Greece in November: Weather, Events & Travel Tips

November is the month when most of Greece’s islands close for winter — and when its cities come into their own. Thessaloniki and Athens are fully alive in November: the Film Festival, the Classic Marathon, full restaurant schedules, and the daily rhythms of Greek urban life running without tourist interruption. If your Greece trip is built around culture, food, history, and authentic city atmosphere rather than beach time, November is one of the most rewarding months to go.

November Weather in Greece

November is the first genuinely rainy month across most of Greece. Athens receives its highest rainfall of the year in November and December, with short but heavy showers arriving every few days. The north — Thessaloniki and Macedonia — becomes distinctly cold, with temperatures that can approach 5°C overnight. Crete and Rhodes remain noticeably milder and are the best bets for anyone hoping for some sunshine. The Ionian Islands (Corfu, Kefalonia, Zakynthos) are among the wettest places in Europe in November; plan accordingly.

Location	Avg High	Avg Low	Sea Temp	Rain Days
Athens	17°C / 63°F	10°C / 50°F	19°C / 66°F	12
Thessaloniki	12°C / 54°F	5°C / 41°F	17°C / 63°F	13
Crete (Heraklion)	19°C / 66°F	13°C / 55°F	21°C / 70°F	10
Santorini	17°C / 63°F	11°C / 52°F	20°C / 68°F	11
Rhodes	20°C / 68°F	13°C / 55°F	21°C / 70°F	9

Crete and Rhodes stand clearly apart in November — warmer, drier, and the most hospitable island destinations still open to tourists. A well-planned Crete trip in November can still include mild weather and some hiking.

Events and Festivals in November

Athens Classic Marathon — first or second Sunday in November. This is the original marathon race route: 42.195km from the town of Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium in central Athens, following the path of Pheidippides’ legendary run in 490 BC. The finish inside the marble stadium is one of the most dramatic settings in distance running. Entry from approximately €70 as of 2026; runners must pre-register (registration opens in September and fills). Spectator entry is free along the course and at the stadium finish. The associated Athens Classic Marathon Run (5km, 10km) runs on the same weekend with separate entry.

Thessaloniki International Film Festival (TIFF) — mid-November. One of the major film festivals of southeastern Europe, TIFF screens Greek premieres, Balkan films, and international independent cinema across Thessaloniki’s main cinemas for ten days. The Olympion cinema on Aristotelous Square is the festival’s hub. Single screenings from approximately €7 as of 2026; festival passes from approximately €25 as of 2026. The city’s café and bar scene is at full pitch during the festival — Ladadika and Valaoritou fill up with filmmakers and film lovers.

Agiou Mina — 11 November. Saint Minas is the patron saint of Heraklion, Crete, and his feast day on 11 November is marked with a major religious procession through central Heraklion, following the icon of the saint from the Cathedral of Agios Minas. The cathedral square fills with locals; the procession continues through the old market quarter. Free and open to visitors.

Polytechnic Uprising Anniversary — 17 November. The 1973 student uprising against the military junta is commemorated annually on 17 November across Greece. Athens sees the largest gatherings, with marches from the Athens Polytechnic on Patission Street to the American Embassy. Expect road closures in central Athens. A significant date in modern Greek history and worth understanding if you are in the city.

Where to Stay in November

November sees the lowest hotel rates of the year in Athens and Thessaloniki. On the islands, most properties in Santorini and Mykonos close; Crete and Rhodes retain a working core of open hotels, restaurants, and transport.

Athens:

• Hotel Grande Bretagne (Syntagma Square) — Athens’ landmark address at its annual lowest rates; from approximately €160/night as of 2026.
• Athens Gate Hotel (Makrygianni) — solid mid-range near the Acropolis Museum with rooftop views; from approximately €75/night as of 2026.
• AVA Hotel Athens (Lysikratous Street, Plaka) — quiet, well-located boutique hotel in the old neighbourhood; from approximately €85/night as of 2026.

