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

Many people think that Greece's weather in September is the best for touring the urban, historical, and natural areas and going to the beaches. Greece transitions from hot, dry weather with intense sunlight to warm weather with more clouds and some rain. There is high tourism at the beginning September.

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

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Averages:

• Temperature range: 20–28°C (67–82°F)
• Rainfall: 4 cm (1 inches)
• Rainy days: 5
• Humidity: 63% (The humidity makes it feel warmer.)
• Sea temperature: 26°C (79°F) (ideal for swimming)
• Sunshine hours/day: 9 hours

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

Most of Greece has hot, bright, and sunny weather in September with low rainfall, except in northern Greece or places with high mountains, which is great for touring Greece's historical places, hiking, and relaxation. The moderate humidity makes it feel warmer. The sea temperature is ideal for swimming.

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 is brown and wilted. This is ideal weather for going to beaches, swimming, and doing watersports.

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The Best Places to Visit in Greece in September

September is a good time to go hiking in nature and to walk around ancient ruins and urban areas. To avoid the heat and biggest crowds, go out in the mornings and late afternoons. The bright sun and clear blue skies might enchant you and/or be uncomfortably hot.

1.Athens — Tour the Whole City

At the beginning of the month, there are highs of about 33ºC (91ºF) degrees. It is hot under the sun, and there are large tourist crowds. The size of the crowds becomes moderate by the end of the month, and at the end of September it is much more comfortable to visit.

Nine hours of daily sunshine together with 57% average humidity makes the 30°C (86ºF) average highs feel a little warmer. The rainfall is low. This is excellent weather for strolling and seeing the ancient ruins in Acropolis Park or for walking along Ermou Street and the Monastiraki street market.

You could also go to the big city parks such as the one around Mount Lycabettus in downtown Athens that has a 272-meter (892-foot) peak and the most scenic views of the whole Athens area. In the early evenings, you can watch pretty sunsets there too.

Athens has sandy beaches including an urban beach next to Piraeus Port, Kavouri, Edem, and golden sanded Apeiranthou. The water temperature is about 26°C (79ºF), and this is good for swimming. To avoid heatstroke, drink lots of water and fruit juices.

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

Crete has semi-arid weather in September and ideal sea temperatures of about 25°C (77°F) for diving, watersports, and swimming. The beaches are very good, and September is one of the best months for windsurfing due to strong winds.

Crete is Greece's largest island and bigger than the state of Delaware. In this large area with only 700,000 people, you can find solitude in nature in the mountains and beaches and off-the-beaten-track hikes. Samaria Gorge, the longest canyon in Europe, has a particularly famed hiking trail.

There's a diversity of interesting places to visit on Crete such as very ancient ruins at Knossos and the Heraklion Museum. Flights from Athens take an hour, and there is an international airport.

3.Naxos — Enjoy Very Good Beaches and Beauty Scenery in Great Weather

In September, the Cyclades islands off Greece's eastern coast are dry and have great weather. It is moderate tourism season, and you can enjoy the warm weather and the fruits of harvest season. Daily temperatures range from about 29°C (84°F) to 19°C (67°F). The seas are ideal at 26°C (79ºF).

Naxos is a great Greek getaway island because it is quite large with some of the best beaches, nature, and the highest mountain in the Cyclades. There are temples, Venetian towers, and Byzantine churches. There is a good network of hiking trails.

Naxos is the greenest and most fertile of the Cyclades. It is known for very fertile fields that produce excellent crops and for having among the most beautiful beaches in the Aegean Sea. Flights from Athens take about 45 minutes, and ferries take between 4 to 6 hours.

4.Delphi — Hike around one of the Major Archeological Sites

For most people, September has the best hiking weather to hike around on the ruins of Delphi since it is semi-arid and the average temperature range is from highs of about 24°C (75°) to comfortable sleeping weather at night with lows of 16°C (61°F).

The small mountain has extensive ruins that are in good condition. It is one of Greece's major archeological sites. You can see the Treasury of the Athenians, a large stadium, and a large theater. Both seated thousands of people. You can learn about Greece's history at the modern museum.

The area around Delphi is also good for nature hiking. You can hike to the Corycean Grotto and to Parnassos National Park on trails. The drive from Athens to Delphi takes about 2½ hours.

5.Nafplio — Tour and Hike around the Peloponnese and See the History

The Peloponnese is the southern part of the mainland of Greece. It is a large peninsula that is connected to the rest of Greece by a narrow isthmus. It is very rugged and has many hills and mountains and forests. It is filled with historic places such as Olympia and Mycenae.

Nafplio is about two hours from Athens by driving, and it is one of the main tourist bases for touring the region. It is interesting for seaside port scenery and also for large fortresses, Palamidi and Akronafplia. It has an interesting history as well, which left many landmarks.

The Venetians controlled it for hundreds of years, and it became the first capital of Greece. The average temperatures in September range from 28°C (82°F) to about 16°C (61°F). It is semi-arid with about 3 cm (1 inch) of rainfall for the month and only 2 days of rainfall.

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High to Moderate Tourism Season: Touring Advice for September

In September, the weather is great. It cools down and gets a little cloudier at the end September. By the second or third week of September, most Americans and Northern Europeans return home, so tourism and prices moderate.

At the beginning of the month, the hotel prices are highest and flights and ferries run with greater frequency, so paradoxically, you might find bargain tickets for flights to popular islands such as Crete.

The sun, blue skies and intense light intoxicate, but be careful about heatstroke. Drink a lot of water and fruit juice. This is harvest season and the peak of the grape and harvest, so enjoy lots of fresh organic fruits and vegetables, traditional cheese varieties, and fresh seafood.

There are no public holidays in September.

What to Wear in September

Due to the humidity from the sea and intensely bright sunshine, most of the tourist highlights feel hot. Most of Greece gets 9 hours of direct sunshine. You would be most comfortable in thin, light, and breathable clothing.

At the end of September, you might need a jacket, especially in northern Greece and on the mountains. There is intense glare off the shiny pavements and the ruins, so polarized sunglasses are useful.

UV protection: Wear a sunhat, and cover up with long sleeves and long trousers or dresses 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 good for swimming and water sports.

Monthly Weather in Greece