Greece in September

Greece › Visiting in September
Updated: October 16, 2026 • By Santorini Dave
Questions? dave@santorinidave.com

See Also

• Best Time to Visit Greece
• Greek Island Hopping
• Best Greek Islands
• Where to Stay in Athens
• Where to Stay in Santorini
• Where to Stay in Mykonos
• Where to Stay in Naxos
• Where to Stay in Crete

Is September a Good Time to Visit Greece?

September is one of the best months to visit Greece. The weather is still hot enough for beaches and swimming, ferries run frequently between the main islands, and almost all hotels, restaurants, tours, and beach clubs remain open. Sightseeing in Athens, exploring villages, and hiking are also much more comfortable than in July and August.

Do not expect Greece to become quiet as soon as August ends. The first ten days of September still feel like high season on Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, and other popular islands. Hotels remain expensive, famous beaches are busy, and ports can be chaotic when several ferries arrive together.

My favorite period is roughly September 10 to 25. It is late enough for crowds and temperatures to ease, but early enough that island travel still feels fully in season. The sea is also warmer than in May or June.

For the best chance of hot beach weather at the end of September, choose Crete, Rhodes, or Kos. For a first island-hopping trip, Santorini, Naxos, Paros, and Mykonos are my top choices. They have good ferry connections, plenty of hotels and restaurants, and enough variety for a two-week trip.

Greece in September: Quick Guide

• Best overall dates: September 10 to 25.
• Best islands for first-time visitors: Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, and Rhodes.
• Best value: Naxos, Crete, the Peloponnese, and smaller, less touristy islands.
• Best for late-September beaches: Crete, Rhodes, and Kos.
• Best for sightseeing: Athens, the Peloponnese, Delphi, and Meteora.
• Greater chance of rain: Corfu, the Ionian Islands, northern Greece, and mountainous mainland regions, especially late in the month.
• What closes: Very little on the major islands. Some seasonal tours, beach clubs, restaurants, and ferry routes begin reducing service toward the end of September.

Should You Visit Early, Mid, or Late September?

September 1 to 10

Choose early September if you want the hottest weather, the best nightlife, and the widest choice of ferries and tours. It still feels like summer high season, especially on Santorini, Mykonos, and Paros. Popular hotels and beaches remain busy and expensive.

September 11 to 20

This is the best period for most first-time visitors. The sea is warm, everything is still open, and crowds are beginning to ease. Santorini, Mykonos, and Paros remain lively, but sightseeing and getting around become more pleasant.

September 21 to 30

Choose late September for fewer crowds, somewhat better hotel prices, and easier sightseeing. The southern islands remain warm, but cloudy days, rain, and cooler evenings become more likely. Crete and Rhodes are my top choices for a beach holiday during the final week.

Major islands remain easy to visit, but ferry connections between smaller islands can be limited. Check schedules before booking hotels.

Greece Weather in September

September remains a summer month in most of Greece, especially during the first three weeks. Typical daytime temperatures range from the mid-20s to around 30°C, though Athens, Crete, and Rhodes can be hotter.

• Athens: Afternoon temperatures are commonly around 28°C to 31°C early in the month, with cooler conditions becoming more common later. The Acropolis and Ancient Agora can still feel very hot between late morning and mid-afternoon because there is little shade.
• Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, and the Cyclades: Expect warm days in the mid-to-high 20s, cooler evenings, and occasional strong winds, particularly on exposed beaches.
• Crete: Warmer than the Cyclades in late September. The north coast stays warm, while the south coast is hotter and has several beaches sheltered from northerly winds.
• Rhodes, Kos, and the Dodecanese: Among the best choices for hot weather in late September. Warm beach weather continues through the end of the month.
• Corfu and the Ionian Islands: Greener and more humid than the Cyclades, with a greater chance of rain later in September. Early September is an excellent time to visit.
• Thessaloniki and northern Greece: Days can remain hot, but evenings cool more quickly than on the southern islands. Mountain villages, particularly around Zagori, can be chilly after sunset.

Swimming and Wind in September

September is one of the best months for swimming in Greece. Sea temperatures are around 23°C to 26°C, depending on the island, and are typically warmer than in June. Swimming remains comfortable through the end of the month, though windy days can feel cool when you leave the water.

