Winter in Greece – Weather, Festivals, Attractions & More

Spending summer in Greece is common. But how about exploring winter in Greece? You’ll be surprised to know that Greece offers fantastic opportunities for visitors during the winter months. You can explore exciting winter sports in the sparkling white Greek mountains while strolling through the old culture in Greek towns.

If you’re searching for a vacation in Greece during the winter, this guide will give you a detailed overview of weather insights, things to do, celebrations, packing tips, and more.

Is It Good to Spend Winter in Greece?

Winters are the most rewarding time of the year to explore Greek culture and mountains. Listed below are a few reasons that make it the best time to visit Greece during winter:

• Less Crowd

You will find low crowds in Greece as Europeans are not on summer vacations. Winter in Greece is an excellent chance to experience authentic Greek culture and listen to Greek music in tavernas. 

• Safer Weather

In winter in Greece, exploring some sights like the Acropolis in the Ancient Agora or Lycabettus Hill is safe. The temperatures in summer are high, around 40 degrees, making it difficult for tourists to explore these sights without the shade on the top.

• Rich Festive Culture

Winter in Greece marks the time for a mix of worship and extravagant celebrations. The country is preparing for the holiday season and looking forward to celebrating exciting occasions like Christmas. You can see cities like Thessaloniki and Athens, which are well-decorated with sparkling lights, seasonal delights, and more.

• Peaceful Sights

This is when you can avoid long queues and heat to enter the popular museums or other crowded sights. You can peacefully explore places like Acropolis, Delphi, or Meteora. You can take time and continue until sunset when the Acropolis provides breathtaking views of Athens.

Weather Guide for Winter in Greece

Temperature	High: 15°C Average: 10°C Low: -3 °C
Rainfall	Rain is common, with 14 rainy days on average
Snowfall	The snow is prevalent in the northern regions with lower temperatures, making it a great time to enjoy ski resorts.
Average Sunset Time	5:00 PM

The climate remains pleasant throughout the country. The winter temperature in Greece is around 15°C and lows to around -3 °C between December and February.

Top Tourist Attractions in Greece in Winter

Mentioned below are a few interesting places that you must add to your Greece travel list:

1. Athens

Athens tops the list with pleasant weather, stunning historical sites, and various fun activities. You can find endless things to do in ancient towns, museums, and much more when coming to Athens. This is a preferred destination for many tourists who travel to Greece in winter and plan for a longer stay.

Major Attractions

• The Acropolis
• The National Archaeological Museum
• The Ancient Agora
• The Temple of Olympian Zeus
• The Panathenaic Stadium

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2. Metsovo

This small mountain town in Epirus is popular for its wine and cheese varieties. This place is a perfect ski destination, making it an outstanding option for outdoor adventures in Greece in winter. The town is popular for its stunning charm and surrounded by Greek cultural heritage. 

Major Attractions

• Metsovo Central Square
• Averoff Museum of Neohellenic Art
• Tositsa Baron Museum
• Karakoli Ski Center

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3. Santorini

The pretty Santorini surrounds white buildings with blue domes that look out over the Aegean Sea. While the December experiences could be different due to rain, the city’s appeal stays the same. You can explore the breathtaking Santorini by excursion on a cable car. You can explore Pyrgos Village Chapel of Saint Nektarios, White Beach, Santorini Main Square, and more here.

Major Attractions

• Caldera
• Oia
• Akrotíri Archaeological Site
• Red Beach

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4. Mount Olympus

This place combines Greek legends and nature during the winter in Greece. People who love outdoor adventures during winter can plan a visit to Mount Olympus. They can enjoy the magnificent snow-covered mountains that offer the visitors exciting climbing and hiking opportunities. These mountains are known to be the house of ancient Greek gods, making the experience even mythical.

Major Attractions

• Olympus Marathon
• Mountaineering & Hiking
• Alpine Skiing

Exciting Festivals in Greece During Winter

Winter in Greece gives you an outstanding opportunity to explore some of the best events and festivals like:

• All Saints’ Day

This is an event celebrated in Greece to remember all martyrs and saints. The day marks celebrations with prayer and social gatherings for the community. The celebration focuses on the religious and spiritual heritage of the brave Greeks.

Key Highlight: Dedicated to remembering the saints from Christian history.

• Athens Boat Show

This marks the celebration where Greeks dress up a vessel to display their heritage of being a maritime country. This comes alongside the Christmas tree decoration and a way to bring the Christmas celebrations together with the sea. The decorated ship pays tribute to the sailors returning home to celebrate Christmas.

