The high travel season has ended by now. And while the weather is still great for sunbathing, it’s a lot more affordable to visit the country now. September is, indeed, one of the best months to visit Greece.

Don’t worry you’d be bored. There are enough festivals to keep you busy and the crowds start to melt away allowing you to enjoy the historical sites without having to worry how to take a great photo.

Did I mention that September is the month when the grapes are picked?

Whether in Greece in September

The mainland weather (i.e. Athens, Thessaloniki) is still hot but on the islands it’s just perfect: warm and light breezes.

It’s still nice to soak up the sun but you surely won’t have to withstand the mid-summer heat.

Pack the summer clothes https://www.greecelogue.com/what-to-wear-in-greece-in-the-summer.html but make sure to also bring a jacket for the evenings & nights. And a pair of long trousers will also be useful.

Temperatures:

• Athens: avg high 28C/83F ; avg low 19C/67F
• Rhodes: avg high 27C/81F ; avg low 21C/71F
• Thessaloniki: avg high 26C/80F ; avg low 15C/59F

>>more information on Weather in Greece

Prices and Other Facilities in Greece in September

Many businesses (hotels, restaurants) will start to close by the end of the months. However, especially, on the big islands there are some hotels still open into October. And if you plan to visit Athens or Thessaloniki, you won’t need to worry about a place to stay.

Transportation, especially ferries https://www.greecelogue.com/ferries-in-greece, also start to cut back schedule around September 15 and you may need to take a slow ferry from the mainland to the islands.

The capital and Thessaloniki are served by international flights and if you need to get to one of the islands there are some domestic flights available.

The activities for children are less frequent as the school year begins.

The prices are moderate, and the places are not crowded anymore. It’s the perfect time to visit Greece if you are an independent traveler on a budget.

Getting to Greece in September

There may still be charter flights available until around mid-September but otherwise, you’d have to rely on commercial flights. They also start to be less frequent, but Athens and Thessaloniki are still served by plenty of regular and low-cost carriers.

On the plus side, the prices are starting to lower after they reached the peak during the high season. And keep an eye out of deals.

Where to Stay in Greece in September

While you can count on accommodation to be open on the mainland, you may find that not all places are open on the islands after September 15. The bigger the island, the more options, though.

Keep an eye out for the deals, especially if you want to head to the islands and spend time on the beach.

Booking.com

What to Do in Greece in September

While the celebrations aimed at tourists cut back by mid-month, the local festivals are still in full swing.

The last weekend of September marks the European Heritage Days when the entrance to museums and sites is free.
Athens is home to the International Film Festival (Sep 27-Oct 8, 2023).

The grape festivals are in full swing in many places, such as Mani region, Kos, Corinth, Pidni, Karpathos, Thessaloniki, and Ambelona. Now you can enjoy grape harvesting and a lot of wine tastings.

September is ideal for active vacations. If you have always dreamed of hiking in Greece or want to indulge in some watersports (sailing & diving), now it’s the time to plan your visit.

>>read more about Best Greek Islands for Snorkeling and Diving

What Places to Visit in Greece in September

Crete

Photo: Lapplaender

>>book your accommodation in Heraklion

If you’ve been wanting to hike in Greece, head to Crete in September. Samaria Gorge is the most popular route for hiking, but there are plenty other options.

And since Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, its diverse landscape and multitude of things to do will keep you busy during the vacation.

Mykonos

>>book your accommodation in Mykonos City

If diving is on your mind, head to Mykonos and explore the Dragonisi Caverns.

Thanks to the lower prices and with the crowds gone, you can now experience another face of the island: the relaxed one! Swim to heart’s content and enjoy your days exploring this gorgeous island.

Santorini

>>book your accommodation in Fira

A ferry ride away from Mykonos, the iconic Cycladic Island of Santorini also enjoys fewer crowds.

Experience memorable sunsets in Oia or Fira and take gorgeous photos, too. Hike the Caldera, go wine tasting, and spend some time on the interesting beaches.

Athens

Photo credit: Mister No

>>book your accommodation in Athens

It can still be scorching hot in Athens in September, but it might just be worth it if you can explore the archeological sites without the crowds.
Plan a day trip to Cape Sounion and watch the gorgeous sunset. Or, take a dip in the sea at Glyfada (on the Athens Riviera).

Flexibility matters. Weather facing a natural disaster or civil unrest, we recommend booking an option with free cancellation in case your travel plans change.

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