My mom and I are thinking of going to Europe this fall and have always wanted to go to Greece. We would go for a week at either the end of Seprember or during the first two weeks of October.

Our biggest concern is the weather - will it be warm enough to sit on the beach and get in the water still? We've never been so would want to take full advantage of Athens and an island or two.

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on which islands are better for people who are less mobile? My mom just had her knee replaced so we want to make sure she'll feel comfortable - otherwise we'd table this trip until next year potentially and go to a different part of Europe this fall.

Thanks Fodors Community!

Hi, we've been to Greece a few times, once at the beginning of October. It was sunny and warm but I don't think I would have gone swimming. Maybe September could be OK for swimming. It does have to be pretty hot to tempt me in! October was definitely winding down, a few places were already closed for the season which surprised us as the weather was lovely.

Although Santorini is beautiful, a lot of the accommodation involves loads of stairs. To give you an idea, the last place we stayed in Oia (on Santorini) was built into the side of a cliff, which is normal there, and each level had one or two rooms. There was a pool on the bottom level. So lots of stairs to reach your room, the pool or the main street. Maybe not the best for your Mum.

I think Chania, in Crete, should be fine, also Rhodes or Mykonos. None of the islands we've been to have been flat but they have areas which should be OK for you to get around.

Kay

The sea is still nice and warm in September but begins cooling off in October.

Skip Santorini unless you can find a hotel without lots of steps to the rooms.

Here is a link that will show the water temperature in the Med. for various locations. It shows the water at Athens to be around 21 C. (69.8 F..) in October. Too cold for me, but YMMV.

I go to Greece every October, either early, mid or late but usually the first half of October. From Athens south on the mainland and central and southern Aegean Islands the weather was mild, short-sleeve shirts during the day, a few nights and just a light jacket every now and then for evenings . . . a little rain, but no wash outs. I have either been very lucky with the weather or know October can still be a very nice month weather-wise for Greece.

The Aegean is still warm from the summer and for someone like me who lives in the Northeast of the US the water temperature is joyful! No problems swimming, lying around on a beach and enjoying a Greek Island beach without the crowds of summer.

I think you'll be fine and have a great time, but obviously there is no guarantees with the weather. Check out the average weather conditions for your destination in Greece on the web for more weather.

As for walking around on islands . . . you'll probably want to avoid the hilltop villages and concentrate around the coastal areas. However, Greece and the islands are mountainous so you'll have to do more research to find something for your mom.

You can check out this great website for Greece and Greek Islands:
Matt Barrett's Guides to Greece and the Greek Islands

The best Islands for beach life in early October are Rhodos and Cyprus (not Greece, however).
Cycladic Islands are always windy and cooler than those of the Dodecannese or Southern Crete.
Many places close in mid October.