Greece In September – All You Need To Know To Visit Greece in September

Greece in September is probably one of the best months of the whole year and as such a lot of people try to plan their holidays for the mellow days of early autumn.

This is not always achievable, however, due to the fact that for most Europeans, September signals the start of school so kids need to be back in class and parents at work. For those of you, however, that have more flexibility with your holidays, choosing September can be a very rewarding experience.

What do you need to pack for Greece in September?

As a general piece of advice, September should have mostly summer clothes with the addition of a few “just in case” items.

If you are sticking to southern Greece and the islands you are probably going to have little to no rain. However, do grab a cardigan or sweater for cooler nights. For taverns or festivals that take place on a higher altitude or in the mountains, you are probably going to need a light jacket. Your bathing suit is of course required!

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What to expect when travelling to Greece in September?

For September, expect fewer crowds than August or July but not as quiet as early spring and April or May. That is because the weather is still so pleasant everybody tries to delay getting back to real life responsibilities. The Mediterranean Sea heated to a perfect 27°C degrees during the summer months, still hovers around 25 and the nights are cooler but only require a light jacket.

☞ Related: Your Master Guide To All Greek Islands And How To Pick One

Where to travel in Greece in September?

Crete

We love Crete island and recommend visitors become better acquainted with what it offers. It combines the advantages of a big island (the largest in the country) and the charm of an island destination. Due to its location in the southernmost part of the country, Cretan summer lasts all of September and often even October.

In addition, due to its size there is never a shortage of ferries or plane options for travellers. Where other islands start to downsize the frequency of ferries, Crete still has daily routes. It is also one of the easiest islands to fly into, with a plethora of international connections arriving into both Chania Airport and Herakleion.

Events and Festivals in September

Pistachio Festival – This annual festival takes place on the island of Aegina. Usually celebrated over a long weekend, a period of at least 3 days, this small island in the Saronic Gulf welcomes hundreds of visitors that pay tribute to the local pistachio of Aegina. If you plan it well, you can enjoy the serene beauty of Aegina as well as learn more about the cultivation of their favourite produce and sample different products.

Thessaloniki International Trade Fair – An event that is closely linked to the identity of the city, the International Trade show has been running for almost 100 years. Always on the first week of September, this event is both of commercial and political improtance with a wealth of businesses that attend and conferences on various matters.

Armata Festival in Spetses Island – The island of Spetses played an important role in the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire that started in 1821 and lasted for a period of about 10 years. The small Aegean island has a long and proud seafaring tradition and together with Hydra and Psara had managed to put together a small fleet of warships, manned by expert seamen but grossly inadequate to compete against the much larger ships of the Ottoman Empire that were heavily armed and ready for war. From the 8th to the 13th of September in 1822, a series of naval battles took place with Greek revolutinary Andreas Miaouliss commanding the Greek squadron. A combination of strategy and luck brought victory to the Greek fighters that is still celebrated to this day around the second week of September. A dramatization of the event usually takes place on the Saturday night and a replica of the Ottoman warship is built that is ceremoniously blown up during the night. The night sky is continuously lit by firework displays.

Athens

(due to announce the new dates for 2024)

Athens Open Air Film Festival – From June to September enjoy classic movies or blockbusters in unique locations all around Athens. Some of the venues they come up with are museums, archaelogical sites, parks or beaches. The best thing? Entrance is free for everyone.

Athens International Film Festival – This annual festival that was founded by the Athens Film Society, has been taking place between the 18th and 29th of September for the last 25 years. Audiences can expect a roundup of some of the best indepedent productions of the year from different genres. If you are flying into Greece through Athens consider spending a few days exploring the rich historical and cultural sites of the capital and attending a screening for a different local experience.

Greece in September: Average Weather Temperatures

September offers the best of both worlds.

Prepare for beautiful warm days and little to no rain with more than 8 hours of sunshine a day. If you are thinking of planning a beach holiday for September the weather is ideal for swimming and lounging on a sunbed.

If you are travelling further north or in high altitude destinations like mountains bring a light jacket for cooler nights. Don’t skip the sunscreen, just in case!

☞ Related: What To Pack For a Summer in Greece