Your August weather guide
HotWeather in Athens in August
Athens in August suits travellers who want hot, dry weather and are happy to slow down at midday. Average daytime highs reach around 33°C, nights stay near 22°C, and the sea is about 26°C. The catch is that the heat shapes your day rather than simply improving it. Go then if warm evenings and swimming appeal; if you want to spend long days walking comfortably, August is a less comfortable fit.
Long-term climate averages for Athens, not a forecast · 1991-2020
Athens, month by month
Your snapshot
At a glance
The useful details for Athens.
- Average daytime high
- 32.6°C
- 9 in 10 days stay below 36°C
- Average night-time low
- 22.1°C
- coldest 10% of nights: 20°C or lower
- Compared with London
- +11.2°C
- London averages 21.4°C in August
- Sea temperature
- 26.3°C
- year to year: 26°C to 27°C
- Sunshine per day (est.)
- 12.5h
- 93% of 13.5 h of daylight
- Rainy days (1 mm+)
- 1
- 5 mm over the month
- Humidity
- 51%
- Days over 25°C
- 100%
- 85% over 30°C
- Record high 1991-2020
- 40.5°C
- 2006-08-21
- Record low 1991-2020
- 17.6°C
- 2009-08-29
- Flight from London
- ≈ 3 h 42 min
- 2376 km, short-haul (estimate for a direct flight)
Records are observed extremes within 1991-2020, not typical holiday conditions. Warm-day percentages are shares of days, not day counts.
How August compares
August is the 2nd warmest month of the year in Athens and ranks 14th of 134 destinations we compare for August - see where else is hot in August. Within Greece it is 2nd of 44 (Greece in August). Against London's average high of 21.4°C in August, Athens is 11.2°C warmer by day and 8.6°C warmer at night.
Daytime and night-time in August
The typical August day in Athens peaks at 32.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 35.9°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and almost every pass 30°C. Nights average 22.1°C; one night in ten drops to 20.0°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest August day here reached 40.5°C (2006-08-21) and the coldest night 17.6°C (2009-08-29).
Rain in August
Dry (3 rainy days or fewer): about 1 days with 1 mm or more, 5 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest August was 2002 with 18 mm, the driest 1998 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 51%.
Sea temperature in August
The sea averages 26.3°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 25.5°C to 27.1°C. This is the warmest the sea gets here all year.
Sunshine and daylight
Around 12.5 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 13.5 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:40 and sets about 20:19 local time in mid-August. Average cloud cover is 7%.
Is August a good time to visit Athens?
Yes - it is one of the better months: hot days, little rain and long sunny days. The best months for Athens on our scoring are June, September, May; months averaging 25°C or more: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.
Plan your day around the heat
The heat is dependable, not an occasional bonus: 85% of August days reach 30°C, while the hottest days can reach 36°C or more. That makes a full day of walking a demanding prospect, particularly around midday. Put your more active plans earlier in the day, leave room for shaded breaks, and choose accommodation with air conditioning if hot nights affect your sleep. Light, loose clothing, a hat and water should be everyday essentials. Evenings are better suited to an unhurried pace than to expecting a proper cool-down. August works best if you enjoy heat and can keep your schedule flexible, rather than feeling obliged to stay out all afternoon.
Dry days and warm water are the payoff
Rain is unlikely to disrupt much of your stay, with about 1 rainy day in August. You can make outdoor plans without building the trip around wet-weather alternatives, though a shower is still possible. Around 12.5 hours of sunshine means shade and sun protection deserve more space in your planning than waterproofs. If swimming is part of your holiday, the sea averages 26.3°C, with a year-to-year range of 26°C to 27°C: warm enough for comfortable swimming rather than a bracing dip. This combination suits travellers who want to mix time in the city with time by the water, provided they are comfortable with the heat between swims.
A little perspective
Athens through the year
August is highlighted. See how it compares with the rest of the year.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11.8°C | 5.4°C | 15.2°C | 4.4 | 56 | 7 | 0% |
| February | 12.8°C | 5.7°C | 14.3°C | 5.2 | 48 | 7 | 0% |
| March | 15.6°C | 7.6°C | 14.4°C | 6.2 | 50 | 7 | 1% |
| April | 19.8°C | 10.6°C | 15.6°C | 7.7 | 28 | 6 | 6% |
| Maybest | 25.2°C | 15.3°C | 18.8°C | 9.3 | 23 | 5 | 52% |
| Junebest | 30.3°C | 19.8°C | 22.6°C | 12.1 | 12 | 3 | 95% |
| July | 32.7°C | 22.2°C | 25.4°C | 13.4 | 7 | 2 | 100% |
| AugustSelected | 32.6°C | 22.1°C | 26.3°C | 12.5 | 5 | 1 | 100% |
| Septemberbest | 28.2°C | 18.9°C | 25.2°C | 9.7 | 17 | 3 | 83% |
| October | 23.0°C | 15.1°C | 22.9°C | 6.7 | 28 | 4 | 31% |
| November | 17.6°C | 10.9°C | 20.1°C | 4.8 | 50 | 7 | 2% |
| December | 13.2°C | 7.2°C | 17.3°C | 4.1 | 64 | 8 | 0% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
Keep exploring
Similar in August
Closest matches on daytime temperature, sea temperature and sunshine, in other countries.
A little more detail
Athens in August FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Is Athens hot in August?
Athens is hot in August: the average daytime high is 32.6°C and nights average 22.1°C. About 100% of August days reach 25°C or more.
Can you swim in the sea in Athens in August?
The sea around Athens averages 26.3°C in August, which is warm enough for most people to swim comfortably. Between 1991 and 2020 it ranged from 26°C to 27°C depending on the year.
How much does it rain in Athens in August?
Athens sees about 1 rainy days (1 mm or more) and 5 mm of rain in a typical August. The wettest August between 1991 and 2020 was 2002 (18 mm) and the driest was 1998 (0 mm).
How sunny is Athens in August?
Athens gets around 12.5 hours of sunshine a day in August out of 13.5 hours of daylight (estimated from average cloud cover).
How does Athens compare with the UK in August?
Athens is on average 11.2°C warmer than London by day in August (32.6°C against 21.4°C).
What is the hottest August on record in Athens?
Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest August day in Athens reached 40.5°C on 2006-08-21, and the coldest night dropped to 17.6°C on 2009-08-29.
How much hotter is Athens than London in August?
Athens has an average daytime high of 32.6°C, compared with 21.4°C in London, a difference of 11.2°C. Expect a substantial change from a typical London summer day, and allow a gentler pace while you adjust.
Will I need a jacket in the evenings?
With an average night low of 22.1°C, a jacket is unlikely to be an everyday necessity outdoors. Light clothing should suit most evenings, though a light layer may be useful if you tend to feel cool.
Is August the best month to choose?
August is a good fit for heat and warm-water swimming, but it is not the strongest overall choice. June, September and May are the best-rated months, so consider those too if your travel timing is flexible.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Athens. Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 8 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C