November - December (Winter)

The winter months are the best time of year to go to Greece if you are looking to save money, with many hotels offering lower rates. The weather can be chilly, December to March being the coldest and least reliable sunny months. The more northerly latitudes and high altitudes endure far colder and wetter conditions, with the mountains themselves under snow from November to May. The mildest winter climate can be found on Rhodes, or in the southeastern parts of Crete.

One of the main attractions in the winter, possibly making it the best time to go to Greece if you aren`t looking for a beach vacation, is the fact that the country is the least crowded during this time and fairly quiet. However, because of this, bear in mind that many shops and accommodation options will be closed for the season. Most of the islands` infrastructures are closed between October-April (hotels, many restaurants, etc.) so in all likelihood there will not be much to do on the islands in the winter months. However, if you really want to spend some time on the islands during the winter, be sure to choose an island that is as far south as you can go (Crete) or as far east (Rhodes) as they hang on to the better weather for longer. Warm, sunny days are never a guarantee, but they typically have better weather than other islands nearby.

Also, with winter brings skiing in Greece, being that the country is mostly mountainous. In fact, so many people go to Greece for skiing that many resorts have to be booked in advance. If you love to ski, then winter is definitely the best time to visit Greece.

Events and Festivals

- December 25th, Christmas

- January 1st, New Year`s Day

- January 6th, the Epiphany (fest of Agia Theofania, or Fota, which celebrates that day when the `kalikatzari` are re-banished to the netherworld by the church`s rites.

- February - March, The Carnival - three weeks of feasting and dancing, takes place three weeks before Lent Monday.

- Easter - this is the most important festival of the Greek Orthodox Church. It starts 7 weeks before Easter Sunday and comes to its peak the Holy Week.