Athens, the capital of Greece, is one of the most fantastic destinations for those looking to delve into the past, marvel at some incredible historic monuments as well as soak up the atmosphere of one of the world’s oldest cities, all the while indulging in one of the most mouthwatering cuisines around.
Those who are planning to venture to Greece, might be wondering when is the best time of year to travel to Athens, and considering the weather patterns can vary from place to place in this vast country, it is crucial to know the ins and outs of when to jet off. With that being said, there certainly is ‘a best time’ to travel to Athens, and here is everything you need to know, before designing your ideal Greek getaway.
The climate of Athens
Before, we get down to the ins and outs of when is the best time to travel to Athens, it is worth knowing what kind of climate Athens experiences in the first place. Athens is known to be the hottest city in mainland Europe and is a haven for those that love heat and sun, making it one of the top winter destinations chosen by many. Athens has a Mediterranean climate, which some might know as a dry summer climate, which means that this city, and other parts of Greece, have dry and hot summers while having mild, yet wet winters.
The chance of rainfall can happen during October and April, while the months between July and August are the driest. You may be surprised to know, but even in Athens, there are some climatic differences between the areas, especially when you consider the large area that Athens covers – including its suburbs, which means that each area you visit within Athens may vary. So, what does this look like?
Well, for instance, in the north of Athens, the suburbs tend to see wetter and colder patterns in winter than other parts, while the southern suburbs are the opposite and are the driest and warmest locations in Greece – not just Athens. On top of this, the coastal areas such as Piraeus and beyond, experience a hot semi-arid climate, which in turn, means that temperatures soar here, while the chance of rainfall is quite low. A trip to Athens needs to be well planned out if you want to enjoy the perfect weather, but we will get to this a little further on, but first let’s talk about the chance of rainfall within the region.
Rainfall
Overall, it is quite easy to know when it is likely to rain in and around Athens, thus making it easier to plan a trip there, especially if you want to avoid wet weather. Between December – February, you can expect to experience heavy rainfall in Athens, with December being the wettest month of the year, with an average of 82mm (3.2inches) of rain.
When it comes to the average rainfall days here are a few things you need to know:
- There are an average of 8 rainy days during October.
- There are an average of 9 rainy days during November.
- There are an average of 11 rainy days between December and February.
- August has the least rainfall with just an average of one rainy day during that month.
Average Temperature
Many of us will venture off in search of warmer temperatures, so this breakdown is something that will come in very handy to avoid any disappointment or misconceptions and will help you determine when is the best time to travel to Athens. The warmest months are between June and August, with August being the hottest, while the month with the lowest temperature in January. For a detailed look at what temperatures you can expect to experience during which months, take a look below.
- Average high temperature in January: 53.7°F (12.1°C)
- Average high temperature in February: 66.6°F (13.7°C)
- Average high temperature in March: 60.8°F (16°C)
- Average high temperature in April: 66.5°F (19.2°C)
- Average high temperature in May: 74.8°F (23.8°C)
- Average high temperature in June: 82.5°F (28.1°C)
- Average high temperature in July: 87.6°F (30.9°C)
- Average high temperature in August: 87.8°F (31°C)
- Average high temperature in September: 80.6°F (27°C)
- Average high temperature in October: 71.4°F (21.9°C)
- Average high temperature in November: 64.5°F (18.1°C)
- Average high temperature in December: 56.8°F (13.8°C)
Best time to go to Athens
Sun, Sea & Sand
If it is sun sea, and sand you are looking for, which many people envision when they picture a trip to Greece, then you may want to consider traveling to Greece in August, the month where you can enjoy 12 hours of daily sunshine, an average temperature of 87.8°F (31°C), a sea temperature of 79.3°F (26.3°C). Due to the heat, it is best to explore monuments in the morning or late afternoon and to spend the heat of the day in the shade or by the water.
June and July are also great times to experience warm temperatures, that are not quite as hot as August.
Shoulder Season
The shoulder season can certainly be the best time to travel to Athens if you want to beat the crowds, save a bit of money, and still enjoy perfect temperatures. While the high season is between June and August, the shoulder season is before (May) and after (September), when you can enjoy all that Athens has to offer, but at a slower pace – sounds like a winner.
So, what to expect from the shoulder season?
- May – May is the last month of the Greek spring, and although it is not quite the summer season, the temperature will start to increase, but the crowds have not yet arrived. This is the ideal time to experience the jazz festival, enjoy historic monuments without the soaring heat and take advantage of lower prices at restaurants and hotels, which are sure to increase prices as the summer season starts.
- September – September marks the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, which in turn means that the summer season’s prices may start to decrease, the crowds will get lesser and the weather will still be around 80.6°F (27°C), which is certainly enjoyable.
What to pack
So, now that we have determined when the most rainfall can occur, as well as the temperatures per month, we can start to see when the best time to travel to Athens might be. So, with this in mind, it is time to get packing. There are some essentials to consider when packing for a trip to Athens during the summer and here are a few:
- Good walking shoes/sandals– Make sure these are breathable, worn-in, and in good condition
- Loose summer clothing such as linen pants etc. which are light and breathable in hot weather.
- Sunblock/Hat – These are essential during the hottest months in Athens, to protect from the heat of the sun.
- Daypack – A compact day pack is ideal to carry water, cameras, snacks, etc., but while keeping your hands free when exploring historical monuments.
- Light and comfortable evening wear for those warm Greek summer nights.
- Swimwear/Sandals/Beach towel – For those essential beach days.
Essential eco-friendly trips that feature Athens
Now that we have established what is the best time of year to travel to Athens, let’s get you on a tailor-made trip, with the help of a Destination Expert. Take a look at these for some inspiration.
