Summer in Greece: Weather and Destination Advice

Summer temperatures in Greece range between average highs of 30ºC to average lows of 23ºC, depending on the spot. Cities like Athens can get scorching hot during the day, so mornings and evenings are better for sightseeing in summer in Greece. Thessaloniki, famous for its vibrant cultural life, sees an average high of 31ºC and an average low of 19ºC.

But gusts of seasonal winds can affect the weather in islands like Mykonos, Naxos and Andros in the summer months in Greece. By July, the sea temperatures are perfectly warm for swimming. In Rhodes, the temperatures in summer oscillate between an average high of 28ºC and an average low of 24 ºC. Greek islands are great for sunbathing and cooler in the evenings.

	June	July	August
Avg high	30°C (86 °F)	33°C (91 °F)	34°C (93 °F)
Avg low	21°C (70 °F)	24°C (75 °F)	24°C (75 °F)
Daylight hours	15	15	14
Rainy days	6	3	2
Precipitation	11mm	6mm	6mm

For a more seasonal overview, check out our guide on the best time to visit Greece.

Other related articles:
Greece in June
Greece in July
Greece in August

Greece in summer draws the most number of tourists and for good reasons! Here’s why we think you should consider touring Greece in summer:

• Sun and sand: With not a rain cloud in sight, the weather in Greece in summer is ideal for taking a dip in the sea along spectacular beaches like Navagio (Zakynthos island) and Myrtos (Kefalonia).
• Go island-hopping: Explore stunning islands like Corfu, Syros and Cephalonia during summertime in Greece. The ferry services run to their full capacities these months.
• Road trips: The long, glorious summer days are excellent for hitting the road. Discover central Greece with a scenic 355 km drive from Athens to Meteora. Or do the iconic 290-km Peloponnese road trip from the Greek capital to Olympia.
• Festive delight: Summertime in Greece is also festival season. Top-rated events include: the Miaoulia Festival, which celebrates the war of independence in parades, concerts and dancing; the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin, a nationwide Greek Orthodox celebration on August 15; and the Olympus Festival, where you can enjoy concerts and plays at an ancient theater.

Greece has a rich ancient past and sites of epic history are never far. But the modern nation of Greece is equally fascinating. For a perfect vacation during summer in Greece, mix some top-rated destinations with sites that are still not on the mainstream tourist map.

1. Athens

An Athens trip is a must in summer. Like Rome, Athens has a special place in the Western imagination, and it’s not hard to see why. Democracy in its ancient form was born here. But modern Athens is not just about the past and archeological wonders: there are food walks, lovely gardens, and quirky neighborhoods as well. Summer is especially great to visit as there are several events and festivals to explore.

Major attractions: Acropolis of Athens, National Archaeological Museum, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens National Garden, Hadrian’s Arch, and the ancient Agora.

Pros:

• Athens is itself a museum. If you’re a history buff, the city is a dream come true. If you’re not, you might just turn into one.
• Attend an outdoor concert during the Summer Nostos Festival or the rocking Ejekt Festival or see live ancient theater during the famous Athens Epidaurus Festival.
• Water sports clubs near the capital offer windsurfing and kitesurfing opportunities.
• Athens’ revamped Riviera is the perfect place for enjoying the outdoors, eating seafood, and chatting with friends.

Cons:

• The mid-day temperatures can get uncomfortably hot.
• The top attractions will be overflowing with tourists.

2. Thessaloniki

It may not be on every tourist’s radar in Greece in summer, but Thessaloniki is visually and culturally a powerhouse, though very different from Athens. Thessaloniki has been ruled by many empires, and all those influences, particularly those of the Ottomans, are visible in its architecture. This remarkable port city was once a gateway to the east. Today, it continues to be a gateway to the Aegean Sea. Here are our tours to Thessaloniki.

Major attractions: The White Tower, Rotunda, Aristotelous Square, and Agios Dimitrios.

Pros:

• The unique mix of East and West also shows in the city’s street food. And the king of quick eats is the bougatsa, a filo pastry filled with warm custard and topped with cinnamon.
• Thessaloniki provides access to the Axios Delta National Park, where you can see flamingos and hundreds of migrating bird species.
• The city has some lovely Turkish baths that you should visit.

