January weather guide

Greece weather in January

Coldest month — islands closed, Athens grey

Score58Good

Typical day13°C55°F · low 6°C

Rain & sun62mm7.4 hrs sun/day

The Acropolis of Athens at golden hour, Greece

By Atlas Ranger Editorial

Institutional byline · Updated Sep 8, 2026

What the weather is like in January

Avg high

13°C

55°F

Avg low

6°C

43°F

Rainfall

62mm

off-peak

Sun / day

7.4 hrs

January is the coldest month (13°C days, 6°C nights) with 62mm of rain and the year's shortest sunny days. Most island hotels and tavernas are shut, ferry schedules are at their thinnest, and Santorini and Mykonos are near-empty. Athens museums and the Acropolis are quiet and cheap — the one upside.

Against December, January runs 2°C cooler with 39mm less rain.

Averages are five-year Open-Meteo (ERA5) figures for Athens; other parts of Greece vary. Full sources below.

What to pack for Greece in January

Warm layers and a proper coat
A scarf for chilly mornings

Is January the right month?

Greece's best month is May; the toughest is August. For the best balance of good conditions and smaller crowds, aim for March. See the full month-by-month breakdown for Greece.

Where to stay in January

January is low season in Greece: rooms cost less, but the weather is less reliable. A rate you can cancel keeps your options open.

Athens (Plaka / Koukaki / Psiri)$$
Acropolis, museums, food, year-round
Plaka is the classic base under the Acropolis; Koukaki is quieter and better value; Psiri is the nightlife district.
See Athens (Plaka / Koukaki / Psiri) hotels for 12–18 Jan 2027
Cyclades (Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros)$$$
The postcard islands, beaches, sunsets
Open roughly April to October. Santorini and Mykonos are the priciest in Greece; Naxos and Paros offer the same sea for far less.
See Cyclades (Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros) hotels for 12–18 Jan 2027
Crete (Chania / Heraklion / Elounda)$$
Longest season, beaches plus mountains, families
Big enough to have a real winter economy; the season runs March to November. Chania is the prettiest base.
See Crete (Chania / Heraklion / Elounda) hotels for 12–18 Jan 2027

Links open a hotel search for 12–18 Jan 2027; you can change the dates there. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Frequently asked questions

Is January a good time to visit Greece?

January scores 58/100 on the Atlas Ranger Score — "Good" — which blends weather with crowds and price. January is off-peak in Greece — fewer crowds and better prices, in exchange for less reliable weather than the May peak.

How warm is Greece in January?

Expect daytime highs around 13°C (55°F) and overnight lows near 6°C (43°F), with about 7.4 hours of sun a day.

Does it rain in Greece in January?

January sees roughly 62mm of rain — relatively dry.

What should I pack for Greece in January?

For January, pack: Warm layers and a proper coat; A scarf for chilly mornings.

Is Greece quiet in January?

Yes — January is off-peak, so expect fewer people and lower prices than the May peak, in exchange for less reliable weather.

Sources: Visit Greece (Greek National Tourism Organisation) · Open-Meteo Historical Climate Data (ERA5) · Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY) · Hellenic Ministry of Culture — site opening hours. Full provenance on the Greece guide.

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