What is the Greek Weather Like?
When is a good time to visit?

We always ask ourselves that when we are planning on going somewhere.

Well...

The Greek weather is

• Excellent
• At any time between April and October.

Why?

Well actually the Greek weather and the Greek Islands is great any time for those of us used to the cold and damp UK climate (to be fair we do have some splendid summer days but you can't plan anything).

However if you want something more specific...

The winters are mild but some higher locations can have snow and it does rain, heavily at times. There is a marked difference between the island groups. The Ionian Islands and the western mountains get most of the rain while the south and east groups are drier and warmer.

The summer season (late May to mid September) is hot and dry with usually wall to wall sunshine. Although I have seen rain, it is usually for a very short period and quite bearable when it is hot. The clear skies and brilliant light are quite amazing. Temperatures are usually in the 80s (°F) or 30s (°C). Average sea temperatures are 27° C in July.

During early and late summer season (April, May, September and October) the weather is less predictable in the northen islands, when there can be up to a week of rain and wind. But over a typical two week holiday period you can be pretty certain of having at least half of it in glorious sunshine. The southern most islands of Crete, Cyprus and the Dodecanese are a bit more settled (but hotter).

There are summer winds, such as the Meltemi in the Aegean, to cool things down a bit. There are also the katabatic winds in the afternoons, caused by cool air flowing down the mountains towards the sea. They produce a predictable pattern to the day, sunny, windless mornings and then in the afternoon the breeze builds up dying down again towards dusk giving very pleasant warm balmy evenings, ideal for eating out at the tavernas. You can plan your sunbathing, sailing and evening out with confidence.

Springtime is more temperate and allows all the wild flowers to put on a splendid display. It is the best time to go if you plan to do strenuous activity such as walking and sightseeing. [Photo Spring]

Autumn is similar to spring but without the flowers and with warmer seas.

The kind of Greek weather that you are likely to have

Location	Temperature °C							Rainy Days
	April	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct
Athens	15	21	28	29	27	24	16	55
Corfu	19	23	28	31	32	28	23	147
Crete	16	20	26	26	26	25	19	86
Rhodes	16	20	26	27	27	25	20	74