Mount Olympus
COVER STORY

A country for all seasons

READING TIME
As long as it takes to eat a Greek salad

Spring, summer, autumn, winter: All year round, Greece is the most beautiful country of the Mediterranean

Greece’s worldwide fame is due to its unique light, sea and islands that characterise the Greek summer. And yet, there is so much more. You can enjoy holidays during all seasons in Greece: spring, autumn and winter promise experiences that will remain indelibly etched in your memory. So it’s time to discover what Greeks know and experience the beauty of the country all year round!

September

Summer in Greece continues into autumn. The sea is warm and perfect for swimming, diving and fishing. The light creates a tranquil landscape, the perfect atmosphere for afternoon walks on the beach. There are just enough visitors to sustain your summer mood.

The winds have dropped and it’s the perfect time to hop from island to island in the Aegean Sea. Andros, Tinos, Mykonos and the famous archaeological site of Delos make one wonderful combination for autumn holidays in Greece. Then, there are Paros, Naxos, Ios and Santorini – where you’ll have the chance to take part in the harvesting at the islands’ vineyards. Or what about the Small Cyclades, or the islands of Astypalea, Amorgos and Kalymnos, where you’ll become a part of the daily life of the locals. 

October

Don’t rush to put on a jacket. The climate of Greece in October is mild and temperatures are still relatively high. It’s the perfect opportunity to get to know some of its most interesting cities: Ioannina with its famous lake, Nafplio with its beautiful stately mansions, Monemvasia with its impressive castle, museums, fortresses, Byzantine monasteries and endless strolls in picturesque neighbourhoods await.

November

The International Film Festival in Thessaloniki is a great opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere of the capital of northern Greece. A crossroads of people and cultures, Thessaloniki promises much: the White Tower, Aristotelous Square, the old and new waterfronts, Ladadika, the warehouses of the port, exceptional museums all welcome you to this charming city. Dozens of cafes, bars, ouzeries and restaurants in every corner of Thessaloniki are teeming with people all day long, giving the impression that the city is in a constant state of celebration.

December

Christmas in Greece! This is the ideal time to travel to the mountain villages: Portaria and Makrinitsa in Pelion, Zagorohoria, Trikala Korinthias, Dimitsana and Stemnitsa in mountainous Arcadia, Karpenisi and its surrounding villages, Arahova and the ski resort of Parnassos and Nymfeo with its restored mansions. The picturesque stone villages seem as if they have been lifted from a fairy tale, with their festive atmosphere and glittering lights, in the shadow of the mountains that surround them.

January

From January 6 to 8, Kastoria celebrates Ragoutsaria, a modern Dionysian celebration. All of Macedonia is invited! In Orestiada, the masquerade parade is accompanied by a brass band, through the lakeside streets lined with the stately homes of furriers. The ski centres of Macedonia and their nearby towns are perfect for a unique winter holiday: Kaimaktsalan and Edessa with its spectacular waterfalls, Lailias and Serres, 3-5 Pigadia and Naoussa, Vigla and Florina all have their own special charm.

February

Carnival season and Clean Monday (the first day of Lent) are celebrated throughout Greece, so your choices are endless – particularly if you‘d like to witness first-hand the authentic local customs and traditions that have been preserved to this day. In Kozani there is ‘Fanon’ – the fires, dancing and centuries-old traditions are a sight to see. In Naoussa, you can witness the elegant costumes in the festival of ‘Genitsari and Boules’ (Janissaries and Boules). In Patras, the impressive parade of floats will stay for a long time in the memory... On Skyros, you will experience the traditional dance of ‘Gerou and Korelas’ (Old man and the girl). Particularly festive are the celebrations in Rethymno, Crete and Xanthi. In Athens, every neighbourhood has its carnival parade and on Clean Monday the historic hills of Pnika and Filopappou are teeming with multicoloured kites.

March

The first month of spring in Greece is magical. Clear blue Attica skies and glorious sunshine illuminate the ancient marbles of the Parthenon. The Acropolis Museum welcomes visitors from all around the world – as do dozens of other interesting museums and cultural centres: the Archaeological Museum, the Benaki Museum, the Museum of Cycladic Art, the National Gallery, the Onassis House of Letters & Arts. Walk around and discover Dionysios Areopagitis, Thiseion, Monastiraki and the neighbourhoods of Plaka, under the shadow of the Acropolis. Enjoy a leisurely coffee in the sunshine, a multitude of options for drinks and dining in a capital with a zest for life and fun.

April

Easter in Greece. Here spring is a ritual and every choice for a holiday in Greece promises to be an authentic experience: Corfu stands out with its world-renowned Easter rituals and Philharmonic Orchestra. There is a truly magical atmosphere in this aristocratic city with its fortress, Liston Arcade, Spianada, Campiello and its festive flavours.

May

The last month of spring is a treat for the senses. Fragrant, blooming, colourful. The first swim of the year of Greece’s beautiful beaches with their crystalline water. A magical landscape: Cape Sounion, Aegina, Spetses, Messinia, Elounda, the south of Crete embraced by the Libyan Sea, the emerald water of Lefkada and Zakynthos. Rejuvenation and rebirth!

June - July - August

Summer in Greece reveals its alluring magic. In which direction will the compass point? Towards Crete, with Elafonisi, Balo and Elounda? Towards Messinia? Towards exotic Elafonisos in the Peloponnese? Towards the Cyclades or the Dodecanese, with its dozens of beautiful islands? Towards the Ionian islands, with their Venetian atmosphere and heavenly beaches? Towards the villages of Pelion, embraced by the Aegean Sea? Towards Halkidiki, a piece of paradise with exotic beaches? Sailing, diving, sea sports, spa, nightlife and beach bars. The possibilities are endless in Greece.