Greece too warm in July/August?
Jan 15th, 2012, 09:02 AM
#1
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Greece too warm in July/August?
Dear all,
We (young couple in their twenties) are thinking of visiting Greece this year. Due to fixed holidays we are limited to July and August during which we plan on spending 3 weeks in Greece.
We plan on going backpacking, island hopping, hiking, biking, somewhat of an active holiday you could say.
As we're not planning on spending all our days sunbathing on beaches or poolsides, all websites we check (including this one) sort of discourage us to visit Greece during July/August because of the high temperatures (with heatwaves up to 40 degrees Celcius).
However, as we were really looking forward to visiting Greece we would love to get some feedback on our chances of a disaster holiday. For example, how big is the chance that there's going to be a heatwave, causing days/weeks of extreme temperatures? What's hiking/biking like in these months, given the fact that we're fairly experienced hikers/bikers?
Any feedback would be highly appreciated!
We (young couple in their twenties) are thinking of visiting Greece this year. Due to fixed holidays we are limited to July and August during which we plan on spending 3 weeks in Greece.
We plan on going backpacking, island hopping, hiking, biking, somewhat of an active holiday you could say.
As we're not planning on spending all our days sunbathing on beaches or poolsides, all websites we check (including this one) sort of discourage us to visit Greece during July/August because of the high temperatures (with heatwaves up to 40 degrees Celcius).
However, as we were really looking forward to visiting Greece we would love to get some feedback on our chances of a disaster holiday. For example, how big is the chance that there's going to be a heatwave, causing days/weeks of extreme temperatures? What's hiking/biking like in these months, given the fact that we're fairly experienced hikers/bikers?
Any feedback would be highly appreciated!
Jan 15th, 2012, 09:44 AM
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Use the Wunderground history function to look at past July and August temps. http://tinyurl.com/6ncb33a
Jan 15th, 2012, 09:58 AM
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Greece in the summer is hot. this is not a "disaster" this is imply what the temperature is like. Much of italy is the same in the summer with normal temps in the high 90s and humid.
If you are limited to July and August and don;t like hot weather consider Switzerland or Scandinavia. Both perfect for outdoor holidays - and generally with highs in the 70 rather than the 90s.
If you are limited to July and August and don;t like hot weather consider Switzerland or Scandinavia. Both perfect for outdoor holidays - and generally with highs in the 70 rather than the 90s.
Jan 15th, 2012, 10:03 AM
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It does get hot in Athens and the mainland during July and August, but 40C would be an extreme. Indeed, in this trip planner for the period Jul 22 - Aug 6 there was only one day in the last ten years when temperatures reached 40C at Athens Airport: http://tinyurl.com/76ya6rb. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see historical records.
During summer, Meltemi (northerly) winds keep the islands cooler. As you can see from this trip planner for Mykonos, highs for the same period are typically in the high 20s to low 30s: http://tinyurl.com/6wosylk.
The islands are very busy during July and August, many visitors being from northern Europe. You can adopt a Mediterranean lifestyle while there, saving your strenuous activities for morning and evening when temperatures are lower. Midday is a perfect time to relax in the shade, having a long lunch or nap.
During summer, Meltemi (northerly) winds keep the islands cooler. As you can see from this trip planner for Mykonos, highs for the same period are typically in the high 20s to low 30s: http://tinyurl.com/6wosylk.
The islands are very busy during July and August, many visitors being from northern Europe. You can adopt a Mediterranean lifestyle while there, saving your strenuous activities for morning and evening when temperatures are lower. Midday is a perfect time to relax in the shade, having a long lunch or nap.
Jan 15th, 2012, 10:06 AM
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Thank you for the replies so far!
Just to clarify: by 'disaster holiday' I mean a holiday in which we are not able to do the things we like to do (hiking, biking, backpacking, etc.) due to the high temperatures..
Just to clarify: by 'disaster holiday' I mean a holiday in which we are not able to do the things we like to do (hiking, biking, backpacking, etc.) due to the high temperatures..
