Ioannina weather by month: temperatures, rain and when to go
A lakeside mountain city: hot summers, cold wet winters and a full table for every month.
- Ioannina gets about three times the rain of the Cyclades: around 1,090 mm a year.
- In December–January nights are near 0°C, with snow in the mountains around.
- The comfortable time: May–June and September.
If you go in winter, pack a coat and rain-proof shoes and check the roads to the villages. In summer it is hot by day and pleasant in the evening.
Ioannina weather by month
Ioannina sits on the shore of Lake Pamvotis, about 485 metres above sea level, in the heart of Epirus in north-western Greece. Far from the sea and ringed by mountains, it has a very different climate from Athens or the islands: hot summers, cold winters and a lot more rain. According to Climates to Travel the city gets about 1,090 mm of rain a year, roughly three times as much as Naxos in the Cyclades.
| Month | Min °C | Max °C | Rain (mm) | Rain days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -1 | 9 | 125 | 13 |
| February | 2 | 12 | 115 | 12 |
| March | 4 | 15 | 95 | 13 |
| April | 6 | 19 | 75 | 13 |
| May | 10 | 20 | 65 | 11 |
| June | 14 | 28 | 45 | 7 |
| July | 16 | 32 | 30 | 5 |
| August | 16 | 33 | 30 | 5 |
| September | 13 | 27 | 60 | 6 |
| October | 8 | 19 | 110 | 10 |
| November | 5 | 16 | 170 | 14 |
| December | 1 | 11 | 170 | 15 |
Source: Climates to Travel. These are long-term averages, not a forecast. For a 10-day forecast check the Greek meteo service (meteo.gr) close to your trip.
Ioannina in winter: cold, wet and sometimes snowy
In December and January night-time temperatures drop to around 0°C, and November and December are the wettest months (about 170 mm each). The surrounding mountains, especially Zagori and Metsovo, see snow almost every winter. Bring a warm coat and rain-proof shoes, and if you are driving to the villages, check the road conditions.
Spring and autumn: the comfortable season
April–May and late September–October are pleasant for walking in the old town, a boat trip on the lake and day trips to Zagori. Bear in mind that spring still brings 11–13 rain days a month, and October gets wetter.
Ioannina in summer
In July and August daytime averages reach 32–33°C, but nights are cooler than in Athens and rain is rare (about 5 days a month, mostly short afternoon thunderstorms). It is a good season to combine the city with the Vikos Gorge or the rivers of Zagori.
Tips for Israeli visitors
- Most people fly to Athens or Thessaloniki and drive on, or take a domestic flight to Ioannina airport. See our flights page.
- More about the city, the lake and the villages: Ioannina.
- Inside the castle walls of the old town there is a historic Romaniote synagogue; visits are usually by prior arrangement.
- For the mountains nearby: Zagori weather by month and Zagori in winter.
- Compare with the rest of the country: Greece weather by month.
FAQ
What is the weather like in Ioannina in December? Cold and wet: on average about 11°C by day and 1°C at night, with around 15 rain days.
Does it snow in Ioannina? Occasionally in the city itself, and almost every winter in the surrounding mountains (Zagori, Metsovo).
When is the best time to visit Ioannina? May–June and September: warm but not scorching, little rain and good for hiking nearby.
Is Ioannina hot in summer? Yes, in July–August the daytime average is 32–33°C, with cooler nights.
