When fall arrives, many of us have said goodbye to our sunglasses and shorts. We wear warm jackets and don’t leave the house without an umbrella. Days have become shorter and more grey. Summer is over, and we look forward to Christmas or spring next year. However, the fall doesn’t have to be rainy and cold, not when you treat yourself to a getaway in Greece!

Fall is perfect in Greece

Although Greece is the place to be in summer, the country is a perfect destination throughout all seasons. Autumn in particular. While temperatures are still more than pleasant, tourists become more rare, and prices more budget-friendly. Traveling to Greece in the fall offers a more tranquil and authentic experience. The slower pace lets you connect with the local culture more intimately. Besides, the mountainous landscape of the country turns into a beautiful painting when trees change the color of their leaves.

Lower temperatures

The lower temperatures in autumn in Greece are a huge benefit compared to the summer. Greek summers allow for the perfect beach holiday but often prevent you from many other activities the country has to offer. During the fall, however, you can fully explore this beautiful country.

Autumn’s temperatures are perfect for those who don’t like the heat of Greece’s summers. In September, temperatures reach between 25-30 degrees(77 – 86 F). October averages 20-25 degrees ( 68 – 77 F), with mostly sunny days. In November, the chance of rain increases, and temperatures drop to 15 – 20 (59 – 68 F). But still, most days are more than pleasant.

This year (2023) the fall has been even more kind than previous years. Till October I have seen just 3 days of rain and temperatures were around 30 degrees (85F). Because of the high temperatures, the sea did not cool down much. Swimming was pleasant till half of November and still possible today. Due to climate change, chances are that Autumn in Greece will keep being postponed year by year. Just don’t forget to pack a jacket for the nights and early mornings.

The view

High temperatures and dust tend to obstruct the views of the Greek landscape during summer. It is continuously hazy in July and August. Close-by islands and mountains look vague, making landscape photography or even a good view rare. However, as soon as the temperatures drop and the chance of rain increases, the sky clears. You can see further away while the landscape adapts to its beautiful autumn colors. The result? Magnificent views. Perfect for both landscape photographers and nature lovers.

Lower prices

Prices are always a result of the combination of supply and demand. Since many tourists want to visit Greece during the popular but hot summer months, prices increase. A holiday can become extremely expensive. During the autumn months, however, demand drops. With it, the prices decrease. This results in cheaper accommodation, food, drinks, car rental, and plane tickets.

Less crowded

Greece is full in summer. There are about three times more tourists than there are locals, leaving a cue in front of every tourist attraction. Fall, however, is the time you can enjoy Greece without these crowds. Perfect beaches can be private, lines at archeological sites disappear, and you can explore the idyllic traditional villages at your own pace.

A downside to this is that many taverns and restaurants adjust their opening hours or even close completely. Beach bars, for example, are rare to find after the end of September. Yet, the places locals visit will remain open throughout the whole year. And those are often the ones with the best food!

Culture

Fall in Greece is magical, giving the most precious fruits: olives (olive oil), grapes (wine), chestnuts, and more. The Greeks express their love for those products at famous agricultural festivals, small or big, all around Greece. From a family harvesting to a whole village celebrating their precious product. Attending one of these festivals is the most authentic experience you can have in Greece.

What to do in Greece in Autumn?

September is the time the real Greeks go on holiday in their country. The Greek islands and sea still have a pleasant temperature this month, while accommodations are much more affordable. From October, however, a beach holiday might not be the best option anymore. The sea-water temperatures are still ok, but many beach bars are closed, and an entire day in beach-wear can get chilly. However, this is the perfect time to discover everything else Greece has to offer. The mountains, the cities, and the culture.

Archeological sites

Greece is famous for its rich amount of archeological sites all over the country. However, visiting these sites on a summer day is far from pleasant in my experience. Days are too hot, and the sites often lack a shadow or a cooling breeze. Autumn, however, provides a great climate to discover Greece’s history. Plan a visit to Delphi. Or combine Epidaurus, Mykines, and Mystras with the colorful landscape of Peloponnese. 

