This winter month is the low season in Greece, with very few visitors, a subdued nightlife, and gray weather. Many restaurants and other businesses are closed, awaiting the warmer months—but prices are at their lowest, and there's the Carnival festival to enjoy.
Travelers to Greece typically plan a trip for 9 to 12 days when combining both Athens and Naxos with Santorini and Mykonos. For travelers wanting to visit Athens and Naxos exclusively, plan 5 to 8 days for a well-paced trip. Check out our favorite Athens and Naxos trips below.
Tucked into a remote part of Epirus, Greece’s northwest region of Zagori is an off-the-radar slice of wild beauty and ancient tradition. Its wilderness is a great place to escape the summer crowds, and the Pindos Mountains ski resorts are a top draw in winter. Here are our highlights not to miss.
Greek winter fades into the March shoulder season, when visitor numbers begin an uptick yet prices remain attractive. The weather is beginning to warm up, with plenty of mild sunny days and the first bloom of spring flowers—time to pack the T-shirts and shorts with your cold-weather clothing.
Summertime is at its highest point in August when the weather is hot and sunny and the tourists are all on vacation. In Athens, the city fills with sunshine as visitors flock to museums and other attractions. The beaches are stunning with bright blue skies and warm, crystal clear water.
By June, summertime is in full effect in Athens. The temperatures are hot (sometimes bordering on stifling) and it's muggy throughout the city. It's the perfect time to hit the beach or head to one of the islands for a weekend trip. In the urban areas, you'll find heavy crowds but the atmosphere is fun and festive so it can be worth braving the masses. Plus, you won't have to worry about rain.
Greece is warm and welcoming, and getting to know locals in the country's many bakeries and plazas will be a highlight of your trip. Here are more favorite cultural experiences on the mainland and the stunning Aegean and Ionian islands.
July is high season in Greece, with gloriously sunny weather, azure skies, and warm seas. It's the perfect month for swimming and sunbathing—but you'll be sharing the beaches with lots and lots of visitors, and prices are at their highest. The hottest days can be really toasty, so bring lots of sunscreen plus a shade hat and swimwear. Adding to the appeal, Greece’s music and arts festivals (and nightlife) are in full swing in mid-summer.
The luxury hotels in Chania are unique in how they interact with and capture the spirit of Crete's former capital, showcasing thousands of years of Roman, Venetian, and Ottoman influences. Relax in a Jacuzzi overlooking the White Mountains, enjoy a panoramic harbor view in a 19th-century building, or experience the best of Crete's famous hospitality in a Venetian family home.
The best hotels in Rethymno combine the city's beach access with the Cretan culture, serving up local specialty dishes alongside historic stones under the sun. Whether you're enjoying a former schoolhouse turned boutique, savoring suites accompanied by one of Greece's best restaurants, or slowing down on a wellness-focused farm stay, it's hard to go wrong with these options.