Northern Greece (Macedonia, Thrace, Epirus):
- Winter (December – February):
- Temperature range: -5°C to 10°C (23°F to 50°F)
- Cold, especially in mountainous areas like the Pindus Mountains and near Thessaloniki. Snow is common in higher altitudes, and lowland areas experience frost.
- Spring (March – May):
- Temperature range: 8°C to 20°C (46°F to 68°F)
- Mild and pleasant, with blooming wildflowers and occasional rain, especially in early spring.
- Summer (June – August):
- Temperature range: 20°C to 35°C (68°F to 95°F)
- Hot, particularly in inland areas like Thessaloniki. Coastal areas around Halkidiki are cooler due to sea breezes.
- Autumn (September – November):
- Temperature range: 10°C to 22°C (50°F to 72°F)
- Cool and crisp, with temperatures dropping in November. Northern Greece experiences rain and fog during autumn, especially in Macedonia.
Central Greece (Thessaly, Attica, Peloponnese):
- Winter:
- Temperature range: 3°C to 15°C (37°F to 59°F)
- Winters are milder compared to the north, though mountainous regions like Mount Parnassus and Pelion experience snow, and ski resorts become active.
- Spring:
- Temperature range: 10°C to 22°C (50°F to 72°F)
- Warm and sunny with occasional rain showers. The region around Athens starts to warm up early, with temperatures rising quickly by late spring.
- Summer:
- Temperature range: 20°C to 38°C (68°F to 100°F)
- Hot, especially in Attica and Thessaly where temperatures can soar above 35°C (95°F). Coastal areas like the Peloponnese experience cooler breezes.
- Autumn:
- Temperature range: 12°C to 26°C (54°F to 79°F)
- Warm in early autumn, especially around Athens. Rain increases by late October, but coastal areas like Nafplio remain pleasant through November.
Southern Greece (Crete, Dodecanese, Cyclades):
- Winter:
- Temperature range: 10°C to 18°C (50°F to 64°F)
- Mild winters, especially along the coastlines of Crete and the Dodecanese islands like Rhodes. Inland and mountainous areas can be cooler, but snow is rare except at higher altitudes like Mount Ida in Crete.
- Spring:
- Temperature range: 12°C to 24°C (54°F to 75°F)
- Warm and sunny earlier in the season than in northern parts of the country. Crete and the Cyclades islands like Santorini bloom with wildflowers during this time.
- Summer:
- Temperature range: 22°C to 38°C (72°F to 100°F)
- Hot, particularly in Crete and Rhodes, where temperatures can reach up to 40°C (104°F). Coastal areas benefit from the Meltemi winds, especially in the Cyclades, keeping them cooler.
- Autumn:
- Temperature range: 18°C to 30°C (64°F to 86°F)
- Warm well into October, particularly on the islands. Crete and the Dodecanese experience mild autumns with some rainfall beginning in November, but the sea remains warm.
Greek Islands (Cyclades, Ionian, Aegean):
- Winter:
- Temperature range: 8°C to 16°C (46°F to 61°F)
- Mild winters on the islands, particularly in the Ionian Islands like Corfu and Zakynthos. While snow is extremely rare, winds and rain are more frequent during the winter months.
- Spring:
- Temperature range: 12°C to 22°C (54°F to 72°F)
- Warm and sunny with ideal weather for exploring the islands. Cyclades islands like Mykonos and Santorini see warm, dry weather by mid-spring.
- Summer:
- Temperature range: 22°C to 35°C (72°F to 95°F)
- Hot, especially in July and August, though coastal areas enjoy cooling sea breezes. The Meltemi winds provide relief from the heat in the Aegean islands, but Crete and the Ionian islands can get very hot.
- Autumn:
- Temperature range: 18°C to 28°C (64°F to 82°F)
- Warm through late September, particularly in the Aegean islands. Sea temperatures remain comfortable, and the tourist season often extends through October.
Greece’s geography—ranging from the mountainous northern regions to its vast number of islands—creates a varied climate, with each region experiencing distinct seasonal patterns and temperature ranges. You may find certain islands even suit you better, so poke around, and make sure you know what works best!
