Help! Suggestions for Greece in Feburary?
 

My husband and I are in EU for work in Feb and decided to add a last minute trip at the end of February to Greece in the hopes it'll be more temperate than other countries during the winter months. We were most interested in hitting the isles but I'm now reading a lot of the hotels and restaurants are closed. I was hoping to get feedback from people who have vacationed in Greece in Feb/early March to get their feedback and also suggestions on what to do and restaurant recommendations. We've seen other suggestions for Southern Spain and Italy but have been to both. Thanks!!

Most islands will be "shut down" tight in February... it's often the rainiest month (that's what brings the Spring Flowers!). Even the Southern-most Island with the most sunshine year round -- Rhodes -- the average # of days with rainfall in Feb is 12. Here's a website of Greek weather averages. As I said, can be wet, but not too chilly, lowest in 40s, highest hi 50sF http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/c...p3?c=GR&refer=

So you might think about concentrating your visit in Athens, where there's lots to do inside if it starts to rain -- and then maybe a Day Trip to a nearby island like Aegina, and a 3-day trip to a marvelous place like Nafplio, which is surrounded by famous ancient sites -- and which furthermore is considered the most beautiful Old Town in Greece.

AEGINA - only 1 hour from port of Piraeus and if you take a "regular" ferry, not the hydrofoil, you get open decks, a bit of the Greek ferry experience. Interesting port town; a taxi or bus can take u to an inland hill with the best-preserved Temple in all of Greece -- Temple of Aphaia. Have a harborside lunch, ferry back, u'll be at your Athens hotel before dark.

NAFPLIO -- u can take a bus (2.5 hours) or rent a car (modern divided hi-way, no traffic lites until you get off, past Corinth) ... gorgeous Old Town, marble-paved central square, Venetian architecture, [If you liked Florence, you'll Looove Nafplio!] Forts galore (in the Bay & towering over the city), 2 terrif museums, chic shops & good restaurants (this is the fave weekend getaway for savvy Athenians). just a few KMs away, ancient landmarks like Tiryns, Mycenae, Epidaurus. At the seafront, the cafes have plastic roll-down walls so u can enjoy the sunsets even in chilly weather. Here's a slide-show by Fodorite stanbr, of Nafplio & area highlights http://travel.webshots.com/slideshow/551991579dJbWvh and here's a VERY informative website of the whole Argolid area -- http://www.visitnafplio.com/visitnafplio.com/Home.html

In FACT, the Visit Nafplio site has this enchanting video of "A Walk through Nafplio on a sunny Day in February 2010" ... http://vimeo.com/9186703

If this doesn't convince you, nothing will! And I've been there, it's exactly as pictured.

The idea of staying in Athens instead of going to the islands is very good because it a big city where you have plenty of things to do. If you wish to spend some time near the sea, then you can visit the coastal area of Athens (Vouliagmeni, Voula and Rafina). Also, check this guide http://www.athens-greece.us/acropoli...-nightlife.asp for Athens city. You will fid an Athens metro map there.
If you want to visit an island, you can undoubtedly go to Crete which is a very big island, full of life during the winter. It is one of the prettiest greek islands and you will find out a lot of things to do (Knossos palace visit). Moreover, there are amazingly delicious traditional dishes that you should taste!

I don't know if you saw my trip report, but we just spent 2 weeks in Greece over Christmas/New Years. Everyone had said the weather would be dreadful--rainy, frigid, dreary...we were pleasantly surprised--1 out of 13 days was actually "rainy". Dressing in layers was the way to go because it actually got quite warm at times. Only on a couple evenings was it chilly enough for gloves. We were in Athens most of the time & then 3 nights in Santorini. We comfortably sat in cafe's & when it was chilly, they had the heaters to keep the chill off. It was great weather to explore.

I still recommend going to at least an island or 2....there are enough hotels, restaurants & shops open to get by & you get a very peaceful, quiet, naturally beautiful experience. It was almost as if we were sneaking around someone's place when they were not home....almost felt guilty having entire beaches to ourselves! (not that we were sunbathing, but definitely comfortable enough for a beach stroll). If you google winter in greece, you will get some ideas of what's going on & what hotels are open...I think it's Matt Barrett that has a website of specific winter travel info (lots of people say his site is just a sales pitch, but I thought it was interesting reading & he also lists some island-specific hotels that remain open in the winter). He also mentions some interesting ideas of special things to do in the winter--like olive harvesting that caught my attention--wish we could have done it!

FWIW, we have kept in touch with friends in Athens & the weather, if anything, has gotten warmer since early January when we left (a couple days peaking in the low 70's in Athens recently)....maybe its a fluke or maybe its a mild winter, but hopefully you will have the same experience! Enjoy!

Jan, that February Nafplion video was an eye-opener, thanks for that. L

This is my 5th winter living in Greece. Yes, December & January can have some very pleasant days, we have just had the 'halcyon days' of January, but it's about to turn now! February is the worst month weatherwise, still better than many places, but unlikely to get the same as spungecake did. In fact I was watching the forecast tonight & snow is expected on Crete in the next few days!
I would stick to Athens & the Peloponnese, if you really want to fit in an island visit then just make sure you go to a main town of a all year round well populated island. Also be aware that ferry travel is not pleasant in Feb & many of the island air services are on small planes, I have tried these in inclement weather!
If you do have a nice break in the weather consider the short trip over to Aegina, that can be decided at the time, no need to plan in advance, possible as a day trip.
The main thing about sticking to Athens, with maybe a short trip out, is that there is always something to do & see if the weather doesn't play ball. You could be occupied for days there!
BTW, hello Linda!