Athens has a semi-arid Mediterranean climate, among the driest in Europe: long, hot, rainless summers, mild wet winters and almost 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. The city can be visited in any season, but the timing changes the experience a great deal.
Spring (March-May)
Perhaps the best season. Days lengthen, the hills are green and in flower, temperatures are perfect for walking and archaeological sites are pleasant even at midday. In March it can still rain and be cool; from mid-April it is T-shirt weather. Orthodox Easter, which almost always falls on a different date from Western Easter, is a special time but very crowded, with high prices and some museums closed on the holidays. See Easter in Greece.
Summer (June-August)
Summer is hot and dry: highs often exceed 33-35 degrees and during increasingly frequent heatwaves they reach 40 and more. On such days the Acropolis and other open-air sites may close in the middle of the day to protect visitors and staff. But it is also the season of festivals, open-air concerts, cinemas under the stars, Riviera beaches and long evenings. August is the holiday month: many Athenians leave the city, some restaurants close, and 15 August, the Dormition, is one of the great national holidays. The north wind, the meltemi, cools the evenings a little.
Autumn (September-November)
September and October are excellent: the sea is still warm, temperatures fall, the light is golden and the crowds thin. October brings the first rains, usually brief. In November the Athens Marathon is run and accommodation prices drop. On 28 October parades mark the "Ochi Day" of 1940.
Winter (December-February)
Winter is mild, with highs around 13-15 degrees, but it is the rainy season and sometimes brings cold wind; snow in the city is rare but not impossible. It is the ideal time for museums, for seeing archaeological sites without queues and for finding cheap hotels. On some winter Sundays entry to state sites is free. Site opening hours are shorter: many close in the afternoon.
Summary table
| Period | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January-February | Cool and rainy | Low | Low | Good for museums |
| March | Changeable | Low | Low | Good |
| April-May | Mild and sunny | Medium | Medium | Excellent |
| June | Hot | High | High | Good |
| July-August | Very hot | High | High | Only if you love heat |
| September-October | Warm | Medium | Medium | Excellent |
| November-December | Cool, rain | Low | Low | Good |
Coping with the heat
- Visit open-air sites at opening time in the morning or late in the afternoon.
- Bring water, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen; sites have fountains but little shade.
- In the middle of the day take refuge in air-conditioned museums or the National Garden.
- Check the news: in extreme heat the authorities may change opening hours.
See also the climate in Greece, events and festivals and when to go to Greece.