Cons:

• Summer, especially mid-July, is quite hot.
• Hotel tariffs are higher in summer.

3. The Cyclades

Buried in myth and legend, the Cyclades, the most famous island group in the Aegean Sea, is Greece at its loveliest. From beautiful churches and blue and whitewashed villages to idyllic sandy beaches and pleasant hiking trails, your island fantasies are just a ferry ride away during summer in Greece.

Visit Mykonos, Ios, and Santorini for some of the most famous islands, or for underrated options, check out wild Naxos, more sophisticated Antiparos, or Syros for quaint arts and culture.

Major attractions: Santorini Wine Museum, Little Venice in Mykonos, Naxos Portara (or Temple of Apollo) and Akrotiri Archaeological Site.

Pros:

• The sheer variety of things to enjoy and see in the Cyclades is head-spinning in a nice way.
• The rains stay far away from the shores of the Cyclades in this season.
• You can always find a slice of heaven in the Cyclades that tourists have not yet discovered.

Cons:

• The top-rated islands get crowded in summer.
• Hotels and resorts are expensive in this high season.

Whether it’s cities packed with glorious historical sites, scenic islands or white-sand beaches, there’s something for everyone in summer time in Greece.

With the sun shining bright on Greece in summer, take advantage of the long days to pack in fascinating experiences and exciting activities. Here are some of the top activities in summer in Greece:

• Visit historical sites: With the Acropolis, Parthenon, and the Athenian Agora, Athens is justifiably a prime destination for archeological sites, but Greece has much more to offer the curious traveler. Sparta is a UNESCO World Heritage site of beautiful 13th-century Byzantine churches, a monastery, and several ruins amid a stunning landscape. Mycenae, another must-visit archeological site, is home to several great sites, including the famous Tomb of Agamemnon. Another of Greece’s most significant ancient sites is the Delphi ruins, built in honor of the Greek God Apollo. Check out our history tours in Greece.
• Sailing and yachting: Greece’s 16,000 km coastline and seven island chains make it a superb sailing destination in the warm, sunny season. Many companies offer short and long sailing expeditions, often with some swimming off the island coasts to make it even more fun. The Ionian islands have lovely beaches with calm waters and secluded bays, making them a top yachting spot. Predictable sunny weather and the absence of strong currents make the Aegean a favorite of sailing enthusiasts. The northerly Meltemi winds that blow between May and September provide the winds in the sails. The Dodecanese islands are not far from Turkish waters and sailing here with the Meltemi blowing is a high adventure -- best done by experienced sailors. Here are our sailing and yachting tours in Greece.
• Island hopping: No trip to Greece in summer is complete without visiting its stunning islands. In fact, there’s a problem of plenty. That’s why for many travelers, island hopping is one of the top activities of the season. Besides the Cyclades, the Dodecanese and the Ionian Islands have the largest clusters of beautiful islands. The Dodecanese are known for their mountainous villages, Venetian-style architecture and ancient history. Enjoy the cosmopolitan vibes, natural landscape and medieval Old Town of Rhodes. Kos, the most popular island of Dodecanese after Rhodes, has a history going back thousands of years and is known for its castle, churches, beaches and cycling trails. The remote island of Karpathos has gorgeous beaches, quaint little villages and lovely sites for windsurfing and kitesurfing.

With these amazing activities on offer, your summer trip to Greece is bound to be an excellent.

• Summer season in Greece can get uncomfortably hot. Be prepared.
• It’s peak season, so book hotels, rental cars, and ferry tickets well in advance.
• Keep a few coins handy for tipping waiters or rounding off cab bills.
• Overtaking and accidents are not uncommon on Greek roads, so be aware of what you’re getting into if you plan to drive on your own.

Few countries combine ancient riches with an easygoing, comfortable vibe like Greece. Sensuous islands, sun-kissed beaches, high adventure, and an overflowing cauldron of cultural landmarks: Summer in Greece is the stuff dream vacations are made of. Our travel experts will help you plan a customized trip to Greece that meets your requirements and exceeds your expectations.