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
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.
Athens walking tours and other experiences like cookery lessons, ceramics workshops, dining with a family, and street art are available from Alternative Athens
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
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.
Mount Lykabettos is the highest hill in Athens and provides some of the best views of the city, with a funicular cable car the easiest way to get to the top.
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 guide to the original Athens Olympic Stadium, built for the 1896 Olympic Games and open to the public for jogging and photography.
Athens Airport hotels include the luxury Sofitel at the terminals, Holiday Inn near the airport, and others close by like the Hotel Pantheon.
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.
This Athens dining guide doesn't list restaurants but gives practical advice on types of eating places, tipping, hotel breakfasts and picnics.
Greece Travel Secrets gives its choice of the best hotels in Athens from budget and moderate options through to 5-star luxury choices.
Athens, an Eater's Guide to the City, is published by Culinary Backstreets, who do walking food tours in Athens and the book recommends the best places to eat.
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.
The Athens Acropolis has the city's most iconic building, the Parthenon, along with other historic buildings and is where the Elgin Marbles were taken from.
The best things to do in Athens, Greece, include top archaeological sites like the Acropolis and must-see attractions such as the National Archaeological Museum
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.
Pictures of Athens from the Greece Travel Secrets website
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.
The Athens Byzantine and Christian Museum is housed in a beautiful villa with an underground wing and lovely gardens too.
In My Athens on Greece Travel Secrets travel writer Mike Gerrard describes what he loves about Athens including the Acropolis and eating!
Athens Airport car rentals include Alamo/National Car Rental, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Sixt, all with offices at the airport.
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.
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.
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.
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