The best time to visit Greece: fewer crowds, great deals, and blissed-out weather

Thanks to the turquoise waters surrounding its coast, Greece is one of the best summer destinations in Europe. While the country does get way more crowded in the warmer months, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth exploring throughout the rest of the year.

Greece has far more to offer than its picturesque jagged shoreline. It’s been considered the birthplace of Western civilization for a reason: its millennia-old culture, reflected in the imposing ruins that dot its big cities and the countryside alike.

There are countless reasons to discover inland Greece during the off-peak season. Fall is wine season, when wineries are buzzing with the annual grape harvesting. Spring, on the other hand, has notoriously unpredictable weather. Yet the milder temperatures will tempt you to go hiking or maybe discover a historic village you’d otherwise skip in the summer.

And in case you’re down for some skiing or other snow sports, Greece won’t let you down. There are incredible ski resorts on Mount Olympus and Mount Parnassus, among others.

Best for: Exploring the coast, summer sales

From early June onwards, millions of tourists land in Greece to discover its countless islands, architectural wonders, and delicious food. Temperatures can reach the high 90s on the warmest days, and the water in the surrounding Aegean and Ionian seas heats up accordingly.

It’s swimming season, and in some regions, the Meltemi winds (which blow in from the north) should help you hone your windsurfing skills. The wind usually lasts for three to four days and may disrupt your day at the beach—especially in the afternoon, when it’s at its strongest. But locals should be able to tell you which beaches are sheltered from it.

This time of year is also ideal for visitors looking for the best shopping deals, since all shops in the country run their summer sales between July and August.

August is hands down the busiest and hottest month of the year in Greece, so you can expect prices to be at their highest during this month. Large cities like Athens and Thessaloniki are the only exception; they empty out as locals set off for the coast. Although these cities are less crowded, most travelers would find them too humid to visit at the peak of summer.

Island-hopping is the quintessential summertime activity in Greece. The waters surrounding classic stopovers like Navagio (Shipwreck Beach) on the island of Zakynthos and Sarakiniko Beach in Milos display a light blue hue you’ll hardly find anywhere else. Meanwhile, the party scene in Mykonos is at full blast.

Best for: Exploring the ruins, wine tasting, avoiding the crowds

The travel season in Greece traditionally starts at Easter, which is widely celebrated across the country. While it may still be a bit too chilly to hit the beach, this is a great time to explore the parts of Greece that are particularly rich with ancient ruins. One of them is the island of Corfu and its old town, which hosts one of the biggest Easter celebrations in Greece.

September is the best month to explore mainland Greece. The weather is still rather warm, most tourists have headed home, and hotels are more willing to offer discounts.

As the leaves begin to fall by early October, the islands empty out. But some folks usually linger a bit longer in Santorini, as the skies remain clear for the best views of the Santorini caldera.

Spring is the perfect season to tour the ruins and outdoor museums of Greece, out of the summer heat. What’s more, prices are lower compared to the July-August peak season as most destinations are still waiting for the big crowds to show up.

A few of the highlights for the season include all-time classics like the Acropolis of Athens, the Palace of Knossos in Heraklion (Crete), the Temple of Apollo in Naxos, and the Monastery of St. John in Pátmos.

Greece has a winemaking tradition dating back over 6,000 years. If you’re there in the fall, book a wine tour when the grapes are being harvested. Some of the best wineries in the country are in the Attica region around Athens.

The Meteora rock formation is a feast for the eyes. In the fall, the lush vegetation—by now tinged with red and yellow—contrasts even more sharply with the dramatic boulders and the monasteries perched on top of them.

The Peloponnese peninsula, though known as a summer destination, has major landmarks worth visiting year-round, like the town of Nafplio and the Lion Gate in the neighboring Mycenae archaeological site.

Best for: Winter sports, winter sales

At this time of year, Greece welcomes about one-eighth the number of visitors that descend on the country at the height of summer.

On the islands, most businesses shut their doors until spring, and residents often spend winter in Athens or other big cities on the mainland. Still, the off-season in Greece should be the perfect occasion for those in search of shopping deals—the official winter sales run between January and February.

Unlike the coast, which has a Mediterranean climate and boasts consistently mild temperatures, the Greek countryside is temperate and gets a few days of snowfall every year.

Greece has countless options for an off-the-beaten-track winter vacation. The country has a predominantly mountainous terrain, which, though not particularly high in the European context, does feature prominent peaks like Mount Olympus and Mount Parnassus.

Each of these mountains has a wide offer of resorts where you’ll get to unwind after a day out skiing, climbing, or hiking. Mount Parnassus is a mere two hours away from Athens. It’s where you’ll find the ruins of Delphi, the number one oracle back in Ancient Greece.

Winter can be a great time to visit the Greek capital, too. Athens is far less crowded, so finding affordable accommodation and air tickets would be easy. Plus, there’s a wide range of top-notch attractions to pick from, including the National Archaeological Museum, Philopappos Hill for commanding views of the whole city, as well as a vast selection of Turkish baths where you can relax in between sightseeing.

More like this: