I’m Greek, I live in Athens, and October is one of my favorite months to travel around the country. The weather can still be pleasantly warm, sometimes reaching around 28°C (82°F), and the sea often holds onto much of the summer warmth.
It’s also a much easier time for sightseeing. You can explore ancient sites like Delphi and Mystras, visit the monasteries of Meteora, or go hiking without the intense summer heat.
You’ll generally find fewer crowds and lower hotel rates, while popular destinations feel much more relaxed than they do in July and August.
If you enjoy sightseeing, hiking, road trips, and exploring Greece at a slower pace, October is a great month to visit. Here are some of my favorite places to go and things to do.
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What is the Weather Like in Greece in October?
October brings much milder weather to Greece after the heat of summer, which is one reason I enjoy traveling around the country at this time of year.
Days can still be warm, especially in Athens, southern Greece, and the southern islands, but evenings are cooler and rain becomes more likely as the month progresses.
The weather varies quite a bit depending on where you go:
| Area | October conditions |
|---|---|
| Athens & Attica | Mild/warm days, cooler evenings |
| Crete | Among the warmer choices |
| Cyclades | Mild but windier |
| Northern Greece | Cooler, especially at night |
| Mountain areas | Considerably cooler; autumn conditions |
How Hot Is Greece in October?
Greece can still feel quite warm in October, particularly during the first half of the month. In Athens and southern Greece, you may still get days that feel more like late summer, while northern Greece and mountain areas are noticeably cooler.
Don’t expect the same heat everywhere, though. Greece has mountains, islands, and a long mainland, so the temperature can be very different depending on where you’re staying.
Where Is the Warmest Place in Greece in October?
Crete and Rhodes are generally among the warmest places in Greece in October, along with nearby southern islands such as Karpathos and Kasos. These southern destinations tend to hold onto warmer weather later into the fall than northern Greece.
If warm weather and swimming are priorities, I would choose Crete or Rhodes, particularly in early October, when you have a better chance of sunny days and comfortable sea temperatures.
If you’re traveling later in the year, see my guide to the warmest places in Greece in winter.
Early October vs. Late October in Greece
If warm weather and swimming are important to you, I would choose early October. The first half of the month generally gives you a better chance of warm, sunny days, particularly in southern Greece and on the warmer islands.
By late October, evenings are cooler, rain becomes more likely, and some seasonal businesses on the islands have started closing.
However, this can be a great time for Athens, Delphi, Meteora, Pelion, and road trips around mainland Greece, especially if sightseeing and hiking are more important to you than beach time.
Can You Swim in Greece in October?
Yes, you can still swim in Greece in October, especially during the first half of the month. After a long, hot summer, the sea is often still pleasantly warm even when the air temperature starts to drop.
Your chances of good swimming weather are generally better in Crete, Rhodes, the southern Peloponnese, and other southern parts of Greece.
Around Athens, you’ll also see plenty of locals still heading to the beach on warm October days.
By late October, the weather becomes less predictable and cooler days are more common, particularly in northern Greece. If swimming is an important part of your trip, I’d choose early October and one of the warmer southern destinations.
Is October a Good Time to Visit Greece?
Yes, especially if you’re interested in sightseeing, hiking, road trips, and exploring without the summer crowds.
Early October can still feel quite summery in southern Greece and on some islands, while later in the month brings cooler evenings and a greater chance of rain.
The trade-off is that some seasonal businesses begin closing and ferry schedules can become less frequent.
Pros vs. Cons table for visiting Greece in October
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Fewer crowds at popular sites (Acropolis, Santorini, Meteora) | Weather can be unpredictable, especially later in the month |
| Lower prices for hotels, flights & tours | Shorter daylight hours (less time for sightseeing) |
| Pleasant temperatures for sightseeing & hiking | Some rain and cooler evenings, especially in the north |
| Sea still warm enough for swimming (esp. Crete, Rhodes, Peloponnese) | Smaller islands may have reduced ferry schedules |
| Authentic local vibe as summer tourists leave | Seasonal closures: some beach bars, clubs, and tourist shops shut down |
| Festivals & cultural events (Oxi Day parades, chestnut festivals) | Nightlife is quieter outside the large cities. |
Best Things to Do in Greece in October
October is a good month to combine island trips with mainland sightseeing and outdoor activities. Some of my favorite choices include quieter islands, archaeological sites, mountain villages, and hiking destinations.
