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Greece in May: Weather, Travel Tips, Best Greek islands to go
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In this article
A vacation to Greece in May is a great option for many reasons. The weather is warm and sunny, hotels are cheaper, the summer crowds haven’t arrived yet, and the Greek islands are way quieter than in summer. May is one of the best months to visit super-popular Greek islands, like Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete, as well as a great time for a wide variety of outdoor activities.
Keep reading to find everything you need to know about Greece in May!
Read also: Greece in April, Greece in June, Greece in September, Greece in October, Greece in November
The weather in Greece in May
In May, the weather in Greece is sunny and warm with very low chance of rain and low humidity. Temperatures hover between 16 °C and 26 °C and rise towards the end of the month, offering ideal conditions for a Greek holiday. However, you should keep in mind that it gets chilly in the evening, so we recommend that you bring a couple of cardigans with you! Although the water is still a bit cold for swimming, May is the perfect month to enjoy a relaxing day at the beach, without the summer crowds.
Despite the good weather, the number of tourists that visit the Greek islands in May is minimal, which means that hotels are cheaper, restaurants aren’t packed, and even the most popular and overcrowded islands (Mykonos, Santorini, Paros, etc) are quieter.
Best Greek Islands to visit in May
- Mykonos (enjoy the island without the excessive summer crowds, sail to Delos island, visit popular tourist attractions (windmills, Little Venice) without sharing them with hundreds of tourists, sunbathe at the wonderful beaches, score seasonal hotel deals)
- Santorini (take advantage of the lower hotel rates at the often overpriced caldera hotels, visit the volcano, go on a peaceful sunset cruise around the caldera, savor the island’s natural beauty without the crowds, a very good time for wine and vineyard tours)
- Paros (the perfect balance between cosmopolitan and calm, a good base for spring island- hopping in the Cyclades, savor the beauty of the island without the bustling summer crowds, discover some of the best sandy shores in the Aegean, enjoy a more laid-back version of Naoussa and Parikia)
- Crete (go for crowd-free sightseeing, go on a road trip around the island, have the most popular beaches (Balos, Falasarna) all for yourself, hike through the epic Cretan gorges, introduce yourself to the local culture)
- Saronic islands (perfect time for a cruise or a sailing tour, enjoy the peaceful spring ambiance, go island-hopping between the islands, see the sights without the crowds)
Average temperatures in Greece in May
| May | Athens | Cyclades | Crete | Dodecanesse | Ionian | Mainland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
26 |
23 |
24 |
23 |
23 |
27 |
|
Min (in °C) |
16 |
14 |
15 |
17 |
13 |
15 |
The cost of a holiday to Greece in May
Thanks to the lack of mass tourism, May is one of the cheapest months to visit Greece. Hotel and airfare rates are lower, while it’s common for many hotels to offer spring deals. The crowds in May are thin, which means that you can explore the islands and the mainland at your own pace and discover many local gems, avoiding the often overpriced tourist restaurants and bars. May is also the best month to visit places that get overcrowded in summer, like Oia and Fira in Santorini, Mykonos Town in Mykonos, Navagio beach in Zakynthos, Parikia and Naoussa villages in Paros, the Old Town in Rhodes, and Balos beach in Crete.
Types vacations in Greece in May
Thanks to the mild weather, May is the perfect month for outdoor activities on the Greek islands, like cycling, sightseeing, and nature exploration. May is also a good month for a sailing/yachting holiday in Greece. However, you should keep in mind that towards the end of the month the Meltemi winds that blow in the Aegean get stronger, so you should check the wind forecast before your trip. It is possible that some ferries that travel to the Cyclades islands get canceled due to the Meltemi winds, too.
If you want to go on a sailing vacation in Greece in May, we suggest that you choose the Saronic island group instead of the Cyclades! May is also a very good month for food and a wine holiday in Greece. The sunny weather is ideal for street food tours, vineyard visits, and all kinds of outdoor culinary experiences!
May is also a very good month for a honeymoon in Greece! The idyllic spring scenery, lack of excessive crowds, and reduced shoulder season rates make May a top choice for honeymooners -particularly those traveling on a budget!
Finally, May is a wonderful month for road trips on the Greek mainland. Having a big city (like Athens or Thessaloniki) as your base, you can embark on an adventure to picturesque villages, idyllic coasts, verdant forests, and beautiful mountains.
May events
Although Greek Easter usually falls in April, sometimes it falls in May, which gives you the perfect opportunity to enjoy spring break in Greece and introduce yourself to the local customs and traditional festivities. There are also many local feasts (panigiri) taking place on the Greek islands and mainland villages in honor of the patron saints. These feasts include folk music and dancing, flea markets, and tons of food and wine. By attending a Greek panigiri, you’ll experience the most authentic side of the place you visit. There’s also Labor day on May 1st, a day celebrated with open-air flower markets, concerts, and events on many islands.
Useful tips for traveling to Greece in May
- Pack summer clothing, but don’t forget to bring a couple of cardigans with you, as it gets chilly in the evening. What’s more, the weather is usually windy on the islands, so it’s better to be safe than sorry!
- Don’t forget to check for hotel deals in Greece before you book your trip. Many hotels offer discounted packages in spring.
- Although most restaurants, bars, and shops are open in May, some businesses haven’t started operating yet. Don’t forget to check before you go!
- If you want to go on a sailing vacation in the Aegean, it’s better to hire a skipper than to go on your own. The Meltemi winds are often strong around that time, so being guided by an experienced skipper is highly recommended.
Pros & Cons of traveling to Greece in May
Pros
- Warm and sunny weather
- Fewer crowds
- Perfect time for outdoor activities (road trips, cycling, hiking, etc)
- Hotels, flights, and ferries are cheaper
- Best time for sightseeing without the summer crowds
- Hotel deals & seasonal discounts
Cons
- The water is still cold for swimming
- Some businesses may not be operating
- It gets chilly in the evening
- It may be windy in the Aegean because of the Meltemi winds
- For the same reason, it is not a good time for a sailing holiday in the Aegean
Greece in May: Frequently Asked Questions
Like the rest of the shoulder months, May is one of the cheapest months to visit Greece. In May, hotel are cheaper and flight/ferry rates are usually lower. What's more, many hotels offer seasonal discounts and deals.
How many days you should spend in Greece depends on many factors, like how many places you’re going to visit, where you’re planning to stay, etc. In general, spending a week in Greece is enough to see the main points of interest, visit the best beaches, and have a taste of local culture. If you’re planning to visit more than three different destinations in Greece, just one week won’t be enough!
The cheapest time to visit Greece is low season (November-March). But, even though this is an ideal period money-wise, it’s not the best time to visit the Greek islands, as the weather is chilly and usually unpredicted. The second best option is shoulder season, April-May and September-October. During these months rates aren’t as high as in peak season (June-August), while there’s lots of sunshine and fewer tourists.
Most rainfalls in Greece occur in the winter season (November-March). During these months the weather is rainy and humid, particularly in the Greek islands, while in northern Greece it’s cold and snowy. Rainfalls can also occur during the summer, rarely though.
The best time to visit Santorini is either in April, May, and October or in June-early July and September. Our suggestion is to avoid August at any cost, as the island gets overcrowded and rates very high!
To sum up…
Thanks to the cheaper hotels, the lower airfare and ferry rates, the sunny weather, and the absence of the overwhelming August crowds, May is one of the best months to visit Greece. Although the water isn’t warm enough for swimming, May is a very good month for sightseeing and outdoor activities, like hiking, cycling, and climbing.
Have you ever been to Greece in May? Did you like it? Write your answers in the comments section!
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