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Greece in October: Weather, Travel Tips, Best Greek islands to go
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In this article
October may not be the most popular time to visit Greece, but it surely is one of the most strategic ones. Why? For several reasons: excessive crowds have stopped invading the islands, extremely hot days are over, the weather is mild, warm, and pleasant, and hotels charge shoulder season prices. What more could you ask for? In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about Greece in October, from average temperatures and weather conditions to costs and insider tips. Let’s dive in!
Read also: Greece in April, Greece in May, Greece in June, Greece in September, Greece in November
The weather in Greece in October
The weather in Greece in October is warmer in the first half of the month and gets chillier as the month progresses. More specifically, the temperatures in Greece in October hover between 24 °C and 15 °C, while the chance of rain starts to increase. Our suggestion is to opt for the first couple of weeks for swimming/watersports and the end of the month for sightseeing and road trips.
The evenings are usually a bit chilly, so make sure that you pack a couple of warm cardigans along with your swimsuits. Also, don’t forget to bring an umbrella with you, as the weather can be a bit tricky in October and rainfall is not uncommon.
Best Greek Islands to visit in October
- Athens (crowdless archaeological sites & museums, good weather for exploration, sunny strolls around the city, food tours, walks by the sea along the Athenian riviera, many events)
- Saronic islands (sailing, island-hopping, cute fishing villages, fresh seafood by the sea, hiking, nature exploration, day trips from Athens)
- Nafplio (romantic strolls around the picturesque city, road trips to the Peloponnese, historical sites, like Bourtzi and Palamidi Fortress, seaside dining)
- Crete (culture, history, amazing food, crowdless archaeological sites, like the Knossos and Phaistos palaces, boat trip to Spinalonga island, road trips, hiking through the stunning Cretan gorges)
- Santorini (quiet Oia and Fira, great weather for hiking, low prices, best time for a budget-friendly holiday, sightseeing, day tours & wine tours)
- Rhodes (beach weather, Old City strolls, Medieval landmarks, sightseeing, boat tours, road trips, water sports, very low chance of rain)
Average temperatures in Greece in October
| October | Athens | Cyclades | Crete | Dodecanesse | Ionian | Mainland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
24 |
22 |
24 |
24 |
23 |
24 |
|
Min (in °C) |
15 |
15 |
16 |
18 |
14 |
15 |
The cost of a holiday to Greece in October
October is one of the shoulder months in Greece. This means that the hotel rates are significantly lower than in peak season -even 50% cheaper in many cases! Although some tourist businesses close in late October, most hotels and restaurants remain open throughout the month and often offer seasonal deals and discounts. Airlines also charge shoulder season prices, although schedules are reduced. If you want to cut down the cost of your holiday to Greece, but still enjoy the good weather, October is your best bet. Bonus perk: Thanks to the lack of mass tourism in October, ports and airports aren’t as crowded as in peak season, which makes your trip way more comfortable!
Types vacations in Greece in October
October may not be the best time for a beach holiday, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t a good time to visit Greece. On the contrary! October is an ideal month for several types of vacations and has a lot to offer to all kinds of travelers.
To start with, October is one of the best months for sightseeing in Greece. That’s because the weather is sunny, but not too hot so that you’re moving from one site to another without sweating like a pig. Also, things are quite relaxed at popular sites, like the Parthenon, Delphi, and Epidaurus as well as at museums, like the Acropolis Museum and the National Gallery. Just keep in mind that opening hours might change at the end of the month, as most museums and archaeological sites go back to their winter schedule.
October is also one of the best months for outdoor activities in Greece. From hiking in Crete and rafting in Arkadia to climbing at Meteora and nature exploration in the Peloponnese, there are many things to do in Greece in October for the active and adventurous.
Since the overwhelming August crowds have already left, it’s a great time for a relaxing holiday in Greece. If you’re someone who seeks solitude or if you want to enjoy a quiet vacation with family, then October may be the best time to visit Greece for you. Finally, October is a very good month for honeymooners on a budget. If you want to go to Greece for your honeymoon, you should definitely take advantage of the reduced hotel and airfare rates in October. This way, you’ll book the trip of your dreams without paying an arm and a leg!
October events
Many things are going on in Greece in October! On the 28th of October, Greece celebrates Ohi (No) Day, which is the anniversary of the Greeks’ refusal to surrender to the Italian forces. This day is a national holiday and is celebrated with many festivities all around the country, like military parades, and folk events.
Other events that take place in Greece in October are Spetses Mini Marathon on Spetses island, Chestnut Festival in Crete, Santorini Experience Festival on Santorini island, and Dimitria Festival in Thessaloniki.
Useful tips for traveling to Greece in October
- Be smart when it comes to packing. The weather in Greece in October can be quite tricky, so make sure that you bring a light jacket or a couple of cardigans along with your summer clothing.
- Airfare and ferry schedules aren’t as frequent in October as they are in summer. Book your tickets well in advance to ensure availability!
- Check the opening hours of the museums or the archaeological sites you want to visit beforehand. At the end of the month, many museums and archaeological sites go back to their winter schedules, which means they close earlier.
- If you want to go swimming, opt for the first half of the month instead of the second one. From mid-October onwards, the temperatures drop and the chance of rain is higher.
Pros & Cons of traveling to Greece in October
Pros
- Thin crowds at archaeological sites and on the islands
- The hotels charge shoulder season prices
- Airfare and hotel deals and discounts
- Good weather with mild temperatures
- There are several festivals and events throughout the country
- Very good time for sightseeing and outdoor activities
Cons
- No beach weather in the second half of the month
- The chance of rain is higher than in September
- It gets chilly at night
- Airfare and ferry schedules are becoming more infrequent as the month progresses
Greece in October: Frequently Asked Questions
October is one of the shoulder months in Greece. This means that the hotel rates are significantly lower than in peak season -even 50% cheaper in many cases!
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…
October is arguably one of the best months to visit Greece! International visitors have stopped flocking to the islands, the hotel rates drop, the weather is pleasant enough for sunbathing and sightseeing, and several events are going on.
Have you ever been to Greece in October? Did you like it? Write your answers in the comments section!
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