1. Visit Spetses Island
I visit a lot of islands, some of them multiple times because I just love them and have a great time there with old friends. Spetses is one of them, and I’ve returned more than once.
Spetses is a small island in the Argolic Gulf, known for its 19th-century mansions, car-free town center, and long maritime history.
You can spend your days swimming, exploring the coast by kayak, or simply walking around Spetses Town and the Old Harbor.
Spetses can also be combined with other Saronic islands such as Poros, Hydra, and Aegina as part of a longer island-hopping trip.
Planning to visit more than one island? My Greek Island Hopping Guide will help you plan your route and choose islands that work well together.
Ferry Tip: You can easily check available ferries through FerryHopper.
Where to Stay in Spetses
Armata Boutique Hotel Spetses Greece: A small boutique hotel close to Dapia and the harbor, with a garden and outdoor pool.
2. Discover Andros Island
Andros is one of the greenest islands in the Cyclades and a great choice for October, especially if you enjoy hiking and exploring traditional villages.
It’s also easy to reach, with ferries from Rafina, near Athens.
October is a good time to explore Andros on foot, with cooler weather for hiking through its valleys and villages and far fewer visitors than in summer.
Chora, the island’s main town, has an interesting mix of neoclassical buildings, traditional whitewashed houses, cafés, and museums.
Walk through Chora’s narrow streets, stop at its cafés and galleries, and continue toward the remains of the Venetian castle for views across the Aegean.
Andros also has several museums, including the Goulandris Museum of Contemporary Art and the Archaeological Museum in Chora.
The Andros Routes network connects trails across the island, making Andros one of the most interesting Greek islands for hikers.
Where to Stay in Andros
Blue Bay Resort Village: A family-friendly hotel near Batsi with sea views, an outdoor pool, and easy access to the beach.
3. Visit Santorini in October
October is much quieter in Santorini than July and August, while many hotels, restaurants, and attractions are still operating.
The milder weather also makes it more comfortable to walk around villages such as Oia and Fira and explore the caldera viewpoints.
Still deciding which island to choose? See my guide to the best Greek islands to visit in October for more ideas and help choosing the right island for your trip.
With fewer visitors than in summer, it’s also easier to explore places like Oia, Fira, and the caldera viewpoints without the peak-season crowds.
Where to Stay in Santorini
Kokkinos Villas: Located in Akrotiri, Kokkinos Villas has beautiful caldera views, balconies and terraces, and a quieter location away from the busiest parts of Santorini.
4. Take a 3-Day Trip to Delphi and Meteora
October is a great month for exploring mainland Greece, especially Delphi and the Meteora Monasteries.
The cooler weather makes walking around the archaeological sites and climbing the steps at Meteora much more comfortable than during the summer heat.
If you’re starting in Athens, you can combine Delphi, Arachova, and Meteora on a three-day road trip.
Day 1: Athens → Delphi → Arachova
Drive from Athens to Delphi and spend a few hours exploring the archaeological site and museum. Afterward, continue to nearby Arachova and stay there for the night.
If you’d rather spend the evening by the sea, you can make a detour to Galaxidi, about 30 km from Delphi. I recommend Ganimede Hotel, a small boutique hotel known for its homemade breakfast and preserves.
Day 2: Arachova → Hosios Loukas → Meteora
Leave Arachova and visit the UNESCO-listed Hosios Loukas Monastery before continuing north toward Meteora.
Stay overnight in Kalambaka or Kastraki, at the foot of the Meteora rocks, so you’ll be close to the monasteries the following morning.
Day 3: Meteora
Spend the day visiting the Meteora Monasteries, built high on the area’s enormous rock formations. Opening days and hours vary between monasteries, so check the current schedules before your visit.
After Meteora, you can drive back to Athens or stay another night if you prefer a more relaxed trip.
