Due to its mild climate, greece is an allyearround destination. There are less people to wander in front of you when you are taking pictures for a start. The shoulder seasons of late spring and early autumn are arguably. Athens is in its prime in mayperhaps the ideal sightseeing month. Highseason weekly rates with unlimited mileage start at about 280 for the smallest models eg a fiat seicento, dropping to about 150 per week in winter.
In shoulder season, youll enjoy decent weather, longenough daylight, fewer crowds, and a local tourist industry still ready to please and entertain. To get a general idea of what a trip to greece costs, ive included the approximate price of flights both international and incountry, the average cost of a hotel in athens and in popular island destinations, general guidance around transportation and what it might cost your family to get around, what is considered peak season in greece. Which makes the greek islands in spring or autumn an enticing prospect with or. April and october are almost outside shoulder season, it would be hit or miss. Like mentioned above the greek islands get so incredibly busy during peak season. Shoulder season is a term you often hear when shopping for cruises.
Im talking heart going pitterpatter, lightheaded, happy just at the thought of it, in love. Dec 29, 2019 best time to travel to greece in 2020. Sep 17, 2019 shoulder season is a travel industry insider term that refers to the two times of year. The minimum driving age in greece is 18 years, but most carhire firms require you to be at least 21 or 23 for larger vehicles. Shoulder season is a travel industry insider term that refers to the two times of year. Apr 03, 2019 greece is at peak capacity from june to august, meaning overflowing crowds, high hotel rates, and packedtothe brim restaurants and attractions.
I will always try to travel off season for all the above. This means that the shoulder season is the best time to visit santorini. The weather was cooler so walking around was very pleasant. There are two different shoulder seasons in greece. For cheaper flights, ferries, accommodation and touristic attractions, this would be the best time to visit greece. Go during shoulder season july and august are greeces peak tourist months, but they are also when prices for hotels, tours and ferries are. We happened to go right after orthodox easter so it was barely open for the season. You can enjoy mild weather and fewer crowds during these shoulder season periods. Jun 08, 2018 loved your post, amanda and the photos are amazing. Read on for our favorite european destinations to check out during shoulder season. Why its better to travel in shoulder season what is shoulder season. Greece considers health passport for summer 2020 visitors. Jun 20, 2017 how to have an affordable vacation in greece. In some cases, you pay extra if youre a younger driver.
Pros and cons of visiting greece in low season the sweetest way. Jan 15, 2010 weve compiled the best times to cruise, region by region. To bring down your billand avoid the mobsvisit during shoulder season, when the streets may be bustling but elbow room is. Weve compiled the best times to cruise, region by region. How to have an affordable vacation in greece the new york. Greece is a tourist hotspot in the european summer, with the sparkling oceans, sandy beaches and dreams of whitewashed streets calling travellers from all over the globe. The best time to visit greece and where to go by season. We visited santorini during the end of the season, which was great. These are the best times to visit greece the points guy.
Whether youre more interested in sightseeing, beaches, island hopping, or local experiences, theres an optimal season for you. The weather is delightfully sunny and has warmed sufficiently for sunbathing finally, you can pack swimwear. Loved your post, amanda and the photos are amazing. Why off season is the best time to travel in europe. Because fall and spring bring cooler temperatures in mediterranean europe, shoulder season in much of italy, southern france, spain, croatia, and greece can. June is the ending of the spring bargain shoulder season, meaning its. Being a huge travel nerd, im in love with shoulder season travel. Greek islands shoulder season rick steves travel forum. Before we start, you can skip to different sections of this article for a more extensive guide on shoulder season travel.
The prices of hostels fluctuate wildly depending on the season youre visiting greece. I am still in greece enjoying offseason travel for five more days. But the island of winds still has plenty of appealing sites to check out. Mykonos is known for being the party island and a very hip tourist destination. We believe the best time to travel is in the shoulder season. Shoulder season also depends on spring break and other special events and holidays, which are exceptions to shoulder season discounts. The best time to visit greece updated for 2020 santorini dave. Sadly, the hostel game on most of the islands is weak. There are less people to wander in front of you when you are taking pictures for a. Aris caves is very well located in the heart of santorini with wonderful views. The minister said that greece will only have a threemonth tourist season this year, between july and september, but added that if the situation develops positively, then.
You can opt for the azure waters and funloving crowds of the high season or the big bargains and unreliable weather of the low season. If youre a fan of winter sports, visiting greece in january is the height of ski season. May is still shoulder season, with lower hotel rates and airfares. I will always try to travel offseason for all the above. Europe is cheaper and less crowded, plus theres christmas markets and northern lights to see. Flights to the greek islands such as santorini will cost you 50% more in summer. The shoulder seasons in greece run from april through the first part of june, and then from about midseptember through midoctober. Midseptember and october represent the best time for a visit to the country, since the weather is still great with blue clear skies most of the time, the tourist crowds have left, the sea. Greece is at peak capacity from june to august, meaning overflowing crowds, high hotel rates, and packedtothe brim restaurants and attractions. May 23, 2019 before we start, you can skip to different sections of this article for a more extensive guide on shoulder season travel. Shoulder season is a term used to describe the months following or proceeding peak travel season for any given destination when you can expect fewer crowds, temperate weather and offseason pricing. When is the best time to visit greece in 2019 a locals guide. Experienced cruisers will tell you that it equates to the perfect season. Some islands, like naxos, have higher local populations, so they can be pleasant year round.
