Best Time to Visit Athens

Short answer: April to early June, and mid-September to early November. Those are the months when you can climb the Acropolis at ten in the morning without regretting it.

Spring is our favourite. The hills around the Acropolis turn green, poppies and daisies grow between the ruins, and the city sits somewhere between 18 and 28°C. Greek Orthodox Easter usually falls in April or early May on a different date to Western Easter. It's the biggest holiday of the year, with candlelit processions on Good Friday night and midnight fireworks on Saturday. Some sites and shops close or shorten their hours around it, so check before you plan.

Summer is hard work. From late June to August the temperature often reaches the high 30s, with heatwaves pushing past 40°C. On those days the culture ministry closes the Acropolis and other open-air sites for the hottest hours of the afternoon, and you won't know until shortly before. The cruise ships and the island crowds pass through at the same time. Athenians leave for the coast in August, especially around the 15th, so some small restaurants close for a week or two. If summer is when you can travel, take the first Acropolis slot, spend the afternoon in a museum, and go out after dark like the locals.

Autumn is almost as pleasant as spring. The sea stays warm into October, the light turns soft, and the queues shrink. The first rain usually arrives in November.

Winter is short and mild, with rainy spells and the odd cold wind. It's the quietest time at the sites, and the city itself carries on as normal, with theatres, concerts and busy tavernas. Opening hours are shorter, so start early.

A note on time of day

In Athens, the hour matters as much as the month. The first slot at the Acropolis and the last two hours of daylight are the calmest and coolest. Build your days around that, as in our three-day itinerary, and pack for the season with our what to wear guide.