September is a fantastic month to visit Greece because the weather and sea temperatures are ideal. If you’re searching for an energetic adventure, cultural immersion, or simply some sun, there’s no better time to come than late September, when most other tourists have returned home and prices are beginning to fall.
Early September is still peak season, with crowds coming to the most popular attractions. By the third week, however, this had faded as northern Europeans returned home in droves. Airfares and hotel costs will plummet by mid-September, so watch for the best discounts.
Best Places to Visit in Greece in September
In September, you might just visit the Greek Islands and choose the best time of year:
1. Mykonos
Cosmopolitan Mykonos is one of the greatest Greek islands to visit in September, as it is overcrowded from July to August and the Cycladic breezes, known as meltemia, are always there. The temperature is cooler and the island is quieter in September, but the nightlife stays active.
Choose Super Paradise or Panormos if you want enjoyable beach parties. Choose Agia Anna instead if you want some privacy. Explore the beaches of Psarou and Platys Gialos, which are crowded in peak season but ideal in September. Watersports are available throughout your stay at Platys Gialos Beach.
2. Crete
The opportunities are infinite in Crete, and the weather is ideal in September. Summers in Crete may be blisteringly hot, as the island is Greece’s southernmost point, just off the coast of Libya. The island is great to visit in September because the sun won’t be as harsh.
If you select Heraklion, you must not miss a historical tour of the Palace of Knossos and the Archaeological Museum to experience the magnificence of antiquity’s Minoan era.
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The Venetian influence may be seen in Rethymnon’s fortifications and beautiful pedestrian alleyways, which are ideal for evening strolls.
3. Spetses
Spetses is also one of the best Greek islands to visit in September, thanks to the yearly Armata festival. Every year, Spetses commemorates the naval battle of September 8, 1822, marking the victory over the Ottoman Empire. Spetses will mark 200 years since the Greek Revolution in 2021, but festivities will be limited owing to the epidemic. Nonetheless, the celebration is magnificent and worthwhile, including religious rites.
Visit the Bouboulina Museum and the Museum of Spetses in Spetses to learn about the revolutionary island’s rich history. Walk down the promenade in Baltiza’s Old Harbour, and don’t miss the famous sunsets from the Lighthouse, which is the oldest in Greece.
4. Milos
Milos, a breathtaking Greek island with volcanic moonscapes, is one of the greatest Greek islands to visit in September. During high season, it can get windy, as do most Aegean islands, and it is overrun with tourists from all over the world. Furthermore, if you don’t book early, it can be difficult to find reasonable lodging. None of these issues apply in September.
Kleftiko and Sarakiniko beaches, famed for their unusually sculpted white rocks, are the most visited and photographed locations on the island. In Kleftiko, they resemble sea pillars, forming arches and a cave worth exploring. The crystal-clear emerald waters are incredible!
5. Naxos
Naxos is another beauty of the Cyclades that is well worth a visit, especially in September when the average temperature is 25 degrees Celsius, excellent for sightseeing away from the throng. The sea temperature climbs to 24 degrees Celsius, making it comfortable to swim in Naxos’ crystal-clear waters.
Portara, the majestic ‘big door’ built of marble that is a remnant of the ancient Temple of Apollo in antiquity, cannot be missed while visiting Naxos. Portara’s sunsets are great for photography and a romantic evening stroll. You will discover the Cycladic grandeur of white-washed homes, cobblestone alleys, and the castle of Chora, with its various entrances, at Naxos Chora.
6. Athens
Because Hydra is so near Athens, it might make for an ideal weekend escape in September. Explore the island for a day or throughout the weekend. Walk along the paved pathways to the Bastions for vistas of cannons from the 19th century.
Take a folkloric tour of old churches like the Monastery of Agia Efpraxia, the Monastery of Prophet Elias, and the Church of the Assumption. Alternatively, if the weather permits, take a trip to Dokos Island to discover lonely beaches amid the small islet’s virgin environment, or swim at Bisti Beach.
7. Zante
Similarly, the Ionian beauty of Zakynthos, better known as Zante, is warm enough for September vacations while remaining uncrowded and chaotic. Sunbathing and swimming are permitted, as are sightseeing and physical adventure.
The famed Navagio of Zakynthos, a virgin beach with a rusting shipwreck accessible only by boat, is the island’s centerpiece and one of the most photographed spots in Greece.
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The Ionian waters are an infinitely bright blue, and the sight of the shipwreck is overwhelming and awe-inspiring. Similarly, the Blue Tunnels in Agios Nikolaos Schinari, a collection of arch-shaped tunnels ideal for day journeys by boat, are well-known on the island.
8. Rhodes
Rhodes is an island that never ceases to amaze its visitors, and it is also one of the best Greek islands to visit in September. Rhodes is wonderful in September since the weather is mild and ideal for strolling and touring, There are fewer tourists, and there are endless options to explore.
A twilight stroll around Rhodes’ Old Town is a must, with the spectacular Palace of Grand Master located at the end of Knights Street. To find the fairytale-like 14th-century palace, wander around the Old Town and past St Catherine’s Gate.
9. Kefalonia
Kefalonia, another Ionian Island, is the crown jewel of the island complex, at least in terms of its magnificent beaches and fascinating water. Kefalonia, like the other islands described in the article, has wonderful weather in September, and there is plenty of availability.
Visiting the region of Sami and exploring the caverns there is a must when in Kefalonia. Melissani Cave is a fantastic place to swim and marvel at nature’s wonders. An underground passage leads visitors to the cave.
10. Paros
If you’re looking for the best Greek islands to visit in September, you can’t overlook Cycladic Paros. From the charming and quite romantic Naoussa with its historic harbor to the stunning windmills in Paroikia, Paros is the ideal September vacation destination to enjoy its cosmopolitan flavor without the bother of congested alleyways and beaches.
Spend the evening and late night in one of the opulent but cozy bars, sipping a refreshing cocktail as you explore Naoussa’s whitewashed houses and bright bougainvillea surrounding them.
Conclusion
The weather stays hot throughout September, though temperatures begin to decrease as the month goes on. Despite the summer heat, the average high in Athens is 84 degrees Fahrenheit, with warm sea temperatures.
In a word, the weather is ideal for going to the beach. Rain falls on one out of every four days in Athens this month, but less frequently in the Peloponnese and the Cyclades.
