So, I was just about ready to start planning my trip to Greece for September 2020. Then we found out we are invited to a family wedding in Montana in September 2020. We live in Massachusetts, and we have never been to Montana, so now we will spend several weeks in Montana after the wedding. So now our Greece trip will be pushed back to 2021. We plan to visit Athens, Santorini, Naxos and Paros. This trip will be about two weeks, anywhere from 14 to 16 nights.

The months we can go would be either April/May or September. I know I can get weather data online, but I like to hear from people who have been to Greece during these months. Is one better than the other? We like everything, such as beautiful coastal scenery, mountain scenery, museums, ruins, pretty villages, historical sites, and good ethnic food. We don't usually go to Europe for the beaches, but if the weather is warm enough on the islands, it would be nice to spend a little bit of time on the beaches, but it's not a top priority.

What is the weather typically like in late April/early May? And September? Is it possible to swim in April/May? Will most restaurants, shops, etc. be open in April/May on the islands? I assume nothing closes in Athens since it's a major city.

April/May is advantageous for us because we will first be in Provence visiting our daughter and her family. This cannot be changed because our grandchildren have vacation in April. So it will be cheaper for us to visit Greece after our France visit since we are already in Europe. This means we would be in Greece the last week in April and first week in May.

I think September would be warmer and therefore, we could have some beach time. But it means spending money again on trans-Atlantic airfares to get from Boston to Greece.

I know 2021 is far away, but I start researching my trips about 18 months out. So thought I would post my questions now about the best time to travel.

Thank you!

I was in those areas in May and thought them beautiful. For me, the water was too cold for swimming. YMMV.
I think you've already seen it, but just in case a reminder is useful, here's my trip report:
With Gratitude for a Glorious Solo Month in Greece

We were there in May this year. Weather was perfect for us.....we like to walk and don't like to sweat. We are not big swimmers (live on a beach) but thought this trip was perfect. We visited Santorini (Imerovigli), Folegandros and Paros.

May is wonderful except the water really is too chilly in the islands you name until about May 15... but you can have lots of sunbathing... and (especially in Naxos), the spring flowers will still be abundant.

While I’m planning a trip for the fall to Greece for 2020, friends have told me how beautiful the spring is with the wildflowers and have suggested I rethink my timing!. And it seems to be a no-brainer as you’ll already be there.

Thank you to KJA, Judy, travelerjan, and progol for your quick responses.

KJA, Yes I have read your Greece trip report, but I will definitely re-read it. Thanks for including the link. I will save it on my desktop for easy access. I had forgotten that you had gone in May.

And thanks to Judy, travelerjan and progol for mentioning the perfect weather and the wildflowers. I didn't even think about wildflowers being in bloom in the spring. It sounds beautiful! And sunbathing sounds just fine to me.

We traveled late May and the weather was really nice, and we did swim.

I wouldn't worry about the weather in May but I'd check your travel options.

Getting to Athens is always easy but if the idea is to fly to or from one of the islands those routes can be seasonal and might not start until summer. You would end up having to connect in Athens if that's the case. Of course that may not be an issue for you.

To explain why. Most Europeans are not going to those islands outside of high season. You might not find direct flights from Provence (Or France)

I just checked Aegean for the third week of April 2020 and I wouldn’t worry. I saw nonstop flights from Marseille to Athens in the morning. The frequency (I believe) was every other day so you might need to pay attention to your scheduling, but based on 2020 schedules now, I don’t imagine you’d have a problem traveling at that time the following year.

To Athens no problem. But the islands?

I found flights between Athens and Santorini, and Paros back to Athens at the end of April 2020. No reason to think otherwise for 2021. The ferries between Santorini to Naxos and then Naxos to Paros appear to be year round. I think you'll be fine, Karen!

There are always flights and ferries between Athens and the islands even in winter. The advantage of planning to visit Santorini, Naxos, and Paros is they are on the same main ferry route from Athens, and they all have airports. Personally I would fly from Athens to Santorini, then take the Blue Star ferry to Naxos followed by Paros. To get back to Athens you can either take the 4 hr Blue Star ferry from Paros, or a flight from the newish Paros Airport, which is larger than the one on Naxos and has more flights.

For time of year, either May or September would be good, and each has its advantages. Both weather and seawater are warmer in September, but days are shorter than in May. May would be better in terms of crowds when visiting Santorini, April better yet. For Naxos and Paros the season is just getting started at the beginning of May.

I have been to Paros many times in both May/June and September and like both. If you need to be in Montana in September but would already be in Europe visiting your daughter in the spring, a trip to Greece in April or May should be an easy choice. Incidentally, Greek Orthodox Easter is on May 2nd in 2021, and a trip around that date would give you a chance to see the festivities.

I just looked at Aegean Air site. You can fly from Marseille to Santorini with a layover in Athens early May. If your dates are flexible, better prices and times are available. We flew from Paros to Marseille in June on one ticket with Aegean Air.

Wow!!! Thank you to everyone who has responded! I really appreciate your information, opinions, and first-hand experiences. To Progol and Judy, thank you so much for looking up airline schedules. All your information makes my decision so much easier! I will definitely plan our trip to Greece for April/May 2021.

May is by far the best month to visit Greece! Wonderful spring, sunny days, not to hot!

The first half of September is usually dry and warm and the seawater is warm enough for beach life.
April/May can (but must not) be rainy. Spring weather is just unpredictable. Everythin is green, the days ar longer than in September and the hordes of tourists are not yet there. But the seawater is too cold for swimming.Everything except beaches adn beach bars will be open, however,.
Late April and May would be perfect for the visit of ancient and medieval sites. The latter are rather around Athens, in Peloponnese, Crete and Rhodos than at Santorini, Naxos and Paro, however.
In your case, I wouldopt for End April/early May.
Volotea has (not daily) direcrt flights from Marseille and Lyon to Athens, Heraklion and Santorini.
Aegean flies from Marseille to Athens.

pesma, we prefer sightseeing when it's not too hot. That's why we are not considering visiting Greece during the summer months. So thank you for confirming that it won't be too hot!

neckervd, thank you for your detailed reply. I really appreciate it. Spring sounds perfect for us. Other posters mentioned, too, that the water will be too cold for swimming, but we should be able to sunbathe. And I am actually thinking of making a second trip to Greece several years after our 2021 trip so that we can visit Crete and the Peloponnese.

hi,
I have been to Greece in both of the time frames you are asking about. And I don't think you can go wrong either way. In April/May it might be a bit chilly, but then spring is in the air. And for me, September felt like a summer day at the end of the season. (If this makes sense)
So If April/May works out the best for you, then go for it. You will enjoy Greece!

I was in Greece last September and it was absolutely fantastic. We went to Paros, Koufanissi and Sifnos and all of them are simply amazing.

I've been to Greece three times but always mid summer (BTW I did not find it too hot) but I'm now planning another trip for next year and trying to make the same decision re spring or fall. So can't answer the question from personal experience about Greece, but I have noticed (and read) that for heavily touristed places, the locals (restaurant, shop and hotel people) tend to be more welcoming in the spring - long winter of little/no business, happy to see the tourists return. By fall they are somewhat sick and tired of the tourist crush and maybe not so welcoming. I don't that makes a huge difference and obviously everyone is different so doesn't apply to all. On the other hand, the water will be much warmer in September.