While most tourists would come to Greece in summer, those who want to avoid the crowd tend to visit during the shoulder season, such as in autumn. During this season, the weather is still warm in most places in Greece, yet the beaches and other tourist attractions are not too crowded.
So, if you want to go on a beach holiday to Greece in autumn, here’s where you should go.
- Athens
Autumn may not be a popular time to visit Athens, but it has many benefits. The weather is still warm enough to swim along the Riviera, and you can enjoy the city’s archaeological sites without dealing with the tourist crowds and the hot weather.
Head to the glittering coastline of the Athens Riviera to enjoy a beach holiday in autumn in Greece. Located less than thirty minutes from the Acropolis, the Riviera is a coastal playground of idyllic beaches and unspoiled coves. Home to luxurious resorts, world-class spas, and chic seaside clubs, it’s a great spot to visit in autumn. Aside from lounging at the beaches, there are many other fun activities to enjoy at the Riviera.
For a quintessential Greek experience, visit an outdoor cinema in the Riviera called Cine Ria, where you can watch famous Hollywood films with Greek subtitles. Head to Glyfada to indulge in some retail therapy. It’s one of the most glamorous areas of the Riviera, lined with fast food chains, cosy cafes, and high-street boutiques. If you want a more thrilling activity, dive off the rocky cliffs at Limanakia Vouliagmenis or hit Astir Beach to take a dip in its crystal-clear waters.
- Crete
If you can only visit one place in Greece in autumn, make it Crete. The island boasts mild temperatures and the most diverse landscapes in Greece, making it an ideal destination any time of the year. In Crete, you’ll find some of Greece’s most beautiful beaches and fantastic restaurants serving the most delectable Greek cuisine. Alongside this, there are several incredible family friendly Cretan rental villas, providing a great place to relax whilst visiting Crete.
Crete is believed to be the warmest Greek island in autumn, and the island has plenty of beaches warm enough to take a dip and enjoy some water sports. In Chania, you’ll find Balos, a stunning beach with crystal clear water that can rival the beaches of the Caribbean. Another beautiful beach in Chania is Elafonissi, which lies on the westernmost part of the island. You will also find the long and sandy beach of Falassarna in Chania.
Aside from spending time on the beautiful beaches of Crete, autumn is also an ideal time to explore the island’s archaeological marvels, such as the ancient palaces of the Minoan civilisation. When dinner time comes, head to one of the island’s seaside restaurants and order the tastiest seafood dishes.
- Santorini
Autumn is a great time to visit Santorini, as the island is much quieter than summer. Although cruise ships still visit Santorini in autumn, the island is not as crowded as in summer, which is the peak tourist season. And because not too many tourists go to Santorini during this time of the year, accommodation is significantly cheaper.
Beach-wise, the water may already be a bit colder since Santorini is not as south, unlike the islands of Crete or Rhodes. Still, the water is comfortable to swim, especially in the middle of the day. Perissa Beach is a great beach to visit in autumn since it’s not too crowded. Usually, this beach is busy in summer as it’s home to several beach clubs, restaurants, and budget hotels. Another beautiful beach in Santorini is Kamari, which is often bustling with tourists. It also has several restaurants, bars and cafes and remains lively in autumn but not overly crowded.
Autumn is an ideal time to hike around Santorini. There are different hiking trails around the island, from rugged trails to smooth walking paths. Consider trekking to Mesa Vouno, where you’ll find the ancient city of Thira. Explore the archaeological site of Akrotiri or enjoy a leisurely stroll in the village of Fira or Oia.
- Kefalonia
Like most parts of Greece, the tourist season will be almost over in Kefalonia in the autumn season. However, the first two weeks of October still offer ample opportunities to enjoy the warm weather, which means you can still swim and frolic at the island’s beautiful beaches.
When going for a beach holiday in Kefalonia in autumn, you should head to Myrtos beach. Surrounded by tall cliffs, Myrtos beach has a vast coast with beautiful turquoise water and powdery white sands. Antisamos is another beach on the island with immense golden sand and surrounded by lush greenery. The beach is the shooting location of the movie “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.”
What’s great about visiting Kefalonia in autumn is that the beaches are not too crowded. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about not getting a space to work on your tan. It’s also the perfect time to visit the island’s vineyards and witness grape picking and winemaking.
- Mykonos
As the party island of Greece, Mykonos is often bustling with tourists, especially during the peak summer season. If you want to avoid the crowd, you should visit in the autumn season. While many visitors are still chilling out at the island’s beach bars, it is not overly busy, unlike when you come in summer.
Of all the islands in Greece, Mykonos has some of the most stunning beaches. Psarou Beach is one of these beaches. Surrounded by stunning scenery, it has all the amenities you need for a relaxing day at the beach. There are sun loungers, restaurants, and bars. As the most popular beach in Mykonos, Psarou is often crowded with tourists. But in autumn, you’ll only find a few people here, and most of them are locals.
If you’re looking for a beach with crystal-clear waters and where you can enjoy some water sports, head to Platys Gialos. The beach has several restaurants and bars, with some reasonably priced hotels nearby. You will find boats leaving here taking partygoers to the nearby party beaches, the Paradise and Super Paradise beaches. Plus, for those who never want to leave the sandy shores, you can find some amazing beachfront villas in Mykonos, providing a tranquil envrionment to spend some time here in autumn.