Thessaloniki features a transitional Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. The city experiences four distinct seasons, moderate humidity, and abundant sunshine, especially in summer. Seasonal changes bring variable rainfall, notable temperature swings, and a lively atmosphere, making Thessaloniki an appealing destination for travellers year-round.
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.
Thessaloniki’s climate blends Mediterranean and continental influences, resulting in hot, dry summers and cool, damp winters. Summers (June–August) are typically hot and sunny, with average highs of 30–33°C and lows around 18–22°C. July and August are the hottest and driest months, with minimal rainfall (less than 30 mm/month) and up to 11 hours of sunshine daily. Humidity is moderate (53–55%), and sea breezes from the Thermaic Gulf help temper the heat. Occasional heatwaves can push temperatures above 38°C, but evenings remain comfortable. The sea temperature peaks at 25–26°C, making swimming ideal.
Winters (December–February) are mild to chilly, with average highs of 8–11°C and lows of 1–4°C. Rain is more frequent in winter, with December and November being the wettest months (40–58 mm/month, 8–10 rainy days), but snow is rare and usually melts quickly. Morning frost and fog are possible, especially in January. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional and pleasant, with highs rising from 15°C in March to 26°C in May, and cooling from 28°C in September to 15°C in November. These seasons bring moderate rainfall, blooming parks, and vibrant city life. Thessaloniki enjoys about 2,000 hours of sunshine annually, with daylight ranging from 9 hours in winter to over 15 hours in midsummer. Winds are generally light to moderate (10–15 km/h), with brisker breezes in summer and during storms.
| Average climate data for Thessaloniki, Greece | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 8 | 11 | 14 | 19 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 32 | 27 | 20 | 16 | 10 | 32 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 20 | 21 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 35 | 35 | 55 | 42 | 40 | 35 | 22 | 20 | 28 | 35 | 48 | 41 | 436 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 11 | 11 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 133 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 35 | 34 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 86 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 74 | 76 | 71 | 67 | 63 | 59 | 52 | 53 | 60 | 67 | 73 | 73 | 66 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 14 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 19 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 39 | 45 | 38 | 32 | 23 | 21 | 16 | 15 | 23 | 30 | 34 | 34 | 29 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
The best time to visit Thessaloniki is from late April to June and September to early October, when temperatures are mild (20–28°C), rainfall is low, and the city is lively with festivals and outdoor events. These shoulder seasons offer ideal weather for sightseeing, cultural experiences, and enjoying the coast with fewer crowds than peak summer.
The least favourable time to visit is from December to February, when Thessaloniki is coldest, daylight hours are shortest, and rain, fog, and occasional frost are frequent. While winter brings a quieter atmosphere and lower prices, outdoor activities can be limited by chilly, damp, and unpredictable weather.
Thessaloniki has a transitional Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant, with moderate rainfall and notable temperature swings.
Summer temperatures in Thessaloniki typically reach 30–33°C, with occasional heatwaves above 38°C. Nights are warm but comfortable, and humidity is moderate. July and August are the hottest and sunniest months.
Snow is rare in Thessaloniki, but light snowfalls can occur in winter, especially in January and February. When it does snow, it usually melts quickly and rarely disrupts daily life.
Rain falls year-round, but November and December are usually the wettest months, with 8–10 rainy days and up to 58 mm of precipitation. Summer is the driest season, especially in August.
Thessaloniki enjoys about 2,000 hours of sunshine annually. June to August are the sunniest months, with up to 11 hours of sunshine per day, while winter averages 4–6 hours daily.
Bring warm, waterproof layers for winter. In spring and autumn, pack layers and a light rain jacket. For summer, light, breathable clothes, sun protection, and swimwear are essential for hot, sunny days.
Humidity is moderate, lowest in summer and highest in winter. Winds are generally light to moderate, with brisker breezes in summer and during storms. Sea breezes help keep summer heat comfortable.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (31.9 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (8.4 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 20 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (20.7 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (2.3 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 11.3 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (26.2 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (13.4 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 19.1 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is March (55 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is August (20 mm). Over the whole year there are 436 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is March (14.2 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is August (8.5 days). Over the whole year there are 132.7 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (35.3 mm). The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 86.3 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (2.2 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are April, June, August, September and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 5.2 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is February (76.2 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is July (52.5 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 65.8 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is February (9.3 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is November (7.3 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 8.3 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is February (44.6 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (15.2 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 29.2 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 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 May (Average sunshine: 11.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 5.1 h). Over the whole year there are 8.2 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are July and August (UV index: 7). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.4.