Agricultural festivals

During September you can join the harvesting and pressing of grapes in many areas around Greece, especially around Thessaly. You can also join the famous festival of pistachios in Aegina.

October is the month of the distillation of tsikoudia in Crete or tsipouro in the mainland. Be prepared to be invited to a family celebration, which includes a lot of food, alcohol, music, and dancing. Chestnuts also have their special moment in October. You can find those festivals all over Greece, especially in mountainous areas.

Finally, in November the most famous Greek product, the beloved olives, are getting picked. Peloponnese, Crete & Lesbos are the biggest producers. There you can see locals picking the olives and in many agro-tourism guesthouses, you can even join the process of olive oil production yourself.

City trips

Athens and Thessaloniki are the two largest cities in Greece. Both have a lot to provide in the fall, from historical sites to amazing food. As someone from Northern Europe, I would advise everyone to avoid a Greek city trip from June until the end of September as it gets really hot. During the fall, however, Greek cities are the place to be.

Athens and Thessaloniki offer a perfect blend of mild weather, fewer crowds, and a vibrant cultural scene. Experience ancient sites like the Acropolis in comfortable temperatures, stroll through historic neighborhoods without the summer heat, and indulge in seasonal Greek cuisine at outdoor tavernas. The city’s autumnal colors, coupled with festivals and events, create a delightful atmosphere for exploration and discovery.

Another Greek city that is not well known but perfect for an Autumn getaway is Ioannina. Ioannina is located in the North-West of Greece and is surrounded by mountains. The city has an old castle, tasty local food, and one of the very few inhabited lake islands in Europe. All surrounded by the stunning scenery of mountainous Greece.

Hiking

Greece is over 80% mountainous and perfect for hiking and climbing. Since the summers are often too hot for these activities, the Greek mountains are the perfect destination during the fall. Wonderful locations for an active autumn getaway are:

• Zagorohoria and Tzoumerka in the Epirus region.
• Crete, where you can hike along multiple beautiful gorges.
• The Corfu trail, the whole length of the island from North to South. 
• Conquer Mount Olympus, the highest mountain of the gods.

However, everywhere in Greece, you have the option to hike and enjoy the landscape. Examples are Mount Lycabettus in Athens, the Arvanitias-Karathonas path in Nafplio, the various waterfalls in Peleponnesos, and the Pelion area next to Volos. Are you curious about what is to discover around your travel destination in the fall? Ask me for tips in the comments below!

What about the (autumn) storms?

In September 2023 Greece has been in the news for its heavy rain and storms in fall. A big area of central Greece has flooded. Tens of thousands of animals drowned, crops were washed away, and homes were damaged. Unfortunately, this is, together with the wildfires during the summer months, an phenomenon that derives from global warming. All over the world, the weather has become more extreme, and also in Greece the effects are visible.

However, the chance that you, as a tourist, are in Greece at the right location exactly when the storm hits, is small. Like with other news, what we see is often the most extreme. During the time of the flooding, I was in Kiveri, (Peleponnese) and enjoyed sunshine most of the day. Don’t let this news scare you to avoid Greece in autumn.

Tips:

• What to do on a rainy day?
  Although most days in the fall have plenty of sunshine, you might get unlucky and encounter a rainy day in Greece. But don’t worry, there is still plenty to do in Greece. Visit one of the many indoor museums, go shopping in the giant indoor shopping malls around the big cities, or go to one of the many religious sites. Besides, a rainy day is perfect for getting in touch with your inner Greek. Go for a coffee in one of the many kafeneio’s to wait till it gets dry. I am sure you will meet many locals who join you to do the same.
• Check what is open. 
  Although autumn is perfect for a trip to Greece, many tourist places are only open during the summer months. When you plan on visiting one of the smaller islands, or travel after the beginning of October, it is a good idea to check what will still be open. Beach bars, boat rentals, or even taverns might have adjusted opening hours or might close completely.
• Pack a jacket
  Although temperatures in Autumn in Greece can be more than pleasant during the day, the nights can get chilly. When you travel outside July and August, bring a jacket for the night! And when you travel in November, you might want to pack warmer in general.