The sea temperature at Athens today is 21 °C (70 °F) – cold to refreshing water, better for a short swim. The usual October average is 23.2 °C. Over the last 30 days the sea has cooled from 24 °C to 21 °C. Swimmable from May to December, when the sea averages 18 °C or more. Source: Sea Temp Map (seatempmap.com) – NASA MUR satellite data and the Copernicus Marine sea forecast.
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15.3°C / 59.5°F | 16.1°C / 61.0°F | 16.7°C / 62.1°F |
| February | 14.6°C / 58.4°F | 15.2°C / 59.4°F | 15.6°C / 60.1°F |
| March | 14.5°C / 58.2°F | 15.2°C / 59.3°F | 15.7°C / 60.3°F |
| April | 15.8°C / 60.4°F | 16.2°C / 61.2°F | 17.2°C / 63.0°F |
| May | 18.0°C / 64.5°F | 18.6°C / 65.5°F | 19.0°C / 66.2°F |
| June | 22.5°C / 72.5°F | 23.0°C / 73.4°F | 23.9°C / 75.0°F |
| July | 24.9°C / 76.9°F | 25.9°C / 78.6°F | 26.7°C / 80.0°F |
| August | 26.0°C / 78.9°F | 26.6°C / 79.9°F | 27.1°C / 80.7°F |
| September | 25.1°C / 77.2°F | 25.6°C / 78.0°F | 26.2°C / 79.1°F |
| October | 22.7°C / 72.9°F | 23.2°C / 73.8°F | 24.0°C / 75.1°F |
| November | 20.2°C / 68.3°F | 20.9°C / 69.7°F | 21.8°C / 71.2°F |
| December | 17.4°C / 63.3°F | 18.0°C / 64.5°F | 18.7°C / 65.7°F |
| Month | Min | Avg | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8.3°C / 47.0°F | 10.5°C / 50.9°F | 13.7°C / 56.6°F |
| February | 8.0°C / 46.3°F | 10.5°C / 50.8°F | 13.9°C / 56.9°F |
| March | 9.6°C / 49.2°F | 12.5°C / 54.5°F | 16.1°C / 60.9°F |
| April | 12.6°C / 54.7°F | 16.3°C / 61.3°F | 20.3°C / 68.5°F |
| May | 16.4°C / 61.6°F | 20.5°C / 68.9°F | 24.8°C / 76.6°F |
| June | 22.1°C / 71.7°F | 26.5°C / 79.7°F | 30.8°C / 87.5°F |
| July | 25.3°C / 77.5°F | 29.7°C / 85.4°F | 34.1°C / 93.4°F |
| August | 24.6°C / 76.3°F | 28.5°C / 83.2°F | 32.7°C / 90.9°F |
| September | 20.8°C / 69.4°F | 24.3°C / 75.7°F | 28.5°C / 83.3°F |
| October | 16.3°C / 61.4°F | 19.3°C / 66.7°F | 23.2°C / 73.7°F |
| November | 14.0°C / 57.3°F | 16.1°C / 61.0°F | 19.2°C / 66.6°F |
| December | 10.7°C / 51.3°F | 12.5°C / 54.4°F | 15.3°C / 59.5°F |
5-year averages (2021–2025). Min/Max are typical daily lows and highs, not record extremes. (Copernicus ERA5)
Athens holidays
Capital of Greece and home of the Acropolis, Athens is a city of ancient temples and busy modern streets on the Attica peninsula. South of the city, the coast of the Saronic Gulf, known as the Athens Riviera, runs from Palaio Faliro past Glyfada to Vouliagmeni, putting sandy beaches within a tram ride of the Parthenon.
Beaches
The beaches closest to Athens lie along the Riviera: Edem in Palaio Faliro and the organised beaches of Alimos are reached by tram from Syntagma, while Glyfada and Vouliagmeni further south have clearer water and beach clubs, many with an entry fee for loungers. Lake Vouliagmeni, a brackish lake fed by underground springs below a limestone cliff, is open for swimming all year for a fee. The sea temperature on this page is measured off Palaio Faliro and Alimos.
Things to do
The Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is visited with a timed ticket, and in heatwaves it can close in the early afternoon. The Acropolis Museum at the foot of the rock shows the sculptures from the Parthenon that remain in Athens. Below, the Ancient Agora keeps the Temple of Hephaestus, and the lanes of Plaka lead to the flea market at Monastiraki. On Syntagma Square, the Evzones change guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier every hour. The National Archaeological Museum holds the finds of ancient Greece, and Lycabettus Hill offers a panoramic view over the city. The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion, about 70 km south, is a classic sunset trip, and ferries from Piraeus reach Aegina and Hydra.
Weather and best time to visit
From June to November the sea at Athens is warmer than 20 °C / 68 °F.
Athens summers are hot and dry, and July and August bring the strongest heat and the most visitors to the ancient sites. Spring and autumn are better for sightseeing, and winter is mild, with most of the year's rain.
Hotels and where to stay
Plaka, Monastiraki and Koukaki put the Acropolis on foot, and Syntagma and Kolonaki are central and well connected. For a beach stay, choose the Riviera suburbs of Glyfada, Voula or Vouliagmeni; journey times from the centre depend on transport and traffic.
Signature hotels: Hotel Grande Bretagne (Syntagma) · Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens (Vouliagmeni)
Airport and getting there
Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) lies about 30 km east of the centre; metro line 3 reaches Syntagma in around 40 minutes, and the X96 bus runs along the coast via Glyfada and Palaio Faliro to Piraeus. From Piraeus, the largest port in Greece, ferries sail to the Cyclades, Crete and the other islands.