The strong summer Meltemi wind normally becomes less persistent in September, but windy days remain common in the Cyclades. North-facing beaches can be rough, and boat tours are sometimes affected.

For the hottest beach weather late in the month, choose Crete, Rhodes, or Kos.

Best Places in Greece in September

Santorini

September is my favorite month for Santorini, though the first half remains busy and expensive, with Oia’s sunset lanes, Fira, and Athinios ferry port still crowded. The second half is better for couples who want good weather and busy restaurants without the worst August crowds. September is also excellent for caldera and volcano boat tours, though strong winds can occasionally disrupt sailings.

Stay in Fira for buses and nightlife, Imerovigli for quieter caldera views, or Oia for village atmosphere and sunset. My Santorini Where to Stay guide compares the towns and best hotels in detail. Top caldera-view hotels should still be booked months ahead.

Naxos

Naxos is my top September choice for families, beaches, good food, and better value than Santorini or Mykonos. Agios Prokopios, Agia Anna, and Plaka have long sandy beaches and warm water, while Naxos Town offers restaurants, shopping, and easy access to the ferry port.

September is also much better than August for driving inland to Halki, Filoti, and Apiranthos. A car is useful for exploring, but not necessary if you stay in Naxos Town or along the main west-coast bus route. Naxos is larger and less polished than Paros, but it has better beaches, more traditional villages, and better hotel value. See my Where to Stay in Naxos guide for the best beach areas and towns.

Paros

Choose Paros over Naxos for Naoussa’s restaurants and nightlife, a more stylish atmosphere, and convenient ferry connections. Parikia is the practical base for ferries and buses, while Naoussa is prettier and better for evenings but more expensive and farther from the port.

Early September remains busy, and popular Naoussa restaurants still require reservations. By the second half, the island feels calmer without becoming sleepy. Paros is easier to cover on a short trip than Naxos, but families and travelers focused mainly on sandy beaches may prefer Naxos. My Paros Where to Stay guide compares Naoussa, Parikia, and the main beach areas.

Mykonos

Choose early September if beach clubs, nightlife, and a busy social scene matter. Major clubs and restaurants remain open, but big DJ events become less frequent later in the month.

The second half is better for travelers who want Mykonos Town, good restaurants, and beaches without the worst crowds. The island is not suddenly cheap or empty: hotels remain expensive, buses can still be crowded, and taxis remain limited.

Stay in Mykonos Town for nightlife, dining, and the easiest bus connections, or at a beach if swimming and a resort atmosphere matter more. See my Where to Stay in Mykonos guide for the best towns, beaches, and hotels.

Crete

Crete is my top choice for late September. The weather is warm, the beaches are excellent, and there’s plenty to do if you get a cloudy day.

Give it at least five nights and concentrate on one region. Stay near Chania for the most attractive city and access to western beaches, Rethymno for a good balance of beach and Old Town, or Heraklion for Knossos, museums, and ferry connections. Heraklion is less appealing as a beach base.

A rental car is useful for beaches and villages, though parking near Chania and Rethymno Old Town can be frustrating. Travelers who do not want to drive should stay centrally and use organized tours. September can also be excellent for the Samaria Gorge, but it remains a long, demanding hike, especially during the hotter first half of the month. My Where to Stay in Crete guide explains the best bases in more detail.

Rhodes

Rhodes is one of the best Greek islands for hot beach weather in late September. Stay in Rhodes Town for history, restaurants, and a trip without a car, or choose Lindos and the southeast coast for beaches and resorts.

The island is large: Rhodes Town to Lindos takes roughly one hour by car, and many southeast-coast hotels require a long airport transfer. Rhodes works best as a standalone five-to-seven-night destination rather than as part of a fast Cyclades itinerary.

Corfu and the Ionian Islands

Corfu is an excellent early-September choice for green scenery, beaches, villages, and one of Greece’s most interesting old towns. It feels very different from the dry, whitewashed Cyclades, but the tradeoff is weather. Rain becomes more likely here earlier than on Crete, Rhodes, or the Cyclades.

I love Corfu in early September, but for a beach holiday in the final week, I’d choose Crete or Rhodes. A car is useful outside Corfu Town, though roads can be narrow and slow. Staying in Corfu Town without a car works well for restaurants, sightseeing, and boat or bus day trips.

