Greece is a large and topographically diverse country so there are many different climates. For the most part, the weather follows a typical Mediterranean climate pattern with hot, dry summers and mild rainy winters. The country receives a lot of sunshine, for which it is rightly famous, and prolonged stretches of rainy weather are uncommon. There are really only two seasons in Greece: hot and dry between April and September; mild and wet from October to March.
There are, however, very varying weather patterns across the country dictated by the topography and distance from the coast. The high mountains, for example, have a very different climate to the islands; inland areas see more pronounced seasons than coastal areas; the south is hotter and drier than the north.
The Islands
The Greek Islands are where most holidaymakers choose to go. A Mediterranean climate prevails with long, hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Summer weather in the islands begins in May with daily highs in the mid-20s. By July the daytime temperature is often in the 30s. July and August are the peak summer months when the temperature will rarely drop below 20°C even at night. Fortunately, the islands are visited by the cooling "meltemi" winds - sea breezes that blow from the north and north-west. The winds are strongest in July and August when they are needed the most.
Mid-May to Mid-September is very dry, while July and August are unlikely to see any rainfall at all.
Winters are mild and wet - somewhat akin to an English spring. Temperature will generally be in the low to mid-teens, although a sunny day can sometimes see the temperature creep up towards 20°C.
December is the wettest month of the year and over the winter there can often be strong storms in the Mediterranean. These can bring miserable weather for a few days, with strong winds and torrential rain. However, as most of the rain falls in heavy downpours, there are still a lot of sunny days and it can be a very pleasant - and very quiet - time.
The Mountains
Greece is one of Europe’s most mountainous countries, with over four fifths of the country consisting of mountains or hills. The highest peak in the country is Mt. Olympus at 2917m. The mountains obviously experience very different weather to the lower regions of Greece. Their climate is alpine. Higher altitude means colder temperatures, more clouds and higher rainfall. Mountain weather is also highly unpredictable.
Many of the higher mountains remain snow covered for several months of the year, and there are even several ski resorts - not something you’d usually associate with Greece!
The mountain climate prevails predominantly in the high mountain ranges of mainland Greece but similar weather can also be seen in the high mountains of Crete.
The Mainland
Mainland Greece has a slightly different climate again; it is less influenced by the sea than the islands, is influenced by the giant landmass of Europe and has many microclimates due to the affect of the mountains on the prevailing winds.
There are more extremes of temperature on the mainland compared to the island and coastal regions. Summer temperatures can be in the 40s - Athens has recorded a temperature of 48°C. A severe heat wave in summer 2007 saw devastating forest fires hit Greece. A prolonged period of hot dry weather left the countryside susceptible to the fire. This is a frequent danger each summer in Greece.
Conversely, cold winter temperatures can occur and snow can even fall in the low-lying regions, though it is not common. A severe cold snap in winter 2004 saw Athens receive snowfall and temperatures touching -10°C.
Variations in weather occur across the Greek mainland - Eastern Greece and the Athens area are much dryer while the north and west have a wetter climate. Northern and eastern Greece have a much more continental climate, experiencing the coolest temperatures in the country on average and a more extreme range between highs and lows. The north of the country is on average temperatures around 5°C cooler than the coastal regions in the winter.
There are, however, very varying weather patterns across the country dictated by the topography and distance from the coast. The high mountains, for example, have a very different climate to the islands; inland areas see more pronounced seasons than coastal areas; the south is hotter and drier than the north.
The Islands
The Greek Islands are where most holidaymakers choose to go. A Mediterranean climate prevails with long, hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
Summer weather in the islands begins in May with daily highs in the mid-20s. By July the daytime temperature is often in the 30s. July and August are the peak summer months when the temperature will rarely drop below 20°C even at night. Fortunately, the islands are visited by the cooling "meltemi" winds - sea breezes that blow from the north and north-west. The winds are strongest in July and August when they are needed the most.
Mid-May to Mid-September is very dry, while July and August are unlikely to see any rainfall at all.
Winters are mild and wet - somewhat akin to an English spring. Temperature will generally be in the low to mid-teens, although a sunny day can sometimes see the temperature creep up towards 20°C.
