Greece beach holidays
Greece pairs the sea with the simple pleasures of a village taverna, olive groves and harbour evenings. Ancient temples and island footpaths bring another dimension to a holiday usually pictured in blue and white. Yet the country is wonderfully varied: green Ionian islands, the dry landscapes of the Cyclades and the mountains of Crete each suggest a different journey.
Which Greek island to choose
The best Greek islands for beaches depend on the holiday you have in mind. Crete gives you room to combine sandy bays, historic towns and inland villages. Rhodes adds a medieval old town and the white houses of Lindos, with its acropolis above the coast. Corfu and Lefkada offer greener western scenery; Porto Katsiki is one striking example of Lefkada's cliff-backed beaches.
Santorini holidays centre on volcanic scenery and villages overlooking the caldera, while Mykonos combines beaches with a lively social scene. For a mainland stay, consider Halkidiki or the Peloponnese, where beach days can be part of a road trip rather than an island itinerary.
When to go and what to enjoy
Summer is the main swimming season. Spring and early autumn make space for walking through archaeological sites and villages as well as spending time by the water. In summer, the seasonal meltemi wind is another factor when choosing an Aegean beach: different sides of the same island can feel quite different. Between outings, try regional cheeses, grilled fish and dishes made with local olive oil.
Before you travel
- Currency
- Euro · EUR
- Language
- Greek
- Sockets
- European
Two round pins · type C/F
Good to know
In many places, used toilet paper goes in the bin beside the toilet because narrow pipes clog easily; follow your accommodation’s instructions.
Sea temperature by month (°C)
In October, the warmest sea is at Lindos (24.6 °C) and the coolest at Mykonos (21.5 °C).
| Beach | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | 16.1 | 15.2 | 15.2 | 16.2 | 18.6 | 23.0 | 25.9 | 26.6 | 25.6 | 23.2 | 20.9 | 18.0 |
| Balos Lagoon | 17.2 | 16.1 | 16.0 | 16.7 | 18.8 | 22.7 | 25.3 | 26.5 | 25.3 | 23.0 | 21.1 | 18.7 |
| Elafonissi | 17.2 | 16.1 | 16.0 | 16.7 | 18.8 | 22.7 | 25.3 | 26.5 | 25.3 | 23.0 | 21.1 | 18.7 |
| Lindos | 18.4 | 17.4 | 17.2 | 18.0 | 20.3 | 24.2 | 27.5 | 28.5 | 27.2 | 24.6 | 22.6 | 20.0 |
| Mykonos | 17.2 | 16.3 | 16.0 | 16.5 | 18.2 | 21.7 | 23.9 | 24.8 | 24.0 | 21.5 | 19.5 | 17.9 |
| Navagio | 16.8 | 16.0 | 15.9 | 16.5 | 19.0 | 23.2 | 26.1 | 27.0 | 25.6 | 23.0 | 20.8 | 18.0 |
| Porto Katsiki | 16.5 | 15.6 | 15.5 | 16.3 | 19.0 | 23.3 | 25.9 | 26.6 | 25.2 | 22.6 | 20.6 | 17.8 |
| Porto Timoni | 16.5 | 15.5 | 15.6 | 16.5 | 19.2 | 23.0 | 24.9 | 25.9 | 24.8 | 22.5 | 20.6 | 17.9 |
| Santorini | 17.7 | 16.9 | 16.6 | 17.2 | 19.2 | 22.8 | 24.5 | 25.7 | 24.9 | 22.5 | 20.7 | 18.7 |
Average sea temperature in each month, 2021–2025 (Copernicus ERA5), at each beach. Not a forecast.
Greece – Sea temperature today
Current estimates for the selected beaches, not a countrywide average. Sea: NASA MUR with an hourly adjustment; air: Apple Weather. The update time refers to this page, not a measurement taken in the water.
Last updated:
| All beaches | Sea (°C) | Air (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Athens, Attica | 22.1 °C | 23 °C |
| Balos Lagoon, Crete | 22.0 °C | 21 °C |
| Elafonissi, Crete | 23.0 °C | 21 °C |
| Lindos, Rhodes | 24.2 °C | 22 °C |
| Mykonos, Mediterranean | 20.0 °C | 20 °C |
| Navagio, Zakynthos | 22.7 °C | 21 °C |
| Porto Katsiki, Lefkada | 23.4 °C | 21 °C |
| Porto Timoni, Corfu | 22.6 °C | 21 °C |
| Santorini, Mediterranean | 21.3 °C | 20 °C |