Here are five ways to find the shoulder season for any specific destination. Generally speaking, the best time to visit greece is during the shoulder seasons spring from april until midjune. Shoulder season in mykonos sunrise at the armenistis lighthouse when you visit the greek island of mykonos during the shoulder season, youre not coming for the beach clubs and all night dance parties. Mid maymid june and september are good shoulder periods in the islands. Shoulder season is the bestvalue time to visit the greek.
This is a time to experience greece at its most serene, with enough visitors to add vitality but few enough that youll have ample, uncrowded space while sightseeing. March is well outside shoulder season for the islands, for the mainland, it is fine. Jan 10, 2019 april is a fabulous month to visit greece. In shoulder season you can also hike up to scenic views and cool breezes around the bay, enjoyed the citys famed tapas bars without the crowds, and even hope to score a seat at one of the areas many michelinstarred restaurants. We set off on our greek adventure in shoulder season, during midapril, and we are so happy we made this somewhat spontaneous decision 1 lower prices hotels. I agree with you about visiting in the shoulder season. May is an ideal time to catch a destination during shoulder season those few weeks when rates are low and the. In this post, i break down the best time to visit based on weather, price, and things to do.
There is the preseason that starts as early as april and ends when peak season starts halfway through june. Once you learn about shoulder season you just might change your mind about taking a trip this fall, especially if youre on a budget. Santorini is expensive, especially the area of oia and if you go in the shoulder season youll finder fewer people. To take advantage of the benefits of shoulder season travel you must first identify the shoulder season for your destination. The best time to visit greece depends on what type of trip youre looking for.
Fewer people travel during low season for weather reasons and work schedules. Go during shoulder season july and august are greeces peak tourist months, but they are also when prices for. Shoulder season is considered by veteran travelers to be the best of the best for traveling in europe the weeks roughly aligned from midseptember to midnovember, and between midmarch and midmay, are quickly becoming the sweetest seasonal spots to travel practically anywhere in europe. Click on the climate link for more on greece s weather pattern and how to make the most of it. Then, there are the shoulder months, which have some of the advantages of both. Water temperature increases throughout the summer months.
When you visit the greek island of mykonos during the shoulder season, youre not coming for the beach clubs and all night dance parties. What about the cheapest time to visit, or the best season. Pros and cons of visiting greece in low season the. Oct 07, 2019 best time to visit greece for good weather. Not only are flights cheaper, but accommodation and. The shoulder season offers you the opportunity to embrace.
How to have an affordable vacation in greece the new york times. Shoulder season falls between high season christmas and new year in most of the world and low or off season. The fact that fewer tourists frequent greece in the low season was apparent in a number of different instances in both athens and santorini. Dec 29, 2019 the best time to visit greece if you want to save money. In some years, carnival season begins in february, which can liven up the month considerably. There were still a lot of people but it wasnt overly crowded. To bring down your billand avoid the mobsvisit during shoulder season, when the streets may be bustling but elbow room is far easier to come by. Offseason there are fewer boats and flights to the islands, where some shops, hotels, and restaurants do not open until june and then close in.
Where to go during shoulder season in europe jetsetter. Each season has its benefits and pitfalls, but it is no secret that avoiding the summer crowds will result in lower prices and wait times to enter attractions. Increasingly, in places like athens and crete, september is now considered a high season month. There is the preseason that starts as early as april and ends when peak season starts. May is an ideal time to catch a destination during shoulder seasonthose few weeks when rates are low and the weather is almost perfect. There is the pre season that starts as early as april and ends when peak season starts halfway through june.
Autumn, winter and even spring are the best seasons to travel. Flights to athens are 20% cheaper during the shoulder season as fewer crowds flock to greece. Low season in greece is winter hemonas low season is best described as progressively cold and rainy with some nice weather thrown in too. Why its better to travel in shoulder season travelalerts. The fact that fewer tourists frequent greece in the low season was. The minister said that greece will only have a threemonth tourist season this year, between july and september, but added that if the situation develops positively, then the shoulder season. May, 20 i am still in greece enjoying off season travel for five more days. Prices have fallen, but theres still great weather, most restaurants and attractions remain open and the bulk of the holidaymakers have moved on. Aug 02, 2012 10 greek islands to visit during shoulder season. There are hotels, shops and restaurants that are simply not open in the winter. If youre visiting in high season then this sort of behaviour is either going to require you to be a millionaire, or not even be an option. Best time to visit greece 2020 month by month breakdown.
Timing a trip to greece may seem like an easy choice. Countries in europe, the carribean, and the americas often expect tourists during holidays like christmas and easter in addition to seasonal school breaks. Tomorrow might be different as i am visiting the acropolis, athens. Shoulder season april through midjune, midseptember through october. How to take advantage of shoulder season the new york times.
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