The Greek climate and when to go

Greece has one of the best climates in the world, the Mediterranean. This climate is characterised by its warm summer, mild winters, relatively low rainfall and long duration of sunshine. It is the most favourable climate for humans, which occurs in only 3% of the globe.

Almost all the peoples of antiquity who created the great civilisations lived with this climate. Its softness and sweetness influenced the people of the areas it characterises, and gave them a sense of moderation, a key feature of their manifestations.

Greece is a Mediterranean country. It is bathed by the sea from the east, south and west, which significantly affects its climate. Greece, in general, has mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. This climate, which occurs in the countries around the Mediterranean Sea, is called temperate Mediterranean. The climate is not the same in all regions of Greece, areas near the sea havε milder winters than others that are away from the coasts.

From place to place, however, it presents several peculiarities, the result of which is the differentiation that exists in the flora and fauna of the area.

The mountainous climate is the climate presented by the many and high Greek mountain peaks. It is distinguished for the abundance of snowfall, especially during the winter months, for the intense but “dry” cold and the high rainfall index that it presents, the consequence of which is the overgrown of the Greek slopes. During the summer the temperature rises significantly but never reaches very high levels. So the mountains are ideal vacation spots at this time of year.

The best kind of Mediterranean climate is the coastal one. This climate is characterized by its sweet winters and cool summers. In many coastal cities, however, there is a high rate of rainfall, resulting in the presence of a fairly high percentage of humidity in the atmosphere.

The continental climate is what has the most similarities with the climate of continental Europe. The main feature of this climate is the strong temperature difference that occurs in the places of this climate between winter and summer. In particular, while in winter the thermometer often drops several degrees below 0 °, in summer there is an unbearable heat. Such a climate is the climate observed in the extensive Thessalian plain.

However, apart from the climatic differences, which are due on the one hand to the altitude, on the other hand to the distance of the place we study from the sea, an important factor shaping the Greek climate, seems to be the complex horizontal and vertical division, which characterizes the our country and the sea currents that dominate the Greek seas.

The east coasts of Greece exposed to the cold north winds show, as a rule, lower temperatures than the corresponding western ones, which are dominated by the warm wet winds of Africa. The large percentage of moisture contained by the latter is due to the significant difference in the rainfall index, which is observed between eastern and western Greece.

The winds

Greece is one of the most windswept countries in the Mediterranean. The variety, both the intensity and the direction of the prevailing winds, is important. The most prevalent, however, are basically the winds that blow from the north. These, together with the south winds, which blow in a smaller area and frequency, are observed throughout the year throughout Greece. Apart from them, the seasonal (meltemia) and local winds (livas, vardaris) are observed. The climatic configuration of some areas is also due to the latter (eastern Peloponnese, plain of Thessaloniki). Southerly winds are, as a rule, rainy winds.

The seasons

Along the central-southern coasts and on the islands, which enjoy a typically Mediterranean climate, winter is mild and fairly rainy. Rainfall is heaviest along the west-facing coasts, the Ionian Islands, and the islands lying close to Turkey (the Dodecanese).

Winter temperatures in Greece drop progressively as one moves northward: the average January temperature ranges from 12.5°C in Heraklion (Crete) to 10°C in Athens and 5.5°C in Thessaloniki.

At times, Greece is affected by cold air masses sweeping in from Northern Europe or Russia; in such instances, temperatures drop significantly—even in areas with otherwise mild climates—and snow may appear in the northernmost lowlands (such as Thessaloniki) and occasionally in central regions. Athens, which generally experiences mild winters (with temperatures similar to those of southern Italian cities like Bari or Naples), turns cold and rainy during these brief spells, and snow may even fall during the most intense cold snaps.

Wind is a frequent occurrence on the islands during this season, and precipitation often falls at night or in the early morning. Snowfall is rare on the islands, generally occurring only in the north (Samothrace and Thassos in the Thracian Sea, and sometimes the Sporades and Euboea), though snow can occasionally reach the Cyclades during severe cold spells.

Spring

Spring is a pleasant, sunny season across most of Greece. Rainy days become progressively less frequent. However, in northern and mountainous areas, afternoon thunderstorms begin to occur from May onwards. Furthermore, in May, the Meltemi also begins to blow in the Aegean—a wind that blows from the north or northeast during the warm season.

