• Greece's Autumn Secret
• Greek Festivals
• Events in Greece
On Carpathos (Karpathos) the self-named "Nutty Birdwatcher" shares pictures of a birding and honeymoon trip on the Dodecanese island in September, 1999. Click here to get a glimpse of that fabled Greek light and get a sense of the likely weather during the month.
The Athens and Epidaurus festivals continue through mid-September. The evenings, while still pleasant, may be a bit chilly so bundle up for any outdoor theater productions. (Taking an extra cushion is never a bad idea, either - ancient marble can be hard!)
The film world descends on Athens for the 8th annual Athens International Film Festival. This year, the festival focuses on American independent film and the growing Mexican cinema industry. Praised as one of the most eclectic film fetsivals, this will offer something for everyone, from maintstream foreign commercial successes to undiscovered gems. Quick Look at September:
Mainland Weather: Hot
Island/Coastal Weather: Terrific - warm, light breezes
Prices: Moderate, official prices drop and bargains increase toward the end of the month.
Events: Local festivals; tourist-season celebrations wrap up about mid-month.
Facilities: Everything is open until the last part of the month, and everything is less crowded. Transportation schedules start to cut back about the 15th of the month. A few places on the islands will close at the end of September; most will hang on into October or even later, as milder weather seems to be holding on longer each year. Activities for children start to be cut back as the school year begins.
Budget/Independent travelers: A great time to go.
More September Festivals:
Note: Saints' feast days are generally not widely celebrated, but towns with churches or monasteries named for that particular patron saint often have special ceremonies which may include a feast or other commemoration.
Andros - Chorus Festival
Santorini - Thira - International Music Festival
Athens - Athens International Film Festival.
Mani Region - Grape Harvesting
Thessaloniki - Greek Song Festival
Thessaloniki - International Trade Fair and associated events.
Messolongi - Lord Byron Poetry and Art festival
Kos - Wine Festival
Corinth - Grape festival
Pidni (near Katerini) - Grape Festival
Ambelona near Larissa - Wine Festival
September 1-15th - Thessaloniki - Anhiolos Wine Festival
September 1st - Ecclesiastical New Year. (Does not affect travel.)
September 1-10th Livadia - Trophonia - Cultural events
September 8th - Nativity of the Theotokos
September 14th - Feast of the Holy Cross
September 14th - Gythio - Open air market.
September 17th - Feast of Saint Sophia
September 29th - Feast of Saint Kyriacos
End of September - Kythira - Myrtiodiotissa Monastery festival
Last Weekend of September - European Heritage Days - free museum and site admissions.
Photo of Mykonos in September by deTraci Regula. Text Copyright 2001 by deTraci Regula and About.com. All rights reserved.