Greece Weather in April 2024: Travel Tips for First-Timers

The spring weather is beautiful in the lowlands in April with much sun, warmth, and blue skies. There is low rainfall, and some places are even arid. The two main urban centers, the natural and historical areas, and several islands are recommended.

Averages:

• Temperature range: 12–20°C (53–68°F)
• Rainfall: 4 cm (1 inch)
• Rainy days: 10
• Humidity: 65%
• Sunshine hours/day: 8 hours

Read on for our weather information and travel advice including average temperatures and rainfall, places to go, and travel tips…

Suggested reading: Best and Worst Times to Visit Greece>>>

Climate Comparison (Averages) for Greece's Top Tourism Areas

April's weather is so warm, fresh, beautiful, and mostly sunny at low elevations that for touring Greece's extensive historical places and hiking, spring is actually the best time since tourism is moderate.

Northern Greece: Northern Greece's weather is cooler and more variable because it is affected by Continental weather from Europe that bring higher winds, more rain, and occasional storms. The natural beauty, flowers, and fruit trees are amazing.

Southern Greece: Generally, southern Greece and the islands are sunny, green, and warm with trees bearing fruits and lots of flowers blooming.

10-Day Athens and Crete Family Tour Athens - Delphi - Chania - Heraklion

Best Places to Visit in Greece in April

April is an especially good time for being outdoors: walk and tour around Greece's extensive ancient ruins, go on extended hikes, and visit the modern urban highlights and museums during low season with less tourists around you. The natural beauty, bright sun, clear skies, and green flora are amazing.

1. Athens — Tour the Whole City

April is a wonderful time to tour the Acropolis, other historic sites, parks and neighborhoods since there is bright sunlight, pleasant weather in the evenings, and pleasant 60% humidity. There are low prices and low numbers of tourists. The 7½ hour daily dose of sunshine makes the 21ºC (70ºC) temperature feel warm

The highlights such as the Acropolis and Syntagma Square are recommended. So are the major museums such as the Acropolis Museum, and small interesting ones such as the Jewish Museum in Syntagma. Stay in Monastiraki to be close to all these places, good tourist-oriented shops, hotels, and restaurants, and convenient infrastructure.

There is a surprising abundance of flowers and fruit, both wild and cultivated. Athens' streets and parks are full of orange trees in bloom that give off a wonderful scent, and other trees are in fruit or blooming such as other citrus fruit, plum, apple, and olive trees.

2. Thessaloniki — Hike in the Thessaloniki Valley and Enjoy the Food

In April, Thessaloniki is very interesting for hikers because of the great natural beauty of blooming flowers and fruit trees, the farmlands, the great ruins and historic places, the culture, and great Greek food.

Thessaloniki has buildings and construction from many eras to see. Hikers enjoy hiking the natural trails to nearby towns, and the low rainfall is good for hiking. The temperatures range from 19°C (66°F) to 11°C (51°F), and this is cooler than most of the popular tourist highlightsIt is too cold to swim.

Museums to see include the Byzantine Culture Museum to learn about the history of the Greece and the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki. Driving from Athens takes about 5 hours.

3. Meteora — Visit Natural Beauty and Epic Architecture

Meteora is astounding geologically with tall cliffs, and perhaps even more astounding is to see what the people had done to build on top of so many of them. They built their monasteries like little castles that blend well and cap off the sandstone pillars nicely.

There are now 6 monasteries or nunneries open for visits, generally between 9 am and 4 or 5 pm in April. About 23 were originally built starting from about 1350. They are tourist and pilgrimage places, museums, and residences for the monks and nuns.

There are grand Orthodox celebrations and processions in the region in April if Orthodox Easter falls in April as it usually does. The beauty of the countryside in flower and the fruit trees is also wonderful to see as you hike between the monasteries. The drive from Athens takes 4½ hours.

4. Crete — Sightseeing, Hiking, Luxury Resort Stays

Crete is part of Greece's southernmost island group, so it becomes one of the sunniest and warmest places in April with highs of 20ºC (68ºF) and lows of 12ºC (54ºF) and pleasant 62% humidity There are beautiful beaches you could bask on. The sea temperature of about 17°C (60ºF) is too cold for swimming.

There is still fairly low tourism, so you can see the beautiful scenery and hike without crowds with you, and prices for hotels and food are moderate. Also, during Easter, there are special celebrations and processions. It is their biggest holiday, last four days, and includes fireworks.

You could enjoy the island's culture and hike and see the historical sites such as Knossos without crowds. Crete is famed for many kinds of blooming flowers in April. The 13 km (8 mile) Samaria Gorge trail usually opens about April 20. Flights from Athens take an hour.

5. Corfu — Relax, Sightsee, and Enjoy Seafood

Corfu is an island off the coast of western Greece that is about 3 km (2 miles) from Albania. It is famed for beaches, history, huge fornications, museums, and great agriculture and food. There are about 3 or 4 million olive trees!

During April, the temperatures range from 19ºC (66ºF) to 10ºC (50ºF). The relative humidity of about 73% combined with the usually sunny weather makes comfortable weather for strolling, hiking and seeing the natural beauty. The biggest castle is the New Fortress that was built by the Venetians and finished in 1645.

There is moderate rainfall, and about 12 days in April have some rain, so you might need raingear. The humidity of 73% makes the cool temperatures feel milder. There is an international airport, and a flight from Athens takes about an hour. A ferry from Sarande, Albania or the Greece coast takes half an hour.

7-Day Culinary Exploration of Athens and Sifnos Athens - Sifnos

April is a Low to Moderate Tourism Season in Greece

In April, the sun, blue skies, and bright light might intoxicate you. You could stroll, eat outside with the locals, and enjoy the culture. While you do this, you will have much lower prices for hotels than in the summer months. The tourism is still low.

You will find plenty of naturally farmed fresh fruit and vegetables, and enjoy Greece's famed healthy cuisine.

There are usually no public holidays in April. Easter usually falls in April, and it is Greece's biggest holiday. For 4 days, public buildings, schools and businesses close down. There are celebrations and processions everywhere, and Corfu, Meteora, and Athens are noted for their celebrations.

What to Wear in April

There is a big temperature difference between the days and nights, so you will have to have a jacket ready for the evenings. You'll still need coats for the mountains or to the north of Greece.

UV protection: The sunlight in especially southern Greece and the islands turns intense, and it is mostly sunny. Strangely however, you might be surprised that you don't get sunburn in spite of the strong sunlight. If you sunburn easily, take the precaution wear a sunhat and thin long sleeve shirts and trousers or long dresses.

Shoes: Have comfortable and sturdy shoes for nature hikes and hiking around historical places such as the Acropolis park and cobbled stone streets.

Monthly Weather in Greece