Greece Weather

Greece climate

Greece is one of the sunniest countries in Europe, with many areas receiving over 2,500 hours of sunshine annually. The country's Mediterranean climate brings hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters to most regions, though the mountainous interior and northern provinces experience colder conditions with regular snowfall. The complex coastline and numerous islands create a mosaic of microclimates influenced by local sea breezes and topography.

The meltemi winds are Greece's most distinctive weather feature — strong, dry northerly winds that blow across the Aegean Sea from June through September. While they can disrupt ferry services and make island-hopping challenging, they also provide welcome relief from summer heat. Winter storms can bring significant rainfall and flooding, particularly to western Greece and the Ionian islands, which receive three times more rain than the Aegean side.

Athens has hot, dry summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 35°C and mild winters averaging 10°C. Thessaloniki in the north is colder in winter with occasional snow. The Cyclades islands like Santorini and Mykonos are windier and drier, while Corfu and the Ionian islands are greener and wetter. Crete, the southernmost island, has the warmest winters in Greece and can experience occasional sirocco winds bringing Saharan dust from Africa.