Greece Weather & Climate: Monthly Averages

The biggest part of Greece enjoys a Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild winters and dry, hot summers. However, in the higher parts of Greece, you can experience quite cold periods during winter. In some areas, it is even possible to ski.

Snowfall during the winter months is not only possible on the mainland and in the mountains— even the island of Crete sometimes experiences a layer of snow. The capital, Athens, is occasionally paralyzed by heavy snowfall during winter. However, the weather can change very quickly, with temperatures rising above 10°C (50°F) within 24 hours, causing the snow to melt just as fast as it arrived. On the islands, winter is often mild, with temperatures usually ranging between 5°C (41°F) and 15°C (59°F).

Summer Weather in Greece

Most of Greece experiences warm weather in summer due to its Mediterranean climate. As a result, Greece has long, warm summers, during which it sometimes does not rain for weeks. The best time to visit Greece and the Greek Islands begins in May when the average temperature is 21°C (70°F) and rainfall is less than 15 mm (0.6 in).

The summer season continues until October, although by then, some islands may become colder, windier, or wetter. July has an average temperature of 31°C (88°F) and less than 5 mm (0.2 in) of rainfall in Corfu.. The months of July and August are particularly sun-drenched on the Greek islands.

Best Months to Visit Greece

September, with an average temperature of 28°C (82°F) and less than 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain in Rhodes , is still a great month to visit. The first two weeks of June also offer perfect, sunny, and warm weather, with little cloud cover or rain. Most rain falls in winter, between November and February.