Best Time to Visit Thessaloniki

Spring and autumn: the sweet spots

April, May, September and October are the months to aim for. In April the days reach about 20°C, which is ideal for walking the Ano Poli (the old upper town) and climbing up to the Byzantine walls and the Heptapyrgion fortress. May is warmer but still easy. You can sit on the waterfront promenade by the White Tower without melting.

September is still warm at around 29°C, and the sea is at its best for a swim along the coast of Halkidiki, an hour or so away. By October the air is milder and the rain starts to creep back. It's a great time for long lunches in Ladadika, the old warehouse district.

Summer: hot, quiet in the city

July and August are the hottest months, both with highs of 34°C and almost no rain. They're also the sunniest. The city feels different then. Many locals leave for the beaches, and some small restaurants close for a few weeks around the August 15 holiday. If you're after sights and food, afternoons can feel heavy. Plan museums, like the Archaeological Museum, for midday and save the waterfront for the evening.

If you love beach days, this is when to go, but base yourself on the coast rather than in the city. June is a good compromise at 31°C, with long evenings and less crowding.

Autumn events and winter cosiness

Thessaloniki's calendar is strongest outside summer. The Thessaloniki International Film Festival runs in early November, and the Thessaloniki International Fair takes over the city in September. Hotels fill up for the fair, so expect busier weekends. Late October brings the feast of Agios Dimitrios, the city's patron saint, on October 26. There are also celebrations for Ochi Day, a national holiday with parades.

Winter is damp and grey. December is the wettest month, and January is the coldest, with lows around 2°C. Sunshine is limited to under four hours a day. But the city has a cosy side: hot salep (a warm, creamy winter drink) from a street cart, bougatsa (custard or cheese pastry) for breakfast, and fewer visitors in the museums. Christmas lights go up along Aristotelous Square. March is a good-value shoulder month, with cool but fairly bright days.