Athens is the capital of Greece named after Athena. She was associated with wisdom, handcraft and warfare. It is situated in region of Attica of coast of the Saronic Gulf on plain surrounded by several mountain ranges. Athens is divided by the Cephissus River. Due to features of relief and global location the city experiences thermal inversion.

The city has typical subtropical climate with long and hot summer. There might be no precipitation for several months. Winters are warm with frequent showers. Frosts and snowfall may occur but they are unusual for the region. Due to influence of the Mediterranean Sea autumn in Athens lasts longer and spring comes with a delay.

Seasons

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Athens

Spring is probably the best time to visit the capital of Greece. The season combines gentle warmth and moderate precipitation to create real comfort. Through first half of he season temperature grows from 16 °C (61 °F) to 20 °C (68 °F). In May it warms up to 24 °C (75 °F). Same time evenings are cool with their growing range of 8-15 °C (46-59 °F).

In last weeks of May water of the Saronic Gulf warms up to 20 °C (68 °F) and this is quite the time to open swimming season. Amount of precipitation and relative air humidity are decreasing rapidly. Rainfall of May is twice fewer than in March. Air humidity drops from 70% to 60%.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Water t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 35 mm (1.4")

April Max average t°: +20 °C (68 °F) Min average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Water t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 25 mm (1.0")

May Max average t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Min average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Water t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 25 mm (1.0")

Spring Holidays

March – Athens Hip Hop Awards; Athens Jewish Film Festival; Athens Kids Expo; Athens Restaurant Week; Bargainza; Bulldog Inn Annual Art Show; Dawg Trot 5K Run/Walk; EcoFocus Film Festival; National Gymnastics Challenge; Nicholas Pope Memorial Golf Tournament; Slingshot Festival.

April – Athens beer week; Athens Job Fair & Career Expo; Boybutante Ball; Classic City Brew-Fest; Dancing with the Athens Stars; FLUKE Mini-Comics & Zine Festival; Greenfest; International Street Festival; Piedmont Gardeners Tour; Relay For Life; Twilight Criterium.

May – Athens Business Rocks; Athens Human Rights Festival; Classic City Chalk Fest; Gardens of the World Ball; Indie South Fair Springtacular; The Jump, Fly Festival; Ripple Effect Film Project; St. Mary’s Foundation Golf Tournament.

May-June – Technopolis Jazz Festival.

Summer in Athens

Lack of precipitation and exhausting heat cannot distract visitors from Athens. And summer there is really hot and dry. Cruel summer sun heats the air up to 45 °C (113 °F) in hottest years and averages of July and August sit around 32 °C (89 °F). June is cooler with average of 28 °C (82 °F). Evenings have comfortable 20-22 °C (68-71 °F) through whole summer.

Precipitation is low to absent. Visitors can find salvation in water of the Mediterranean Sea. It has pleasant range of 22-25 °C (71-77 °F). People with health issues should consider visiting Athens in July and August. Or at least carefully check weather forecast.

Climate of the Summer Months

June Max average t°: +30 °C (86 °F) Min average t°: +20 °C (68 °F) Water t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Sundial in the day: 11 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 15 mm (0.6")

July Max average t°: +33 °C (91 °F) Min average t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Water t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Sundial in the day: 12 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 6 mm (0.2")

August Max average t°: +33 °C (91 °F) Min average t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Water t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Sundial in the day: 12 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 7 mm (0.3")

Summer Holidays

June 23-24: Midsummer night.

June – Ejekt Festival; AthFest; Clute Barrow Nelson Life Foundation Annual Golf Classic; Dogwood Classic Golf Tournament; Hack For Athens.

June-July – Rockwave Festival.

June-August – Hellenic Festival.

July – Release Athens Festival; Sprockets International Music Video Festival; Stories From Childhood: From A Tiny Acorn.

August – August Full Moon; Art Rocks Athens; Athens Popfest; Athens Area Maternity and Baby Fair; Groovy Nights; Keepin' It Clean Dirty Dance Benefit; Spirited Spelling Spectacular.

Autumn in Athens

September brings mercy. By the middle of the months temperature drops to 28 °C (82 °F) and reaches comfortable 23 °C (73 °F) in October. Occasional showers without long overcast complement warmth of the season. First two autumn months are perfect for visit. In November daily range of temperatures is between 18 °C (64 °F) and 12 °C (53 °F). Autumn nights have 19 °C (66 °F) to 12 °C (53 °F) in September and November respectively.

Temperature of the sea slowly reduces from 24 °C (75 °F) to 20 °C (68 °F) through the season. Amount and frequency of rainfall grows as well as relative air humidity reaching 70% in last autumn month.

Climate of the Autumn Months

September Max average t°: +29 °C (84 °F) Min average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Water t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 15 mm (0.6")

October Max average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Water t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 50 mm (2.0")

November Max average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Water t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 50 mm (2.0")

Autumn Holidays

September – Aegina Fystiki (Pistachio) Festival; Athens PRIDE Week; Athens Water Festival; Teardrop Century Bike Ride.

October 26: Day of St. Demetrius.
October 28: "Ochi" Day.

November 17: Polytechneo, International Students' Day in Greece.

November – Athens Classic Marathon; Cause + Effect Progressive Film Competition and Festival; Harvest for the Homeless, Spotlight on the Arts at UGA.

Winter in Athens

Winters in Athens are not cool. Air temperature shifts from around 6 °C (43 °F) at night to 15 °C (59 °F) at afternoon. Instead of snow there are fast torrential rains. Peak of precipitation is in December and January. Whole season is windy with occasional storms. Also there are about 4 hours of sunshine per day. In general winter weather in Athens is suitable for sightseeing. The sea is as cold as 17-15 °C (62-59 °F) so seaside activities are limited by admiring of local views.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Water t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 70 mm (2.7")

January Max average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Min average t°: +6 °C (43 °F) Water t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 60 mm (2.4")

February Max average t°: +14 °C (57 °F) Min average t°: +7 °C (45 °F) Water t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 35 mm (1.4")

Winter Holidays

December – Downtown Parade of Lights; Indie South Fair Holiday Market; Stomp Out Domestic Violence.

January – AthCon; Athens Wine Weekend; Chess and Community Conference; Green Life Expo; MLK Day of Service.

February – adDRESS a Need Designer's Challenge & Top Model Competition; Animal Voices Film Festival; Big Hearts; Polar Bear PlungeFest; A Taste of Athens.