When is the best time to visit Greece?
Greece is a fusion of stories of ancient gods, Mediterranean aromas and exotic islands. You will find Greece at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Popular attractions are the islands of Crete and Mykonos, the Acropolis of Athens and Thessaloniki. The best time to visit Greece is between spring and early summer (April to mid-June) and autumn (September to mid-October). Let’s unpack the weather, sea temperatures, flight prices, and festivals and look forward to booking our cheap flights for Greece!
Find all the cheap air ticket options available right here for your trip from South Africa to Greece. Travelo shows up-to-date flights, route maps, travel times, and cheap air tickets prices from related flight providers, meaning that you can make informed decisions about which choice is best suited to you by Travelo.
Climate in Greece
The climate ranges from the Greek mainland to the many Greek islands. Make sure you prepared for the heat, no matter where you’re going to Greece.
Athens
The capital of Greece, Athens, has a Mediterranean climate, with cold, rainy winters and hot and sunny summers. In winter (December to mid-March), cold air from the Balkan Peninsula will bring several days of cold and rain, and sometimes snow. In summer, temperatures can reach up to 35 ° C and sometimes up to 40 ° C.
Santorini
Santorini is the biggest and southernmost of the Cyclades (an island group in the Aegean Sea) and also has a Mediterranean climate. You should expect to see the rain from October to March. Santorini is sunny and warm from June to mid-September (summer), but the wind makes the weather bearable. In the heat, it rarely pours. Initially, autumn is quite sunny and warm, but the first rains are slowly emerging, and finally, they become more regular. During winter, you can expect cold days with temperatures below 10 ° C on average. Daily temperature and rainfall rate per month in Santorini:
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Low °C | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 23 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 26 | 23 | 19 | 15 |
| High C | 12 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 13 |
| Rainfall | 10 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 11 |
Seasons
Shoulder Season
The best time to visit Greece is during spring (April to early June) and autumn (September to October). During these shoulder seasons, you can enjoy mild weather and fewer crowds. The shoulder season allows you to have fun in Greece while not straining your budget. You will see that the costs of accommodation and tours are lower from April to mid-June and again from September to mid-October. Consider traveling lesser-known Greek destinations, such as Milos and Lesvos, to get more for your dollars. Spring brings spectacular wildflowers in full bloom and gorgeous scenery to provide fantastic photo opportunities.
One drawback you will find traveling during the shoulder season is that some hotels, shops, and restaurants will not be open for business until June and will decide to close again in October. It is attributed to the sluggish pace of life encountered by people on many islands.
Choosing to travel during the Greek shoulder season allows you to see a different part of Greece, away from its famous Mediterranean glamor with its bronzed beach bodies and vibrant nightlife. The shoulder season is the best time to visit Greece with the best booking of Air tickets at the cheapest fare through travelo because of its natural beauty without the rush of tourists. It is the time to go to the cozy, family-centric villages where locals will delight you with their generosity and food.
Santorini is an idealized island paradise during the summer season, with spectacular activities such as stunning Mediterranean sunsets, breathtaking walks along the calderas, while restaurants, shops, and wineries welcome tourists in the fall.
The beaches along the islands, like Mykonos, are much more fun than the usual summer crowds. You will enjoy the warm waters of the Mediterranean with much-needed anonymity. Autumn is the best time to visit Greece for its fruit surplus, as it is the peak harvest season. The fruit is much cheaper to buy in the fall when you can taste the tasty strawberries, figs, melons, and grapes. Spring and autumn are also the best time to visit Greece for its ancient and beautiful archeological sites and towns.
If you’re planning to head to Greece for Easter, please note that almost all hotels outside Athens are booked well in advance, as city slicks make their way to the countryside for Easter festivities. Museums and many other sites closed on Holy Days, including Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday.
What’s the currency of Greece?
The official currency of Greece is the euro. Check the latest exchange rates for OANDA.
British Pounds, US Dollars, and other major currencies can be easily exchanged locally in banks or exchange offices before departure. Credit cards like Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in most major hotels, restaurants, and shops, but keep some cash on hand, particularly on islands and in smaller towns. The use of American Express is not as widespread.
Traveler’s checks not recommended as they are often tricky to exchange and incur high fees.
What does it cost in Greece?
While Greece has become a trendy tourist destination in recent years, it remains relatively inexpensive. If you’re on a budget, we recommend that you avoid the often overpriced restaurants and cafes that line the main squares and choose places to eat a few streets back. A meal in a low-cost restaurant with drinks will cost about USD 12, and a pint of domestic beer will cost approximately $4.10, while a one-way public transport ticket will only give you around $1.65.
