Greece in October: Where to Go, What to Do, the Weather, & More

Average Temperatures in Athens, Greece: 74°F High • 61°F Low

October brings splendid sunny days with comfortable weather that allows for light layers and socializing alfresco. While the midday Mediterranean sun still shines brightly, the decrease in humidity provides you with pleasant evenings to sip ouzo by the sea or wine under the stars.

On Greece’s islands, daily highs hover in the high 70s Fahrenheit, while the evenings dip to about 68 degrees Fahrenheit, ideal for long dinners at a taverna or moonlit strolls along the coast. With more than 200 hours of sunshine in October across Greece, you’ll enjoy sunny fall days to match the golden landscapes and azure seas.

Learn more: Best Places to Visit in Greece

Athens • Best Place for Sightseeing

As the ancient capital of Greece, Athens offers unmatched sightseeing opportunities. Spend days getting lost amongst ancient ruins like the Acropolis and Parthenon. Wander the halls of the acclaimed Acropolis Museum, home to archaeological artifacts and sculptural masterpieces that trace Athens’ storied history. Venture into the Plaka neighborhood to glimpse daily life along winding streets.

With cooler temperatures, walking between Athens’ world-famous sites is an ideal way for you to take in the magic of this historical city. For an unforgettable sightseeing adventure, Athens shines as the crown jewel of Greece in October.

Learn more: Top 5 Things to Do on a 12-Day Vacation in Greece

Crete • Best Place for Great Weather

For endless sunny days and comfortably warm temperatures, look no further than Crete. The island boasts a mild Mediterranean climate year-round, with October offering plenty of sun-soaked days ideal for lounging on renowned beaches without the crowds. Cool nights are perfect for romantic seaside strolls or open-air dining.

Beach towns like Rethymnon and Chania offer balmy, relaxing weather paired with Venetian harbors and exotic marketplaces, while Agios Nikolaos will delight you with yacht-filled harbors rimmed by lively cafés and tavernas.

Learn more: Athens, Santorini, and Crete Itineraries, & Vacations

Rhodes • Best Place for Families with Children

The island of Rhodes delivers a winning combination of child-friendly beaches, interactive museums, and enough mythical magic to delight young explorers. Summer crowds thin and temperatures are comfortable, perfect for paddling in the surf of pristine beaches like Faliraki.

Medieval castles like the 14th-century Palace of the Grand Master will immerse your kids in a world of knights and legends, with secret passageways to ignite their sense of adventure. In the evenings, wind down with sunset boat rides and moonlit storytelling sessions. With ancient wonders reimagined for little ones’ curiosity, Rhodes gives children space to play while you enjoy Greece’s charms.

Learn more: Rhodes Vacations, Tours, & Itineraries

Naxos • Best Place to Avoid the Crowds

For an authentic Greek island experience without the tourist hordes, visit Naxos in October. The largest Cycladic island sees the summer rush dissipate, leaving its Byzantine chapels, olive grove-dotted mountains, and sandy beaches blissfully quiet.

Wander the lanes of Chora’s old town and take in the Venetian mansions and medieval castle towering on the hilltop. Drive through the island’s mountainous interior for views of the sea at every hairpin turn. Feast on local cheeses, just-pressed olive oil, and white wine produced in fertile vineyards. For an intimate island getaway full of charm, delicious cuisine, and culture, Naxos shines in October as a secret oasis waiting to be uncovered.

Learn more: Naxos Vacations & Tours

Santorini • Best Place for Couples or Honeymooners

With its cliffside towns, dramatic volcanic backdrop, and breathtaking sunsets over the Aegean Sea, Santorini lures couples from all over the world, with October bringing more intimate encounters to this iconic island.

Popular restaurants offer cozy window-side tables and romantic private dining, Oia’s iconic blue-domed alleys beg exploration, and crimson sunsets paint the sea, all without summer’s masses. For honeymooners or couples seeking quality time under the Mediterranean stars, Santorini sets an indulgent mood.

Learn more: Santorini Vacations, Tours, & Trips

Marvel at the Crete’s Dramatic Samaria Gorge

Journey through Crete’s storied 10-mile Samaria Gorge, its towering rock walls blanketed in autumn foliage that plunges down to the crystal-blue river below. Descend through the mountains, crossing riverbeds and stone pathways that reveal waterfalls and wildlife. Emerge at the coast for a reviving dip in the Libyan Sea after the five- to six-hour trek.

Indulge in an Athens Food Tour

Athens’ Central Market, spanning over a century of trade, comes alive on an Athens Food Tour. Shop seasonal ingredients alongside locals before crafting an authentic Greek lunch paired with regional wines under the guidance of an esteemed chef.

Feast on Walnuts in Rhodes

Visit the mountain villages of Rhodes for the annual Walnut Festival amidst the island’s lush forests. Follow the aromatic scent of pastries and nuts roasted over open fires as costumed locals celebrate the season’s harvest with traditional dances and live music. Sample walnut sweets or watch as villagers crack shells and collect walnuts for next year’s batch of liqueur.

Roam with Wild Horses on the Peninsula of Messara

In southern Crete, walk with the small yet mighty Messara horses that have been native to the island’s landscapes for millennia. Traverse rugged gorges and palm tree forests with these graceful companions, and meet local horse breeders carrying this bloodline through generations.

Join in the Battle of Lepanto anniversary celebrations in Nafpaktos

Every October, the port town of Nafpaktos commemorates the 1571 Battle of Lepanto, where its strategic harbor helped the united Christian fleet defeat the Ottoman Empire. Join those celebrating this turning point in Mediterranean history with costumed theatrical reenactments on land and an illuminated nautical parade on Nafpaktos’s now-tranquil harbor. Sample regional dishes like spicy soprano macaroni at harborfront tavernas that fueled the soldiers and admire the nighttime reflections of recreated antique ships gliding through the harbor amid fireworks and cheers.

As the summer crowds dissipate, October welcomes you to uncover Greece’s hidden charms, from blissful Mediterranean temperatures to vines heavy with grapes, ancient sites devoid of tourists to romantic harbors and local culture. With comfortable weather ideal for adventure, Greece shines during the fall shoulder season through events that showcase ancient rituals and modern innovations.

Hungry for more inspiration on planning your dream October getaway to Greece? Then take a look at our best Greece tours and vacations or find more information in our Greece travel guide.