Travel advice for Greece
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Greece
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Read all reviews ⤍Wondering about the weather in Greece in October? Read on for a run-down through everything you need to know on that very subject. Here we cover everything from average air and sea temperatures, to what to expect in terms of costs and crowds, along with inspired itinerary suggestions that’ll help you make the most of your trip.
If you’re not keen on crowds and super-scorching weather, October is definitely a good time to visit Greece. In fact, many return visitors to the country hail early autumn as their favourite time to go to Greece.
And the reasons? While the weather is mild (all the better if you’re planning an active holiday), you can expect 6-8 hours of sunshine a day.
Visiting Greece in October is also all the better for exploring top attractions, which draw colossal queues during the peak summer season. In addition, fewer crowds and lower costs means you have a bigger chance of bagging yourself the best accommodation at a better price.
Thinking of visiting Greece in October? Embark on your dream trip hassle-free with the help of our Greece travel experts.
The weather in Greece in October allows you to swim, sunbathe and enjoy al fresco dining to your heart’s content. However, as the month draws on, you might need a light cover-up to stave off evening chills.
In northern (Thessaloniki) and Central Greece (Athens), the daytime temperature rises to 20°C - 23°C (68°F - 73°F), with cooler evenings and mornings.
Southern Greece and the Greek Islands (Crete, Santorini, Mykonos) are on the warmer side, with air temperatures reaching 23°C to 26°C (73°F - 79°F) and pleasant evenings and mornings.
As for the sea temperatures in Greece in October, the average falls between 21°C - 23°C( 70°F - 73°F). Just be aware that by mid-October the Ionian and Aegean seas will cool quickly. So, if you’re keen on swimming, it’s best to visit earlier in the month.
Browse our inspirational Greece itineraries to start planning your perfect trip.
At the start of October, there’s little chance of rain in Greece. Come the third week of the month, you’ll encounter more cloudy days, and the chance of rain rises to one in three days.
Simply come armed with a light raincoat and brolly to soak up the warm temperatures, sights and scenery without getting soaked to the skin.
For more detail on the weather in Greece around the year, read up on best time to go to Greece.
Being shoulder season, visiting Greece in October means the crowds of peak summer season have departed. At the same time, the hiked costs of flights and accommodation also drop off.
Just be aware that while you can bag some bargains when it comes to booking flights and ferries, operators are likely to run reduced services to all but the most popular spots. This means you might have a little less choice when it comes to deciding when to travel.
Overall, coupled with the weather in Greece in October being clement, the smaller crowds and lower costs make it a mighty fine month to visit!
Set on taking an autumn break? For further inspo, discover more of the best places to visit in October.
For the day, you can pack pretty much what you’d bring for a summer break. So, if you’re heading to a beach or island, come armed with beach and swimwear.
Wherever you’re heading, pack cool, comfortable clothes for daytime exploration e.g. shorts and sun dresses. You'll also want to pack light layers and longer garb for the evening, when it can become a little cool.
Longing for an October break that serves stacks of natural beauty, unique history, and sensational food? Take inspiration from our Greece itineraries.
What’s more, these suggestions can be customised to your exact needs, with a local Greece travel expert on hand to offer insider tips, and take the hassle out of planning and booking.
Visiting Greece in October is the ideal time to take advantage of seeing top cultural attractions unhindered by crowds, and to get back to nature in temperatures that are easier to handle.
With those general points in mind, along with a run-down of some October festivals, read on for ideas for what to do in Greece in October.
Held in the first weekend of October, this family-friendly, two-day event features several running and swimming races, including kids’ events.
Held on 28th October, this national holiday presents parades, folk dancing and speeches to commemorate Prime Minister Metaxas’ one-word reply to Mussolini’s 1940 ultimatum. Namely, Ohi! (“No!”).
Held across the last weekend of October, one of Crete’s liveliest festivals features folk music, dancing, and a whole lot of lots of chestnuts to chomp on!
Greece has a rich winemaking tradition, and October is an excellent time to visit its vineyards. From the vineyards of Santorini and Nemea to those of northern Greece, you can enjoy wine tastings and learn about the local wine production.
October is a great time to see some of the top sites in Athens without having to queue for hours.
From the Acropolis and Parthenon, to the Temple of Athena Nike and the National Archeological Museum, Athens’ cultural treasures are abundant, and very popular. To see them without the hassle of queuing for hours and having to deal with huge crowds, October is an awesome time to visit the capital.
Looking for more options for an autumn holiday? Also check out our list of the best destinations for an unforgettable holiday in October.
Feeling inspired to visit Greece in October, or any other time of the year, for that matter? Get yourself a copy of The Rough Guide to Greece to start planning your dream trip.
Alternatively, if the idea of planning leaves you cold, browse our customisable Greece itineraries.
Love the sound of exploring Greece away from the mainland? Read up on the best Greek Islands, and get yourself The Rough Guide to the Greek Islands.
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Greece
written by
Joanne Owen
updated 12.06.2024
Joanne is a Pembrokeshire-born writer with a passion for the nature, cultures and histories of the Caribbean region, especially Dominica. Also passionate about inspiring a love of adventure in young people, she’s the author of several books for children and young adults, hosts international writing workshops, and has written articles on the Caribbean and inspirational community initiatives for Rough Guides. Follow her @JoanneOwen on Twitter and @joanneowenwrites on Instagram.