As a local, I can tell you that September is one of the best months to visit Greece. The weather’s still warm, the sea is perfect for swimming, and the summer crowds have started to thin out.
Everything’s still open, but it’s calmer, more relaxed, and often more affordable. If you’re thinking of coming, this is the perfect time for island hopping or exploring mainland gems like Pelion or the Peloponnese.
Here are my favorite things to do in Greece in September!
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My Latest Video on Hydra Island
Spent a day trip from Athens on beautiful Hydra Island 🇬🇷 and totally fell in love, again!
I wandered the whitewashed alleys, stopped at cute tavernas, walked by the sea to the beaches, and watched catamarans come and go.
No cars, just peace, charm, and the perfect island vibe.
Weather in Greece in September
The weather in Greece in September is still summer, and the sea is at its warmest, especially in the southern part of Greece. In 2024, we had a little cooler September, with 5 rainy days total for the whole month.
As a general rule, the Ionian Islands get a lot of rain – that’s why they are so green – so I would avoid visiting them after September 15th for summer vacations. Northern Greece, such as Pelion or Mount Olympus, will be much cooler in general.
The average temperature of September in Athens, which is centrally located in Greece, is usually between 20 – 28 °C (68-82°F).
Peloponnese, Cyclades, Crete, and Rhodes can be 2-3 °C higher than Athens. Northern Greece will be at least 2-5 C less.
Crowds and Costs
If you are concerned about your budget while visiting Greece – and nowadays we all are budget-wise – most accommodation prices can go down from 10% to as much as 30%, or even more if you’re booking well in advance.
But even if you decide to find available accommodation at the last minute, hotels are not usually fully booked, so it will be easier than in August. The same applies to streets, restaurants, and bars, lines in archaeological sites, and of course, the best positions on the beaches.
Up next I am going to tell you about the best things to do in Greece in September!
Which are the Best Greek Islands to Visit in September?
All the Greek islands are unique, each with its own characteristics. If you find it difficult to choose which ones to choose, maybe the list below will help you, especially if this is your first time in Greece.
In terms of weather, the warmest islands will be Crete and Rhodes, but all islands will be warm enough to swim in Greece in September.
The islands of the Northern Aegean (Lesvos & Chios) or the Ionian might be slightly cooler than the hot waters in Crete or the Cyclades.
The most popular Greek islands are Crete, Rhodes, Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, Ios, and Zakynthos. That means that the islands will still be buzzing with nightlife in early September, but much less after the 15th of September.
Check out this 10-day island-hopping itinerary, including Mykonos, Santorini, and Naxos, for more info on how to organize your trip.
If you prefer quiet and authentic Greek islands, you can go to the Cyclades islands like Folegandros or Amorgos. Other amazing Greek islands in September near Athens are the Argo Saronic islands of Hydra, Spetses, and Poros.
For islands farther from Athens, you can choose the Ionian islands (Corfu or Lefkada) or the Sporades islands such as Skopelos, one of the locations of the famous musical Mamma Mia.
You can easily book your tickets through FerryHopper or FerryScanner—both are super easy to use!
What to Do in Mainland Greece in September
Grapes Harvest
September in Greece is the peak for the vine harvest in wine-producing regions such as Peloponnese (Nemea, Patra), Attica (Mesogaia), Macedonia (Naousa, Amyntaio, Goumenisa), Epirus(Metsovo, Zitsa), Thessaly (Karditsa) and the islands of Crete, Kefalonia, Samos, Lesvos, Tinos, and Santorini.
You can stay in the areas, explore the nearby sites, book a wine tasting with a local provider, or even participate in the vine harvest if the owners allow it.
Best Wine Tasting Guided Tours
Premium Nemea Wine Tour from Athens with Oenologists
Athens Wine Tour – An Outstanding Full-Day Experience For Dedicated Winelovers
Experience Santorini: Wine Tasting Small-Group Tour
You are reading about the best things to do in Greece in September.
Greece and Outdoor Activities
Greece is a paradise for outdoor activity lovers. 80% of Greece is covered by mountains, and 25% of the total land is covered by natural forests, mostly firs, pines, planes, and beeches.
Greece has 21 major rivers, 50 natural lakes, and about 6000 islands and islets, 220 of which are inhabited. Not to mention the gorges, the caves, the volcanoes, the vertical rocks for climbing and so much more.
Some of the most popular outdoor activities in Greece in September that you can participate in are:
Spartathlon in Sparta, Peloponnese
On September 27-28, Sparta is organizing a quite demanding 25km marathon, Spartathlon, with participants from all over the world.
The route is based on the one done by Pheidippides, as described by Herodotus, who traveled from Athens to Sparta in 490 BCE to ask for help.
Besides the famous ‘This is Sparta’ area (with the archaeological museum, site, and the fantastic Olive Oil Museum), you should visit the nearby UNESCO Mystras.
Best place to stay in Sparta: Villa Rodoula in Mystras
Hike Menalon Trail in the Peloponnese
Hiking in the bare areas – like it is in the Cyclades- might be challenging on the warmest September days so I suggest hiking in forests. Fantastic hiking destinations are:
- The Menalon trail in the Peloponnese
- Tsagarada in Pelion mount
- Kea Island in the Cyclades
- and Parnitha Mt in Athens.
River crossings/kayaking
If you are in the Peloponnese, you can go to several rivers there, such as :
- Neda Waterfalls (combines a lot of river crossing with hiking)
- Nemouta Waterfalls, and
- Lousios River in Menalon Mountain
Scuba Diving in the Greek Islands
Warm water also means that it is the perfect time for a scuba diving adventure. Top sites for scuba diving include:
- Chios Island, in the Northern Aegean
- Nea Kameni in Santorini
- Schinaria Beach in Rethymno, Crete
- Kea island in the Cyclades (you can see the wreck of “HMHS Britannic,” the sister ship of the doomed “RMS Titanic”), and the
- Dragonisi Caverns south of Mykonos.
