What Is The Best Time To Visit Athens?

Athens is a vibrant city known for its ancient history and culture, making it a popular tourist destination. With the right planning and timing in place, you can make sure your trip to this beautiful Greek capital is the best one possible! In this article, we’ll discuss the best time to visit Athens, with recommendations for the perfect season depending on what type of holiday experience you are hoping to have.

What kind of weather is typically experienced in Athens?

Athens is a Mediterranean climate, characterised by hot, dry weather during the summer months, and mild temperatures during the winter. In summer, temperatures between June and August typically reach 25-30 degrees Celsius (77-86 Fahrenheit), whilst in the winter, temperatures hover around 13-18 degrees Celsius (55-64 Fahrenheit). Rainfall tends to be more common during autumn, winter and spring with July and August typically the driest months. In terms of other weather conditions, strong winds occur during spring and autumn across the city, while during the summer months sea breezes keep temperatures comfortable.

Factors that influence the best time to visit Athens

The best time to visit Athens will always be dependent on what type of holiday you’re looking for. Sightseeing in the city comes with its own unique advantages throughout the year, while summer offers up an opportunity to escape the temperatures and humidity of a Mediterranean climate.

Sightseeing

For sightseeing in the city, spring (March to May) tends to be the ideal time of year. During this season temperatures are mild and pleasant; around 16-20 degrees Celsius (60-68 Fahrenheit), making it comfortable for walking around outdoors for extended periods. Additionally, as this is one of the slower periods for tourism in Greece, there are fewer crowds around tourist hotspots such as Acropolis Hill, meaning visitors have easier access to all kinds of ancient monuments and artefacts. The summer months of June to August can still be a good time to go sightseeing, although temperatures tend to be quite high, with extended periods outside potentially uncomfortable for those not used to warm climates. Additionally, the heat makes walking upplaces such as Acropolis Hill significantly harder than in milder seasons.

Beach holidays

For beach holidays, summer is obviously an ideal time of year; in particular July to September when temperatures reach 25-30 degrees Celsius and playing in the ocean a popular activity. Traveling to Athens during June or October can also be interesting; providing the best of both worlds – beaches are still not overly crowded and get warm but it is not too hot to enjoy a stroll around town or a sunset on top of Lycabettus Hill.

Other noteworthy factors when choosing your dates

Those planning a trip to Athens should also look into any special events that may be taking place during their chosen dates; such as music festivals or film festivals. Additionally, it is important to bear in mind that some travel destinations in Greece (such as Santorini Island) close for a seasonal break between early November and Easter Sunday meaning that travel within Greece may come with restrictions if you’re visiting outside of the peak summer months.

Pros and Cons of Visiting Athens During Different Months

March – May

Pros: Ideal weather for sightseeing, mild temperatures and fewer crowds make exploring the city a pleasure
Cons: Shorter daylight hours so there may be less opportunity to see all the sights.

June – August

Pros: Great for beach holidayers – warm weather and plenty of sunshine. Chance to experience some popular music festivals such as Rockwave and Ejekt.
Cons: Very hot conditions making sightseeing more difficult if travelling on foot.

September – November

Pros: Perfect blend of summer / comfortable temperatures (Visiting in late September or October generally offers the best of both worlds). Plenty of cultural events occur at this time such as annual film festivals.
Cons: Not ideal for beach holidays – cooler temperatures make swimming in the ocean impractical.

Personal Opinion

Ultimately, it all comes down to what type of holiday experience you’re hoping for when you set off towards Athens. For beach holidays, spring and summer are ideal times of year; whilst for sightseeing and cultural activities without overwhelming heat, March to May is the perfect time for a visit. Whenever you travel to this amazing city – one thing is certain – this Grecian city will provide an unforgettable holiday that will remain etched in your memory. The detailed answers from this guide originate from Greeka.com, experts in Greece travel.