No matter what time of the year you choose to visit this amazing Mediterranean country you should take into consideration weather for Greek islands before planning your trip.
Greece has a Mediterranean climate which means mild and wet winters and dry and hot summers.
The good news about the weather in Greece is that the country is mostly sunny all year round, making for it the perfect holiday destination all year round.
There is a huge difference in climate between the northern and the southern part of the country, with the northern side being colder during winters.
In the north of Greece, the temperatures are much lower and there is some snow in certain areas, while the southern part is milder.
Peak season is July and August, which are not just the crowded and most expensive months but also the hottest ones.
In this article, I will tell you how’s the weather in all four seasons, what to pack and what you can do at that time of the year.
Greek islands weather in winter
Although on the mainland, especially in the mountains there is snow and low temperatures, winter on the Greek islands comes with strong winds, high humidity and positive temperatures.
The coastal region and the islands experience a mild winter with many days of rain and pretty heavy winds which makes you feel lower temperatures than actually are.
Most of the restaurants, taverns, bars and hotels close during winter as the tourism drops off completely during this time of the year.
January is considered to be the coldest month of the year but even during this month the temperatures rarely drop below 0 degrees Celsius.
What to pack for winter in Greece
Pack a warm coat and clothing that can be layered to avoid getting too cold or too hot during the winter months.
A rain jacket is also recommendable as it is raining a lot during January on all the Greek islands and weather for Greek islands is known to be very wet.
February is warmer than December or January but you still need weather and a light jacket if you plan to stay outdoors for longer.
What to do
There are not many things to do on Greek islands as most of the attractions, the hotels and restaurants are closed.
During this time of the year, you’d better head up to Athens, Greece capital or to the greek mountains for a few days at ski.
Weather for Greek Islands
Month |
min temp |
Max TEMP |
Rainfall days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C | 13°C | 11 |
| February | 8°C | 12°C | 10 |
| March | 9°C | 16°C | 7 |
| April | 11°C | 18°C | 3 |
| May | 16°C | 22°C | 3 |
| June | 19°C | 28°C | 0 |
| July | 21°C | 30°C | 0 |
| August | 22°C | 31°C | 0 |
| September | 20°C | 28°C | 1 |
| October | 17°C | 17°C | 6 |
| November | 12°C | 13°C | 7 |
| December | 10°C | 11°C | 11 |
Greek islands weather in spring
In March the weather starts to warm up but there are still enough days of rain so a raincoat is mandatory to have.
During this time of the year the prices are still low and some of the hotels and restaurants open to the public after the wet winter.
Outside it is still too chilly for taking a bath as the sea temperatures are below 20 degrees Celsius, but warm enough to spend some days at the beach especially in May.
End of May is a great period to visit the Greek islands as the weather is warm enough for perfecting your tan, the prices are still low and the crowds are not here yet.
What to pack for spring in Greece
During the daytime, the weather is warm enough for wearing short pants and dresses, but in the morning and in the evening you definitely need a sweater.
Weather for Greek islands in March and beginning of April still requires to pack some light layers, to have them, especially during cooler nights.
What to do
Spring is among the best seasons of the years for sightseeing and exploring the beautiful Greek islands as the temperatures rise and the days become longer.
March might be a little bit rainy and cold, but starting with the second part of April, the weather is warm for sightseeing with average temperatures above 15 degrees Celsius.
More than that, the number of rainy days decrease considerably so you will enjoy many sunny days on these amazing islands.
Greek islands weather in summer
June, July and August are summer month considered to be the high season in Greece so prepare yourself for higher prices, lots of tourists roaming around and hot days.
Ferries and flights are in abundance, so getting from one point to another has never been easier.
The waters are warm, up to 24 degrees Celsius in August and the weather for Greek islands is just perfect, no wonder why all the beaches are full of people.
Most of the days are sunny and hot, maybe too hot for most of us, but you get into the sea to cool off each time you feel that your body temperature is too high.
The main downsides of this season are the prices, which are the highest from the entire year and the increased number of tourists.
What to pack
The first thing you have to pack is your bathing suit and lighter clothing because Greece can be quite warm during this time of the year.
Take with you a lot of sun cream and a hat as the sun might cause you serious burns, especially if you stay in the sun at noon.
What to see
Greece is 100% open and waits for the tourists to come and explore each corner of this magnificent country.
The weather is perfect for bathing and perfecting your tan, but don’t stay too much in the sun as it might cause you sunburns.
If you plan to go hiking or exploring the island you should walk up earlier because in the morning and in the evening it is cooler.
At noon hide under an umbrella or in a forest as it is cooler than staying directly in the sun. Take with you a hat, sun cream and a few bottles of water to keep you hydrated.
During this period there are many festivals spread all over Greece and parties where you can party till morning.
It is a good time to practice water sports as most of the schools from the beaches are open and the weather conditions are perfect.
September, the first autumn month is one of the best months to go to Greece because Greek islands weather is perfect for bathing, exploring and laying in the sun.
September and May are considered shoulder seasons so the prices are lower, the crowds are gone and the hotels and restaurants are still open for tourists.
The number of hours of sunshine is plenty enough for exploring and bathing as the seawater temperature is above 20 degrees Celsius.
Starting with the second half of October the days become cooler and cloudy, while November brings more days of rain and lower temperatures.
What to pack
If you plan to visit Greece in September and the first half of October you should pack swimsuits, sun cream, light clothes and a hat.
For evening and morning, you might need a sweater and long pants as it might be quite chill, especially in November.
What to do
Like spring season, autumn is also the perfect time for exploring and sightseeing and for perfecting your tan.
All the major attractions from the mainland and from the islands are still opened and the day is still long enough so you can spend many hours outside.
As you can see, the weather for Greek islands is beautiful all year round and this makes from Greece one of the top attractions in the world.
I hoped I managed to answer all your questions about Greek islands weather so that you can start planning your perfect holiday in Greece!
Have a great time there and I hope you will share with us your experiences when you come back!