Jan 15th, 2012, 10:43 AM
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You've gotten very good advice above. I'd get out of Athens as soon as possible and head for the islands, which will be at least somewhat cooler. We have visited many times in July and August, and while I personally think it's the worst time to go, it's the only time we had available. A few summers ago in Athens temps reached 100 degrees and a bit above a few days in a row. It was truly miserable during the hottest hours of the day, but we worked around it and still- as usual- had a fantastic time overall.
I think if you get a very early start with any physical activity and are prepared for a long siesta, you'll be OK. But you should be prepared for possibly heavy crowds when traveling and on the more popular islands. I'd also advise booking way ahead when possible for any travel arrangements since July/August are such a busy time of year in Greece.
No chance at all of going end of May/early June, right???
I think if you get a very early start with any physical activity and are prepared for a long siesta, you'll be OK. But you should be prepared for possibly heavy crowds when traveling and on the more popular islands. I'd also advise booking way ahead when possible for any travel arrangements since July/August are such a busy time of year in Greece.
No chance at all of going end of May/early June, right???
Jan 15th, 2012, 11:06 AM
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It is also possible, that weather in Athens will be cooler, as Meltemi winds are also affecting Attica.
We do not have 40 C so often in Greece, average temperature during July and August is 32-36 C ( highest temp. of the day of course)and also climate in Southern Greece is very dry, so 36 C are not the same as 36 C in Paris or the North of Europe, where climate is humid.
As Heimdall very well said, temperature on the islands is lower during those months due to the Meltemi winds.
Actually the summer of 2011 was very cool, and i can't remember any serious head wave...
Athens in August is actually fantastic, as it totally empty, locals are somewhere on the seaside, and tourists have an empty and calm city to discover.
The coastline of Athens is also very interesting for swimming , in Vouliagmeni or Varkiza or Voula, just to mention a few names of beaches.
An advantage of Greece is that even the smallest private room on the tiniest island, will have a/c.....
We do not have 40 C so often in Greece, average temperature during July and August is 32-36 C ( highest temp. of the day of course)and also climate in Southern Greece is very dry, so 36 C are not the same as 36 C in Paris or the North of Europe, where climate is humid.
As Heimdall very well said, temperature on the islands is lower during those months due to the Meltemi winds.
Actually the summer of 2011 was very cool, and i can't remember any serious head wave...
Athens in August is actually fantastic, as it totally empty, locals are somewhere on the seaside, and tourists have an empty and calm city to discover.
The coastline of Athens is also very interesting for swimming , in Vouliagmeni or Varkiza or Voula, just to mention a few names of beaches.
An advantage of Greece is that even the smallest private room on the tiniest island, will have a/c.....
Jan 15th, 2012, 12:07 PM
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>young couple in their twenties
When I was young (LOL), "heat" wasn't a problem or an issue at all, we actually enjoyed it. After a few years of summer holidays in Greece... go for it. This will not be one of your problems. If it's warm ouside, you will need water to drink...
When I was young (LOL), "heat" wasn't a problem or an issue at all, we actually enjoyed it. After a few years of summer holidays in Greece... go for it. This will not be one of your problems. If it's warm ouside, you will need water to drink...
Jan 15th, 2012, 12:13 PM
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Last summer when we were there the end of May and first of June it was becoming hot during the day for us. We're used to 90's/100's in summertime at home. I should say we're exposed to those temps, still can't get used to them!
Jan 15th, 2012, 11:04 PM
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Speaking of temperatures in Greece..
Today we had a record in Greece...
The city of Florina in Northern Greece hit the record of the lowest temperature ever in Greece with minus 24 C
Florina is also the coldest city of Europe today
For those who think that Greece has a tropical weather....
Today we had a record in Greece...
The city of Florina in Northern Greece hit the record of the lowest temperature ever in Greece with minus 24 C
Florina is also the coldest city of Europe today
For those who think that Greece has a tropical weather....
Jan 15th, 2012, 11:16 PM
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Check out the Greek ski resorts on http://www.snowcam.gr/ (best viewed during Greek daylight hours). Παρνασσός is on the mountain above Delphi.
