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

It starts to get rainier and cloudier in Greece in October, but it is still so warm, sunny, and mostly dry that there is good weather for touring the urban, historical, and natural areas. Early October is better for going to the beaches.

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>>>

Averages:

• Temperature range: 16–24°C (61–74°F)
• Rainfall: 7 cm (3 inches)
• Rainy days: 9
• Humidity: 69% (The humidity makes it feel warmer.)
• Sea temperature: 23°C (73°F) (pleasant swimming temperature)
• Sunshine hours/day: 7 hours

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

Most of Greece has warm and sunny weather in October with low rainfall except in northern Greece, the eastern coastal islands, and places with high mountains. It is great for touring Greece's historical places, hiking, and relaxation. The moderate humidity makes it feel warmer.

Northern Greece: The continental weather from Europe is cooler, rainier, and stormier. There is more green natural scenery and a lot of forests with beautiful fall foliage by the end of the month.

Southern Greece: The southern islands are often sunny, dry, and warm. This is good weather for touring the ancient places, hiking, and basking on beaches. The sea temperature is pleasant for water sports and swimming.

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The Best Places to Visit in Greece in October

October is a good time to hike in nature and walk around in ancient ruins and urban areas. The clear blue skies and bright sun might amaze you even in October.

1.Athens — Tour the Whole City

Athens has great weather for walking and touring in October. It is warm with low rainfall, but it gets rainier and cooler by the end of the month. There are 7 hours of sunshine per day and 66% humidity on average. This makes the average high of about 24ºC (75ºF) feel warmer.

Since there are fewer tourists around, you could enjoy strolling in the Acropolis Park area, Mount Lycabettus, and the shopping streets of Athens more comfortably during the day.

Athens has sandy beaches too including Kavouri, Edem, and an urban one next to Piraeus Port. The average sea temperature is 23ºC (73ºF), and most people consider this to be pleasant or even warm for swimming.

2. Crete — Hike and Enjoy the Beauty of Fall

As the rest of Greece grows cooler, Crete stays warmer since it is the southernmost part of Greece. It is the largest island of Greece, bigger than the state of Delaware, and has diverse places of interest. Temperatures stay warm and range from highs of 24°C (75°F) to 17°C (63°F).

Historical highlights include Knossos and monasteries. The Heraklion Museum is among the best in Greece. Natural highlights include beaches with pink and gray sand and inland parklands such as Samaria Gorge, one of the biggest valleys in Europe, where you can find solitude.

October is moderate tourism season. Prices are much lower, and by the end of the month, some businesses close. Flights from Athens take an hour, and there is an international airport.

3. Kefalonia — Have a Family and Beach Vacation

Kefalonia is the biggest of the Ionian Islands on the western side of Greece. It is a popular family vacation island because there are so many things families can do together such as visit Italian castles and monasteries and go to the many fine beaches.

The weather is good for outdoor activities. The average water temperature in October is 23°C (74°F) which is pleasant, and the average daily highs are also 23°C (74°F) or warmer. The sea is calmer than at other places in Greece, and this is good for children. The island is big enough for natural solitude.

There is a national park. You might climb Mount Ainos and boat on Melissani Lake, which is underground! Flights are the best way to travel there, and flights from Athens take about an hour.

4. Delphi — Hike at One of the Major Archeological Sites During the Beauty of Autumn

Delphi has extensive ruins on a small mountain, and October has good weather for a visit. There are 8 days of moderate rainfall, which mostly falls at the end of the month. Delphi is one of Greece's major archeological sites with a large theater and a large stadium that both seated thousands.

The popular hiking trails are less crowded too. You could hike all the way to Parnassos National Park amid natural beauty and delight in the colors of fall backlighted by the clear blue skies and crisp air. The Corycean Grotto hike is also popular.

Average highs are 19°C (66°F), and lows are quite cool at 12°C (54°F). So have a good jacket and raingear handy. The drive from Athens to Delphi takes about 2½ hours.

5. Santorini and Delos — Visit Ancient Places and Hike in Natural Beauty

Santorini has warm, dry, and sunny weather and moderate tourism in October, and it is still warm enough to swim. The weather is good for being outdoors and walking in the ruins of Akrotiri. Average highs are 23°C (73°F), and the lows are comfortable for sleeping at 17°C (63°F).

The Cyclades islands in the Aegean Sea have warmer temperatures and less crowding. The water temperature at the island's beautiful beaches is 23°C (73°F) and suitable for swimming and watersports. You could bask on the beaches with less crowding. A famed hiking trail goes along the rim of a volcano caldera.

You can take a day trip to Delos too to see the many ruins. Tickets for ferries that go between Athens and the Cyclades islands, where Santorini and Delos are, might be half the price of peak summer season. Flying from Athens takes about an hour.

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High to Moderate Tourism Season: Touring Advice for October

The first half of October has warm and pleasant weather. Then it cools down and gets rainier and cloudier, and some storms come in. The fall colors come out, and you can see flowers bloom again on the islands and in southern Greece, where many are happy about the rain!

As tourism becomes moderate, the prices for hotel rooms and flights decline to as much as 60% of the peak prices of July and August.

This is harvest season, so you can enjoy many kinds of organic and freshly-picked fruits and vegetables. Enjoy traditional kinds of cheese and fresh seafood too. Greece's is quite healthy cuisine.

Public holidays in October: October 28, 2024 is National Anniversary. It is also called Oxi Day. It was the day that the Greek government refused to surrender to the Fascists during WWII. There is a military parade in Syntagma Square in front of the national buildings.

What to Wear in October

Due to the humidity from the sea and bright sunshine, most of the tourist highlights still feel warm in the sunny afternoons. Greece gets about 7 hours of direct sunshine.

You will need a jacket, especially in northern Greece and on the mountains. Wear polarized glasses for the intense glare off the shiny pavements and the ruins.

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

Shoes: You will need comfortable and sturdy shoes with good traction for walking around on nature trails and archeological places such as Acropolis Park and Knossos and the cobbled stone streets. Slipping on wet smooth rocks and pavement is a danger.

Swimwear: The average sea temperature is about 23°C (73°F) at most of Greece's beach highlights in October. This is pleasant for swimming and water sports. You might prefer wearing a thin wetsuit.

Monthly Weather in Greece