Greece is a distinctive country in Europe with rich culture, amazing natural sites, history, religion and cuisine. Greece is famous for its exotic landscapes, beaches, mountains and rock formations of various shapes and sizes.You can do plenty of activities in Greece fromdiving, skiing, hiking and swimming to roaming around the beach. Some of the beaches are so peaceful that you can take a calm sunbath or read your book in complete silence without people disturbing you. You mightalso want to spend some quality time at cafes and bars where you can talk to locals.
If you love history and ancient architecture, Greece is a great destination for you.Visits of the historical sites are really worth spending your money on. You can also learn a great deal about intellectual scholars such as Alexander, Aristotle and Socrates who have left their mark on Greece with their ideals and philosophy.
The Greek climate is of Mediterranean nature, which means that it can be dry sometimes, mild at other timesand sometimes itrapidly becomes wet. Overall, it remains sunny for most of the year, making it a popular destination among tourists. Down below you will find a climate guide of the weather in Greece, so you can plan your tripto be enjoyable and satisfactory.
January
It is mid-winter in January, which is also the coldest month of the year. The temperature ranges between 7 and 13 degrees Celsius, depending on your location. At times there can be sudden drops in temperature,so it ranges between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius. If you are on the southern islands, expect the temperature to be bearable, but towards the Ionian Islands it can be extremely cold. Though winters are wet in Greece, it can be a good time to go hiking on Mount Pelion and enjoy the serenity of nature.
February
In February, the average temperature in Greece is expected to stay between 8 and 14 degrees Celsius, but it can vary depending on your location. February will have warmer days, but still chilly nights, and there will be some rain as well. As this is the month of carnival,it isquite appealing to tourists to visit Greece during this time as well.It is worth it to celebrate carnival for examplein Patras in Peloponnese,where you can watch the burning of a giant doll. Note that in winter, the temperatures in Peloponnese and other carnival-cities such as Xanthi can drop to 1 to 2 degrees Celsius.
March
Now you can officiallymark the beginning of spring, however, this season lastsonly for a short time in Greece. The average temperature ranges from 8 to 16 degrees Celsius and the weather remains cold and fickle. March welcomes fewer tourists than usual, so you can avoid crowds and chaos during this month. Rhodes in Dodecanese can be a good place to visit in March, as you can explore architectural sites like the Old City Walls, Grand Master Palace and the Acropolis of Rhodes and Lindos.
April
In April,spring is full in swing,as the weather starts to get better with more sunny days and fewer rainfalls. The temperature is expected to range between 11 and 19 degrees Celsius; however, there can be unexpected highs or lows depending on your location. In April you cannot visit archaeological sites or museums, so you might want to simply enjoy the Easter festivals in Greece. Chios in the Dodecanese can be a great place at Easter, as you can enjoy the friendly rocket war between two rival churches in this area which is also a part of celebrating their holy festival. Patmos in the Dodecanese and Corfu along the Ionian Sea is also worth visiting on Easter Eve.
May
May is the last month of spring.In the eastern part of Greece, this month will give you a vibe of experiencing summer days too early. The average temperature is expected to stay between 15 and 24 degrees Celsius, but variations are possible for other weather factors. May is a good time to visit Greece because there will be not as many tourists, so you can enjoy a cost-effective holiday. You can also visit Milos in the Cyclades to get the spectacular view of the Cycladic islands, well-structured villages like Plaka and Pollonia, and you can go on a boat ride to Kleftiko.
June
June welcomes the summer season in Greece with an average temperature of 20 to 28 degrees Celsius. There will be warmer days with almost none or no rainfall. However, you may experience heat waves from time to time. June is a celebratory month for scuba divers and hikers who visit Serifos to have the most fun and adventure. If you are interested in different religions and want to learn about them, visit Tinos Island where you can feel the extremes of Orthodox Catholic faith. You can also explore the amazing landscapes and forests on Tinos.
July
July will show you how cruel Mother Nature can get in summer with temperatures remaining always above 25 degrees Celsius. The heat can deteriorate so much that there often are droughts in the Eastern part of Greece. You can do indoor activities to protect your skin from UV rays by relaxing in cafes, talking to locals or by simply hanging around in the popular bars. You can also go to the beaches at the Ionian Sea to get some relief in the water. Also bear in mind that the last ten days of July can still be extremely hot.
August
The first ten days of August will still be extreme, as Mother Nature keeps on reminding you that summer is full in swing. Later, the temperatures may be bearable but are expected to range between 22 to 31 degrees Celsius. In this month,it can become crowded, as the Greeks enjoy their summer holidays too, so it is best to move around low profile places that are often ignored by tourists, for instance the villages on Ikaria. You may visit the Halkidiki Peninsula which has a unique shape of Poseidon’s trident and it can be a great place for people who love roaming around in forests.
September
Autumn is a beautiful season which sets ininthe month of September. The temperature ranges between 19 and 28 degrees Celsius and by mid-September there can be frequent rainfalls. During this time, the summer holidays come to an end, so many tourists leave. However, in some places like Santorini, it will still remain crowded.You can hang out with locals in the clubs and bars on Mykonos or relax on Samos Beach while enjoying the magnificent view of the sunset.
October
It is mid-Autumn in October and the weather remains calm and pleasant. There will be rain on some days, but you can still go for a swim in the late afternoon. The average temperature is expected to be between 15 and 23 degrees Celsius, but it can vary depending on your location. It is a great time to enjoy the hospitality of the locals on Crete, as well as their delicious cuisine. You can also experience the wild in Thessaloniki with its exotic waterfront and architecture. You can also escape the chaotic cities and get lost in the serenity of the Meteora Monasteries.
November
November is a magical time in Greece, as winter is stealthily trying to set in. The weather becomes mild and bearable, and the temperature decreases and ranges between 15 and 18 degrees Celsius. It is the best time to experience the romantic and serene nature of Nafplio and explore its nostalgic old town, narrow streets and the Palamidi Fortress.
December
December marks the beginning of winter with an average temperature of 9 to 14 degrees Celsius. Winter in Greece is extremely pleasant which is the main reason for tourists from all over the world who consider visiting the country during this month. You can visit Mount Parnassos, which is more than 8000 feet tall, and enjoy the skiing session. Mount Helmos and Karpenisi are also worth visiting during this time of the year.
CONCLUSION –THE BEST TIME TO VISIT GREECE:
Greece is a great place to rediscover the beauty of nature as well as the beauty of one’s inner soul. It is hard to pinpoint why everybodyfalls in love with Greece once they visit it, but it is obvious that you cannot escape its charm. The natural and architectural beauty of Greece will leave a mark in your heart for a lifetime.
Greece can be visited all year round, but it also depends on how much cold or heat you can personally bear. If you don’t like hot summer weather, it is better to avoid these months and visit the country in winter. However, if you like to avoid chaos and crowds,consider visiting Greece in its off season, that means March, April, May or October.
If you’re interested in finding out more information on Greece or any other country you’d like to visit, take a look at Backpackertrail. The German start-up knows all about backpacking and will help you with planning your adventure, so you get the best out of your travels and experience the beauty and diversity of our planet. You will find information on food, activities, places to visit and so much more. Enjoy your trip!