When busy summer ends, a truly rejuvenating season comes in Greece: Autumn Holidays. Although it has a melancholic tone, autumn is the season to recover and reboot. Crowds return home, the temperature is not exhaustingly hot and nature changes.
Autumn holidays in Greece is a chance for a deep insight into the Greek culture. In early autumn (early September to mid October) people still go swimming although the sea is not as hot as in summer. The weather is sunny but can be pretty windy some days in the Greek islands. Tourists are fewer, there are no loud parties till the early hours, making it a great season for the elderly, and of course prices are lower.
10 reasons to visit Greece in autumn
- Visit Meteora Highlighted By Autumn’s Brilliant Foliage.
- Take Part in The Grape Harvest.
- Celebrate The Olive Harvest.
- Enjoy Beautiful Beaches All to Yourself.
- Swimming in Summer-Warmed Waters.
- Enjoy a Climate That’s Ideal for Hiking.
- Explore Ancient Ruins Without Battling the Crowds.
- Set Sail for a Day Trip on the Sea.
- Take Advantage of Luxurious Accommodations For Less.
- Enjoy a More Authentic Experience.
These days are wonderful for exploring the beautiful nature of Greece, either in the Greek islands or in the Greek mainland. As the temperature is lower (around 10-15oC in autumn months), many hikers come in Greece in autumn to explore old stone footpaths.
The second half of autumn, from mid October to late November, is the chance to see the Greek countryside at its best. This is the season when the Greeks harvest the olive trees and produce high-quality olive oil, press grapes to make wine, gather fruits from the trees and make jams, produce raki and tsipouro from the wine extracts. This is also the time when village houses light the fireplaces and there is a light fire smoke all around the village streets.
In order to live these authentic experiences, many foreigners actually come to Greece in autumn and participate voluntarily in these activities. There are volunteer places for olive harvesting, jam making or wine production. Many agrotourist farms are found in the Greek mainland, in Crete island and even smaller islands, like Corfu island and Ikaria island, giving people the chance to experience the autumn side of Greece.
Autumn, sun and sea in Greece
During this season, the weather in Greece is ideal for holidays. Greece Autumn Holidays is cheapest season for travellers and the countryside takes on an autumnal glow, the sea stays warm enough for swimming, the resorts become a bit quieter, and the earth delivers its bounty, olives and grapes, oil and wine. Nature in Greece during autumn is magical. Enjoy the many shades of red and orange as the trees change colour. Take in the fragrances that nature exudes after the first fall rain.
Greece Autumn Holidays
Autumn will give you countless opportunities to try something really different. September, when the grapes are harvested, is the time to visit some of Greece’s state-of-the-art wineries. A month later – towards the end of September and early October – for a more rustic and intoxicating experience, try to find out who’s making raki out of the skins and stalks in Crete.
Later in autumn, during October and November, your holidays on mainland Greece will be chock full of surprises: in the large olive groves locals gather their olives. You can find out all about the traditional occupations and products by staying at a farm set up for agrotourism. And help with the chores. Think how good it will make you’ll feel. Greece in autumn is a truly pleasurable experience!
Popular destinations in Greece during autumn
This is the time to discover the other side of holidays in Greece. Autumn holidays in Greece mean quiet cosmopolitan islands, exploring the Argosaronic islands close to Athens and visiting the lush, green Sporades for a weekend sojourn. Hop over to Evia’s long beaches and thick forests or go up to Pelion, where you can combine beach and mountain pleasures. Autumn is perfect too for sailing in the Aegean or Ionian seas, since August’s north winds have calmed down.
In autumn, nature’s at its most magical. The reds and golds of the forests will delight you, however you travel. Now’s the moment for a romantic autumn holiday in the fortress state of Monemvasia, but Nafplio and Nafpaktos would also fit the bill with their Venetian castles and ports. Take a hike on the old trails on the islands and mainland or pay homage to the wonderful Byzantine churches and monasteries that exist all over Greece.
If you’re an urbanite, this is when you can get to know Athens and Thessaloniki the way the Greeks do. In autumn both cities regain their very different rhythms and unique spirit. Explore on foot, shop till you drop, dip into their fabulous museums and avant-garde galleries, take in a play or a concert, but above all explore the night scene.
Is it still warm in Greece in October?
The sea temperature is still warm in October and most days are sunny. Most businesses are open, despite the fewer crowds and, sure enough, you can find great deals in this off-season. The best time to visit Mykonos is October when the crowds have diminished, the water remains warm and rates fall.
Which Greek island is hottest in October?
Crete often thought of as the warmest Greek island in October, and there’s plenty to see and do. The sea water is also still warm enough for swimming, making it a good choice of destination for autumn sun holidays.
Is October a good time to visit the Greek islands?
The best time to visit the Greek islands and beaches of Greece is from late May to early October when the weather is great and there’s little rain. The sea temperature warms throughout the summer and swimming is best in July, August, and September.
Can you swim in October in Greece?
Can I swim in Greece in October? Yes you can! As long as you don’t mind a bit of a shock when you first get in, the seas still have some warmth in them. Don’t feel intimidated if you are the only one actually stripping off at the beach, a quick swim is just the way to tighten that skin and freshen up.
What’s the weather like in Greece end of October?
Despite the fact that the month of September in Athens can produce summer-like temperatures, the weather starts to cool off significantly in October, and especially at night. The average temperature this month is 19°C (66°F), while the average low is 15°C (59°C), and the average high is 23°C (73°F).
Which Are The Best Greek Islands to Visit in Autumn
The tourist season usually starts to wind down during October, in anticipation of a shift in weather. We advise you to make holiday in Crete, Rhodes and Karpathos.
