When most people think of Greece, their minds immediately transport them to the amazing Greek Islands, with their breathtaking beaches and turquoise waters. But mainland Greece is a playground of hidden gems. Home to a capital steeped in history and culture, with diverse museums and ancient sights like the Acropolis, Athens is a one-of-a-kind getaway. You’ll never want for things to see or do, no matter the time of year you visit. But if you’re looking for the best time to visit Athens, look no further. We’re here to break down the absolute perfect time to plan your trip to the cradle of Western civilization, whether it’s the history or beaches you’re after or everything in between.
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The Weather in Athens
With four distinct seasons, Athens has its peak and off-peak times for travel. But there’s no such thing as a bad time to visit when traveling to this incredible country, and that includes visiting its stunning capital. Here’s everything you need to know about what each season brings to your visit to Athens.
Spring (March to May)
Athens shakes off the winter chill in March, with highs of 60°F. But things only warm up from here, with temperatures jumping almost ten degrees in April and another ten in May, when they can climb as high as 79°F. The days are generally warm and sunny, but because Athens sits a mere ten minutes from the coast, the winds can carry a bit of a bite, especially at night. So if you tend to get cold easily, remember to throw a jacket or sweater in your suitcase to ward off the evening chill.
Many would argue spring is the best time to visit Athens, whether you’re looking to take advantage of the great weather or score a few deals. The mild temperatures make exploring the city a pleasant venture, allowing you to see the sights without battling the summer heat. And because the summer months are more popular for traveling, you can expect to score a few deals and enjoy lower prices in springtime.
Best Time to Visit Athens for Great Weather
Summer (June to August)
From June onwards, the capital experiences its high season. Flight prices start to creep upward, and so does the heat, with highs of 92°F in the peak of summer. Due to the sweltering heat, it’s usually best to plan outdoor activities for the early mornings or late evenings, when it’s more bearable to be out in the city.
Though the temperatures and crowds during this time can be daunting, summer does have its bright spots. The fact that it’s the dry season means you’ll rarely get rained out of plans and can enjoy markedly sunny days, whether at the beach or chilling at a cafe. The summer is also bursting with fun festivals, covering everything from music to film and even plays. In August, the city becomes a bit quieter as locals flock to the islands for their vacations. That said, the visiting crowds don’t diminish much. If you can withstand the heat and bumping elbows with fellow tourists, summer is a wonderful time to experience Athens.
Best Time to Visit Athens for Festivals
Fall (September to November)
With the arrival of fall, crowds start thinning, and locals return, making this a perfect time to visit for travelers who love to get to know not just the city but its people as well. Flight deals and price drops for accommodations are also common during this time.
Fall is another great season for exploring Athen’s outdoor treasures. Though September starts warm, with highs reaching 84°F, things quickly cool off in October, with averages of 73°F. So, if you’re an outdoor lover looking to get your fix of Athen’s landmarks, this is the perfect time for hiking and sightseeing your way across this dazzling metropolis. Another bonus that comes with the drop in temperature is the drop in tourists. Want some peace and tranquility while you stroll the beautiful city of Athens? November is one of the least busy months to visit. And while the air is a bit chilly, it’s just the right temperature to enjoy the city’s most memorable sights with only a casual few other tourists in sight.
Best Time to Visit Athens for Cheaper Prices
Winter (December to February)
Don’t let the term “winter” fool you; winter in the Mediterranean is nothing like it is in the Midwest. Rarely will you see snow in Athens, although the occasional winter coat does make an appearance every decade or so. But you won’t find below-freezing temps here. Instead, you’ll find highs of 57°F, lows of 41°F, and, oh yeah, some of the cheapest months to visit Athens. So grab a jacket and your rain boots and get ready to experience a whole different side to the Greek capital.
Winter temperatures bring hearty foods to the table in Athens, fun Christmas celebrations in December, and even sunny days in February. But the main thing that sets winter in Athens apart—apart from the deals—is the lack of crowds. Athens in winter is blissfully free of the tourist crowds, leaving travelers to explore amazing sites, like the Hadrian Library, Temple of Athena Nike, and so much more, virtually crowd-free. And with Parnassos nearby for a quick city break and a ski getaway, there’s very little to not love about Athens in the wintertime.
