Greece Weather in September | The Greece Guides

September is the month that experienced Greece travellers consistently choose over July and August. The sea reaches its annual warmest (25–26°C), the summer crowds retreat dramatically after the first week, prices drop by 20–35% compared to August, and every beach, site, and restaurant is still fully open. It is everything Greece promises in summer, without the extremes.

September Weather in Greece

September is warm, usually dry, and the Meltemi wind eases off significantly compared to July and August, making Cycladic beaches more pleasant. Athens temperatures drop from August’s punishing 34–35°C to a far more manageable 29°C. A few rain showers can arrive late in the month, particularly in northern Greece and the Ionian Islands, but these are brief and rarely trip-disrupting.

Location	Avg High	Avg Low	Sea Temp	Rain Days
Athens	29°C / 84°F	18°C / 64°F	25°C / 77°F	3
Thessaloniki	26°C / 79°F	15°C / 59°F	23°C / 73°F	4
Crete (Heraklion)	28°C / 82°F	20°C / 68°F	25°C / 77°F	2
Santorini	27°C / 81°F	19°C / 66°F	25°C / 77°F	3
Rhodes	29°C / 84°F	21°C / 70°F	26°C / 79°F	2

The sea temperature in September — 25–26°C across the Aegean — is warmer than it was in June. If swimming is a priority, September is the month when water conditions are at their peak.

Events and Festivals in September

Thessaloniki International Trade Fair (early September). Greece’s largest trade exhibition takes place annually in the first two weeks of September at the Thessaloniki Exhibition Centre. The opening weekend includes speeches by the Prime Minister and a public holiday in Thessaloniki. The Trade Fair focuses primarily on B2B sectors, but the accompanying public events, art installations, and city-wide atmosphere make Thessaloniki particularly lively in early September.

Athens Classic Marathon (early November — register in September). Registration for the November Athens Classic Marathon opens in September and fills quickly. Entry from approximately €70 as of 2026. The route follows the original path from Marathon to Athens, finishing inside the Panathenaic Stadium. Mention it here because serious runners planning a November trip should register before October.

Santorini Experience (late September / early October). An annual sports and lifestyle festival on Santorini combining a triathlon, a sea swim across the caldera, and a 5K night run through Fira. Entry from approximately €50–120/event as of 2026. The caldera swim is one of the most scenic athletic events in Europe.

Thessaloniki Wine Festival. Wineries from across Greece and Macedonia exhibit at a late-September wine event at the Thessaloniki Exhibition Centre. Entry from approximately €8 as of 2026, including a glass. A good introduction to the Xinomavro grape and Naoussa appellation wines.

Cultural August in Rethymno (final week). Rethymno in Crete wraps up its summer cultural programme — outdoor theatre, music in the Venetian Fortezza, and street events — in the first week of September. Many events are free.

Where to Stay in September

Prices fall noticeably after the first week of September. Santorini rooms that cost €400–500/night in August often drop to €200–280/night by mid-September. The full island network remains open, and the best rooms become available.

Santorini:

Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel (Oia) — from approximately €350/night as of 2026 in September (was €600+ in August). Clifftop suites with caldera and sunset views.
Aressana Spa Hotel (Fira) — solid mid-range with a pool and central position, from approximately €150/night as of 2026 in September.

Mykonos:

Kenshō Ornos (Ornos Bay) — from approximately €280/night as of 2026 in September, down from August’s €400+.
Semeli Hotel (Mykonos Town) — a well-regarded mid-range option, from approximately €150/night as of 2026.

Crete:

Domes Noruz Chania (Chania) — contemporary design hotel near the Venetian harbour, from approximately €160/night as of 2026 in September.
Porto Platanias Beach Resort (Platanias, near Chania) — a large resort with excellent beach access, from approximately €100/night as of 2026 in September.

Athens:

Electra Metropolis Athens (Mitropoleos Street) — rooftop pool with Acropolis views, from approximately €160/night as of 2026 in September.
Hotel Eridanus (Kerameikos) — a thoughtfully designed boutique hotel in the design district, from approximately €100/night as of 2026.

Where to Eat in September

Santorini:

To Psaraki (Vlychada harbour) — a fishing harbour taverna with excellent fresh catch, more relaxed in September than in August. From approximately €25/person as of 2026.
Selene (Pyrgos) — one of Greece’s most acclaimed restaurants for modern Cycladic cuisine. From approximately €70/person as of 2026. In September, tables are finally available without months of advance booking.

Crete:

Peskesi (Heraklion) — uses heirloom Cretan ingredients; wild greens, aged graviera, lamb from the White Mountains. From approximately €22/person as of 2026. In September, you can often walk in.
Thalassa (Elounda waterfront) — fresh fish and lobster pasta overlooking Spinalonga islet. From approximately €28/person as of 2026.

Athens:

Strofi (Rovertou Galli, near the Acropolis) — rooftop views of the Parthenon at night. From approximately €35/person as of 2026. September evenings are warm and ideal for outdoor dining.

What to Do in September

Santorini in September recovers its character. The paths from Fira to Oia have walking room; the local restaurants have tables. Sunset at Oia still attracts a crowd but is nowhere near August levels. The caldera is beautiful in September’s softer light.

Crete is particularly good in September: Balos Lagoon, Elafonisi, Falassarna, and the beaches of Sfakia are all still warm and open. The Samaria Gorge closes in mid-October but is fully operational through September (entry approximately €5 as of 2026). Wine harvest season begins in early September in the Heraklion wine-growing areas — some wineries offer harvest experiences.

Rhodes old town is transformed in September: the cruise ship numbers drop and the medieval streets are navigable again. Lindos village, which can be unpleasant in August’s heat and crowds, is genuinely lovely on a September morning.

Athens in September is excellent: the Acropolis at 8am is quiet, midday temperatures are 29°C rather than 35°C, and the evening dining scene in Koukaki and Pagrati is relaxed and local. The National Garden makes for a good morning walk.

September Packing List

SPF30+ sunscreen — still needed daily; UV index is 8–9 (very high) in September
Light linen or cotton — days are still warm; layers for evening
Light jacket or cardigan — evenings begin to cool to 18–19°C from mid-September
Swimwear — the sea is at its warmest and you will use it
Walking sandals and shoes — for ruins and village walking
Compact umbrella — for the occasional late-September shower in northern Greece

Is September a Good Time to Visit Greece?

Arguably the best month overall. The combination of sea warmth, reduced crowds, lower prices, and open infrastructure is hard to beat. If you can choose any month freely, September (particularly the second half) represents the optimal balance of conditions. See our best time to visit Greece guide for the full comparison.

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Greece in September: Weather, Events & Travel Tips