October in Athens averages highs of 23 °C (74 °F) and lows of 15 °C (59 °F), with about 3 rainy days and 11 h 08 min of daylight. The sea is warm, around 24 °C (76 °F).
October weather in Athens at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is October a good time to visit Athens?
Great time to go: comfortably warm and fairly dry. October is usually shoulder season in Athens: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower.
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 October 2026
- Wed 28 Oct: Ochi Day (Το Όχι) 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 October
October'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 October
- Light layers for the day and a jumper for evenings, which cool to 15 °C (59 °F).
- Swimwear.
- 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. October is usually shoulder season in Athens: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower.
October in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santorini | 22° / 18° | 2 | Great time to go |
| Istanbul | 20° / 14° | 5 | Great time to go |
| Dubrovnik | 21° / 13° | 9 | Good time to go |
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 October a good time to visit Athens?
By the numbers, October is a great time to go: comfortably warm and fairly dry, with average highs of 23 °C (74 °F) and about 3 rainy days. October is usually shoulder season in Athens: fewer crowds than peak months, with prices often a little lower. The best months for weather are April, May, October.
How warm is Athens in October?
Average highs are 23 °C (74 °F) and lows 15 °C (59 °F) (2015–2024 averages). The sea is warm, around 24 °C (76 °F).
Does it rain a lot in Athens in October?
Expect about 3 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 28 mm in total. It is the 4th driest 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.