Best Time to Visit Athens for Fewer Crowds
Athens’ Most Popular Annual Events
Athens is known for its exciting landmarks and rich historical sights, but you may be surprised to learn about the fun and colorful festivals that take place here throughout the year. They truly make for the best time to visit Athens, and these, in particular, will have you running to book your next flight!
Apokries Carnival (February-March)
If you hear Carnival, you’ll likely think first of the colorful costumes of Rio Carnival and and the masks of Venice Carnival. But Greece has its own beloved Carnival season known as Apokries. While it may not hold the glitz and glam of the Brazilian or Italian carnivals, make no mistake, it is a celebration, and the Greeks celebrate to the fullest by eating all the meat they can stomach—literally.
The word Apokries translates to “leave from meat.” Come Lent, Greeks give up meat and replace it with seafood. So, during the two-week period prior to Lent, Greeks enjoy their fill of meats. The smell of barbecued delicacies, from tasty sausages to meat skewers of lamb and beef, wafts from restaurants and off the street where meat vendors set up their charcoal grills. But rest assured, people take to the streets for more than food. During Apokries, the streets burst with music, dance, and masquerades. You can catch countless theater performances around Athens or head to the Acropolis Museum, where the restaurant serves delicious meat dishes alongside live music performances.
Athens International Film and Video Festival (April)
A champion of underground underdogs, the Athens International Film and Video Festival is known for supporting marginalized creators and providing a voice for those who go overlooked. It approaches the film scene as a community, advocating for artistry and embracing experimental films that industry titans might have turned away for being too different. Here, filmmakers and students cultivate relationships with other creators. At the same time, film lovers enjoy an experience unique from the more standard film festivals, one that’s inclusive of different stories and innovative ways of storytelling that are sure to excite any true film buff.
Athens Jazz Festival (May)
Music is understandable in any language, and that’s just as true of the Athens Jazz Festival. Jazz notes fill the Athens’ air as the city’s longest-running music festival kicks off. For seven days, stretching from the end of May to the start of June, the Athens Jazz Festival marks the beginning of the concert season in Athens. Athenians and international visitors gather to hear bands from around the globe perform dazzling jazz sets and the latest jazz trends. And the best part—admission is free!
Colourday Festival (June)
Add some color to your life with the Athens Colourday Festival. One of the largest festivals in Greece, the Colourday Festival takes place on a weekend in June to ring in the summer right. People gather in the OAKA stadium to paint one another before the color throw. Vibrant clouds of yellow, pink, blue, green, orange, and red fill the air, creating a colorful swirl over the crowd and making for a great photo-op. Hued bodies dance to the beat of popular and up-and-coming musicians performing pop, rock, and electronic dance. And of course, what’s a festival without the food? Stalls line the street, filled with delicious foods and fantastic artist crafts, making this festival a must-see for anyone visiting Athens.
Athens Epidaurus Festival (June-August)
Summer in Athens is the time to visit for festival-goers, and there’s no better time to plan your visit than during the Athens Epidaurus Festival. Every year, from the beginning of June to mid-August, the biggest festival in Athens sees the capital transformed into a canvas for the arts.
Performances take place on two main stages, the Odeon Herodes Atticus and the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, both of which boast excellent acoustics. And what better place to pay homage to the great ancient Greek playwrights than to perform where their now-famous plays first took center stage? Undoubtedly, the ancient theatre of Epidaurus helps immerse the viewer in the classical and ancient plays being performed, but locals and tourists can enjoy everything from ancient theater to modern-day productions, with spectacular shows including opera, ballet, jazz, and so much more during the over two-month-long event.
August Moon Festival (August)
What a time to be in the capital! While August in Athens has its drawbacks, the August Moon Festival isn’t one of them. Without a doubt, it’s the best time to experience the Athens moon at its brightest and most beautiful. People flock to the Acropolis for the best views of the gorgeous sight of the full moon.
But there’s more to this event than just a pretty celestial body. The festival has roots in Greek mythology and the story of the titan goddess Selene. It also marked the beginning of the Olympics in ancient Greece. Today, venues like the Acropolis and the Roman Agora stay open past midnight and offer free entry. These venues provide free moonlit theater and dance performances for one night and one night only, with a new and captivating program every year. The date of the event changes so be sure to check your calendar for the date of the August Moon Festival this year!