Summer

Summer in Greece is hot and sunny, as is typical for countries with a Mediterranean climate. Even though Greece is not shielded by the Azores High, the weather remains consistently sunny.

Only in the north and in mountainous areas—where sunshine is still frequent—do afternoon thunderstorms sometimes occur, particularly in June (they are somewhat rarer in July and August). Naturally, temperatures in mountainous areas drop as altitude increases, especially at night.

While the heat is tempered by breezes on the islands and along the coast, it is very intense on the mainland, especially in inland areas and major cities.

In summer, the meltemi frequently blows across the Aegean, particularly in the Cyclades. It is a northerly wind that is most active during the hottest months (July and August); even when the weather is fine, it can make the sea dangerous.

This wind can blow for periods ranging from two to four days, though sometimes it lasts for weeks on end. The meltemi wind is caused by the pressure difference between the western Mediterranean—where a high-pressure system establishes itself in summer and the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, where a thermal low forms due to the intense heating of the Iranian Plateau and Middle Eastern deserts. For this reason, these winds cannot be considered mere breezes; they can be persistent and bothersome.

Autumn

Autumn arrives quite late in Greece; September weather is generally still typically summery, especially in the south and on the islands, and conditions remain mild even into November (except in mountainous areas). However, the rains begin in October, coinciding with the cessation of the meltemi wind.

Winter

Despite the fact that Greece has one of the largest sunshines in the world, during the winter, especially in mountainous and eastern Greece, there is a significant number of rainfall, which gradually decreases to the east. This irregular distribution of rain affects both vegetation and the volume of flowing water.

The northern and western part has rich vegetation and rivers with plenty of water, even during the summer months, while, on the contrary, the southeastern part in particular is characterized by poor vegetation and drought.

The snow falls during the winter months mainly and is typical of the climate of the mountainous and mainland areas. In some parts of the country, especially in the mountains, snowfall is a permanent condition throughout the year.

When to go

To determine the best time to visit Greece, it is necessary to consider the purpose of your trip:

If you are looking for sun and sea swimming, the long summer—from early June to mid-September—is ideal. During this period, skies remain cloudless for long stretches; the heat can be intense, though coastal areas are tempered by breezes. A strong northerly wind can blow across the Aegean at times; those who feel the cold easily might want to bring a sweatshirt for the evenings or cooler days.

If you plan to visit historical and archaeological sites as well as cities, spring and autumn are the best seasons. Summer is often too hot, especially on the mainland (temperatures in Athens frequently exceed 36°C), particularly in July and August; however, June and September are also hot months, with highs around 28–30°C in the capital.

Winter is cold in the north and mountainous regions, and windy and rainy in the south and on the islandsis not the best time to visit Greece. On the plus side, the low number of tourists during this period allows for a more peaceful and solitary experience when visiting historical and archaeological sites.

In general, the best times to visit are May (resembling May in Italy, with highs around 25°C in Athens and Thessaloniki) and the period from mid-September to mid-October; the former offers longer days and nature in bloom, while the latter features a sea that remains warm and inviting for a dip between sightseeing excursions. In October, temperatures are pleasantly warm—similar to those in May—though the days are shorter and rain can occur, especially during the second half of the month.

November skies are often cloudy and rain is fairly frequent; however, it generally does not get cold, with weather conditions resembling those found in southern Italy during the same period.

By April, temperatures are already mild and the weather is often sunny, although occasional weather fronts can still pass through; all in all, a trip to Greece is a good option even at this time of year.

What to pack

In winter: for inland and mountainous areas, pack warm clothing, a down jacket, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. For Athens and the central-northern coastal areas, bring warm clothing, a sweater, a jacket, and a raincoat or umbrella. For Crete and the southernmost islands, pack mid-season clothing, a sweater, a jacket, and a raincoat or umbrella.

In summer: pack lightweight clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a sweatshirt for the evening—especially for the Aegean islands, where the Meltemi wind blows, or for mountain areas. For the mountains, bring hiking shoes and an umbrella or raincoat.