Key Highlight: For people who love sea recreation and water sports.

• Patras Carnival

This energetic and fun celebration features parades, masquerade balls, street parties, and other activities. Grand Parade is the most well-known, where floats and entertainers fill the streets with sounds and colors. 

Key Highlight: The Grand Parade and Treasure Hunt Game.

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• Athens and Epidaurus Festival

This festival brings ancient Greek Drama to life in its traditional theater setting. The festival offers a unique opportunity for viewers to explore classic Greek comedies and stories. This can be a memorable experience with a mix of Drama, history, and the breathtaking winter backdrop in Greece.

Key Highlight: Oldest performing arts festivals featuring theatre, dance and music.

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Top Activities to do in Greece in Winter 

Listed below are a few interesting activities that you can put on your list when coming for winter in Greece:

• Getting Around Romantic Towns & Villages

These places are interesting historical attractions to explore during winter in Greece. You can walk around the winding streets and explore the country’s stunningly preserved old town squares. The romantic vibe in these towns makes them outstanding photography spots in Greece during winter. Anafiotika is a small neighborhood in Athens where you can explore the whitewashed houses that feel like you’re on an island.

• Greek Nightlife

This is a perfect location for having a blast while traveling to Greece during winter. This place is well-known across the globe for some exciting nightlife opportunities it offers visitors. You can have fun in cities like Athens, Thessaloniki, and Patras, where you can make your nights fun.

• Museum-Hopping

In the winter in Greece, there are usually fewer crowds on the streets, which makes exploring museums more enjoyable. The visitors can explore many museums, but the popular options are the Acropolis Museum andthe National Archaeological Museum in Athens. People visit here to explore amazing traditional art pieces dating back 8000 years in the past.

• Visit the Christmas Theme Park

In winter, visitors can plan a visit to Drama, which is in the northeastern region of Greece. It houses the country’s most renowned Santa Claus village- Oneiroupoli, making it among the most exciting activities in Greece during winter. You can find a festive Christmas atmosphere around the theme park, which offers excellent opportunities for children and parents. 

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• Enjoy Winter Sports

Greece serves as a fantastic destination for winter sports enthusiasts and Greek mountain lovers. Coming for winter in Greece, you can find sparkling white mountains, all set to welcome you for some exciting winter sports. Some fantastic ski areas include Kalavryta, Metsovo, Arachova, and more. You can find activities like skiing and snowboarding available in almost all Ski resorts in Greece during winter.

• Celebrate New Year’s Eve

This is among the most fun-filled activities for winter in Greece, where you can see outstanding fireworks across major cities in Greece. You can’t miss the official countdown for Athens New Year’s Eve, which features a live entertainment event. The event includes unique traditions, Greek customs, singing carols, giving gifts, making Vasilopita, and more.

• Try Traditional Food

Winter in Greece is all set to welcome you on an exclusive culinary delight experience. You must not miss the culinary experience with seasonal foods in Greece during winter. These include having the warm Fasolada soup, the delicious Lahanodolmades, the savory Pites, and more.

What to Pack For Winter in Greece?

After you are clear about the weather and activities in Greece, it’s now time to get some packing tips for winter in Greece:

Wardrobe Essentials

• Comfortable jeans
• Warm jacket and layers
• Thermal shirts, sweaters
• Hat, gloves, socks
• Warm Scarf
• Comfortable indoor clothing like sweatshirts and leggings

Travel Necessities

• Passport and other important documents
• A curated guidebook or digital travel resources
• A versatile day bag

Miscellaneous

• Trekking shoes
• Sunglasses
• Moisturiser
• Water Bottle 
• Portable charger
• First aid kit

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FAQs

Is winter a good time to visit Greece?

Yes. For some good reasons like fewer crowds, safe weather, rich cultural festivities, and more.

What to wear in Greece during Winter?

For winter in Greece, you can wear warm layers, boots, jackets, scarves, and more.

What are some budget tips for traveling to Greece in winter?

• Book flights in advance
• Choose accommodations wisely
• Get combined tickets
• Try local food in Greece

Can you experience celebrations and festivals in Greece during winter?

Yes. You can enjoy the Athens and Epidaurus Festival, Patras Carnival, New Year’s Eve fireworks, and more.

Which seasonal foods in Greece during winter can you try?

Winter in Greece offers a new Greek cuisine. These items include warm Fasolada soup, the delicious Lahanodolmades, and the savory Pites.