Month guide · Thessaloniki · Greece
Thessaloniki in October
What October is really like in Thessaloniki: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andrew Zorin, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
October is one of the best months to visit Thessaloniki. Expect average highs of 21°C (70°F), lows of 12°C (54°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 11 hours of daylight. Mild and pleasant, with the city's patron-saint celebrations and national holiday parades late in the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 21°C (70°F) / 12°C (54°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
- Sea temperature
- 21°C (70°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in Thessaloniki: days average 21°C (70°F) against a yearly average high of 20°C (68°F), and nights fall to about 12°C (54°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 31 days. Compared with September (27°C (81°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 15°C (59°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 07:39
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 18:48
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
- Sea
- 21°C (70°F)
Autumn (September–November). Warm sea in September, the international fair, Saint Demetrius celebrations in October and the film festival in November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October rates 3 for crowds (the peak is September at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in September). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in October
- Dimitria cultural festival (usually autumn)
- Feast of Saint Demetrius (26 October)
- Ochi Day parade (28 October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
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Museum · White Tower and the eastern seafront
Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki
One of the most important museums in Greece for ancient Macedonia, with the bronze Derveni Krater, elaborate gold wreaths and jewellery from royal and aristocratic tombs, and finds from Roman Thessaloniki.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Museum · White Tower and the eastern seafront
Museum of Byzantine Culture
Visit before touring the churches; the museum explains the iconography you will see in them.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Market · City Centre (Aristotelous Square)
Kapani and Modiano markets
The Kapani (Vlali) market is a grid of lanes selling fish, olives, herbs, spices, cheese and loukoumi, and it has been the city's food market since Ottoman times.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · Ladadika
Ladadika quarter
Come for dinner from about 9pm, when locals start arriving; earlier you will mostly see other visitors.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- After dark
- Couples
The sea averages 21°C (70°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Thessaloniki.
What to pack
For highs near 21°C, lows near 12°C and 6 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Thessaloniki?
One of the best months to visit Thessaloniki, with 3 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are May–June and September. Compare every month.
Thessaloniki in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit Thessaloniki?
It is one of the best months to visit Thessaloniki. Mild and pleasant, with the city's patron-saint celebrations and national holiday parades late in the month.
+How warm is Thessaloniki in October?
Average highs are around 21°C (70°F) and lows around 12°C (54°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Thessaloniki in October?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.