Greece in October and November: Weather, Where to Go and What's Open
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Short answer: yes, October and November are great months for Greece: fewer crowds, lower prices and pleasant weather, around 23°C in Athens in October and 18°C in November. For swimming, head to Crete or Rhodes, where the sea stays around 20–24°C. Expect fewer ferries and closed businesses on summer islands like Santorini and Mykonos, especially from November.
The end of the season is one of the best times to visit Greece: the hot, crowded summer is over, prices drop, and the historic sites have far shorter queues. On the other hand, it's also when some islands switch to winter mode, and plenty of businesses and ferries stop running. This guide will help you decide where to go in October and November, and what to check before you book.
Weather in Greece in October and November
Greece is a big country, and the weather varies between Athens, the southern islands and the north. These are long-term averages, and every year is a little different:
| October | November | |
|---|---|---|
| Athens, daytime temperature | About 23°C | About 18°C |
| Athens, nighttime temperature | About 14°C | 10–12°C |
| Rainy days per month (Athens) | Few, about 4–8 | More, about 7–8 |
| Sea temperature (Rhodes and Crete) | About 23–24°C | About 20–21°C |
In practice: in October you can still enjoy the beaches, especially early in the month and on the southern islands. In November the days are pleasant for sightseeing and city breaks, the evenings are cool, and rain is more likely. Want to swim in November? Crete and Rhodes are your best bet, but the sea is already cooling.
What to pack: light clothes for the day, a sweater or light jacket for the evening, closed walking shoes and a rain jacket. In November add another warm layer, especially if you're sailing in the evening.
Where to go in October and November
Athens: good in any season
Athens is a city that runs all year, and autumn is exactly the right time to explore it on foot without the summer heat. The Acropolis, the Plaka and Psyrri neighborhoods, the museums and the restaurants are open as usual. If it's your first visit, our 2-day Athens itinerary is a good starting point.
Crete and Rhodes: the warmest, with the most going on
The big southern islands are the best choice if you also want the sea. They have towns that are lively all year (Chania and Heraklion on Crete, the Old Town on Rhodes), so even after the seasonal hotels close, restaurants, shops and transport keep going.
Santorini and Mykonos: check before you book
Both islands are built on summer tourism, and toward the end of October most businesses start to close. On Santorini, the town of Fira keeps functioning all year with supermarkets, pharmacies and restaurants. Hotels in the beach villages close earlier. On Mykonos, the winter closure is much wider, and beach clubs close as early as September–October. If you plan to go in November, choose a hotel that explicitly says it's open in winter.
Thessaloniki and mainland Greece
Thessaloniki is a lively student city that doesn't depend on the tourist season, and autumn is a comfortable time to visit. Mainland trips, such as Delphi or Meteora, are also more pleasant in autumn weather than in the heat of July–August.
What changes at the end of the season
- Ferries: from November the timetable shrinks a lot. Direct routes between islands, such as Santorini–Mykonos, usually don't run in winter, and small islands sometimes have only a few sailings a week. Full details in our Greece ferries guide.
- Direct flights to the islands: many direct international routes to the islands are seasonal. Check whether there's a direct flight on your dates, or plan to fly into Athens and continue from there.
- Opening hours at sites: from 1 November, archaeological sites switch to winter hours. At the Acropolis, for example, last entry is around 16:30.
- The clocks: on 25 October 2026 Greece switched back to winter time (Eastern European Time, UTC+2).
Free entry days at sites and museums
This season includes several days when entry to the Greek Ministry of Culture's sites and museums is free:
- 28 October (Ochi Day): a national holiday in Greece. Entry to state sites is free, including the Acropolis. The Acropolis Museum, which is run separately, also offers free entry that day. Parades take place in the cities, so some shops and offices are closed.
- The first Sunday of every month, from November to March: free entry to state sites. In November 2026 that's 1 November.
Even on free days you need to get a ticket, and it can be very busy. At the Acropolis your ticket comes with an entry time, so book it in advance on the official site, hhticket.gr. On regular days an Acropolis ticket costs €30, and that's the price in winter too.
Note 17 November: on this day Athens marks the anniversary of the Polytechnic uprising, and there are marches and demonstrations in the city center. Check the news that morning and avoid the protest areas.
How much it costs: autumn is cheaper
- Hotels: prices drop compared with summer, especially on the islands.
- Climate Resilience Fee: a tax paid at your hotel for each night, per room rather than per person. From November to March it's lower: according to the published rates, €0.50 a night at a 1–2 star hotel up to €4 at a 5-star hotel, compared with €2 to €15 from April to October. It's usually paid on the spot, separately from the price shown on booking sites.
- Taxis from Athens airport: rides to the city center have a fixed price per taxi. In September 2026 an increase was announced to €50 by day and €65 at night (00:00 to 05:00), instead of €40 and €55. Confirm the price with the driver before you get in.
Internet in Greece in autumn
Outside the season, many cafés and restaurants that offer Wi-Fi to tourists are closed, and ferries cancelled for weather mean checking updates and rebooking from your phone. This is exactly when it pays to have your own internet from the moment you land. A FlySim eSIM for Greece is installed before you leave home and connects as soon as the plane lands. Not sure how much data you need? Our guide on how much data to buy will help.
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim in Greece in November?
Yes, mainly on the southern islands such as Crete and Rhodes, where the sea temperature in November is about 20–21°C. Sunny days are still common, but the sea is cooler than in October, and the evenings are already cold.
Is Santorini open in November?
Partly. The town of Fira keeps running all year, but many hotels, restaurants and shops close for winter, especially in the beach villages. Book a hotel that's open in winter and check the ferry timetable before you set your route.
When is entry to the Acropolis free?
On 28 October, and on the first Sunday of every month from November to March. There are a few other fixed days during the year. Even on those days you need to get a ticket with an entry time.
Is October a good time to visit Greece?
Yes. October combines warm days and a still-warm sea with fewer crowds and lower prices. Early October is best for beaches; later in the month, focus on Athens, the mainland and the big islands that stay open all year.
Which is better in autumn: Athens or the islands?
If you also want the sea, Crete and Rhodes are better. If your focus is sights, food and walking, Athens and the mainland are excellent in autumn. You can also combine them: a few days in Athens, then a big island that's active all year.