Winter in Greece
![Snow-Acropolis](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Snow-Acropolis.jpg)
A great part of the tourist world thinks of Greece like a theme park. With summer as its main theme, they think that it closes down with the first drops of rain in October, to be opened again just in time for the first heat waves in late May. Well guess again my friends, the place is on and buzzing with good vibes – and in some cases even better than the summer ones- during the November-to-April ‘off’ season. And there are very good reasons for that.
![Having fun in Athens](https://greeceinsiders.travel//wp-content/uploads/2024/03/winter-2.jpg)
Having fun in Athens Photo Credit: Greece Insiders
First of all it’s the weather. We may call it “winter” but it usually comes with many breaks of sunny, around 20 degrees Celsius, days; don’t tell anybody – we do so to make it easier for us to get indoors, and have some work done. Cause, as you would agree if you came here during the “off” season, we should be outside, sipping coffee and beer with friends at an outdoor café somewhere near the office.
Does it snow during winter in Greece?
We do have places up in the mountains or in the North of the country, where it gets cold and snowy, but most of the country never gets bothered by real “let’s stock-up on food and tv-series and wait for the bloody winter to pass” weather. The sun is never absent for more than a week.
Once every few years it might snow for a few hours, up to a maximum of 3 days and it is the number-one topic in the news. If the amount of snow is enough to cover an Italian loafer, schools close down and everybody nags about the weather or goes snow-fighting and building snowmen. Small ones. Friends from northern countries generally make fun of us whenever we bitch about the cold, usually around a café’s heater, probably set up… outside the place! But we don’t really mind…
So… it probably will not be really cold, unless you are up in the mountains, where you could go skiing, after less than a two-hour drive from Athens, without any fear of being cut off by the snow or bad weather in any case.
Then there is the misconception that all the places that come in mind with the “Sea -Sun – Sightseeing” stereotype around Greece close down, and everybody hurries to the last boat away from them, deserting them for 9 months. Nope. The inhabitants are there. Surely the giant hotels might close down in the off season, along with tourist-trap taverns and bars when the swarms of tourists go away. But the locals stay there and return to their more quiet and relaxed life rhythms.
![Coffee Place in Athens](https://greeceinsiders.travel//wp-content/uploads/2024/03/coffee-culture-greece-2.jpg)
Coffee Place in Athens Photo Credit: Sascha Kohlmann
What can someone enjoy in Greece during winter?
For a visitor that means that he might have to take swimming out of the schedule but on the other hand he might get a better service wherever he goes, as the people have more time for him. It also means that he might get to live more real-life experiences like eating in taverns preferred by locals, since the touristy ones are closed, sipping his coffee with the local elders in a real traditional “cafeneion” and having the most picturesque routes and iconic village roads almost to himself, to enjoy them on his own pace. And that’s invaluable in a country that during the high season is visited by 15 million people!
Imagine that during the off-season you can visit any archeological site or museum and get in without the queues that 15 million people generate – it saves so much time! And then combine that with the fact that although it might be sunny you can stay and wander around in your favorite archeological site for as long as you want, instead of being exhausted – by the 45 degrees Celsius of a typical August day – in less than 30 minutes. Oh, make it 15 minutes if you come from the frozen North…
Winter in Greece allows you to walk around in every big city enjoying the real cafés, the bars, and of course the famous Greek nightlife that is still on and simply moves from the beach places to the downtown ones. Or just go shopping in any big town center, as in the off season there are periods of extended sales, while everything you can shop in New York, Paris or Milan is available.
Value for Money
The money you have saved on “winter-priced” tickets and rooms would be the perfect shopping alibi, rivaled only by the low prices due to the economic crisis. Or, if you don’t like shopping, you could spent them on little trips around Athens: to Delphi, Nafplio, Kalavrita, Meteora… each a destination with a unique and surprisingly different aspect of the country, and instead of swimming enjoy trekking, mountain-climbing, white-water rafting, kayaking, horseback-riding, or biking through the very mountains and gorges whose breathtaking beauty gave birth to Greek mythology.
Feeling Ready?
From our blog
![Beautiful woman in white dress walks through the volcanic landscape of Sarakiniko with white chalk rocks against blue sea on the Greek island of Milos milos sarakiniko beach_romantic things to do in Greece_feature](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/milos-sarakiniko-beach_romantic-things-to-do-in-Greece_feature-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)
Romantic things to do in Greece: A couple’s guide
![mountains in greece_weather in greece in november](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/mountains-in-greece_weather-in-greece-in-november-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)
Weather in Greece in November
![corfu island_weather in greece in october](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/corfu-island_weather-in-greece-in-october-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)
Weather in Greece in October: Your Ultimate Guide
![Kefalonia_Best Greek Island with Teenage Families_Feature](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Kefalonia_Best-Greek-Island-with-Teenage-Families_Feature-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)
Best Greek Island for teenage families to explore this summer
![Rethymno, Crete: Young Greek dancers perform a traditional dance, accompanied by Greek folk music in the port of Rethymno Marina. Sunset light. Greek dancers_greek music_what to see in greece_feature](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Greek-dancers_greek-music_what-to-see-in-greece_feature-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)
What to See in Greece: Ultimate Travel Guide
![A family enjoys a sunny day on a Greek beach, walking along the shore with beach toys. Greece family vacation_feature](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Untitled-design-6-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)
The Ultimate Guide to Greece Family Vacation
![Greece in december_feature](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Greece-in-december_feature-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)
Visiting Greece in December: Complete Travel Guide
![A family stands together at the edge of an infinity pool, overlooking a beautiful coastal landscape with lush greenery, calm waters, and distant mountains. The parents, dressed in light summer clothing and wide-brimmed hats, hold their young child as they gaze at the scenic view of boats dotting the water and the serene village below, all under a warm, pastel-hued sky. best family resorts in greece_feature (2)](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/best-family-resorts-in-greece_feature-2-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)
Best Resorts in Greece for Families: Your Ultimate 2024 Guide
![A scenic view of Corfu showcasing a charming town with pastel-colored buildings, a lush landscape, and a stunning backdrop of the sea and mountains. Corfu_weather in Greece in September_feature](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Corfu_weather-in-Greece-in-September-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)
Weather in Greece in September: Ultimate Travel Guide
![Greek ferry_feature](https://greeceinsiders.travel/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Greek-ferry_feature-scaled-600x415-resized-q10.jpg)