Climate Greece
Unsurprisingly, the climate in Greece is typically Mediterranean: lots of sunshine, hot dry summers, temperate wet winters. And despite global warming, the seasons are still very marked. So you can plan your vacation knowing in advance what the weather's going to be like. However, while the country is largely bordered by the Mediterranean, the Mediterranean climate varies considerably from region to region. Greece's geography is highly contrasted. There is a "warm semi-arid" climate with low rainfall in Attica, southern Evia and the Aegean Sea, a "temperate Mediterranean" climate with wetter winters in Crete, and a transitional "subcontinental" climate with more rain and storms in Thessaly, Macedonia and Thrace.
Winter
From January to March, the mountain regions experience snow and frost at altitudes of 1,500 m and above, where the country's 20 small ski resorts are located. But near the coast, the thermometer rarely dips below 0°C. In January, the coldest month, average temperatures range from 2 to 10°C in Thessaloniki, 5 to 14°C in Athens, 9 to 15°C in Heraklion (Crete) and 10 to 14°C in Naxos (Cyclades). Winter is also fairly wet, with 6 to 10 days of rain on the coast. Admittedly, winter is not the best time to visit Greece, especially as some of the archaeological sites and museums are closed, but the landscapes of Zagoria (Epirus) or Meteora (Thessaly) are splendid under the snow. The hotels that are still open are reasonably priced, and you can ski on Mount Parnassus orOlympus.
Spring
From April to June, nature is splendid and verdant, even in semi-arid regions. Hiking trails and archaeological sites can be explored without melting in the sun. The sun is still shy in April, but umbrellas are optional: 1 or 2 days of precipitation near the coast, except in Thessaloniki and Corfu, where the average remains at 4 or 5 days. In the northeast, violent thunderstorms occur in May and June. By mid-May, bathing suits are back in fashion in the Aegean. Air temperatures rise from 8/20°C in April to an average of 17/29°C in June near the coast. Tourists are few and far between, and hotels remain affordable until the end of May. The only exception is Orthodox Easter (moving date), when prices and crowds soar for a week.
Summer
From July to September, it's hot everywhere: 29-30°C daytime average in July and August, with frequent peaks of 35°C and even over 40°C. It eases off a little in September, with an average of 27°C near the coast. During these three months, there's hardly a drop of rain: zero days on average per month in the Cyclades or Crete, and 3 to 5 days in Macedonia (often with thunderstorms). In the Aegean, the air is cooled by the meltem. This dry north wind blows across the islands from May to September. At first it's nice, but when the meltem arrives, it lasts for several days... or weeks. And in the end, it's exhausting: sand that stings the eyes, widespread seasickness on the ferries and sailboats stuck in the dock. The other worry of the wonderful Greek summer is the heat, which is stifling in the "Cement City" (Athens). In the mountains, it's cool and reasonably priced. We particularly appreciate a walk in the shade, in the splendid gorges of Vikos (Epirus) or Samaria (Crete).
Autumn
From October to December, temperatures drop gently. Summer lasts until the end of October, with thermometers at 20/23°C and the sea still pleasant. Turning orange, the forests of Dadia (Thrace) and Foli (Peloponnese) become Greece's most romantic spots. In December, temperatures are still at 15°C near the coast (10°C in the north). With a little sunshine, you can have lunch on a terrace or do your Christmas shopping, sometimes in just a T-shirt. Over the sea, the heat mists dissipate, allowing new details to be seen in the distance, such as Mount Olympus, already covered in snow and sparkling 200 km from Thessaloniki.
