Best time to visit · Thessaloniki · Greece
The best time to visit Thessaloniki
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
The best times to visit Thessaloniki are May to June and September to October, when days are warm, the sea is swimmable in Chalkidiki and sightseeing is comfortable. July and August are very hot and the city is quieter as locals go to the beaches. Winter is cold and grey but low-priced, and November brings the film festival.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–June and September–October
- Shoulder season
- April, July–August and November
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 32°C (90°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 9°C (48°F))
- Rainiest month
- November (~8 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March
Seasons
Thessaloniki has hot, dry summers and cool, damp winters, colder than southern Greece. The Vardaris, a cold north wind, can make winter days feel raw, while July and August regularly pass 32°C.
March–May
Spring
Mild, increasingly sunny weather for walking the seafront and Ano Poli, with Orthodox Easter processions and the documentary festival.
June–August
Summer
Hot and dry, often above 30°C, with long seafront evenings and beach trips to Chalkidiki; August is quiet in the city itself.
September–November
Autumn
Warm sea in September, the international fair, Saint Demetrius celebrations in October and the film festival in November.
December–February
Winter
Cold, damp days and the occasional biting Vardaris wind, but low prices, Christmas lights and warming tavernas.
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 | 9°C | 2°C | 7 | 13°C | 9.6 h | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 11°C | 3°C | 6 | 13°C | 10.6 h | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 14°C | 5°C | 7 | 13°C | 11.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 19°C | 9°C | 7 | 15°C | 13.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 24°C | 14°C | 7 | 19°C | 14.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 29°C | 18°C | 5 | 23°C | 15.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| July | 32°C | 21°C | 3 | 25°C | 14.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| August | 31°C | 21°C | 3 | 26°C | 13.8 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| September | 27°C | 17°C | 4 | 24°C | 12.4 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 21°C | 12°C | 6 | 21°C | 11 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 15°C | 8°C | 8 | 17°C | 9.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 11°C | 4°C | 8 | 15°C | 9.3 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 the waterfront (6 January) |
| February | Carnival (Apokries) events in the weeks before Lent (dates vary with Orthodox Easter) |
| March | Thessaloniki Documentary Festival (usually March); Independence Day parade (25 March) |
| April | Orthodox Easter (usually April, date varies); Alexander the Great Marathon (usually April) |
| June | Thessaloniki Pride (usually June) |
| August | Feast of the Dormition (15 August), a major Orthodox holiday |
| September | Thessaloniki International Fair (usually early-to-mid September) |
| October | Dimitria cultural festival (usually autumn); Feast of Saint Demetrius (26 October); Ochi Day parade (28 October) |
| November | Thessaloniki International Film Festival (usually early-to-mid November) |
| December | Christmas lights and tree on Aristotelous Square (usually from early December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–March, and the sights are quietest in January–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 layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Thessaloniki?
The best times to visit Thessaloniki are May to June and September to October, when days are warm, the sea is swimmable in Chalkidiki and sightseeing is comfortable. July and August are very hot and the city is quieter as locals go to the beaches. Winter is cold and grey but low-priced, and November brings the film festival.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Thessaloniki?
Usually in January–March. Cold and often grey, with occasional frost and the chilly Vardaris wind; a quiet month for museums and long taverna lunches.
+What is the rainiest month in Thessaloniki?
November, with about 8 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Thessaloniki get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 32°C (90°F) and lows of 21°C (70°F).