Greece in Winter: Where to Go and What to Expect

Most people picture Greece in summer: crowded ferries, blazing heat and packed beaches. In winter the country shows a different face. The Acropolis is quiet, tavernas fill with locals, mountain villages smoke with wood fires and the light is soft and clear. Here's where to go in Greece in winter and what to expect.

Why visit in winter

1. Empty ancient sites

From November to March, sites such as the Acropolis, Delphi and Knossos have a fraction of the summer crowds – and many offer reduced winter ticket prices. Check opening hours, which are shorter in winter.

Standing almost alone on the Acropolis on a crisp, clear winter morning, with the low sun turning the marble gold, is something summer visitors never experience.

2. Lower prices

Flights and hotels are much cheaper outside the summer season, especially in Athens and on Crete.

Where to go

3. Athens

The capital is a year-round city with museums, rooftop bars with Acropolis views, lively neighbourhoods such as Psyrri and Koukaki, and a great food scene. Winter is ideal for walking.

Winter in Athens means café terraces in the sun, tavernas filled with locals and the Acropolis glowing under clear blue skies.

4. Crete

Greece's largest and southernmost island stays mild, with orange groves, mountain villages and Venetian harbours in Chania and Rethymno. Many hotels in the main towns stay open. Read our Greek reading list – Crete stars in several novels.

Snow on the White Mountains, orange groves along the coast and quiet villages where tavernas serve lamb stews and raki by the fire.

5. Rhodes

The medieval old town of Rhodes, a UNESCO site, is atmospheric in winter and one of the sunniest places in Greece. In the Ionian, Corfu is green and peaceful – see our guide to Corfu out of season.

The medieval old town is quiet and atmospheric, with stone streets and knights' palaces all to yourself.

6. Thessaloniki

Greece's second city has Byzantine churches, a famous food scene and lively student nightlife – and winter is its liveliest season.

A lively student city, with waterfront cafés, Byzantine churches and some of the best food in Greece.

7. Meteora and Zagori

The monasteries perched on rock pillars at Meteora look magical in winter mist, and the stone villages of Zagori in the Pindus mountains are perfect for walking and cosy guesthouses.

Monasteries perched on giant rock towers rise out of the winter mist, and in the Zagori villages, stone bridges cross icy rivers and fireplaces crackle in the guesthouses.

8. Skiing

Yes, Greece has ski resorts: Parnassos, near Delphi, and Kalavryta in the Peloponnese are the best known.

Snow-covered slopes on Parnassos or Kalavryta, with views down to the sea – an unexpected side of Greece.

Christmas and festivals

9. Festive Greece

Christmas lights, carols (kalanta) and sweets such as melomakarona and kourabiedes fill towns in December. On 6 January (Epiphany), priests throw a cross into the sea and swimmers dive to retrieve it. Carnival (Apokries), especially in Patras, is held before Lent.

Decorated boats instead of Christmas trees, the smell of melomakarona biscuits in the bakeries and carols sung door to door.

Practical tips

• Pack layers and a rain jacket: winter brings sunny days and showers.
• Check ferries: schedules to the islands are reduced in winter.
• Many small islands close: stick to Crete, Rhodes and larger islands with year-round life.
• Need more heat? For guaranteed winter sun, see our pick of the best winter sun destinations.