Greece in May

Warm, green and open; sea cool but swimmable late in the month. Best for sightseeing and hiking.

• Athens and Attica · Athens, Piraeus, Cape Sounionbest weather

  Dry and sunny; July–August often over 35 °C with heatwaves to 40+ °C. Winters mild with rainy spells.

• Cyclades and Dodecanese · Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Rhodesbest weather

  Windy: the meltemi blows hardest in July–August and cancels small boats. Sea warm enough June–October.

• Crete · Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, the south coastbest weather

  Longest season: sea swimmable into November on the south coast; White Mountains keep snow into spring.

• Ionian islands and west · Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthosbest weather

  Greener and wetter than the Aegean; less wind, calm seas in summer.

• North and mountains · Thessaloniki, Meteora, Zagori, Pelionbest weather

  Cold winters with snow in the mountains; Zagori and Pelion are cooler escapes in summer.

• Athens25° / 15°, 5 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Orthodox Easter (Good Friday to Easter Monday) big impact

  30 Apr – 3 May 2027 (moves yearly)

  The main holiday: candlelit processions, midnight service, lamb on spits. Ferries and rooms sold out; shops shut.

• Labour Day

  1 May

  Strikes and marches common; public transport can stop.

• Athens Classic and spring events check

  Varies · Athens

  Road closures on marathon and race days.

Crowds · Greece

Medium

Prices · Greece

Medium

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Athens and Attica

  Best weather of the year (Athens, Piraeus, Cape Sounion)

• Cyclades and Dodecanese

  Best weather of the year (Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Rhodes)

• Crete

  Best weather of the year (Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, the south coast)

• Ionian islands and west

  Best weather of the year (Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos)

• North and mountains

  Best weather of the year (Thessaloniki, Meteora, Zagori, Pelion)

• Athens

  Warm and dry; good month.