Jan 16th, 2012, 12:53 AM
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I believe that someone who wants to have a very active holiday may want to look elsewhere than Greece on July/August.Unless he is TOTALLY willing to conmpromise and REALLY apply the stay-away-from-heavy-activities-during-hottest-part-of-the-day-rule!
I have worked for many year on a summer resort hotel, specilised mnostly on watersports-some hiking and biking too- and that was near the Ionians, not even the hottest area of Greece. Often people tend to overdoing it with activities, and we often had to send people to nearest hospital with sunstrokes,sunburns,faintings and even heart attacks on some cases... If you are willing to use common sense and not taken away from holiday enthousiasm then you'll be fine. But please take the above into consideration!
I have worked for many year on a summer resort hotel, specilised mnostly on watersports-some hiking and biking too- and that was near the Ionians, not even the hottest area of Greece. Often people tend to overdoing it with activities, and we often had to send people to nearest hospital with sunstrokes,sunburns,faintings and even heart attacks on some cases... If you are willing to use common sense and not taken away from holiday enthousiasm then you'll be fine. But please take the above into consideration!
Jan 16th, 2012, 04:26 AM
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I would suggest going to Pelion, a beautiful Peninsula were Greeks usuallygo for winter holidays as it is a mountain with dense forest but the beaches are also gorgeous. i think that the density of the trees will provide enough shade and breeze for activities. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelion
and i would also consider alternating with sea-sports when it gets too hot.
and i would also consider alternating with sea-sports when it gets too hot.
Jan 16th, 2012, 05:15 AM
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Mid-June is as far into the warm season that we have visited Greece. We too enjoy active holidays with a lot of walking and hiking as we lived in Denver until about a year ago and were quite used to frequent long, steep hikes.
On this past trip (June 2011), as we ventured toward the Elis province in the Peloponnese, it did heat up quite a bit although it was a dry heat which I find more bearable than humid heat. Except for one day, we switched over to sightseeing early and heading to the beach by mid-afternoon where the breezes cooled everything off. As we were seeing mainly smaller sights, many of them (the ones that were gated with an attendant) closed by 3pm anyway. We made one exception (our 7 month old son took an extremely long morning nap) and ended up visiting Ancient Olympia during the middle of the day. We should have known better as we'd been twice before and knew how warm it could be as Ancient Olympia is situated on flat land as opposed to a hilltop where a breeze has an impact. It really was pretty miserable between 1pm and 4pm. But even on that really hot day, it cooled off again to comfortable weather by early evening.
Anyway, depending on where in Greece you wish to go, and depending on what time of day you plan to do your more strenuous activities, I think you could have the type of trip you desire. I just wouldn't try to do a hike from noon to 3pm on a sunny, cloudless day on the plain of Sparti. Now a hike in the mountains (Greek is extremely mountainous) might be a completely different experience and you could be comfortable midday.
On this past trip (June 2011), as we ventured toward the Elis province in the Peloponnese, it did heat up quite a bit although it was a dry heat which I find more bearable than humid heat. Except for one day, we switched over to sightseeing early and heading to the beach by mid-afternoon where the breezes cooled everything off. As we were seeing mainly smaller sights, many of them (the ones that were gated with an attendant) closed by 3pm anyway. We made one exception (our 7 month old son took an extremely long morning nap) and ended up visiting Ancient Olympia during the middle of the day. We should have known better as we'd been twice before and knew how warm it could be as Ancient Olympia is situated on flat land as opposed to a hilltop where a breeze has an impact. It really was pretty miserable between 1pm and 4pm. But even on that really hot day, it cooled off again to comfortable weather by early evening.
Anyway, depending on where in Greece you wish to go, and depending on what time of day you plan to do your more strenuous activities, I think you could have the type of trip you desire. I just wouldn't try to do a hike from noon to 3pm on a sunny, cloudless day on the plain of Sparti. Now a hike in the mountains (Greek is extremely mountainous) might be a completely different experience and you could be comfortable midday.
