Travel advice for Greece
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Greece
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- Crete
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The tour to Greece was a pleasant surprise for me! Perfect organisation, pleasant team, amazing landscapes and cultural sites!
Read all reviews ⤍Wondering what to expect of weather in Greece in May? Read on for a run-down of everything from average air and sea temperatures, to what to expect in terms of costs and crowds. We also share itinerary suggestions that are sure to make your trip all the most special.
If you’re in the market for warm, sunny weather before the temperatures soar to sizzling heights — and before peak-season crowds descend — May is a very good time to visit Greece.
In fact, May is one of the very best months to visit the Greek Islands, in particular. And the reasons? All the amenities will be back open after their winter and shoulder-season hibernation. In addition, you’ll be able find yourself the perfect spot on beautiful Greek beaches.
At the same time, there are enough visitors to give beaches (and bars) a lively vibe, but without the intensity that can come during the later peak season months.
Thinking of visiting Greece in May? Talk to our local Greek travel experts and save yourself the hustle of planning.
Tips from Eirini
Greece Travel Expert
"May is the insider's gateway to experiencing Greece's hidden gems without the summer throngs. It's the perfect time for sailing the lesser-known Ionian islands, where the sea is just warm enough for swimming and the winds are ideal for sailing. Pack light layers for the cooler evenings"
The average air temperature in Greece in May ranges from 18°C to 24°C (64°F - 75°F), depending on the region. The southern parts of the country, such as Athens and Crete, tend to experience higher temperatures, while the northern parts are slightly cooler temperatures.
As for the sea temperature, the waters around Greece in May start to warm up but can still be a bit chilly for swimming. The average temperature ranges from 17°C to 20°C (63°F - 68°F).
Convinced to go? See our fully customisable Greece itineraries.
May is a fairly dry month in Greece. While you might experience some showers, you stand a greater chance of enjoying the ideal sunny day. A 74% chance, in fact.
However, there may be some local variations. In the coastal areas and islands, the average rainfall in May is around 10-20 mm. In the mainland (including Athens and Thessaloniki), the average rainfall is slightly higher at around 25-40 mm.
For more detail on the weather in Greece around the year, read up on when to go to Greece.
While May sits outside the peak season, visitor numbers are ramping up on previous months, and costs are creeping up, too.
As a result, you’d be wise to book your flight or ferry and accommodation in advance. Just to be on the safe side, and to (maybe…) still bag yourself a pre-peak-season bargain.
Set on an enjoying spring break? Discover more of the best places to visit in May.
With the weather in Greece in May warming up, you can certainly give your summer clothes an airing — bring shorts, t-shirts and summer dresses.
That said, we don’t advise casting off your warmer clothes just yet. The evenings cool down, and the days can be a bit on the brisk side, too. So, you’ll also want to pack a pullover, long trousers and a cover-up shawl.
Longing for a May trip that delivers stunning scenery, epic history, fabulous food and glorious sunshine? Our customisable Greece itineraries are packed with ideas, with with a local Greece travel expert on hand to take the hassle out of planning and booking.
May is a month filled with festivals in Greece. Attend events like the Athens Epidaurus Festival, the Flower Festival in Nafplio, or the Sardine Festival in Kalamata.
Discover charming towns like Nafplio, explore the ancient ruins of Mycenae, and relax on the beautiful beaches of the region.
Being pleasantly warm, but not prohibitively scorching, May is a good time to visit Greece for adventure sports.
You can, for example, hike the Samaria Gorge located in Crete or take a boat trip to the Blue Caves and Shipwreck Beach in Zakynthos.
May is a top time to explore the Greek Islands. For the warmest weather in May, consider visiting Kos, Mykonos, Crete or Santorini.
They’re be warm enough for sun-bathing and swimming, and to enjoy long romantic strolls. In the case of Crete, May is also a good time to enjoy adventure pursuits — more on that below.
Fancy visiting Greece in May, or any other time of the year, for that matter? Get yourself a copy of The Rough Guide to Greece to start planning your dream trip.
Alternatively, if you’re not keen on planning, browse our customisable Greece itineraries, and talk to our local Greece travel experts.
Love the sound of exploring Greece away from the mainland? Read up on the best Greek Islands, and get yourself The Rough Guide to Greek Islands.
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Greece
written by
Joanne Owen
updated 30.04.2024
Joanne is a Pembrokeshire-born writer with a passion for the nature, cultures and histories of the Caribbean region, especially Dominica. Also passionate about inspiring a love of adventure in young people, she’s the author of several books for children and young adults, hosts international writing workshops, and has written articles on the Caribbean and inspirational community initiatives for Rough Guides. Follow her @JoanneOwen on Twitter and @joanneowenwrites on Instagram.