5. Explore Athens in October
Athens in October is much easier to explore than during the peak summer months.
The city is still busy with everyday life, but the biggest summer crowds have gone, and the temperatures are generally more comfortable for sightseeing.
It’s a particularly good time to visit the Acropolis and Parthenon, especially if you want to avoid walking around the archaeological sites in the summer heat.
On warm October days, you may even see Athenians still swimming along the coast. If you have more than a couple of days in the city, spend some time exploring the Athens Riviera.
Some of my favorite things to do in and around Athens in October are:
- Follow the Athens Riviera south to the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, especially if you can time your visit for sunset.
- Spend a few hours in Vouliagmeni or Kavouri, where you can walk along the coast, visit the beach, and stop at one of my recommended waterfront restaurants in Athens.
- Explore central Athens on foot, including neighborhoods such as Plaka, Monastiraki, Thisio, and Kolonaki.
If you’re in Athens on October 28, you’ll also see Greek flags throughout the city for Ohi Day, a national holiday commemorating Greece’s rejection of the Italian ultimatum in 1940.
Where to Stay in Athens
Athens has accommodation for every budget, but for a first visit I recommend staying somewhere central so you can walk to many of the main sights.
For more options, see my guides to:
6. Hike in Pelion
Pelion is one of my favorite places in Greece for hiking, and October is an especially good time to visit. The temperatures are cooler, the forests begin changing color, and you can combine walking trails with visits to traditional mountain villages.
The peninsula is heavily forested, with old stone paths, streams, bridges, orchards, and villages built on the slopes overlooking the Pagasetic Gulf and the Aegean.
Some of my favorite villages to explore are:
- Tsagkarada
- Milies
- Portaria
- Makrinitsa
- Damouchari, one of the filming locations used in Mamma Mia!
- Zagora
By October, the first autumn colors begin appearing in the forests, particularly at higher elevations. It’s a very different experience from visiting Pelion for its beaches in summer.
I visited Makrinitsa and Pelion in October, so you can see what the area actually looks like at this time of year in my video below. I walk through Makrinitsa and continue through the autumn scenery toward Tsagkarada.
Where to Stay in Tsagarada, Pelion
Amalthia Traditional Guesthouse: Located in Tsagarada, with comfortable rooms, a swimming pool, a garden, and homemade breakfast.
What to Wear in Greece in October
October weather in Greece can range from warm and sunny during the day to quite cool in the evening, so layers are the easiest option.
Pack T-shirts and lightweight clothes for warmer days, along with long pants, a sweater or light jacket, and a waterproof layer in case of rain.
Comfortable walking shoes are important, especially if you’re visiting archaeological sites, hiking, or exploring cobblestone villages.
If you’re visiting northern Greece or mountain areas such as Pelion, Meteora, or Arachova, bring something warmer for the evenings. And if you’re heading to the islands or southern Greece, it’s still worth packing your swimsuit.
For more ideas, see my Detailed Packing List for Greece.
FAQs for Traveling to Greece in October
Should I book accommodation in advance?
Yes, I recommend booking accommodation in advance, especially for popular destinations such as Athens and Santorini.
October is quieter than the summer months, but there may also be fewer accommodation options available on smaller islands as the season winds down.
How do I get around Greece?
Ferries connect the mainland with the islands, while KTEL buses serve towns and destinations throughout mainland Greece. Trains serve a more limited number of mainland routes.
Renting a car is useful for road trips and places that are harder to reach by public transportation.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Greece in October
October is one of the months when I most enjoy traveling around Greece. If you come early in the month, you may still get warm days and time at the beach, particularly in southern Greece. Later in October, I prefer mainland trips, hiking, archaeological sites, and mountain destinations such as Pelion.
You won’t have guaranteed summer weather, and some island businesses will be winding down for the season. But if your priority is exploring Greece without the intense heat and peak-season crowds, October is a very good time to come.
If I had to choose, I’d spend a few days in Athens, take a road trip to Delphi and Meteora, and add Pelion if you want to see a completely different side of Greece in fall.
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Happy and safe travels,
Evgenia
