Athens enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The city is among the sunniest in Europe, offering long hours of sunshine most of the year. Seasonal transitions are gentle, making Athens a pleasant destination for outdoor exploration, cultural events, and seaside relaxation across much of the year.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Athens features a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, characterised by four distinct seasons. Summers (June to August) are long, hot, and dry, with average daytime highs often exceeding 30°C and frequent peaks above 35°C. July and August are the sunniest and driest months, regularly providing 11–12 hours of sunshine daily and minimal rainfall. The urban heat island effect can make central Athens especially warm, with rare but notable heatwaves pushing temperatures beyond 40°C. Sea temperatures are ideal for swimming from late June to September, reaching 24–26°C.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are transitional, offering comfortably warm weather, moderate rainfall, and abundant sunshine. Spring temperatures rise from 16°C in March to 25°C by May, while autumn cools from 29°C in September to 18°C in November. Rain is more likely in late autumn, but showers are usually brief. Winters (December to February) are mild, with daytime highs of 12–16°C and lows rarely below 6°C. Rainfall is concentrated in winter, but sunny days are still common. Snow is rare in the city centre but can occur in northern suburbs or during unusual cold spells. Winds are generally light to moderate, with breezier days along the coast and during spring and autumn.
Overall, Athens boasts around 2,800 hours of sunshine per year. Humidity is moderate, dropping in summer and rising in winter. The city’s climate supports year-round outdoor living, with the best conditions for sightseeing and urban adventures typically found in spring and early autumn, while summer is perfect for beachgoers and sun lovers.
| Average climate data for Athens, Greece | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 12 | 14 | 16 | 19 | 24 | 28 | 31 | 31 | 27 | 22 | 18 | 14 | 31 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 17 | 14 | 9 | 7 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 47 | 40 | 34 | 32 | 20 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 19 | 37 | 40 | 53 | 348 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 99 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 73 | 73 | 68 | 64 | 57 | 54 | 52 | 50 | 58 | 66 | 72 | 72 | 63 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 19 | 17 | 20 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 41 | 38 | 32 | 27 | 18 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 25 | 29 | 35 | 24 |
| Average UV index | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 5 |
The best time to visit Athens is in spring (April to early June) and early autumn (September to mid-October), when temperatures are comfortably warm (18–28°C), rainfall is low, and the city is vibrant but not overcrowded. These seasons offer ideal conditions for sightseeing, outdoor dining, and enjoying Athens’ historical and cultural attractions.
The least favourable time to visit Athens is during the peak of summer (late July and August), when temperatures frequently surpass 35°C and heatwaves are possible. The intense heat can make outdoor exploration challenging, and some local businesses may close for holidays. However, beaches and coastal escapes remain popular during this period.
Athens has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The city enjoys abundant sunshine, moderate humidity, and gentle seasonal transitions, making it pleasant for travel most of the year.
Summer temperatures in Athens often exceed 33°C, with July and August being the hottest months. Heatwaves can push temperatures above 40°C, especially in the city centre due to the urban heat island effect.
Athens receives most of its rainfall in winter and late autumn, especially in November and December. Summer is very dry, while spring and early autumn see only occasional brief showers.
Yes, Athens remains relatively sunny in winter, with 4–6 hours of sunshine per day. While rain is more frequent, many days are still bright and mild compared to other European capitals.
Snow is rare in central Athens but can occur during unusually cold winters, mainly in the northern suburbs or surrounding hills. When it does snow, it usually melts quickly.
Pack lightweight, breathable clothing and sun protection for summer, and bring layers, a rain jacket, and comfortable walking shoes for spring, autumn, or winter. Air conditioning is recommended for summer accommodation.
The sea near Athens is warm enough for swimming from late June to September, with water temperatures reaching 24–26°C. June can be slightly cooler, but still suitable for most swimmers.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (31.1 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (12.2 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 21.3 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (23.8 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (7.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 15.2 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (26.4 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (14.9 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 19.8 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is December (52.7 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is August (3.9 mm). Over the whole year there are 348 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is January (11.4 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is August (1.8 days). Over the whole year there are 98.9 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (9.1 mm). The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 12.1 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (1 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are April, May, June and November (0 days). Over the whole year there are 2.3 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is January (72.9 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is August (49.9 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 63.2 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is August (16.3 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is May (11.5 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 13.8 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (40.5 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (6.1 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 23.8 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 12 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 5.1 h). Over the whole year there are 8.6 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July and August (UV index: 7). The month with the lowest average UV index is December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.9.
