Greece is so much more than a destination for summer sun and beaches. In fact, it’s got a lot to offer in the off-season, particularly in the winter. But Greece travel looks a little different in the winter, so here’s what you need to know before you go.
Why Going to Greece in Winter is a Great Idea
The summers in Greece are famously beautiful. But in recent years in particular, they are also incredibly, unbelievably, often dangerously hot. I’ve lived here for several years now so I know the struggle all too well.
Yes, we have air-conditioning and iced coffee (freddo espressos and cappuchinos for the win) but even with those comforts, it’s becoming unbearable.
The heat limits what you can do during the day (hiking is out, so is most sightseeing, and even just laying on the beach you will roast like a little potato in the oven). It’s even worse in Athens, which is basically one dense concrete oven in July and August.
Plus, hypertourism has definitely arrived in Greece and it’s hard to even move in popular areas during the summer. There’s nothing more unpleasant than being crammed into the Athens metro, on a car without air conditioning, with the summer hordes of tourists.
Consider the Off-Season Benefits
The off-season in Greece is basically any time that’s not the summer. Spring and fall are also beautiful here, and are becoming more and more popular for visitors. But winter has its own very special beauty here in Greece.
Plus, you’ll find significant savings. Renting a car for a week in the summer will run you 300 euros and up, while in winter the same car will be less than 100 euros. Hotels are much cheaper, and flights are too many times. Most museums and historical sites are half-price in winter as well.
And the crowds are much, much thinner on the ground almost everywhere. Ferries aren’t heaving with tourists, you can easily book last-minute hotels, and you won’t have to line up for hours to get into the famous archaeological sites.
The Best Places to Visit in Greece in the Winter
To ensure your Greece trip in winter will be as amazing as possible, it’s important to pick the right destination(s). I’d suggest a few days in Athens and a few days in another city or one of the islands I recommend – read on for my full insights into the top places for a winter trip.
Athens
Athens is always, always beautiful (at least to me, because she’s my home). And the city is vibrant throughout the whole year, except during Easter and the first half of August when it completely empties out.
But otherwise, there’s always plenty of art, culture, experiences, sites, and people happening.
Athens may be chaotic and run-down in many spots, but she’s never dull.
What to Do in Athens in Winter
- Go up to the Acropolis without dying of heatstroke (and it’s half-price!)
- Visit a few of the many fabulous museums, like the National Archaeological Museum, the Cycladic Museum, the Byzantine and Christian Museum, and the Benaki Museum
- Climb up one or all of the hills within the city center, like Filopappou and Lykavittus
- Eat at cozy traditional tavernas like Karavitis in Pangrati, Avli in Psirri, or Rosalia in Exarchia
- Drink rakomelo (hot raki liqueur sweetened with honey) at homey cafes like The Tailor’s Friends in Keramikos or Louvron in Pangrati
If you want to take a day trip to see snowy mountains in Greece, you can head to Parnassos or Parnitha, both mountains near Athens. You can even go skiing if the weather is right – yep, you can ski in Greece!
Crete
Crete is one of the most special places in Greece, and it’s always worth a visit. In winter, it’s warmer than the rest of Greece because it’s so far south.
It also has something for absolutely everyone: incredible food, outdoor activities, thousands and thousands of years of history, modern cities, beaches, mountain villages, and raki. So much raki. (Raki is homemade, very strong, liquor that you’ll always get after a meal here, and it’s delicious.)
Where to Go in Crete in Winter
- Heraklion is the biggest city in Crete, and while it’s not the most beautiful, it has lots to do. Stay at the GDM Megaron Hotel, visit the incredible Archeological Museum, drink coffees by the sea, and eat at Peskesi, one of my favorite restaurants in Greece.
- Chania is touristy but beautiful, and while it will be quieter in winter, it’s still lovely to walk around the old Venetian buildings in the harbor and explore the tiny twisting streets.
- Rethymno is in between the two cities, and it’s also very picturesque. With a big student population, it’s lively all year round.
- If you need ideas for a Crete itinerary, you need to talk to Sofia at Taste the Local Crete! She’s a Crete local with all the best spots for your trip.
Rhodes
Rhodes is another large island (the fourth-largest in Greece, to be exact) and it’s quite far south as well, meaning it’s still fairly warm and vibrant even in winter. I went in 2024 in February and did some swimming and suntanning!
Rhodes has a very interesting and scenic old town, which was home to the Knights Templar for more than 200 years. You can see their old lodgings, which are stunning, and also the old fortifications built over centuries and look like nowhere else in Greece.
While all the hyper-touristy shops in the old town close in winter, that’s no loss unless you’re dying for a tacky Chinese-made souvenir you can buy anywhere.
