Athens weather by month

When to go to Athens

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: May, June, July, August, September. December is the wettest month (64 mm, about 8 rainy days) and August the driest (5 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 26.3°C and coolest in February at 14.3°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (ATH, 20 km from Athens) takes roughly 3 h 42 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Europe/Athens.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Athens between 1991 and 2020 reached 43.8°C on 30 June 2017; the coldest fell to -6.6°C on 14 February 2004. In July one day in ten tops 36.1°C and about 85% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 1.8°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was March 1998 with 201 mm, against a March average of 50 mm.

Spring: comfortable walking weather, but a cool sea

Spring becomes steadily more comfortable for spending the day outside. March averages 16°C by day and 8°C at night, so bring layers rather than treating it as a warm-weather break. April reaches 20°C, a useful balance if you want to walk without summer heat, although evenings still call for a jacket. By May, daytime averages of 25°C make shade more welcome around midday, while nights remain milder than in summer. Rain is still part of the picture, so keep a light waterproof handy. The catch is swimming: sea temperatures rise from 14°C in March to 19°C in May, which can still feel brisk even when the air is warm.

Summer: reliable warmth, with midday heat to plan around

June offers a useful compromise between hot city weather and comfortable sea temperatures, averaging 30°C by day with water at 23°C. July and August both average 33°C during the day and 22°C at night, so evenings offer limited cooling rather than a genuinely cool break. Plan longer walks for the morning, leave room for shade or indoor time around midday, and choose accommodation with cooling. Rain is infrequent, especially in August, but that does not make every day guaranteed dry. Swimming becomes more appealing as the sea reaches 25°C in July and 26°C in August. This season suits heat lovers better than travellers who want to stay active outside all afternoon.

Autumn and winter: lingering sea warmth, then cooler city days

September keeps much of summer's warmth without its highest average temperatures: days reach 28°C and the sea remains at 25°C. October is a gentler option for walking, with both daytime air and sea temperatures averaging 23°C, though evenings need an extra layer. November drops to 18°C by day and brings more frequent rain, making flexible outdoor plans sensible. Winter is better approached as a cool city break than a sunshine holiday. December averages 13°C and has the most rain days, while January is the coolest month at 12°C by day and 5°C at night. February edges up to 13°C, but a warm jacket and waterproof still earn their place in your bag.