Athens Flying Week
Athens Flying Week (AFW) is the biggest air show in the Balkans with over 500,000 loyal fans worldwide.
At the Tanagra airport in Attika, Athens, you will witness the most famous aircraft’s takeoffs and landings, enjoy a spectacular Air Show, and have a fun-filled day with restaurants, kids’ playgrounds, and trade fair options.
Details on how to get there and about the event (September 6 & 7) are here.
See here the complete list of fall activities in Greece.
Sites and Museums
Athens in September is simply perfect. All sites are still open for most of the day, especially the Acropolis in Athens and if you are visiting on the last weekend of September, European Heritage Days is celebrated.
That means that all monuments and many museums in Greece have free entrance, which offers a great opportunity to visit quite a few sites.
Towns and Villages
Greece has one of the longest coastlines in Europe and along the coast, you can find many beautiful towns and villages, perfect for your vacation. Some of my favorites are:
- Peloponnese: Nafplion, Kardamili, Kalamata, Areopoli, Methoni, Kyparissia, Monemvasia
- Sterea Ellada: Nafpaktos, Galaxidi, Aitoliko, Livadia
- Epirus: Ioannina, Monodendri, Parga, Syvota
- Magnesia: Volos and Pelion Mt
- The whole part of Chalkidiki
- Macedonia/Thrace: Thessaloniki, Kavala, all the way to Alexandroupoli
Religious Festivals in Greece in September
September is a fantastic month for the religious feasts called ‘Panigiria’ (a Greek word for a feast). Panigiria are also organized throughout the year everywhere in Greece, both on islands and the mainland.
These local events may be tied to celebrating Greek Orthodox saints but also eating, drinking, socializing, and dancing feasts.
Two of my favorite Panigiria are:
On September 13th, Nisyros island (a majestic active volcanic island) will organize the Panigiri at the monastery of Holy Cross. The locals offer braised goat with orzo, loukoumades with honey and wine:
The Panigiri at the Monastery of Kalamiotissa (7 & 8 September) in Chora of Anafi island. All the locals participate in the celebration, while small boats bring pilgrims from nearby Santorini. Meat with pasta is offered (and plenty of wine of course!).
Festivals Around Greece
Besides the religious festivals, there are also musical, cultural, and culinary festivals organized, often with international interest.
You can combine your visit to a Greek destination with enjoying a local festival and enjoy a unique Greek experience.
Aegina Island Fistiki Festival. At the port of Aegina, more than 60 stands are set up along the beach, offering visitors large quantities of pistachios in all their forms and variations.
The program of events includes traditional dances, performances, lectures, and guided tours to museums and archaeological sites.
Aeschylia Festival: Hosted at Eleusis, 14 miles west of Athens, the Aeschylia Festival is a stable cultural institution for the expression of artistic and innovative creations for the last 48 years.
Rhodes International Festival: In the UNESCO old town of Rhodes, at the stunning Palace of the Grand Magister, the Knights’ Palace, you can enjoy unique concerts by Greek and foreign composers, classical music, and opera. More about the festival here.
Moving Around in Greece in September
You will have no problem catching the ferries or sailing the islands, as Greece in September still feels pretty much like the high season.
Toward the end of the month, some routes may change, especially taking into account that the school year has begun. Book your ferries early, charter a boat, or simply rent a car and be free to go everywhere you go.
What to Pack
Some essentials for your September packing are:
- Good walking shoes for exploring ruins and walking along cobblestone streets (spike heels at historic sites are forbidden because they can damage the ancient areas)
- Swimming suit, towel, flip flops, and a hat
- Hiking gear, a shirt, socks, and a couple of cotton hoodies
- Sundresses and a lightweight jacket
- If you are visiting monasteries such as Meteora, please wear long pants(men) or a covering-kneed skirt (women)
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How to Get to Athens Port (Piraeus) from Athens Airport
- Bus: If you are arriving at Athens International Airport you can travel straight to the port by taking the X96 express bus (€5.5, children <6 yo, free entrance), which departs every 40 minutes and the average trip lasts 1 hour – runs 24/7.
- Metro: (€9) is easily found across airport arrivals (blue line – M3) going directly to Piraeus port. The average trip to Piraeus lasts 1 hour.
- Taxis are available in front of the airport (around €45 to Athens, €55 to Piraeus (depending on the traffic in Kifisos), and take up to 3 or 4 people with small luggage)
- Rent a car with Discover Cars for reliable, new cars at affordable prices
- You don’t like driving but love hassle-free solutions? Book a Private transfer with an English-speaking driver from Athens International Airport to Piraeus Ferries, or anywhere else in Greece.
Months in Greece
Essential Travel Info for Greece
- ‘Hello’ and ‘Thank You’ in Greek: “Ya sou” and “Efharisto”
- Booking.com: I use Booking.com mostly for Europe.
- All-Inclusive Resorts in Greece
- FerryScanner to book ferries to the Greek Islands
- Rent an Affordable Car in Greece
- Athens Metro Website (timetables and ticket info)
- Trains (Hellenic Train)
- Public Buses KTEL
- Get Your Guide: For all your day or multi-day tours and city guide needs, I use Get Your Guide
- Emergency Numbers Anywhere in Greece: AMBULANCE 166 – FIRE 199 – POLICE 100– EMERGENCY NUMBER 112
