You might think that Greece is simply warm and sunny; and for much of the year, that is true. However, depending on the location and season, we can add thunderstorms, gusty winds and snowfall into the mix. It’s a country of contrasts.

The summer months from June to September are consistently hot and sunny across much of the country. The highest temperatures are found across inland areas, with temperatures reaching a scorching 40 Celsius in some low-lying, and particularly urban, areas. Across northern mountains, the heat is less intense, and towards the coasts and islands further south, it is tempered by sea breezes, making conditions ideal for sailors and wind-surfers. However, through the Aegean Sea, a more persistent and strong ‘Meltemi’ wind from the north can lead to dangerously choppy seas.

While it’s dry for much of the summer, afternoon thunderstorms can break out occasionally, especially across the more mountainous areas of the north.

Autumn arrives only slowly, especially the further south we go. However by November, reliable warm sunshine becomes harder to come by. Fine days are interrupted by occasional showery weather, with daytime temperatures easing down into the teens across the coasts and islands of the south. The western, Ionian, islands tend to see most rain, whereas further east, across the Aegean and down towards Crete, the weather often stays drier.

In the capital, Athens, northerly winds can sometimes bring much chillier weather; and more generally further north across Greece, cold outbreaks bring the possibility of snowfall in winter. However most days remain dry.

Sunscreen becomes a ‘must’ again as spring brings a resurgence of warm sunshine. From March to May, the blue skies and abundance of verdant growth make this a favourite time to visit, before the peak of the summer heat arrives.

Quick facts about

Greece

Capital:

Currency:

Athens