Month by month
Greece in October
Go south: Crete, Rhodes and Kos still have summer-warm seas. The small islands begin to close by the end of the month.
October is the south's month. Rhodes averages a high of around 24–25°C with a sea near 24°C; Heraklion is similar. Athens is pleasant for walking (around 23°C). In the Cyclades the sea is still swimmable, but the season is visibly winding down, with more wind and fewer boats.
The practical risk is closure, not weather. Many seasonal hotels, beach bars and tavernas shut during October, ferries thin out and the winter timetable approaches. Choose big islands with a year-round life, and ask your hotel what will still be open. 28 October is Ochi Day, with parades and free admission at state sites.
Temperatures by region
Athens & the Riviera- 23.4° / 15.7°
- Sea: ~22°C
- Athens (coastal station)
Cyclades- 21.9° / 17°
- Sea: ~22°C
- Naxos, standing in for the Cyclades (sea: Santorini)
Crete- 23.6° / 16.7°
- Sea: ~23°C
- Heraklion
Ionian islands- 23.2° / 13.7°
- Sea: ~22°C
- Corfu
- Dodecanese
- 24.5° / 17.4°
- Sea: ~24°C
- Rhodes
Northern Greece- 21.2° / 11.3°
- Sea: ~21°C
- Thessaloniki (sea: Thessaloniki/Halkidiki)
Air: HNMS climate normals 1955–2010, mean daily maximum and minimum. The Cyclades use Naxos as their reference station. Sea (June–October only): approximate monthly averages from seatemperature.org monthly averages (approximate). Source: Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS) climate normals
What is on, what is shut
- 28 October: Ochi Day — public holiday, parades, free admission at the Acropolis, Knossos, Mystras and other state sites.
- 31 October: end of the wildfire season rules, and the date to which Navagio beach is closed in 2026.
- Cruise fee at Santorini and Mykonos drops to €12 per passenger.
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Questions about this month
What is the weather like in Greece in October?
Athens averages a high of 23.4°C and a low of 15.7°C; the Cyclades (Naxos) 21.9°C / 17°C — HNMS normals 1955–2010. The sea around Crete averages about 23°C.
Is October a good time to visit Greece?
Go south: Crete, Rhodes and Kos still have summer-warm seas. The small islands begin to close by the end of the month.
Where should I go in Greece in October?
Our picks for October: . Crowds are moderate and prices moderate for the Greek year.
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