What You Should Know Before You Visit Greece in the Off-Season

I’ve been to parts of the Mediterranean in the summer and fall months and can safely say I prefer visiting in the off-season. Visiting Greece in the off-season provides you with a great opportunity to enjoy without the chaos of crowds or breaking your budget.

There are some downsides to visiting, specifically the weather, but don’t let that be a reason to not visit Greece!

Enjoy the incredible views of Santorini without waiting hours to take your photo. I couldn’t get enough of the views, I would walk around this side of the island multiple times just to soak it all in.

Three reasons for visiting Greece in the off-season

Greece is a dream destination on many travelers’ bucket lists—and for good reason. While the summer months are popular for their warm weather and bustling energy, visiting Greece in the off-season comes with its own unique advantages that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Lower travel costs

The cost to travel to Greece goes down considerably after October due to fewer tourists. I found that the prices for flights and transportation were almost half the cost of what they would be in peak season. Something to keep in mind if you plan on going to the islands, the ferry schedule is limited which does increase the price.

Unless you have a lot of time to spare, you’re better off booking a flight via Aegan Airways to save yourself some time and money.

Fewer tourists

I traveled to Greece around the Thanksgiving holiday, and while there were still a decent amount of tourists, the crowd levels were very small. Athens had the largest amount of crowds–especially near the Acropolis. However, the islands had little to no crowds. I think I ran into more locals than tourists on the islands.

Also, you will have uninterrupted time to photograph whatever you want and not have to wait to get your shot or photoshop people out of your photo. Truly It’s a win-win!

See the wildlife!

I should preface this by saying it’s not really wildlife I am speaking of, but it is the native cats. The cat population in Greece is truly next-level. The warmer climate allows the cats to live comfortably all year long.

Islands such as Santorini have organizations that are striving to help manage the cat population in a humane way, while also nourishing the cats. If you’re shopping in Santorini, many of the shops sell small items such as keychains or stuffed animals where the proceeds go towards the organizations to help care for the cats. 

Two things to be mindful of before visiting Greece in the off-season.

Inclement weather

The weather in Greece isn’t ideal between October and April. Especially if you’re looking to work on your summer tan. I’d plan on bringing layers and rain gear as the typical temperature is in the upper 60s/low 70s between late October through April.

When I visited in November, the weather was relatively mild with the exception of one day when it was in the mid 70s and the sun was shining all day.

Business closures

Since Greece is a bustling place in the warmer months, most of the locals who own businesses tend to close shop after October. The majority of restaurants/clubs in Athens are open year round since it is the country’s capital. Not to fret, you will find some of the best food in the restaurants that stay open on the islands since they are locals who live there year round.

Final Thoughts

If you have always wanted to go to Greece but not blow your budget, I’d definitely recommend visiting Greece in the off-season. While the weather isn’t always ideal, being able to experience Greece as close to how a local experiences it, is totally worth the trip.

Looking for inspiration on what to do in Greece in November? Check out my guide here.

Now it’s time to start planning your own adventure, Cheers!