Best Time to Visit Greece
These are the Best Times to Visit Greece
Greece is a melting pot of ancient gods’ legends, Mediterranean aromas, and tropical islands. Greece is situated at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The islands of Crete and Mykonos and the Acropolis in Athens and Thessaloniki are popular tourist destinations. The best time to go to Greece is Spring to early summer (April to mid-June), and autumn are the perfect times to visit Greece (September to mid-October). Let’s take a look at the weather, sea levels, flight costs, and upcoming festivals.
Spring and autumn are the best time to go to Greece. The heat of summer has not yet begun, and the cruise ships, with their thousands of visitors, have not yet arrived from April to the beginning of June. It’s generally still warm enough to go to the beach in late September and early October, but it’s much less crowded. You’ll find plenty to see and do, as well as delicious Mediterranean cuisine and vibrant, friendly people everywhere you go.
Spring Season: The Best Time to Visit Greece
Spring (April to early June) and autumn (September to October) are the best time to travel Greece. During these shoulder season times, you should expect warm weather and fewer crowds. The shoulder season allows you to enjoy the sights and sounds of Greece without breaking the bank. Hotel and tour rates are lower from April to mid-June and then again from September to mid-October.
Consider the best time to go Greece to visit lesser-known Greek islands such as Milos and Lesvos to get the most bang for your buck. The arrival of spring brings spectacular wildflowers in full bloom and breathtaking scenery that makes for fantastic photo opportunities.
There are a few showers in April, but warm days are on their way. Easter is celebrated in April. As a result, most archaeological sites and museums will be closed during this period. Travel to Corfu, where you will see some delightful Easter rituals, or Chios, where Easter is celebrated in its unique way. Get in touch with the tour and travel providers and know the best time to travel to Greece.
In May, spring gives way to summer, with a few gloomy days thrown in for good measure. It’s an excellent time to take advantage of off-season rates at many tourist attractions. The majority of visitors choose to visit Santorini during this period because the crowds are small. If you are also planning to visit the country, this is the best time to visit Greece.
Autumn Season
This could be the best time to go to Greece for some people. Tourists start to thin out, but it’s still a great time to visit some islands because the weather is still pleasant in September. If you can handle the crowds, which can be overwhelming even in their reduced form, Mykonos and Santorini are excellent vacation destinations.
While there are more rainy days in October, some brave souls are always up for a late-afternoon swim on the beaches. Take a trip up to Crete, the country’s second-largest capital, and explore it without the crowds. Many people believe that this is the best time to visit Greece.
Summer Season: Best Time to Travel to Greece
Summer in Greece is the best time to travel Greece (late June to early September). Visitors finding the best of Greece’s summer pleasures flock to famous destinations such as Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, and Santorini. During the high season, the Cyclades receives a massive influx of tourists. The majority of the Greek islands still have a significant population.
If you want to visit the Greek mainland, which includes semi-abandoned villages in the mountains and the booming cities of Thessaloniki and Athens, the high season could be the best time to visit Greece.
Summer officially begins in July, and the days become incredibly humid. Splashing into the closest body of water is even more enjoyable. At this time of year, tourists flock to Athens and the Athenian Riviera to relax on the beaches. Other choices include Paros, which has quaint churches and cerulean blue waters, and Kefalonia, located in the Ionian Sea and is a perfect place to soak up the sun or cool off.
August is the best time to travel to Greece, and the crowds can be daunting. However, some locations, such as Ikaria, are secret gems that receive little foot traffic despite having excellent beaches and natural beauty.
Winter Season: Best Time to go Greece
For those who love the chilly winters, this is the best time to visit Greece. December brings cold weather, and Greece is ideal for winter because of its numerous mountain ranges. Karpenisi or Kalavryta, with their ski resorts and winter sports, are great snow-related activities and fun options. Skiing on Mount Parnassos is also a common pastime for Athenians.
January is the coldest month of the year, so it might not be the best time to travel to Greece. However, many who visit Zagori, which is known for its beautiful villages, stone bridges, streams, and rivers. With its many winding hiking paths and beautiful little mountain villages, Mount Pelion is another travel choice.
Which is the best season to visit in Greece?
Famous areas of Athens and Thessaloniki crowded from June to September. Athens’ Monastiraki Square and adjacent market are jam-packed, as are the buses and Metro. Popular sunset-watching spots on some islands are prime vantage points. Look for the travel packages and select your best time to travel to Greece.
The majority of cruise ships visit Santorini on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The crowds of day-trippers on the island’s main road make ordinary bus and taxi travel nearly impossible until after sunset. Prices are strongest from July to August and during school holiday times when tourists compete with Greek families for space and attractions. This is the best time to visit Greece for affordable trips.
Essential festivals To Enjoy in Greece
The Greeks love to dance, and there’s never a dull moment when there’s a festival, a celebration, or an event going on. Some, on the other hand, are worth including in your travel plans.
- Greek Easter is a big family holiday with activities taking place during Holy Week. In restaurants and tavernas, unique dishes are served. Candlelit processions after Good Friday Mass are a highlight. The procession in Athens travels up Lycabettus Hill and is visible throughout the region.
- Carnival, also known as Apokreas, is a pre-Lenten festival that culminates in wild festivities, feasting, and costumed Carnival processions (that have been known to be very rude). Patras Carnival is one of the best in the world.
- The Athens and Epidaurus Festival was renamed from the Hellenic Festival since most of the festival’s main activities take place at two ancient theatres: the Odeon of Herodes Atticus on the Acropolis’s slopes and the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus near Nafplio. It’s a month-long festival of international performances featuring top performers from all over the world in theatre, dance, and music.
- Carnivals last until the beginning of Lent, so keep an eye out for local activities at the start of the month.
- The start of the Greek War of Independence from the Ottomans commemorate on March 25 with parades, fireworks, and mock naval battles throughout the country.
- Orthodox Easter: For Greeks, Holy Week is significant. After mass on Good Friday, candlelight processions depart from different churches into the night.
- On the Saturday night before Easter Sunday, the island of Chios explodes when two churches in the town of Vrontados fire fireworks directly at each other. Thousands of visitors rejoice as the square between them fills with smoke.
Most historical attractions are open all year, but they may have reduced hours or short weeks during the offseason. Since business slows in cooler weather, some commercial attractions, beach bars, cafes, and hotels close from the end of October to the middle of March. Autumn and winter winds, for example, are unpleasant on Santorini, and most accommodations on the caldera close by mid-October.
Conclusion
February is still icy, but it is also carnival season! Head to Patras for carnival activities, which has been a popular carnival destination for over 180 years. It may be the best time to travel to Greece, especially Xanthi, famous for its raucous Carnival season.
Each season has its charms and pleasures, which tourists have enjoyed over the years. If you don’t mind crowds, the best time to visit Greece is during the off-season, in the winter. There will be a few brave souls who want to see this beautiful country the rest of the time. If you are looking for the best time to go Greece, then you must read about the seasons and understand the right time to visit the country.
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