Thessaloniki:

• Electra Palace Thessaloniki (Aristotelous Square) — the best position in the city, overlooking the Thermaic Gulf; from approximately €100/night as of 2026.
• Excelsior Hotel (Komninon Street) — a grand early-20th-century property with generous rooms; from approximately €70/night as of 2026.

Crete (for those willing to trade weather risk for value):

• Lato Boutique Hotel (Heraklion) — a contemporary hotel in central Heraklion with harbour views; from approximately €65/night as of 2026 in November.
• Avli Lounge Apartments (Rethymno Old Town) — the best address in Rethymno’s Venetian quarter, from approximately €75/night as of 2026.

Where to Eat in November

Athens:

• Diporto (Theatrou Square) — the legendary underground ouzeri, lunch only, no menu, no sign. One of Athens’ most authentic eating experiences; from approximately €12/person as of 2026.
• Nolan (Voulis Street) — contemporary Greek-Asian fusion, one of Athens’ more interesting kitchens; from approximately €30/person as of 2026.
• Seychelles (Keramikos) — a biodynamic natural wine bar with small plates and an excellent bottle list; from approximately €20/person as of 2026.

Thessaloniki:

• Myrovolos Smyrni (Komninon Street) — a long-standing favourite for meze, smoked meats, and Macedonian wines; from approximately €16/person as of 2026.
• Ergon Agora (Navarinou Square) — a deli-restaurant hybrid with an outstanding selection of Greek products and cooked dishes; from approximately €22/person as of 2026.

What to Do in November

Athens is the obvious November base. The Acropolis in November is about as quiet as it ever gets — occasional winter light makes the Pentelic marble glow. The Acropolis Museum (entry approximately €10 as of 2026, free on Sundays) is excellent and warm. The National Archaeological Museum (entry approximately €12 as of 2026) is one of the great museums of the ancient world and takes a full half-day. Allow time for the Museum of Cycladic Art and the Byzantine and Christian Museum too.

The neighbourhood of Plaka and the Anafiotika quarter below the Acropolis are particularly atmospheric in November — narrow lanes, whitewashed walls, and almost no crowds. The Monastiraki flea market runs daily and is far more navigable than in summer.

Thessaloniki makes an excellent November city break: Byzantine churches (the Rotunda, Agios Demetrios, Agios Georgios), the White Tower, the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, and a genuinely excellent food and café culture. The Ladadika district in the evenings is one of the best places in Greece to eat, drink, and feel like you are living in the city rather than visiting it.

Crete in November offers something specific: Heraklion’s Archaeological Museum is one of the world’s great Minoan collections, and the Palace of Knossos (entry approximately €15 as of 2026) can be visited without summer’s crowds. The gorges in the White Mountains (Samaria is closed by November, but Imbros Gorge typically remains open — check locally) are hikeable on clear days.

November Packing List

• Waterproof outer layer — November is the wettest month in Athens; an umbrella is essential
• Mid-weight layers — a fleece or down jacket for evenings in Athens (10°C); warmer layers for Thessaloniki (5°C at night)
• Comfortable walking shoes with grip — wet cobblestones in Plaka and the Acropolis path can be slippery
• Smart-casual evening wear — Thessaloniki restaurants and the Film Festival events have a smart-casual atmosphere
• Plug adaptor (Type C, 2-pin) — standard European socket across Greece
• Travel insurance — ferry disruptions and occasional storm closures can affect island connections

Is November a Good Time to Visit Greece?

For city-focused travel and major events (the Marathon, TIFF), November is genuinely one of the best months — the lowest prices, the most local atmosphere, and no competition for restaurants or museum space. For island holidays, it is firmly off-season: Mykonos and Santorini are largely shut, and even Crete requires accepting the risk of rain. If your priority is Athens and Thessaloniki, November is underrated. See our best time to visit Greece guide for the full seasonal overview.

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