December is the wettest month of the year and over the winter there can often be strong storms in the Mediterranean. These can bring miserable weather for a few days, with strong winds and torrential rain. However, as most of the rain falls in heavy downpours, there are still a lot of sunny days and it can be a very pleasant - and very quiet - time.
The Mountains
Greece is one of Europe’s most mountainous countries, with over four fifths of the country consisting of mountains or hills. The highest peak in the country is Mt. Olympus at 2917m. The mountains obviously experience very different weather to the lower regions of Greece. Their climate is alpine. Higher altitude means colder temperatures, more clouds and higher rainfall. Mountain weather is also highly unpredictable.
Many of the higher mountains remain snow covered for several months of the year, and there are even several ski resorts - not something you’d usually associate with Greece!
The mountain climate prevails predominantly in the high mountain ranges of mainland Greece but similar weather can also be seen in the high mountains of Crete.
The Mainland
Mainland Greece has a slightly different climate again; it is less influenced by the sea than the islands, is influenced by the giant landmass of Europe and has many microclimates due to the affect of the mountains on the prevailing winds.
There are more extremes of temperature on the mainland compared to the island and coastal regions. Summer temperatures can be in the 40s - Athens has recorded a temperature of 48°C. A severe heat wave in summer 2007 saw devastating forest fires hit Greece. A prolonged period of hot dry weather left the countryside susceptible to the fire. This is a frequent danger each summer in Greece.
Conversely, cold winter temperatures can occur and snow can even fall in the low-lying regions, though it is not common. A severe cold snap in winter 2004 saw Athens receive snowfall and temperatures touching -10°C.
Variations in weather occur across the Greek mainland - Eastern Greece and the Athens area are much dryer while the north and west have a wetter climate. Northern and eastern Greece have a much more continental climate, experiencing the coolest temperatures in the country on average and a more extreme range between highs and lows. The north of the country is on average temperatures around 5°C cooler than the coastal regions in the winter.
Best Time to Visit Greece
Best time to visit Greece really depends on the purpose of your visit, whether its for soaking up the sun and swimming in the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, meeting lots of people or having the beaches to yourself, or to visit all the wonderful historical sites.
July and August are the most popular months to visit Greece. This is the time Greece is most alive and kicking. It is very hot and busy. It will be crowded in the holiday resorts as Greeks and foreign tourists alike head out of the cities for their holidays. Rooms are hard to find so you really do need to book ahead. This is a great time if you are young, like to meet up with lots of other young people, and the beaches, bars and nightclubs are at their busiest.
August 15th is the biggest holiday in the summer months. The islands will become even busier for a few days, ferries will be booked ahead as well as hotels/rooms. Athens is empty in August as all the Greeks who can, head out to the islands and countryside for their holidays and so it is a great time to visit the capital city.
May-June and September-mid October is an ideal time to visit Greece. The weather is perfect, still hot, but not unbearably so. The children are in school so its quieter and the businesses on the islands are all still open and have more time for you. The historical sites are less crowded. There is still nightlife around, especially at weekends. The beaches are quite empty, especially on weekdays. This is the time of year when you have more chance of just turning up on an island or somewhere and finding accommodation, and also getting better prices. If you are planning to visit summer islands like Mykonos, Milos, Ios, etc. late October may not be a very good time as season in these islands is shorter compared to Santorini, Crete, Rhodes, etc.
November - March can be quite cold and rainy. You will get some days which have clear blue skies and sunshine but still chilly. It can rain a lot and over the last few years Greece has had a fair amount of snow in winter, some villages become snowed in for a few days. A lot of the shops and businesses on the islands and holiday towns will be closed.
Athens, however is a great place to visit, especially for a bit of shopping. In the evenings there is a great atmosphere in the centre, people are out and about in the streets, shopping, catching up with friends with a coffee or just window shopping. Many hotels will be closed for this season so you should book before arriving, however, you can get some great bargains on accommodation at this time of year.
This is a wonderful time to also visit the Museums, especially in Athens. If you live in Europe, bring the children for a short winter break, take them around the Acropolis and Museums and give them a great history lesson, they will learn so much more than in a classroom!
Whenever you find is the best time to visit Greece, we hope your holiday is a truly enjoyable one with many memories to cherish.