When to Go

Weather

Greece has a generally mild climate, though in the mountainous northern interior the winters are rather harsh and summers brief. Southern Greece enjoys a relatively mild winter, with temperatures averaging around 55° to 60°F (13°-16°C) in Athens. Summers are generally hot and dry, with daytime temperatures rising to 85° to 95°F (30°-35°C), usually cooled by prevailing north winds (meltemi), especially on the islands, which often cool appreciably in the evenings. And at some point in most summers, usually July, the temperature will rise to over 100°F (38°C).

For weather forecasts for major cities in Greece, try www.weather.com.

The best time to visit is late April to mid-June, when the wildflowers are in bloom and before summer arrives in force with hordes of tourists, higher prices, overbooked facilities, and strained services. Orthodox Easter Week -- which takes place close to but not exactly concurrent with Easter in Western countries -- sometimes falls in this period. It is a particularly exciting time to be in Greece, and most Greeks celebrate the special week. Many of the island resorts crank up for the season. However, so many Greeks living abroad return for this holiday that international flights and hotels are usually more expensive. Many museums and sites are closed for several of the days. So unless you can be on the ground well before or after Easter Week, we advise you not to go then, especially if this will be your first visit to Greece.

If you possibly can, avoid traveling in July and August (especially around Aug 15). The crowds from Europe overwhelm facilities. In overcrowded southern Greece and the islands, midday temperatures are too high for much except beach and water activities. We strongly recommend that you not go unless you have firm reservations and enjoy close encounters with masses of fellow tourists and footloose students. Of course, the higher elevations remain cooler and less crowded, a plus for hikers, bikers, and those who don't demand sophisticated pleasures.

By mid-September, temperatures begin to fall and crowds thin, but it can still be hot. The weather remains generally calm and balmy well into October. If you can't get to Greece in the spring, and beaches are not your primary goal, this is a fine time to visit.

By late October, ferry service and flights are cutting back and most facilities on the islands begin to close for the winter, but the cooler fall atmosphere makes Athens and the mainland all the more pleasant. If you have the time, visit the islands first, then return for a tour of the mainland archaeological sites.

Winter (Nov-Mar) is not the time to visit Greece unless you want to join the Greeks for skiing in the mountains. However, some hotels and many good tavernas stay open, prices are at their lowest, and the southern mainland and Crete remain inviting, especially for those interested in archaeology and authentic local culture.

Museum Hours Update -- If you visit Greece during the summer, check to see when sites and museums are open. According to the tourist office, they should be open from 8am to 7:30pm, but some may close earlier in the day or even be closed one day a week.

Holidays

The legal national holidays of Greece are: New Year's Day, January 1; Epiphany (Baptism of Christ), January 6; Clean Monday (Kathari Deftera), day before Shrove Tuesday, 41 days before Easter (which in Greece may come in late Mar to late Apr; every few years it coincides with Easter Sunday in Western countries); Independence Day, March 25; Good Friday to Easter, including the Monday after Easter Sunday; May Day (Labor Day), May 1; Whitmonday (Holy Spirit Monday), day after Whitsunday (Pentecost), the seventh Sunday after Easter; Assumption of the Virgin, August 15; Ochi Day, October 28; Christmas, December 25 and 26.

On these holidays, government offices, banks, post offices, most stores, and many restaurants are closed; a few museums and attractions may remain open on several of the lesser holidays. But if you are intent on seeing a specific museum or site, be sure to find out before you leave home whether the place will be open. Meanwhile, visitors are often included in the celebration. Consult the link "Calendar of Events," if you are in the planning stage. If you are already in Greece, ask at your hotel or find one of the current English-language publications, such as the Athens News, the Kathimerini insert in the International Herald Tribune, the weekly brochure Athens Today, or the Athenscope section of the weekly Hellenic Times.

Two Holidays to Stay Put -- Greece observes a number of holidays during which museums, sites, government offices, banks, and such are closed. But during the days around Easter (a fluctuating holiday) and August 15, not only do many places shut down, but internal transportation is overwhelmed by Greeks returning to their home towns and villages. So although it is great to be in Greece to observe these occasions, do not plan to do much moving around.