Island guides · The Islands
When to go to the Greek islands
The back story
About When to go to the Greek islands
The Greek island season runs roughly from Easter to October, and when you go changes everything.
April and May
Wild flowers, green hills and quiet villages. The sea is still cool. Easter, often in April or May, is the most important festival of the year.
June
Long days, a warming sea and most businesses open.
September is the islands’ best-kept secret: warm sea, softer light, fewer people.
July and August
Peak season: hot, busy and expensive, with the meltemi wind blowing across the Aegean, especially in the Cyclades. 15 August is the busiest day of the year.
September and October
The sea is at its warmest, crowds thin and prices fall. By late October many hotels and restaurants close.
Winter
Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and Syros stay lived-in all year; small islands are very quiet.
Our advice: go in late May, June or September; avoid the first half of August if you can; and remember the meltemi: choose sheltered beaches on windy days and keep a spare day for ferry cancellations.
Why it's on our list
- May, June and September are the sweet spots
- July and August are hot, windy and busy
- Many places close from November to April
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with When to go to the Greek islands before you go.