And the good restaurants and cafes will still be open for the large local population, so you’ll have plenty of good choices even in winter.
What to Do in Rhodes in Winter
- Go to Lindos to see the ancient and well-preserved Acropolis there
- Stay at the lovely 10GR Hotel & Wine Bar, right in the center of the old town and open all winter, with a terrific restaurant and wine bar
- Go to the Archaeological Museum in the old town, which is a gorgeous setting in its own right
- Wander the old town which will be quiet and untouristy – your only company will be a handful of locals and a whole lot of cute stray cats
Mainland Cities
While Greece might seem like it’s made up only of islands, it has a huge mainland as well. And while the islands are even more beautiful than you can imagine, they’re also almost all pretty shut down in the winter except for the few I’ve mentioned above.
If you want silence and only one open taverna, head wherever you want, but if you’re looking for some more life, a small mainland city would be a much better option. My favorites for a winter trip are:
Thessaloniki
Greece’s second-biggest city with lots of interesting ancient sites (don’t miss the Rotunda especially) and really delicious food. Eat bougatsa, drink tsipouro, and stay at the MonAsty hotel in the center for some pampering after you stroll the city all day.
Nafplio
A little gem of a city less than two hours from Athens, with pastel Italianate houses and plenty of seaside cafes. If you’re feeling adventurous, climb the thousand steps up to the fortress for views to die for. Stay at the Epoch House & Orange Shop for their super-comfy beds and lavish, delicious breakfast.
Kalamata
Another lovely little seaside city just a few hours from Athens, and yes this is where the famous olives are from. Stay at the Grand Hotel Kalamata for some pampering and luxury at very reasonable off-season prices.
Ioannina
Head into Greece’s interior and discover this adorable mountain city surrounded by a beautiful lake. Visit the little island in the lake for a different kind of Greek island experience, and eat at Dodoni for fabulous Epirote cuisine. You can also do day trips from here to mountain villages like Metsovo.
Tips for Winter Travel in Greece
What else do you need to know about traveling to Greece in winter? Here’s a few of my top tips.
Don’t dress for summer. Yes, you’re going to Greece, and you’re probably imagining a beach holiday full of sunshine. And I do see tourists walking around in shorts in Athens in January, but they’re usually shivering. Pack appropriately and thoughtfully to maximize your enjoyment! (More on what to pack in the next section.)
Check transit options carefully. Ferry routes and some bus routes run less frequently in winter, and the same goes for some flights. Check that your ideal itinerary is truly possible on your desired dates before you get your heart set on anything!
Expect delays. In winter, if you’re taking ferries especially, prepare for delays, changes, and cancellations. If a strong storm blows in, ferry routes will be canceled and you can get (briefly) stuck, so plan plenty of wiggle room in your itinerary just in case.
Get ready to go slow. The pace of life in most places in Greece in the winter is slow and relaxed. Many seasonal businesses are closed or have shorter hours, and anyone who works in tourism is enjoying some much-needed relaxation even if they’re still open. Embrace the slowness and the stillness – it’s a really lovely way to unwind and relax!
Temperatures in Greece in Winter
When I say that Greece gets cold in winter, it’s of course a relative judgement. Greece cold is nothing like Chicago cold, for example.
In Athens, it almost never hits freezing, and most of the time the lows are in the mid-40s at night and highs in the 50s during the day, sometimes in the 60s. Northern Greece gets colder, sometimes below freezing, and does get snow. (Even parts of the wider Athens region get snow a few times in each winter.)
But! While this is not super, super cold, it’s still pretty chilly and you should plan accordingly. You can check my post on Greece weather by month for a more in-depth rundown too.
Packing for Greece in Winter
If you’re going to a northern city like Thessaloniki or Ioannina, know that it can get quite cold in the winter, so dress warmly. Even in Athens, which is in the south, the winter months can be chilly, overcast, and damp (same for Crete and Rhodes to some degree).
And since Greece doesn’t have a long winter, you’ll notice that the heating systems in houses and other buildings aren’t particularly good so you’ll be chilly even when you’re inside. (Sometimes it’s colder inside my house than it is outside in February!)
I’d suggest packing plenty of layers with some warm bits, like a cozy coat and a light pair of gloves, so you’re prepared for the changeable winter weather.
Winter in Greece is also typically the rainiest season – it probably won’t rain all day, but we do get some storms and you’ll want to have at least a light waterproof layer and an umbrella to keep you dry just in case.
You also have a good chance of getting some lovely sunny days, but be prepared for less-than-perfect days too! And enjoy my favorite country in a quiet, peaceful season just like I do.