Do you have a spare weekend in November and you’re not sure what to do with it? Today, we’ll make the case for why Greece is a perfect candidate for your autumn getaway! We’ll go over both the weather and some other practical reasons for why going to Greece in November is not just possible but actually ideal.
Festivals, olives and wine!
Harvesting season in Greece
November is the time for harvesting grapes and olives – it means that it’s the perfect time to visit the various vineyards and olive groves scattered across the land. There are also festivals focusing on Greek cuisine in both smaller towns and larger cities. Examples are the Olive Oil Festival on the island of Mykonos and the Chestnut Festival in the Elos village on Cret.
Silence at the beach
Can you go to a beach in Greece in November?
In June, July, August and September, beaches in Greece are all overrun. In November, however, they get much more quiet. You may think that’s intuitive as it gets cold so no one wants to sit there. The thing is it’s still quite warm at the beginning of the month, certainly warm enough to stay and just lounge a while. You may think that the sea would already be cold but that’s not the case either! Sea temperatures sit at around 20-21°C in November, so you can still hop in for a short refreshing dip.
The only downside is that the days get dark fast, so we’d recommend you pay the coast a visit early.
Smaller queues
Fewer tourists in Greece
Just like with beaches, the trend of peace and quiet continues throughout Greece. As the tourist count shrinks in late autumn and winter, so do queues to various popular attractions. Cities also get a lot more relaxed, even though it’s still certainly warm enough to explore. You’ll find the same trend on the islands.
Lower prices in November
Cheap holidays in Greece
As with every other holiday destination, prices go up, up, up in the high season, especially in the most iconic places like Santorini. So how do you not go bankrupt when visiting Greece? You go there in the low season and November is perfect for that. Though it’s not as cheap as winter, the compromise is that you get very decent weather and a big cut in costs all around. In comparison to August, accommodation can cost up to 20-50% less in November.
November weather in Greece
It’s still warm!
And, finally, the weather itself. The beginning of the month can be very warm in Greece, with temperatures reaching upwards of 25-27°C if you’re lucky. In 2023, Athens saw 29°C on the 4th of November, for instance. On average, you can expect 22°C at the beginning of the month and about 17-18°C at the end. Nights get a bit chilly, though, at roughly 12°C.
The only thing to look out for is that there may be a bit of rain in November, so check your forecast before planning your trip to see whether you can find a rainless spot. It shouldn’t be too hard but better safe than sorry.
As you can see, it’s all perfectly manageable in November. We’d argue that the benefits of the low season, meaning no crowds, smaller costs and the milder temperatures, all lend to Greece in autumn being a perfectly valid option. It’s simply about what you value more – do you want to get scorched on the beach first and foremost and you don’t mind the armies besieging every beach? Summer’s better for you. Are you a bit thrown off by what we’ve just said? Perhaps give November a try!
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