Athens Marathon (November)
The Athens Classic Marathon The Authentic is an annual marathon modeled after the Ancient Greek legend of Pheidippides, the messenger who ran from Marathon to Athens after the Athenians defeated the Persians. The race begins with the Marathon Flame being lit at the Tomb of the Battle of Marathon. It’s then carried to Marathon Stadium, where the race begins.
Runners from all over the world come to compete in this marathon, which is considered one of the most difficult major marathon routes. A 12-mile uphill stretch puts contestants’ bodies to the test. But if the runners persevere to the end, they are rewarded with a downward stretch that takes them past many of Athen’s most breathtaking landmarks. The energetic crowd, marvelous scenery, and the historical significance of the marathon make this a must-see, whether as a runner or part of the crowd cheering the runners on.
Know the Best Time to Go
With so much to see and do, timing is everything. Whether it’s the best pricing and weather you want to take advantage of or the attractions and beaches you want to enjoy, getting the timing right can be just the thing to take your trip from good to great. So let’s dive into the best times to visit Athens, Greece for every reason.
The Best Time to Visit Athens for Low Prices
If your wallet says to follow the deals, you’ll want to find yourself in Athens during the off-season. We know winter in Athens doesn’t exactly scream Greek Getaway quite like summer on the beaches but bear with us here. While the off-season may make you think of freezing temperatures and closed attractions, in truth, you’re getting mild weather, virtually empty attractions, and prices that’ll leave your bank account happy.
But if even the pleasant weather and lack of crowds aren’t enough to tempt you to winter, opt for the best of both worlds with a trip during the shoulder seasons. Traveling between March and May or September and November will guarantee favorable weather and smaller crowds than the popular summer months. And while prices aren’t as low as they are in winter, you can still find some decent deals on airfare and accommodations. The absolutely worst time to visit Athens for a deal is the high season. So, if your aim is to save, do yourself a favor and stay away from the hot summer months.
The Best Time to Visit Athens for Fewer Crowds
Athens is a city best experienced without the crowds, where you can take your time among the many ancient ruins and fully appreciate their beauty and history. This is where Greece’s reputation as the perfect European summer getaway comes in handy. Visitors pour into Athens in the summertime and leave with the warm weather. Consequently, the best time to visit Athens for fewer crowds is during the winter, aka the low season. The chillier temperatures chase away the crowds while driving down the prices, leaving you with fewer lines and uncrowded photos of Athen’s most famous gems, from the Parthenon to the Temple of Zeus.
The only major downside to keep in mind is that many of Greece’s restoration projects are planned for the winter after the crowds leave. So you may encounter scattered closures and some of Greece’s landmarks surrounded by scaffolding. Still, the lack of people and unmatched views should make up for these minor inconveniences. Just don’t forget to pack a cozy blanket for the chilly Athens nights.
The Best Time to Visit Athens for Good Weather
Sunny vibes and blue skies—if you want the Greece of your dreams, then set your sights on a shoulder season getaway. Athens in the spring is a picture-perfect good time, with temperatures that aren’t too hot or cold but, like Goldilocks’ bed, just right. It’s the perfect weather for exploring Athens’ attractions and even taking day trips to the coast. Plus, you can enjoy the added bonus of avoiding the worst of the summer crowds, which trickle in starting in June and surge amid the August heat.
If you can’t swing spring, fall is another viable option, with near-perfect weather for getting out and sightseeing in the city, taking hikes for panoramic views, and appreciating all that Athens has to offer.
The Best Time to Visit Athens for Festivals
Summer in Greece is stacked with festivals, from head-banging music concerts to open-air film screenings. June is arguably the best month to plan your visit to Athens for festivals, as two of its most popular—the Colourday Festival and the Athens Epidaurus Festival—occur during the early summer. The plus side is that, with a trip in June, you can avoid the scorching heat that descends on the city later in the summer and the worst of the summer vacation crowds. But many would argue that the benefit of experiencing the city at its finest is well worth the crowds you may encounter.
The Best Time to Visit Athens for Beaches
When it comes to visiting Athens beaches, summer is once again king. Sunny skies and warm temperatures converge to create the perfect beach weather. After all, what better way to escape the sweltering heat than embracing it lying on the sand or diving into Athen’s cool and crystal-clear waters? The best time to plan your trip is for late spring to early summer, typically May to June, to take advantage of the best weather. Midsummer sees a spike in temperature, crowds, and prices, making skirting the edges of summer a better bet for a more affordable, relaxing, and less crowded summer getaway.
