Greece pampers the traveler in hot summers. The tourist season lasts from April to mid-October.
Summer in Greece is hot
Most of Greece has a Mediterranean climate. This means that summers are hot and dry.
The hottest months in Greece are typically July and August, when the traveler must be prepared for the temperature to reach over 30 degrees. In the summer months, we go on vacation to the coast or the archipelago, where the sea breeze offers relief from the heat.
If you are vacationing in Greece in the summer, you should make sure that the accommodation has air conditioning and that there is a swimming opportunity nearby, either at the beach or in the pool.
During the hottest months of the summer, you should avoid Athens, where the lovely heat can suddenly turn into a sweltering one.
In the summer months, people travel to Greece not only for the sure sun but also for the lively nightlife. If you are going to celebrate in Mykonos, Rhodes or Kos, for example, the parties are at their best in the summer.
Climate change brings its own question marks to Greek tourism. In the summer of 2023, tourists sweltered in the 40-degree heat at its worst in July, and fierce wildfires spread on Rhodes. In June 2024, Greece has already had time to see a heat wave, during which the temperature exceeded 40 degrees in some places.
If you avoid too hot weather, you should book a trip for, for example, May or September. When booking a sudden departure, it’s a good idea to check the weather forecast in advance.
Autumn in Greece is dry and winter is mild
In late summer, the dry nature of Greece suffers from almost annual forest fires. In autumn, the vegetation is usually a bit dried out. In September–October, the weather is still comfortably warm for Finnish tastes, but not swelteringly hot.
Even the evenings and nights are warm and you can swim in the sea well into autumn. September-October is especially suitable for those who want to avoid the crowds of tourists and take a cheap trip. At the end of October, the tourist services on the smaller islands begin to close.
Autumn is also a good time for active vacationers. For example, if you plan to go hiking during your vacation, you shouldn’t even consider the trip during the hottest months of summer.
In winter, the weather is mild and there is enough rain. About 80 percent of Greece’s rains come in winter. It may snow everywhere in Greece, but it is rare in the archipelago.
You can travel to a city destination like Athens all year round. In the Greek archipelago, life quiets down in winter and many restaurants and hotels close their doors at the end of the season. During the winter months, it is busiest on big islands such as Crete and Rhodes, where big cities and the local population guarantee the service offer.
Does it rain in Greece?
The Greek climate is characterized by a large amount of sunshine. In summer, you can enjoy the toast every day for 12–14 hours, and even in winter, the sun shines for an average of up to five hours during the day.
The west coast of Greece has more annual rainfall than the east coast. In March-September, dry northerly winds blow to Greece. Outside the tourist season, in October–April, humid south and west winds blow. In this case, the amount of precipitation is also higher.
The summer months are rainless and cloudless, except for the northern mountains. If you are afraid of the sun, you should consider spring or autumn as the travel time. In summer, mountain areas offer some protection from the heat.
The terrain of Greece is mountainous, including the islands. The northern mountains have a continental climate. High in the mountains, it is cold and rainy even in summer. For example, there is snow on the top of Mount Olympos all year round.
Choose the correct travel time
What is the best time to travel to Greece? It depends on what you are looking for from your trip.
Travel to Greece is busiest during the hot summer months from June to August. That’s also when travel prices are at their highest. In early summer, the climate is still fresh.
Get going in spring, if you don’t mind the intense heat. In the spring, the tourist destinations are at their best, because they have been renovated after the previous tourist season. However, the sea water may still be cool in the spring months. The evenings and nights are also cool.
Season between June and August Greece is suitable for travelers who want hot beach weather, lively nightlife and versatile services from their holiday. The summer vacation of many Finns falls precisely during these months.
Greek autumn offers spring-like beach weather without the scorching heat. The sea is still warm from the end of the summer, but you have to bring warm clothes for the evenings.
In winter You can travel to Greece, for example, for a city break in Athens or, for example, to Crete for hiking. In the winter months, however, you have to be prepared for rain and, for example, ferry services canceled due to stormy weather.
Text: Maaret Tiensuu, Maria Hietala
Source: www.rantapallo.fi
