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.
People Also Ask
Visiting Greece Is More Affordable In WinterThe numbers drop significantly from October through the winter, and the costs of traveling to the islands become more affordable. Travelers can find excellent deals for flights, accommodations, and tours.
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.
Yes you can. For the most part the waters at Greek beaches begin to get cold after January. That doesn't mean you'll be hitting the beach and doing what you would do in the summer. Each season has its offerings, beauty and secrets so keep note.
The island is mild or cool at best, with an increase in prolonged bursts of rain. One positive, bizarrely, is the average temperature: being at the very beginning of Greek winter, it's not as cold on average in December as in any of the following three months, with 52-61°F/ 11-16°C the expected ranges right now.
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.
So, how much does it cost to go to Greece? Based on my estimates, your Greece costs will be about $4,455 per person for two weeks. Remember, this estimate is based on visiting the most popular islands (Santorini and Mykonos), which are also the most expensive.
From crowd-free monuments to Christmas festivities, carnival parties, and mountain escapes, Athens has some great moves up its sleeve in December, January and February. Winter casts its own mythical light over the Acropolis. To visit Athens in winter is to encounter a city of locals.
Winter weather in MykonosPrecipitation, 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.
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.
Santorini is the top tourist destination in Greece and is world-famous for its unique natural beauty. The caldera with the white villages on top, the sunken volcano, and the charming sunset make it a popular place for vacation. In brief, we recommend staying 3 to 5 days in order to visit as many places as possible.
Fewer crowds: While Greece can see almost four million tourists visiting per month throughout the summer, in the low season that drops to fewer than five hundred thousand tourists per month. Visiting Greece in December you will see fewer crowds, shorter lines for attractions, and be able to meet locals more easily.