Are the Greek islands open in January?

Most of the tourist sites and attractions are open all year round in Greece, but some of them may have reduced hours or be closed during the winter months. Additionally, many of the islands may not be as lively during this time of year, as they are more popular in the summer months.



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Don't let the cooler weather keep you from enjoying all the country has to offer; January is a lovely and rewarding time to travel to Greece. You'll get to experience the country's rich culture and stunning natural beauty without the crowds of peak season.

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The warmest Greek island in January is Crete, which has an average temperature of around 15°C (59°F) during the day and 10°C (50°F) at night.

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Islands with large cities like Rhodes, Lesvos, and Crete are like cities anywhere. They don't close for the winter. Life just changes. People spend more time indoors, but the restaurants and cafes, bars and clubs are still open and on warm sunny days people still sit outside to eat and drink, at least in the day.

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Brief information about seasonality in Greece. In general, the islands “close for winter” at the end of October (beginning of November) and, depending on the island, the season is either extended or is a bit shorter.

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However, winter in Greece is also an excellent time to visit. The weather can be surprisingly mild, especially in the south. Islands like Crete, the largest and most southernmost point of Greece, have plenty of sunshine and temperatures can reach 20C (68F).

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Visiting Greece in winter, you will find that the beaches are quiet, the islands are a little deserted, and the weather is undoubtedly chillier. But that doesn't make it a wrong time to visit. In fact, in many ways, winter is the best time to experience this ancient nation's culture, history, and versatility.

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If you don't plan on hitting the beaches, consider a trip to Greece during the winter. While the weather is cooler (the average temperatures hover around 50 degrees Fahrenheit), the crowds are much thinner. In 2023, around 635,000 people visited Greece in January, and a mere 572,500 came in February.

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Greek islands which are smaller and less touristic have a shorter season, larger islands like Crete, Corfu and Santorini have extended seasons sometimes up to full year. Hotels have different opening/closing dates but the general rule for islands is that they open in April and close at end October.

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1. Crete. Greece's largest and most southerly island, Crete has mild and sunny weather throughout winter; in fact, it has some of the warmest winter weather in Europe with average highs generally around 15-16°C and average lows around 9-11°C.

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With the highest average monthly rainfall (4.5 inches/115 ml), least daily hours of sunshine, and some of the coolest temperatures of the year, January in Santorini is not the best month weather-wise.

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The temperature of most Greek seas is about 14-16°C during the coldest winter months (January through March), with 14°C being suggested by the Open Water Swimming societies as the minimum water temperature at which wetsuits are optional.

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While it's not warm enough to sunbathe and swim in the sea, the weather in Mykonos in January is perfect for a relaxing break on this peaceful island. The average temperature is 12°C, dropping to lows of around 8°C at night.

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Top tips for finding cheap flights to Greece. Book at least 1 week before departure in order to get a below-average price. High season is considered to be May, June and July. The cheapest month to fly from the United States is January.

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Great prices: Since January in Greece is a low season, you can get some really good discounts on travel and accommodation. Airfares and hotel tariffs are at their lowest during this time. Fewer tourists: Greece is a summer getaway, not many people visit the country during winter.

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Winters are mild, generally. But very cold days, with snow, can happen. You should wear warm clothes. Gloves are not necessary (except if you are going to the mountains to ski…).

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Most of the tourist sites and attractions are open all year round in Greece, but some of them may have reduced hours or be closed during the winter months. Additionally, many of the islands may not be as lively during this time of year, as they are more popular in the summer months.

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Beware, however, that some restaurants, hotels and other establishments begin to close for the season in late October or early November and won't reopen until spring. This is the least popular time to visit Santorini thanks to temperatures in the 50s – hardly pleasant for sunbathing.

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January is the middle of winter in Greece, and temperatures are generally cool to cold, especially in the northern parts of the country. The average high temperature in Athens is around 14°C (57°F) during the day, while nighttime temperatures can drop to around 5°C (41°F).

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Winter weather in Mykonos Precipitation, which is most frequent from October to March, is also never abundant, as evidenced by the island's arid landscape. This makes it livable year-round, and winter may be the best time to visit if you don't love the summer heat and tourist crowds and adore the stormy sea.

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Winter is the low season in Greece, with crowds and costs at a minimum beginning in November all the way until March. Many tourist attractions have shorter hours and some islands can even close for the whole season.

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How long do you need for Greek island hopping? In order to fully immerse yourself in the authentic Greek life and culture and explore as much as possible, we recommend spending at least 2-3 nights on each island, so if you're planning to visit the four ones mentioned above, it would take you a little over a week.

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