Viewpoint · Kolonaki
Mount Lycabettus
At about 277 metres, Lycabettus is the highest point in central Athens, crowned by the small white chapel of Agios Georgios.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Free
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Active
Viewpoint · Koukaki
Philopappos Hill
Come at sunset or early morning, and wear trainers: the paths are uneven stone.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
Viewpoint · Acropolis
Areopagus Hill
This bare marble outcrop just below the Acropolis entrance was the seat of the ancient court of Athens, and a bronze plaque records the sermon St Paul preached here.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Day trips in spring
- Cape Sounion (About 1.5–2 hours by coastal bus) — The marble Temple of Poseidon stands on a cliff at the southern tip of Attica, where Lord Byron carved his name into a column.
- Delphi (About 2.5–3 hours by bus) — The sanctuary of Apollo, seat of the ancient oracle, climbs a steep slope of Mount Parnassus past the Temple of Apollo, the theatre and the stadium, with views down an olive-filled valley towards the Gulf of Corinth.
What to pack
- Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening
- A packable rain jacket for showers
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is spring a good time to visit Athens?
Yes: April–May are among the best months. Wildflowers on the ancient hills, Orthodox Easter celebrations and comfortable sightseeing temperatures; the sea stays cool until late May.
+What is the weather like in Athens in spring?
Highs of up to 25°C (77°F) and lows around 9°C (48°F), with about 15 rainy days over the season.