In this Olympic year, bookings are down in early June as many travelers postpone their trips so that they can attend the Olympic Games in August. Bargains are available and most places will be experiencing lighter crowds. As we go into June, the weather is also a bit cool for this time of year, making it an especially pleasant month to travel to Greece.
The major cultural festivals which comprise the Hellenic Festival open, with events at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus-Lycabetus and at the ancient theater at Epidaurus.
Mainland Weather: Usually hot to very hot, but running cooler this year
Island/Coastal Weather: Hot, but the meltemi, a 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, and 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.
Festivals and Feast Days
Please note: festivals change their dates due to many factors. If you are planning a trip around a particular festival, locally confirm that it is actually happening before you go. Corrections and additions to this list are welcomed.
April-October Sound and Light Show at the Acropolis - Temporarily suspended due to renovations
June-August - Patras - Patras International Festival
June-August - Athens - Lycabettus Theater Festival
June - September - Gythio Festival
June-September Athens Festival
June-September Penteli - Krystallia at Penteli in the tower
June-September Petroupoli - Petras Festival
June-October Nelly Dimoglou troupe at the Old City of Rhodes on Rhodes.
June - Various dates - Syros - Performances in Apoloon Theater
June - First Weekend - Karpathos - Amopi - Local Festival - varies each month.
June - Start of the month - Florina - Festival of Local Dances
June - September - Agios Nikolaos - Crete - "Lato" Cultural festival through September
June - End of the month - Lesbos - Agia Paraskevis - Festival of the Bull - three-day festival with horse races, music.
June - End of the month - Navy Week - celebrated at most important ports and harbors in Greece.
June - End of the month - Lesbos - Molyvos and Kaloni - Navy week celebrations
June - Krousta - Crete - Feast of the Klidona
June 1 - 10 - Alexandroupolis - Flower Show
June 2nd - Lesvos - Kaloni - Festival of the Holy Trinity - horse races, wine.
June 2nd - Paros - Lefkes - Feast day of Agia Triada
June 2nd - Name Day for Nikiforos, Nikiphoros
June 4th - Name Day for Martha
June 5th - International Environment Day - free admission to some museums and sites. Name Day for Apollo
June 8th - Ascension of Jesus; Name Day of Calliope
June 11th - Name Day for Barnabas
June 14th - Feast of St. Methodios
Between June 25th- July 15th -One Sunday in this time - Emborio in Kozani -Flowers and Cherry Blossom Dance
June 15- October 30th Amorgos - Festival of local customs
June 15- October 30th Mykonos Art Exhibit
June 20th-30th approx - Klidonas, Crete - Fortunetelling festival.
June 23rd - Paros - Aliki Beach - Revival of an ancient custom of jumping over bonfires made from May Day wreaths
June 24th - Nativity of St. John
June 26th - Name Day for David
June 29th - Feast of St. Peter
June 30th - Feast Day for The Twelve Holy Apostles; Name Day for Apostolos