Athens

September is much better than July or August for visiting Athens, though it can still be hot. Visit the Acropolis at opening time or later in the afternoon, and save air-conditioned museums for the hottest part of the day.

Two or three nights is enough for most first-time visitors. Stay near the historic center for easy sightseeing, and book popular central hotels early. Athens also works well at the end of an island-hopping trip, since returning to the mainland at least one night before departure protects against ferry delays. My Where to Stay in Athens guide compares the best neighborhoods and hotels.

Mainland Greece

September is one of the best months for a road trip through the Peloponnese. Nafplio, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Monemvasia, Olympia, and the Mani are much more comfortable to explore than in July or August, and the beaches are still warm enough for swimming.

Delphi and Meteora are also excellent, though mountain evenings can be cool. The Athens Riviera is a good choice for combining Athens sightseeing with one or two beach days without taking a ferry.

Ferries and Island Hopping in September

The main ferry routes between Athens, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, and Santorini remain busy throughout September, with the widest choice of sailings early in the month.

For easy island hopping, stick to Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, and Santorini. These islands have good connections in September, though not every route runs daily.

For a one-week trip, visit no more than two islands. With ten to fourteen days, three islands works well. Every ferry transfer uses up much of a day once you account for getting to the port, waiting, sailing, and checking into the next hotel.

• Check ferry schedules before booking hotels. An itinerary that looks logical on a map may require returning to Athens or changing ferries. Smaller-island connections can be especially limited late in September.
• Book all ferries in advance. Early September ferries can sell out, especially high-speed services and sailings at convenient times.
• Choose larger ferries for comfort. Conventional ships are slower but normally more comfortable in rough seas than smaller high-speed ferries. Windy weather does not automatically mean ferries will be canceled.
• Return to Athens before your flight. I recommend arriving on the mainland at least one day before an international departure rather than relying on a same-day ferry connection.

Crete has year-round ferries to Athens, but direct ferries between Crete and Santorini are seasonal. They normally operate throughout September, though schedules are less flexible than between the central Cyclades. Check the exact sailing dates before building a trip around this connection.

Crowds, Hotel Prices, and What Stays Open

Early September is not a budget period on Santorini or Mykonos, especially at popular luxury hotels. Prices improve later in the month, but the best caldera-view suites, private pools, and boutique hotels can still book out well in advance.

Most hotels, restaurants, tours, and beach clubs remain open throughout September on the major islands. Some smaller seasonal businesses begin closing toward the end of the month, and major beach clubs may reduce their party schedules. Archaeological sites and museums remain open, though some change their hours seasonally.

There is no single date when Greece shuts down. A small beach resort can feel quiet in late September while Santorini, Rhodes Town, Chania, and central Athens remain busy.

September Compared with August and October

• August: Hotter, busier, more expensive, and better for peak nightlife and the maximum choice of ferries and flights.
• September: The best balance of warm sea, reliable beach weather, active islands, and easier sightseeing.
• October: Cheaper and quieter, but cooler, wetter, and less dependable for beach weather and multi-island travel.

For a first trip built around beaches and island hopping, I prefer September. October works better for Athens, Crete, Rhodes, and mainland sightseeing than for an ambitious island itinerary.

Greece in September Frequently Asked Questions

Which Greek islands are warmest in late September?

Crete, Rhodes, Kos, and Karpathos have the best odds of hot beach weather. Most Greek islands are still warm in late September, but rain becomes more likely in the Ionian Islands and northern Greece.

Is late September still good for swimming?

Yes. The sea is typically warmer in late September than in June, and daytime swimming remains comfortable on most islands. Wind and cooler air temperatures can make beach days less predictable toward the end of the month.

Do beach clubs close in September?

Most major beach clubs remain open through September, especially on Mykonos. Big DJ events become less frequent later in the month, and some smaller venues close before October.

Is September good for families?

Yes. September is excellent for families, with warm seas, slightly cooler weather, and fewer crowds after schools reopen. Naxos and Crete are my top choices. Families with school-age children may be limited by term dates.

Is September a good month for a honeymoon in Greece?

Yes. September has warm weather, excellent swimming, outdoor dining, and fewer crowds than August. Santorini is my top choice for a honeymoon, especially for caldera-view hotels. Milos has better beaches, Folegandros is quieter and more romantic, and Paros offers excellent restaurants and a livelier atmosphere.