Summer in Greece: blue waters, tasty food and rich history
It is never too late or too early to start planning your summer vacation. If you are not a fan of the cold and snow, you might find some consolation in imagining the hot sand, blue skies, and lush green water.
Popular opinion is that one of the best places in Europe where you can find this magical combination is Greece. The Mediterranean Balkan country has 6,000 islands in total! Of course, only a small part of them are inhabited, but still, you can choose between 227 islands, lively cities like Thessaloniki and Athens, the wonderful Chalkidiki and Peloponnese peninsulas and it’s guaranteed you will never be bored.
And while 2020 and 2021 put our plans on hold and turned travel organization into a big challenge, 2022 was the year when all travelers could sigh with relief. There were many canceled flights in the last 3 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but once most travel restrictions were lifted, people could plan their summer trips more freely and calmly.
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If you have not chosen your summer destination for 2023 yet, read on and find out why Greece could be your new favorite place and how to plan your Greek summer.
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When to go to Greece?
The best months to visit Greece are June and September. It is not too hot, nor too cold, and most importantly, not as crowded as during the traditional summer vacation months July and August. Many travel guides recommend visiting Rhodes, Crete, Corfu, Peloponnese, Santorini and Mykonos at this time.
The average temperature varies between 77°F (25°) and 90°F (32°) Celsius during these months and while the water may not be very warm yet in June, it is quite perfect in September, having accumulated all the summer heat.
Even though it is not exactly summer, May can be really pleasant to spend in Greece. The days are long, the weather is warm, and you can even have a chance for some beach days since average temperatures are rising in recent years. So it would not be unusual to experience 86°F (30 degrees Celsius) in May but you should also be prepared for a little rain. The Southern islands like Crete, Corfu and Rhodes are very welcoming in the spring and if you are traveling with your family, consider going to Naxos.
If you prefer the hot summertime and can afford to take time off work only during the traditional summer months, Greece is the perfect place to spend your annual paid leave. In July and August the average temperature there is 84°F (29°F). All Greek islands from the Ionian Sea to the Aegean Sea will welcome you with beaches wide open! Nevertheless, the preferred destinations in the peak of the season are Naxos, Paros and Ios.
Good news is that you can still have your magnificent Greek summer at the end of September or early October. The weather is slightly cooler, the calamari - delicious, the prices - lower and you can visit the popular tourist destinations without having to go up against the peak season crowds.
Many coastal areas are formidable during this time, especially Santorini, Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, Corfu, Paros, Naxos and Kos. The sea temperature is around 25°C and can go up to 29°C. This is arguably the perfect warmth for swimming and other water-related activities. The only downside is that it get dark quite quickly (around 7 pm) but if you rise early enough, you can take advantage of a relatively long day.
The sea breeze is still a little warm in November and you can enjoy it at some of the most famous Greek islands such as Santorini, Crete, Naxos, Rhodes and Paros. This time is the best for sightseeing without many tourists wandering around. You will probably not be able to swim in the sea, but we wouldn’t put it past global warming to surprise us in the next few years and stretch the summer season to late autumn.
If you are working from home, November could be a great time to change your home-office environment for a while. Being off-season, during this month the prices of the hotels are significantly lower. You can bring your family and live the Greek dolce vita for a month or so.
Which parts of Greece are worth visiting?
The answer to this question is easy: Greece has a lot to offer and you won’t be disappointed wherever you go. Of course, the recommendations depend on what you are looking for: seaside fun, history, archaeology and museums, wild nature, churches and monasteries… Greece has it all. There is a vast choice of opportunities so be sure to do your research before taking off.
Apart from the marvelous beaches in Halkidiki and on the islands, tourists can also visit ancient archaeological sites everywhere in Greece, but mostly in Athens, Thessaloniki, and Crete. People from all around the world gather to express their astonishment in front of the Acropolis and its most famous temple - the Parthenon. Others will be more interested in the Byzantine churches and the Roman monuments located in Thessaloniki. And Crete, the cradle of the Minoian civilization, has one of the richest archeological museums in Greece.
After you have made yourself familiar with the Greek islands and other travel destinations, you’ll find that there is no best time to visit Greece. You can stay there for a full year and still have things to do and hidden treasures to explore.
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