Thessaloniki weather by month: a traveller's guide
How warm and how cold Thessaloniki gets: a monthly table of temperatures, rain days and sea temperature, and what to pack each season.
- Thessaloniki is cooler than Athens: hot summers (up to 32°C) and fairly cold winters.
- September and early October are the most comfortable: warm days, pleasant evenings.
- You don't swim in the city; the beaches are in Halkidiki.
If you are flying to Thessaloniki in autumn or winter, pack layers and a coat. In summer, plan walks for the morning and evening, and remember the beaches are in Halkidiki.
What is the weather like in Thessaloniki through the year?
Thessaloniki is in northern Greece, so it is cooler than Athens and the islands. Summers are hot and dry, winters are fairly cold, and the city has four real seasons. The table shows long-term averages (1991–2020) for air temperature and rain days from Climates to Travel, and sea temperature from Weather2Travel.
| Month | Low (°C) | High (°C) | Rain days | Sea (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 10 | 6 | 13 |
| February | 3 | 11 | 5 | 12 |
| March | 5 | 15 | 5 | 13 |
| April | 8 | 19 | 6 | 14 |
| May | 13 | 25 | 6 | 18 |
| June | 18 | 30 | 3 | 23 |
| July | 20 | 32 | 3 | 25 |
| August | 21 | 32 | 2 | 26 |
| September | 16 | 27 | 4 | 24 |
| October | 12 | 22 | 4 | 21 |
| November | 8 | 16 | 6 | 17 |
| December | 3 | 11 | 6 | 15 |
Thessaloniki weather in September and October
September is one of the most comfortable months: warm days (up to 27°C on average), pleasant evenings and a still-warm sea (about 24°C). October has pleasant days (about 22°C), cooler evenings and fewer beach days. It is a good season for a city break, food and tours, and for combining the city with Meteora or Halkidiki.
Thessaloniki weather in November and winter
In November the evenings are cold (around 8°C at night) and there are more rain days. From December to February nights are cold, sometimes near freezing, and on some days a cold northerly wind blows down the valley. Pack a coat, a scarf and closed shoes. Winter suits a city break, shopping and festive markets; see Thessaloniki at Christmas and in winter.
Thessaloniki weather in August and summer
In July and August the average high is 32°C, and more during heatwaves. You don't swim in the city itself: people go to the Halkidiki beaches or the beaches south of the city. Explore in the morning and evening, and spend the midday hours in a museum or a café.
What to pack for Thessaloniki by season
- Summer (June–August): light clothes, a hat, sunscreen, swimwear for the beaches.
- Spring and autumn: layers, a light jumper or jacket for the evening, a small umbrella.
- Winter: a warm coat, gloves and a scarf, rain-proof shoes.
See the forecast for the coming days on our Thessaloniki page, and Greece's weather by month on our weather page.
FAQ
When is the best time to visit Thessaloniki for the weather? May, June, September and early October: warm and pleasant without the August heat.
Does it snow in Thessaloniki? Snow in the city is rare and short-lived, but winter nights can be very cold. The surrounding mountains get snow every winter.
Can you swim near Thessaloniki in October? The sea is still around 21°C on average, but you swim on the Halkidiki beaches, not in the city. By late October most resort beaches have closed.
How cold is Thessaloniki in November? About 8 to 16°C on average, with around 6 rain days in the month.
