Summer falls during the high tourist season in Greece. The prices for accommodation, flights, and activities start to climb by June, reaching the highest values in July and August.

The popular islands tend to be very crowded at this time of the year but you can avoid the crowds by visiting the smaller islands.

Pack your swimsuit and sun lotion and let’s head to the beach!

Weather & Temperatures

Summer in Greece is sunny and most often hot. While on the islands and on the coast the temperatures are cooled down by the breezes, on the mainland it can get scorching hot. In the mountains, the days are sunny and the night quite warm, making summer a pleasant time for camping and hiking.

Some average temperatures during the high season (July & August):

Athens : avg high 31C/89F ; avg low 22C/72F
Rhodes : avg high 29C/85F; avg low 22C/73F
Iraklion (or Heraklion, Crete): avg high 28C/83F; avg low 21C/71F
Myknos : avg 27C/81F
Santorini : avg 27C/81F
Thessaloniki : avg high 31C/88F; avg low 18C/65F

More information on :
>>Weather in Greece
>>What to wear in Greece in the summer

Where to go & What to do

Generally speaking, summer is perfect for visiting any of the islands.

Since on the mainland, and especially in Athens, it’s much hotter, it’s best to explore the city(ies) during spring, autumn or winter .

For the first time traveler, visiting the very crowded (and very expensive) popular islands might be a bit overwhelming. However, you can get your feet wet with a simple itinerary which can be tackled during a week — Island Hopper. You’d explore places such as Corfu , Patmos, Kos and Aegina.

If you want to experience the real Greece without having to “share” the island with thousands of other tourists, a very good idea is to stay on one of the secret islands. Since these are located close to the mainland, they do tend to get crowded over the weekends when the locals flock here for some rest and relaxation.

Of course, each group of islands has some “secrets” of their own that you can explore. For example, fly into Rhodes and then explore some of the other Dodecanese Islands such as Leros, Kalimnos or Tilos. Corfu is the most popular of the Ionian Islands , but you can also explore Paxos or Ithaca. As for the Cyclades, everyone’s heading to Mykonos and Santorini, but Naxos, Ios or Paros – especially the beaches – are just as beautiful (and less crowded).

We can bet that the reason you want to visit Greece during summer is easy: the beach! The weather is nice and everyone wants a lovely tan to show when they go home. Practicing water sports is also a good way to spend your day.

If you, however, prefer to enjoy the sun without any clothes on can head to one of the popular nude beaches on Mykonos, Crete, Karpathos or Skiathos.

If you want to get a taste of the real Greek life, visit some of the small villages on the islands. And make sure to look for a hidden taverna to taste some real Greek food .

Finding Cheap Flights to Greece

During summer many carriers serve the Greek Islands so chances are you’ll probably find a direct flight to the major destinations, such as Corfu, Crete, Mykonos, Rhodes or Santorini. Another option is to fly into Athens or Thessaloniki and then take a domestic flight to your vacation destination.

Low-cost carriers, and especially Ryanair, serve the major islands and the prices are affordable.

More information on:

>>Flights to Athens
>>Flights to Mykonos
>>Flights to Santorini
>>Flights to Thessaloniki

Taking the Ferry in Greece

There’s nothing more romantic than taking a ferry to get to one of the islands. If your budget doesn’t accommodate flights, ferries are a great option, especially if you love the freedom of the deck seats.

More information on:
>> Ferries in Greece
>> Ferries from Athens: dealing with Piraeus Port
>> Ferries from Athens to Aegina
>> Ferries from Athens to Crete
>> Ferries from Santorini to Crete
>> Ferries from Athens to Karpathos
>> Ferries from Athens to Hydra
>> Ferries from Athens to Patmos
>> Ferries from Athens to Mykonos
>> Ferries from Rafina to Mykonos
>> Ferries from Athens to Rhodes
>> Ferries from Athens to Santorini
>> Ferries from Mykonos to Syros
>> Ferries from Santorini to Mykonos
>> Ferries from Santorini to Naxos
>> Ferries from Alonissos to Skopelos
>> Ferries from Corfu to Patras
>> Ferries from Rhodes to Kos
>> Ferries to and from Santorini
>> Ferries from Athens to Paros
>> Ferries from Mykonos to Crete
>> Ferries from Santorini to Karpathos
>> Ferries from Thessaloniki to Lesvos
>> Ferries to and from Mykonos
>> Ferries from Crete to Gavdos

Finding Cheap Accommodation in Greece

Booking.com

The best way to find cheap accommodation during summer is Greece is to benefit from the early book discounts which most often offer great rates for June. If you plan to visit Greece in July or August, make sure to book in advance, especially if you are heading to very popular (hence crowded) places.

On the majority of islands, you will find all types of accommodation – including camping sites and hostels – so if you spend some time researching your destination you can save a lot of money.

If you plan to travel with a group, a good way to save money is to rent an apartment. You’ll be sharing the accommodation price and you can cook for yourself, hence saving money on eating out as well. Plus, that’s yet another reason to explore the wonderful outdoor markets and try the Greek fresh fruits and vegetables.

>>read more about Figuring out a daily food budget for your summer vacation in Greece

More information on:

>>Hotels in Crete
>>Budget accommodation in Mykonos
>>Hotels in Mykonos
>>Hotels in Rhodes
>>Hostels in Santorini
>>Hotels in Santorini
>>Budget Hotels near the Acropolis of Athens
>>Hostels near the Acropolis of Athens
>>Athens: Budget hotels near Larissis Train Station
>>Thessaloniki: Budget Hotels near the White Tower
>>Budget Hotels near Piraeus

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