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

In August, much of Greece is hot with intense sunlight and blue skies, and it is very dry in southern Greece. Attractions are crowded. We recommend seeing the highlights of Athens, the natural and historical areas, and two islands for a break from the heat and crowds.

Averages:

• Temperature range: 22–31°C (72–88°F)
• Rainfall: 1 cm (0 inches)
• Rainy days: 2
• Humidity: 56% (The humidity makes the heat feel hotter.)
• Sea temperature: 26–27°C (78–80°F) (ideal swimming temperatures)
• Sunshine hours/day: 11 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

Greece has hot, bright and sunny weather in August with slight rainfall except at places with high mountains and northern Greece, which is great for touring Greece's historical places, hiking, and strolling. The moderate humidity makes it feel hotter.

Northern Greece: The continental weather from Europe is rainier, cooler, and stormier. There are a lot of forests, and green natural beauty.

Southern Greece: Southern Greece and the islands are sunny, dry, and hot. A lot of the vegetation turns brown and wilted. You can go to beaches, swim in seas with ideal temperatures, and do watersports.

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Best Places to Visit in Greece in August

August is a good time to hike outdoors and walk and see Greece's ancient ruins and urban attractions. In the mornings and late afternoons, you could avoid the worst heat and biggest crowds. The bright sun and clear blue skies amaze, but it can also be uncomfortably hot.

1. Athens — Tour the Whole City

The 34ºC (93ºF) degree average highs might feel uncomfortable outside under the sun. There are 11½ hours of daily sunshine. With the average 47% humidity, it might feel like 39ºC (102ºF). Athens is one of the hottest highlights of Greece and gets only 2 days of rain on average each August.

Avoid the heat at Mount Lycabettus in downtown Athens or the Acropolis at about 8 am when the doors open or in the late afternoons. In the early evenings, you can watch pretty sunsets too. Mount Lycabettus, a 272-meter (892-foot) peak, has the best views of the Athens area.

To avoid heatstroke, drink lots of water and real fruit juice. You can get beverages and shop at the Monastiraki street market or Ermou Street. Athens has sandy beaches too including Kavouri, Edem, golden sanded Apeiranthou, and an urban one next to Piraeus Port.

2. Crete — Hike and Enjoy the Beauty of High Summer

Crete is a Greece's largest island, recommended for its variety of things to do. See ruins such as Knossos and monasteries and Heraklion Museum is among the best in Greece. It is bigger than the state of Delaware, so you can find solitude.

The beaches and the inland park areas such as Samaria Gorge, which 10,000s hike each year, are particularly famed. The beaches are in colors ranging from gray to pink to white. The sea temperature averages 26°C (about 80°F). There are 11½ hours of sun a day on average!

Enjoy among the best food in Greece, locally grown in nearby organic gardens. Delve into exploring and eating the healthy cuisine, and see what makes Cretans live so long. Flights from Athens take an hour, and there is an international airport.

3. Thessaloniki — Hike Around and See the Royal Tombs of the First Emperors

Thessaloniki is Greece's second largest city, and it has ancient buildings, museums, and a beautiful valley for hiking excursions. The tomb of King Philip of Macedon, who was Emperor Alexander's father, and the associated museum is an hour from Thessaloniki.

Thessaloniki's famous museums are the Archaeological Museum and Museum of Byzantine Culture. You could also shop in the street markets and see with the Roman Rotunda church. Halkidiki beach is very good. The ideal water temperature averages 27°C (80°F).

The average temperatures in August range from 32°C (90°F) to 22°C (71°F). You could go to Mount Olympus that is about 1½ hours away. Driving from Athens takes about 5 hours.

4. Delphi — See One of the Major Archeological Sites and Hike

Since the rainfall in Delphi is at its lowest in July and August, with basically zero rainfall, high summer is the best time to hike on the small mountain that Delphi is on and see the many ruins that are in good condition. It is one of Greece's major archeological sites.

There are many big places to see that are in good condition such as the Treasury of the Athenians, a large theater, and a large stadium. Both of these seated thousands of people. There is a museum there too.

You could also hike to the Corycean Grotto cave and hike all the way to Parnassos National Park on prepared paths. There is good weather for hiking. Average highs are 34°C (93°F), and lows are a comfortable 24°C (75°F). The drive from Athens to Delphi takes about 2½ hours.

5. Naxos — Enjoy a Hideaway from the Crowds and Very Good Beaches

As many of Greece's highlights get crowded, busy, and expensive in August, a great Greek getaway island is Naxos, with some of the best beaches and the highest mountain in the Cyclades as well as temples, Venetian towers and buildings, and Byzantine churches.

Naxos is the greenest and most fertile of the Cyclades. Tourists congregate at the popular beaches and at the capital Chora, so you can escape the crowds by following hiking trails that lead to quiet villages and very fertile farmlands.

The weather is arid. Temperatures range from 33°C (91°F) to 22°C (72°F) on average. Flights are the best travel option: about 40 minutes from Athens (about 70 USD). A ferry from Santorini takes 1 or 2 hours, and one from Athens takes about 6 hours.

7-Day Essence of Greece Athens - Mykonos - Santorini

Tips for Visiting Greece in August

In August, the bright sun, blue skies, and intense light might intoxicate, but when hiking or walking in urban areas, the sun could cause heatstroke and headaches, so drink a lot of water and fruit juice and wear sunglasses. Peak tourism means hotel prices are highest.

Ferries and flights run with the greatest frequency. So paradoxically, you might find bargain tickets for flights to popular islands such as Crete.

In the summer, enjoy Greece's bounty of healthy food skillfully made from excellent fresh seafood, organically grown fresh fruit and vegetables, and locally-made traditional cheese varieties.

There are no public holidays in August.

What to Wear in August

Due to the humidity from the sea and intensely bright sunshine, most of the tourist highlights are scorching. Most of Greece gets 12 hours of direct sunshine. You would be most comfortable in thin, light and breathable clothing.

Only in higher elevations or the north would you need a jacket at night. Wear polarized sunglasses since there is intense glare off the shiny pavements and ruins.

UV protection: Cover up with long sleeves and long trousers or dresses, and wear a sunhat if you have sensitive skin.

Shoes: You will need comfortable and sturdy shoes with good traction for walking around on nature trails and archeological sites such as Acropolis Park and Knossos and cobbled stone streets.

Swimwear: The average sea temperature is about 26°C (78°F) at most of Greece's beach highlights in August, and this is ideal for swimming and watersports.

Monthly Weather in Greece