Are you wondering whether spring is a good time to go to Greece? Isn’t it still going to be cold? What can you even do at that time? Don’t fret, as we’ll go over both of those questions today! Let’s see why you should go to Greece in spring.
The most beautiful time of year in Greece
Springtime in Greece
What comes after a rainy winter? According to some (and us), the most beautiful season of the year in Greece. Everything gets green and flowery, both the mainland and the islands. It’s a perfect time for dusting off your trusty camera.
Great time for exploring Greece
Peaceful Greece
If you were worried that the low season may see many attractions closed, you would be partially correct. Large tourist venues may, indeed, be closed. But that’s not so much of an issue if you wanted to explore Greece more widely – in fact, the fact that there are fewer tourists only makes spring a better time for this. Without the crowds, you can experience a more genuine and raw Greece, as it doesn’t have to put up a play for them. You can explore both the unusually unbusy cities and the even more quiet countryside.
Easter in Greece
Not entirely unbusy
You can also catch a glimpse of Greek Easter in spring! It’s a time full of unique Greek traditions that create an incredibly magical atmosphere. If you’d like to learn more, you can read our separate article on Easter in Greece!
Greek beaches in May
Can you hit up a beach in spring?
Yes, you can totally go to a beach in May (and possibly even in April if you find a very warm day!). Though the sea isn’t properly warm as it will be in the summer, it’s still at a respectable 18°C average, which is certainly enough for a short swim. If that’s an important part of the holidays for you, keep in mind that the waters will be warmer around the Greek islands.
Spring weather in Greece
Spring temperatures
Though we may have a bit of variety in temperatures across the entire area of Greece, it’ll certainly be much warmer than anything we can expect. For our overview, we’ll take Athens as our case study – temperatures up north may be a degree or two lower, so it’s not too substantial of a difference.
Greece in March
Temperature in March in Greece
What can you expect in March? In Athens, average temperatures historically sit around 16°C. In 2023, however, these rarely came below 18°C and even reached 24°C at the end of the month. It does get quite cold at night, showing about 8°C. You can expect about 5-6 rainy days, so it’s not the end of the world but you may want an umbrella just in case.
Again, it’ll be a bit warmer and sunnier the further south you go. As for swimming, it’s only for the very brave souls among you in March. For the rest of us, we can always opt for a hotel with a pool.
Greece in April
Temperatures in April in Greece
In April, average temperatures jump to 20°C in Athens and about 19°C up north. Nights warm up a bit too, reaching an average of 11°C. You may see a bit of rain again, just like in March. The sea warms up a bit too, though it’s still not quite there yet.
Greece in May
Temperature in May in Greece
May sees the most sharp increase in temperatures, going up to 25°C average throughout the day and 16°C during the night in Athens. In 2023, on the 16th of May, the thermometer showed 30°C. You can already observe 10 hours of sunshine a day, little to no rain and water warm enough to take a dip in! Though you can expect quite a few more tourists in May, it’s still well worth it.
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