The best time to visit Athens: everything you need to know

17.12.2024 - 21:27 / lonelyplanet.com

Dec 17, 2024 • 8 min read

The beauty of a city like Athens is that there is always something going on. The grand ancient ruins and superb museums are open year-round. But depending on your budget and your goals, you might find that tailoring your trip to a certain season suits you best.

Summer is hot, hot, hot – and packed with tourists and high prices, but the incredible arts and cultural festivals explode during that season. Winter’s got rock-bottom prices and a vibrant nightlife as Athenians keep themselves entertained through the chillier months.

Spring and fall are a perfect compromise, with reasonable temps, prices and crowds. And always wonderful is Greek Orthodox Easter, where the entire country stops what they’re doing and joins the celebration.

Read on to find the best time to visit Athens.

Best time to visit for mild temperatures and smaller crowds

Spring and Autumn in Athens are a gift. The mild temperatures make exploring easy, and the summer crowds have yet to arrive or have waned so that if you time your visits right, you’ll have elbow room at the famous sights. Accommodation prices can be less expensive and service can be better overall.

The exception is Greece’s biggest blowout holiday, Orthodox Easter, which is preceded by a week of celebration – the date changes every year (and is sometimes in May). The whole country gets a holiday, and hotels get booked up. Reserve well in advance. One of the most impressive Good Friday candlelit processions climbs Lykavittos Hill.

Athens is beautiful in September, perfect for strolling the streets or hitting the clubs with locals returning from the islands. Though festivals have wound down, October is a great month to stay in Athens, too, as city life remains strong and the theater and opera begin. Ohi Day on October 28 commemorates the day in 1940 when Greek Prime Minister Metaxas rejected Mussolini’s ultimatum.

Best time to visit for colder temperatures and the cheapest hotel prices

In winter, the temperatures drop, and you might even see occasional snow, but the Athens nightlife booms. Accommodation is at its lowest price for the year, so it’s a super time to travel on a budget – though keep in mind that if you plan to visit islands as well, the ferry schedules are at their most limited.

One of the least busy months of the year, November means space at the top sights and no major holiday schedule disruptions. Come December, though, and the cool sunshine gives way to bright lights during the Christmas season. Nightclubs and bouzoukia in Athens are lively, running into the wee hours.

In the new year, the highlight of February is usually Carnival, keyed to the three weeks prior to the fasting of Lent. Minor events lead up to a weekend of costume parades,