Climate - Athens (Greece)

In Athens, the capital of Greece, the climate is Mediterranean, with mild, moderately rainy winters and hot, sunny summers.
The city is located near the 38th parallel. It covers a wide area in the plain of Attica, which is surrounded by mountains on three sides, and overlooks the sea to the south.
Even though the winter is mild, from December to mid-March, sometimes there can be outbreaks of cold air from the Balkan Peninsula, which can bring cold and rain for some days, and sometimes even snow. Snowfalls occur more easily in the northern part of the city; at the city center, the Acropolis is whitened with snow more easily than the lower surrounding areas. A particularly abundant snowfall, which also affected the southern and coastal areas, occurred in February 2008. In that case, the temperature dropped to -4 °C (25 °F).
Summer is hot and sunny; in fact, Athens in summer is the hottest capital of Europe. In July and August, the temperature quite easily reaches 35/36 °C (95/97 °F), but during heatwaves, it can reach as high as 40 °C (104 °F). The highest record is 43 °C (109.5 °F) and was set in August 2021.
Here are the average temperatures at the Ellinikon Airport.

Precipitation is not abundant, since it amounts to 365 millimeters (14.3 inches) per year, and follows the Mediterranean pattern, with a maximum from November to February and a minimum in summer, when clear skies prevail and there are only occasional thunderstorms.
Here is the average precipitation.

The amount of sunshine in Athens is great in summer, when clear skies are normal, while in winter, there can be sunny days but also periods of a few days when the sky is cloudy. On average, there are almost 2,800 hours of sunshine per year, so Athens is one of the sunniest cities in Europe. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea in Athens is warm enough for swimming from July to September, when the water temperature is 24/25 °C (75/77 °F); in June, it's still a bit cool, about 22 °C (72 °F). Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best times to visit Athens are spring and autumn, especially from mid-April to late May and from mid-September to early October. By mid-October, the likelihood of rainfall increases, and sometimes it can be violent and concentrated in time. Those who can stand the heat can also choose the summer.

Athens - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Athens is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.9 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) and a maximum of 13.3 °C (55.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33 °F). However, it dropped to -2.8 °C (27 °F) in January 2006.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 21.9 °C (71.4 °F) in January 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Athens is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.4 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 6.8 °C (44.2 °F) and a maximum of 14.1 °C (57.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.2 °C (24.4 °F) in February 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it reached 24.2 °C (75.6 °F) in February 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Athens is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.6 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 8.6 °C (47.6 °F) and a maximum of 16.5 °C (61.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.8 °C (28.8 °F) in March 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in March 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Athens is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.9 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 11.5 °C (52.8 °F) and a maximum of 20.2 °C (68.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in April 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). However, it reached 30.9 °C (87.6 °F) in April 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Athens is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 15.9 °C (60.6 °F) and a maximum of 25.2 °C (77.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it dropped to 8 °C (46.4 °F) in May 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, it reached 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in May 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 14 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 58%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Athens is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 25.4 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 20.5 °C (68.9 °F) and a maximum of 30.3 °C (86.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.8 °C (55 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (97.5 °F). However, it reached 41.1 °C (106 °F) in June 2017.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 52%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Athens is usually very hot. The average temperature is of 28.3 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 23.4 °C (74.1 °F) and a maximum of 33.2 °C (91.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it dropped to 16.8 °C (62.2 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99.5 °F). However, it reached 41.2 °C (106.2 °F) in July 2007.
Precipitation amounts to only 6 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 11.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 81% of the time.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Athens is usually very hot. The average temperature is of 28.5 °C (83 °F), with a minimum of 23.6 °C (74.5 °F) and a maximum of 33.4 °C (92.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it dropped to 17.2 °C (63 °F) in August 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 38 °C (100 °F). However, it reached 40.2 °C (104.4 °F) in August 1999.
Precipitation amounts to only 6 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 81% of the time.
The average humidity is 46%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25 °C (77 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Athens is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 24.4 °C (76 °F), with a minimum of 20 °C (67.9 °F) and a maximum of 28.9 °C (84 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11.8 °C (53.2 °F) in September 2009.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in September 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 12 mm (0.5 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24 °C (75.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Athens is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.9 °C (68 °F), with a minimum of 15.9 °C (60.7 °F) and a maximum of 23.8 °C (74.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 5.4 °C (41.7 °F) in October 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 33.8 °C (92.8 °F) in October 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (71.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Athens is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.3 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 11.9 °C (53.4 °F) and a maximum of 18.8 °C (65.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (35.6 °F) in November 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 26 °C (78.8 °F) in November 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (66.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Athens is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.6 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) and a maximum of 14.7 °C (58.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in December 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 22.4 °C (72.3 °F) in December 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (63 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.