January in Athens averages highs of 12 °C (54 °F) and lows of 5 °C (41 °F), with about 7 rainy days and 9 h 48 min of daylight. The sea is cold, around 17 °C (62 °F).
January weather in Athens at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is January a good time to visit Athens?
Tough month: cold and some rain. January is usually low season in Athens: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in January 2026
- Thu 1 Jan: New Year's Day (Πρωτοχρονιά) public holiday
- Tue 6 Jan: Epiphany (Θεοφάνεια) public holiday
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in Athens in January
January's weather suits a mix of outdoor sights and museums, so the open-air ones come first.
- Acropolis and the Parthenon — go at opening time outdoors
- Ancient Agora — Temple of Hephaestus outdoors
- Plaka and Anafiotika — island-style lanes outdoors
- Cape Sounion sunset — Temple of Poseidon, 70 km south outdoors
- Acropolis Museum — glass floors over excavations indoors
- National Archaeological Museum — Greece's greatest collection indoors
Where to stay: Plaka or Koukaki under the Acropolis; Psyrri for nightlife; Kolonaki for upmarket.
What to pack for Athens in January
- A warm jacket and layers; evenings drop to around 5 °C (41 °F).
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Athens costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €50–110 | €130–270 |
Excluding flights. January is usually low season in Athens: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
January in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santorini | 13° / 10° | 8 | Tough month |
| Istanbul | 9° / 4° | 11 | Tough month |
| Dubrovnik | 11° / 4° | 11 | Tough month |
Plan your Athens trip
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is January a good time to visit Athens?
By the numbers, January is a tough month: cold and some rain, with average highs of 12 °C (54 °F) and about 7 rainy days. January is usually low season in Athens: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper. The best months for weather are April, May, October.
How warm is Athens in January?
Average highs are 12 °C (54 °F) and lows 5 °C (41 °F) (2015–2024 averages). The sea is cold, around 17 °C (62 °F).
Does it rain a lot in Athens in January?
Expect about 7 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 72 mm in total. It is the wettest month of the year in Athens.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.