Planning Your Trip: When Should You Go?
JULY
Mainland Weather: Hot to very hot
Island/Coastal Weather: Hot; the meltemi, a warm strong wind, blows.
Prices: High
Events: Local festivals, arts festivals aimed at tourists, sound and light shows. Outdoor cinemas are popular; many mountain villages have special events primarily attended by Greeks though all are welcome. Ioannina Cultural Summer events begin, continue through August.
Facilities: Everything is open. Most frequent flights, ferries - often crowded but easiest to get around at this time of year, though the meltemi may cause some delays. Many resorts will have activities aimed at children; waterparks are open.
AUGUST
Mainland Weather: Hot to very hot
Island/Coastal Weather: Hot, meltemi winds blow.
Prices: High first part of the month; some decreases in some areas after the Dormition period is over and the Greeks return home.
Events: Feast of the Dormition on the 15th; most Greeks flee the cities and return to home towns or islands for the two weeks prior to the celebration. Patras festival begins and continues through Sept.
Facilities: Some places on the mainland may be closed as the owners go on vacation. Transportation of all kinds extremely crowded as Greeks join the tourists in droves; lightens after the holiday. Many resorts will have activities aimed at children; waterparks open.
| The peak tourist months are July and August; savvy travelers go in May and September. |
Mainland Weather: Hot
Island/Coastal Weather: Terrific - warm, light breezes
Prices: Moderate
Events: Local festivals; tourist-season celebrations wrap up about mid-month.
Facilities: Everything open, 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 the month. Activities for children start to be cut back as school year begins. Budget/Independent travelers: Great time to go.
OCTOBER
Mainland Weather: Pleasant to cool
Island/Coastal Weather: Pleasant to cool/cold with increasing winds.
Prices: Moderate to low
Events: Local events; watch for the parades of Ochi Day on October 28th to snarl traffic and many businesses and other facilities will close for the day.
Facilities: Some island hotels and restaurants close. Transportation schedules are cut back. Higher winds start to make boat travel between islands difficult.
NOVEMBER
Mainland Weather: Cool to cold
Island Weather: Cool to cold; high winds. Many days clear but uncomfortably cold or windy
Prices: Low
Events: Local events; Nov. 21st is the Greek Orthodox Presentation Feast celebrated widely.
Facilities: Many islands are virtually closed, especially in the Cycladics, though Mykonos and Santorini both have a few year-round hotels. Large islands such as Rhodes, Lesbos, Crete, and the Ionians still enjoyable. Air and boat travel schedules are limited. Port visits by tender from cruise ships may be cancelled due to rough water.
DECEMBER
Mainland Weather: Cold, snow in the mountains.
Island Weather: Cold and windy (though often sunny); larger islands and the Ionians fare best.
Prices: Low
Events: Local events. Feast of St. Nicholas on Dec. 6th. Christmas celebrated as a religious holiday, not a commercial one.
Facilities: Cycladic islands and many others are virtually closed. Travel by water or by plane very limited. Ski season usually begins. Port visits by tender from cruise ships may be cancelled due to rough water.
Return to Page One: January-June
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