Best Time to Visit
Athens
Greece Travel Secrets picks the best time to visit Athens with a month-by-month account of the weather, hotel prices and any special events that are happening.
Athens is a riveting mix of history and contemporary
culture, with a climate that often surprises the uninitiated. Before we dive
into our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Athens, let's talk a
little bit about what you can expect weather-wise in this incredible city.
Athens Acropolis Museum
Athens has, not surprisingly, a Mediterranean climate, with
hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. But remember, it also has its fair
share of microclimates due to the surrounding mountains and the sea, leading to
some refreshing variations you'll appreciate. Let's dive into what each month of the year
brings.
Our Pick of the Athens Guides
Best Time to Visit Athens Month-by-Month
January has
average temperatures of around 55°F (13°C), and it is one of the city's wettest
months with an average rainfall of an estimated 2.24” (56.9mm). But read our page on Athens in the Rain and you'll discover there's plenty todo.
Snowfall is
quite rare, but if you're lucky, you might witness the majestic Acropolis
dressed in white. On the hotel front, you'll find some much-needed respite from
inflated prices, making it quite an affordable time to visit.
February is
similar to January, with temperatures around 57°F (14°C), and average rainfall
hitting about 1.84” (46.7mm). No major tourist events occur this month,
resulting in lower hotel rates. This time of year offers a quiet, unhurried
experience of the city, so it's perfect for anyone who likes to avoid the
crowds.
A mild month, March
serves up an average temperature of 62°F (17°C), with rainfall decreasing to 1.6”
(40.6mm). It also hosts the Athens
Half Marathon, an event attracting a good mix of locals and travelers.
Hotel prices begin to nudge upwards but are still comparatively affordable.
Easter in Greece
A balmy 70°F (21°C) is the norm in April, although it still comes with 1.2” (30.5mm) of rainfall on
average. The Easter celebrations in Athens are quite a spectacle, with the city
coming alive in religious fervor and cultural fun. Read all about Easter in Athens. Expect hotel prices to rise
during the Easter period though.
The Athens weather in May
steps up the heat, bringing average temperatures of 79°F (26°C), but still with
moderate rainfall of about 0.9” (22.9mm). Towards the end of the month, you can
enjoy the Athens Technopolis Jazz Festival,
and while hotel prices go up a tad, it's a good time to visit.
June marks the
start of the hot Athens summer. With average temperatures nudging 88°F (31°C)
and the raindrops more or less disappearing, suntan lotion is a must. Consider
attending the Release Athens Music
Festival, which typically occurs in the summer months. Hotel rates are at
their peak during this season, so book in advance!
July is the
hottest month, averaging 91°F (33°C), with virtually no rainfall. It marks the
start of the outdoor cinema season, which is an essential part of Athens’
summer culture. Hotel prices stay high, so early booking is key to securing a
good deal.
Performance at the Greek National Theatre
August continues
the scorching Athens climate trend with averages still at 91°F (33°C), but
remember that these are averages and it often gets much hotter. We know from
experience! With locals often out of town and other tourists avoiding the heat,
Athens becomes a quieter version of itself. Despite the Athens Epidavros Festival, hotel prices usually decrease slightly due to the mass exodus.
September, often
considered one of the best time to visit Athens, delivers an average
temperature of 84°F (29°C), and rainfall is still minimal. Local tourism picks
up again, along with hotel rates but it's typically less crowded and more
enjoyable.
October brings
temperatures down to a more comfortable 74°F (23°C), coupled with slightly
increased rainfall around 2.05” (52.1mm). Hotel rates start to dip post summer.
The Athens Authentic Marathon
November carries
you into the start of winter with an average temperature of 64°F (18°C) and
rainfall increasing to around 2.3” (58.4mm). Besides the Athens Authentic Marathon,
there aren't many major tourist events in November, and hotel prices continue a
slight decline.
The Athens weather in December
brings on the cold, presenting an average temperature of 59°F (15°C), coupled
with a rainfall of 2.7” (69.1mm). While a rare snowfall could be in the offing,
Athens really shines in the holiday season, with festive decorations and fun-filled
events. Hotel prices are at their lowest, making it one of the most
cost-effective times to visit.
Hopefully this guide helps you pick the best time to visit
Athens, and remember that Athens' temperate climate ensures an enjoyable trip
no matter when you decide to go.
Other Athens pages
Athens Airport hotels include the luxury Sofitel at the terminals, Holiday Inn near the airport, and others close by like the Hotel Pantheon.
This beginner's guide to Greek architecture explains how to tell your Ionic from your Doric columns, and what to look for in temples and Byzantine churches.
Ten Fun Things to Do in Athens include eating in the Central Market, watching the sun set over the Acropolis and seeing one of the world's oldest theatres.
The Changing of the Guard in Athens takes place outside the Parliament building at the top of Syntagma Square and is a must-see for visitors.
If visiting Athens it helps to know when major events and public holidays take place, as some shops and attractions may be closed, but to be there at times like Easter can make for a magical trip.
Athens culinary tours are among the food walking tours offered by an unusual company, Culinary Backstreets.
This extract of Artistic Athens in the Lonely Planet book Culture Trails takes visitors on a journey through the artistic side of Athens..
The Greece Travel Secrets website looks at the Athens weather, the chance of rain, the climate in summer and winter and the best time to visit Athens.
Athens is a top vacation destination. The Greece Travel Secrets Athens guide has information on hotels, museums, Athens airport and all the best things to do.
The Athens War Museum is a fascinating look at Greek history through the lens of warfare from ancient battles to the Greek War of Independence and World War II.
Greece Travel Secrets gives its choice of the best hotels in Athens from budget and moderate options through to 5-star luxury choices.
Amusing children in Athens is easy as there is lots to do including a children’s museum, planetarium, beaches, and easy excursions to the nearest islands.
Athens Food Tours are being introduced by new company The Greek Fork, and will include tours of the Central Market, and the best street food.
Greece Travel Secrets visits the Monastiraki Flea Market, followed by Sunday lunch at Sigalas on Monastiraki Square
Around Monastiraki is the flea market, Athens cathedral, Kerameikos Cemetery, the Benaki Museum of Islamic Art and the Psirri and Gazi nightlife districts.
This walk around the Kolonaki neighbourhood of Athens starts and ends in Syntagma Square and takes you to several museums, Kolonaki Square and Mount Lykabettos.
Athens' Benaki Museum is one of the city’s top museums with an outstanding collection, especially of Greek and Egyptian artefacts, in a beautiful mansion.
Easter in Athens is, like everywhere in Greece, the biggest religious celebration of the year and this page tells you what to expect over the Easter weekend.
Athens car rental options include almost all of the major international car hire firms such as Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Europcar.
Athens in the rain isn’t something you’re likely to experience but here are suggestions for things to do in the rain in Athens including museums and shopping
Greece Travel Secrets lists the ten best museums in Athens, with the top two being the National Archaeological Museum and the Acropolis Museum.
Syntagma Square or Constitution Square is the main square in Athens and has a metro station, the Greek Parliament building, hotels, cafes, and a post office.
Two of the best cocktail bars in Athens, MoMix Kerameikos and The Clumsies, are making creative cocktails using that most Greek of Greek spirits, Metaxa.
This drive around Attica offers visitors high hills, beach resorts, small villages and classical sites like Marathon and the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion.
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