Greece has a Mediterranean climate, with mild and wet winters in the southern lowland and island regions and cold winters with strong snowfalls in the mountainous areas in the central and northern regions and hot, dry summers.Winter is actually a 3 month period, January, February and March. In the city center the winter is usually mild, the temperature can be between 0-18 degrees Celsius (32-64 F) and most days are sunny. When it rains, not often, it usually rains heavily. It snows rarely and when it does, it lasts only for a few hours or maximum a couple of days. Nevertheless, Athens is not just the city center, but the suburbs as well. Especially the northern suburbs that are closer to the mountains have lower temperatures, it snows and rains more often and also blows strong winds. The coldest and the most unexpected month is by far March.Spring is just a 2 month period, April and May. The weather is much warmer, with a temperature between 14-24 degrees Celsius (57-75 F). Most days are sunny and warmer in the midday, while early in the morning and late in the afternoon you can feel the lower temperatures of the season. We may have some rain, especially in April, but generally the weather is beautiful.Summer is the biggest period nowadays, it is a 4 month period, June to September, and sometimes even the whole October. June and October are cooler, yet dry, and although the temperature is now high enough for swimming in the sea, it is also nice for walking, even under the sun, wearing a hat of course. This doesn't happen in July, August and September. The temperature climbs so high that quite often we suffer from heat waves. Minimum 30 degrees Celsius maximum even 48! (86-118 F).Autumn is a 2-3 month period, (October is in between summer and autumn), November and December. Usually nice weather, with some rains of course, but the temperature is not low yet. Varies between 14-24 degrees Celsius, similar to Spring weather.In Athens the weather is always milder than the biggest part of the mainland of Greece. West Greece and the Ionian sea islands are more humid and often have rainfalls. North Greece is always colder, more humid and windy. East Greece and the Aegean sea islands have milder climate, but stronger winds. South Greece, Peloponnese and Crete usually are warmer than Athens and the summer lasts longer.
Useful Information
Targeting the city center of Athens and especially the popular areas of Acropolis, Plaka and the nearby archaeological sites, is good to know a few essential things.- Marble attracts the sunlight. This means that the temperature at the archaeological sites is even higher, especially under the sun. In order to be protected, avoid first of all, wherever it is possible the sun and stay under the shade. Wear a hat or even better use an umbrella with a UV filter. Use sunscreen, drink a lot of water and stay hydrated. Avoid carrying heavy bags or other items, bring only what is absolutely necessary.
- For visiting the sites, get dressed wisely and according to the weather forecast. The summer months stay protected as instructed above. For the other seasons is better to get dressed in layers and use during the day more or less clothes. Be aware that at the top of the hills most of the time it is windy, so in the summer this is a life saver, but in other seasons might be an unpleasant surprise if you don't have something with you to protect yourself.
- Wear comfortable shoes, already tested as comfortable. It's not the right time now, to check your brand new shoes, that may prove not to be as comfortable as you imagined. Keep in mind that climbing up the Acropolis hill may be slippery and the ground is definitely uneven, with pebbles and little rocks.
- My advice as a tourist guide is to bring a good umbrella with you. It is lightweight, easy to carry and can be used under all weather circumstances. And if you have to carry something, besides some money and your passport, is water! Better carry more than be thirsty and dehydrated.
- Other necessary things are: sunglasses, hat, handkerchiefs, antiseptic wipes, sunscreen lotion and maybe a couple of Electrolyte sachets for the very hot days.
- A small snack can be useful if you have booked a 4 hour or a bigger tour, but bear in mind that in all archeological sites and the museums food is not allowed to be consumed inside and besides water, there is nothing else that is allowed to drink. So, you can carry some food in your bag but you will be able to consume it only after the exit, going from one site to the other.
- And because wise people always predict, the day before your tour, experience, excursion or whatever else you have to do outside, check here the weather forecast in order to be prepared