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 car rentals include Alamo/National Car Rental, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt, all with offices at the airport.
Athens culinary tours are among the food walking tours offered by an unusual company, Culinary Backstreets.
The beach resorts of Athens are easily reached from the city and also close are Cape Sounion with the Temple of Poseidon, ancient Marathon and Rafina's port.
In My Athens on Greece Travel Secrets travel writer Mike Gerrard describes what he loves about Athens including the Acropolis and eating!
Greece Travel Secrets lists the ten best museums in Athens, with the top two being the National Archaeological Museum and the Acropolis Museum.
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.
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.
The Athens National Historical Museum is in the former Greek Parliament building and houses an archive of historical artefacts and documents.
The Athens Museum of Cycladic Art houses a remarkable collection of Cycladic figurines and other items and is one of the best museums in Athens.
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.
The Athens Agora or ancient market is a must-see site and one of the best things to do in Athens with its restored arcade building, the Stoa, and its 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.
A History of Athens from the first people to live on the Acropolis through the Golden Age of Pericles and Alexander the Great to the military junta.
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.
This extract of Artistic Athens in the Lonely Planet book Culture Trails takes visitors on a journey through the artistic side of Athens..
The Pnyx hill near the Acropolis is one of Athens' true hidden gems, a place to wander freely away from the crowds and discover ancient places and mysteries.
Pictures of Athens from the Greece Travel Secrets website
Athens car rental options include almost all of the major international car hire firms such as Avis, Budget, Hertz, and Europcar.
There are lots of flights from Athens to Santorini as well as a ferry service from Piraeus, with flights to Santorini leaving from Athens International Airport.
Piraeus is the port of Athens from where many ferries to the Greek islands depart, and it also has an Archaeological Museum and the Hellenic Maritime Museum.
Athens walking tours and other experiences like cookery lessons, ceramics workshops, dining with a family, and street art are available from Alternative Athens
Athens Airport hotels include the luxury Sofitel at the terminals, Holiday Inn near the airport, and others close by like the Hotel Pantheon.
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.
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.
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