This page covers a single month. To compare the whole year, see our guide to the best time to visit Greece.
The weather in Greece in October is still pleasant: 23 to 24.5 °C (73 to 76 °F) in the afternoon depending on the region, a sea still warm in the south (23 °C (73 °F) near Heraklion), but the rains return towards the end of the month. Verdict: a very good month in Crete and Rhodes, good for Athens and the sites, riskier in Corfu and the Cyclades after mid-October. This riskier end of season in the Cyclades also matters for a cruise around the Greek islands, whose itineraries follow the calendar.
October is the Greek late season. The summer heat falls away, the light is soft for sightseeing and crowds drop sharply. In return, the islands start to close after mid-October: hotels, tavernas and ferry connections cut back their activity.
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Greece in October: key facts
- Athens: 23.4 °C (74 °F) / 15.7 °C (60 °F), 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain
- Crete and Rhodes: about 24 °C (75 °F) in the afternoon, the warmest
- Corfu: 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain, the wettest region
- Sea: about 23 °C (73 °F) near Heraklion
- 28 October: national "No" Day (Ochi)
- Islands: gradual closures after mid-October
What is the weather like in Greece in October?
| City | Max | Rain | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | 23.4 °C (74 °F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | ✅ Ideal for the sites |
| Heraklion (Crete) | 24 °C (75 °F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | ✅ Beach and hiking |
| Rhodes | 24.5 °C (76 °F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | ✅ Late-season beach |
| Corfu | 23.2 °C (74 °F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | ⚠️ Rainy |
These averages hide a change within the month: early October still looks like the end of summer, while the end of the month brings the first storms. In Heraklion there are on average 5 rainy days in October. The north (Thessaloniki, Meteora) and the mountains are cooler.
Can you swim in Greece in October?
Yes, especially in the south. Near Heraklion the sea averages 23 °C (73 °F) in October, according to the German weather service (DWD), more than in June. Crete and Rhodes, the southernmost islands, therefore offer the best end of the beach season. We do not publish a sea temperature for the other regions, for lack of an official source.
Where to go in Greece in October
- Crete: warm sea, hiking pleasant again, Minoan sites. Details on Crete in October.
- Rhodes and the Dodecanese: the warmest late season along with Crete.
- Athens, Delphi, the Peloponnese: ideal temperatures for the Acropolis, Olympia or Mycenae.
- The Cyclades (Santorini, Naxos): lovely light early in the month, then fewer connections and closures: see the best time to visit Santorini.
- Corfu: best avoided if rain bothers you (140 mm (5.5 in)); see the best time to visit Corfu.
Things to do in Greece in October
- Visit the ancient sites without crushing heat
- Hike in Crete (gorges, south coast) or at Meteora
- Enjoy the last swims in the south
- Discover the grape harvest and the first olive harvests
- Do a mainland circuit, less dependent on ferries
Events in Greece in October
28 October, Ochi ("No") Day, is a national holiday and public holiday, with parades across the country. Other local events vary from year to year: check with the local offices.
Crowds and prices in October
Crowds go from average to low through the month, and prices fall. For the islands, October is among the months with the best balance of weather and price, as long as hotels are open. School holiday periods at the end of the month bring demand back up in the south. Booking 1 to 2 months ahead is generally enough.
What to pack for Greece in October
- Summer clothes and a swimsuit for the south
- A sweater and a light jacket for evenings and the north
- A compact raincoat for the end of the month
- Walking shoes for the sites and gorges
- Sunscreen: the sun is still strong
Suggested itinerary: ten days in Greece in October
In October, focus on the mainland and the southern islands, which are more reliable than the Cyclades late in the month.
- Days 1-3: Athens, the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum, then Delphi as an excursion
- Days 4-5: the Peloponnese (Mycenae, Epidaurus, Nafplio)
- Days 6-10: Crete, with Heraklion and Knossos, Chania, and a hike on the south coast
Ferries in October: what you need to know
Sea connections to the islands remain frequent early in the month, then are reduced after mid-October. Check the timetables before building a multi-island itinerary and leave a margin before your return flight, as wind can delay or cancel crossings. For Crete and Rhodes, flying from Athens avoids these uncertainties.
Normals or forecasts: how to read these figures
The temperatures and rainfall totals on this page are climate normals: averages calculated over several decades by official weather services. They show what is usual for the month, not the weather you will get during your stay. A given year can be warmer, cooler, drier or wetter, and a month’s rain can be concentrated into just a few days. To plan the trip, use the normals to choose the period and the region; in the week before departure, check the national weather service forecasts and adapt your programme day by day, keeping fallback activities for the less favourable days.
If October does not suit you
September offers a warmer sea and less rain (12 mm, 0.5 in in Athens), with more people. In spring, see Greece in April.
Other destinations for October: Malta in October, Cyprus or Morocco in October. All our ideas: where to go in October. To organise the trip: our Greece travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which Greek island is warmest in October?
Crete and Rhodes, the southernmost: about 24 °C (75 °F) in the afternoon according to the HNMS normals.
Is it possible to swim in Greece in October?
Yes, especially in the south: near Heraklion the sea averages 23 °C (73 °F) in October.
Does it rain in Greece in October?
Little early in the month, more towards the end: 46 mm (1.8 in) in Athens, 43 mm (1.7 in) in Heraklion, but 140 mm (5.5 in) in Corfu.
What should you wear in Greece in October?
Summer clothes by day, a sweater and light jacket in the evening, a compact raincoat for the end of the month.
Are the Greek islands open in October?
Yes early in the month. After mid-October, many hotels and ferry connections cut back, especially in the Cyclades.
Our sources
- Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS): normals for Athens-Elliniko, Rhodes, Corfu (1955-2010) and Heraklion airport (1991-2020)
- German weather service (DWD), Klimatafel for Iraklion: sea temperature
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.