When Is the Best Time to Visit Greece? Seasons, Weather and Prices by Month (2026)

The Short Answer: Which Month to Pick

• Best balance of price and weather: the second half of May, early June, and 15 September to mid-October.
• Warmest sea: August and early September, 25–26°C.
• Most expensive period: late June through August. Hotels cost 30–40% more.
• Cheapest swimming months: May and October.

Greece's Beach Season: Late May to October

The Greek season officially opens in late April and closes at the end of October. In practice it looks like this:

• Most island hotels and tavernas open in May and close in late October.
• Swimming is comfortable from late May, when the sea reaches about 20°C.
• From November to April island life slows down, but Athens and Thessaloniki are year-round cities.

Weather and Sea Temperature by Month

| Month | Athens, air | Halkidiki, sea | Islands, sea | |---|---|---|---| | May | 25°C | 18–19°C | 19–20°C | | June | 30°C | 22°C | 22–23°C | | July | 33°C | 24–25°C | 24–25°C | | August | 34°C | 25–26°C | 25–26°C | | September | 29°C | 23–24°C | 24–25°C | | October | 24°C | 20–21°C | 22–23°C |

Two details the table doesn't show. In July and August the northern "meltemi" wind blows across the Cyclades (Santorini, Naxos): it softens the heat but occasionally disrupts ferry schedules. On Crete the sea stays at 22–23°C even in October, which makes it the longest-season destination.

Peak Season (Late June to August): Pros and Cons

Pros: guaranteed heat, every hotel, beach and ferry is running, and the most direct and charter flights from Tbilisi.

Cons: this is the most expensive period. In August Greeks and the rest of Europe are on holiday too, so the same room costs 30–40% more than in May, and on popular beaches you need to claim a sunbed in the morning. Athens sometimes passes 38°C.

The Velvet Season: May, Early June, Late September and October

For many people a September holiday in Greece is the best option: the sea is warmer than in June, crowds are thinner, and prices drop noticeably after 15 September. Greece in May is the month of wildflowers: the sea is still on the cool side (19–20°C), but the weather is ideal for excursions and for walking Athens and the island villages.

When Tours from Tbilisi Are Cheapest, and When to Book

• The lowest prices are in May and October, followed by early June and the second half of September. A budget holiday in Greece is most realistic in these windows.
• Direct Tbilisi–Athens flights run year-round (about 2 hours 45 minutes); charters to the islands mostly operate June to September.
• Book July and August tours 3–4 months ahead: summer seats from Tbilisi fill fast. For May and October, 4–6 weeks is usually enough.

For concrete dates and prices, see Traverse's Greece tours.

Greece with Children

The best windows for families are the first half of June and September: the sea is above 22°C and the heat is manageable. If school holidays tie you to summer, choose late June rather than August: the weather is nearly identical, but prices and crowds are lower. Good picks: the shallow sandy beaches of Halkidiki and Crete's north coast, and Naxos, where a family version of the Cyclades island-hopping tour also works well.

Greece Off Season: Athens and Thessaloniki in Autumn and Winter

From November to March you won't swim, but Athens at 12–18°C is a fine walking city: the Acropolis without queues, museums, tavernas at local prices. Thessaloniki is considered Greece's food capital. This is also the cheapest period for airfare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a visa? No. With a Georgian biometric passport you enter Greece visa-free (up to 90 days in any 180). From late 2026 the ETIAS online registration is planned (about 20 euros, valid for three years). Traverse will update you on this at booking.

How many days is best? For one island or Halkidiki, 7 nights is optimal. If you plan to move between two islands, allow 8–10 days.

Is August worth it? Yes, if you book early and crowds don't bother you. If budget matters most, the second half of September gives you almost the same sea at a much calmer price.

Plan Your Trip with Traverse

Message us on WhatsApp or fill in the short form on the plan my trip page. Tell us the month and your budget, and within 24 hours you'll get 2–3 concrete options with prices. September dates fill fastest, so don't leave the velvet season to the last week.