This guide covers the month of April. To compare with the rest of the year, see our page on the best time to visit Greece.
April is a good month to visit Greece if you are coming for the ancient sites and the cities: it is around 20 °C (68 °F) in the afternoon in Athens as in Crete, it rains little and the countryside is in flower. For the beach it is too early: the sea stays cool and some island hotels have not yet opened. Also check the date of Orthodox Easter, a very busy period.
April opens the Greek good season. The hills are green, temperatures are ideal for walking and the ancient sites can be visited without the summer heat. The country wakes up gradually: Athens and the mainland are in full swing, while the islands, especially the Cyclades, are not yet in full season.
Our travel deals for April
Affiliate links: we earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
FlightsKiwi.comCompare flights and airline combinations to April.Compare flights
Greece in April: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ mild, ideal for Athens and the sites
- Temperatures: 19.6 °C (67 °F) in the afternoon and 11.5 °C (53 °F) at night in Athens
- Rain: 26 mm (1.0 in) in Athens, 24 mm (0.9 in) in Heraklion, 65 mm (2.6 in) in Corfu
- Swimming: sea still cool for most swimmers
- To check: the date of Orthodox Easter (variable, from March to May)
What is the weather like in Greece in April?
In April, temperatures are close from one region to another: around 20 °C (68 °F) in the afternoon in Athens, Crete and Rhodes. The differences lie in the rain: the southern Aegean and Athens are already dry, while the Ionian coast (Corfu) stays wetter. The north and the mountains are cooler, especially at night. This southern Aegean, already dry in spring, can also be explored by boat: our page on cruising Greece details itineraries and seasons.
| City | Max | Rain |
|---|---|---|
| Athens (Elliniko) | 19.6 °C (67 °F) | 26 mm (1.0 in) |
| Heraklion (Crete) | 20.1 °C (68 °F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Rhodes | 20 °C (68 °F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Corfu | 19.1 °C (66 °F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
Compared with March (15.9 °C (61 °F) and 42 mm (1.7 in) in Athens), April is a real leap towards spring. May will be warmer still (24.4 °C (76 °F)) and almost dry (14 mm (0.6 in)). This leap is also visible further south: our page Crete in April details the sea, rain and hikes.
Where to go in Greece in April
- Athens: the Acropolis, the Agora, museums, to be visited without crushing heat.
- The mainland: Delphi, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Olympia and the Peloponnese, ideal in April.
- Crete: the furthest south, with sites (Knossos) and hiking; see the best time to visit Crete.
- Rhodes: a medieval old town and a mild spring.
- The Cyclades: possible, but many businesses only open in May and ferries are less frequent than in summer; see the best time to visit Santorini.
- Corfu: very green but still changeable; see the best time to visit Corfu.
Things to do in Greece in April
- Ancient sites: the best time of year, with April-May and October, when afternoons are below 30 °C (86 °F).
- Hiking: Crete, Meteora, Zagori; the landscapes are green and in flower.
- A mainland + island circuit: Athens, the Peloponnese, then Crete or Rhodes.
- Experience Orthodox Easter: the most important festival of the year, with processions and family meals, if it falls during your stay.
Example itinerary of about ten days in April: two or three days in Athens, a driving loop in the Peloponnese (Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio, Olympia) or an excursion to Delphi, then a few days in Crete or Rhodes to finish in the sun. This plan avoids the Cyclades, still slow, and makes the most of the mild spring temperatures for outdoor visits. If your stay falls during Orthodox Easter, book transport and hotels very early.
To put in perspective: swimming. The sea stays cool in April; it becomes pleasant in the south from late May.
Events in April
The big event is Orthodox Easter, whose date changes every year (from March to May) and sometimes coincides with Western Easter. On Easter weekend, transport and hotels are in high demand: book early if your dates fall then. The national holiday on 25 March, with its parades, takes place just before April.
Crowds and prices in April
Crowds are average, with a peak around Easter. Prices stay moderate, well below those of July-August. In general, booking 1 to 2 months ahead is enough, except for Orthodox Easter weekend. For the islands, connections run with or without a stopover depending on the period, and are less frequent than in summer.
What to pack for Greece in April
- Mid-season clothes: T-shirts for the day, a sweater and jacket for the evening (about 11 °C (52 °F) at night in Athens)
- A waterproof windbreaker, especially for Corfu and ferry crossings
- Good walking shoes for the ancient sites
- Sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen: the spring sun is already strong
- Covered clothing for churches and monasteries (Meteora)
If April does not suit you
May is one of the best months: warmer, almost dry, with island hotels open. March is cooler and wetter, but very quiet. For autumn, see our page on Greece in October. For another destination in April, compare with the best time to visit Sicily, Malta or Andalusia, or see our selection where to go in April.
Planning your trip to Greece
For passports, visas and other entry rules, see our page on the entry requirements for Greece. The time difference page compares Greek time with London and New York. To build your itinerary, see our Greece travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is it hot in Greece in April?
Mild rather than hot: around 20 °C (68 °F) in the afternoon in Athens, Crete and Rhodes, and 11 to 12 °C (52 to 54 °F) at night in Athens, according to the Greek weather service normals.
Is it possible to swim in Greece in April?
For most travellers the sea is still too cool. It becomes pleasant in the south from late May.
Where should you go in Greece in April?
To Athens and the mainland (Delphi, the Peloponnese) for the ancient sites, and to Crete or Rhodes, the furthest south, for a mild, dry spring.
Does it rain in Greece in April?
Little: 26 mm (1.0 in) in Athens and 24 mm (0.9 in) in Heraklion on average. Corfu, on the Ionian coast, is wetter (65 mm, 2.6 in).
When is Orthodox Easter?
Its date changes every year, from March to May, and sometimes coincides with Western Easter. Check it before booking: it is a very busy weekend.
Are the Greek islands open in April?
Partly. Crete and Rhodes are lively all year; in the Cyclades, many hotels and restaurants only open in May, and there are fewer ferries than in summer.
Our sources
- Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS): 1955-2010 normals for Athens-Elliniko, Rhodes and Corfu, 1991-2020 normals for Heraklion airport, taken from our page on the best time to visit Greece
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
