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Greece weather in January: temperatures, sea and rain
In January Athens averages 7–13°C, with about 9 rain days. The sea around Athens and the islands is around 16–17°C. Warmest place in the table: Crete (Heraklion) (up to 15°C). Thessaloniki: 1–10°C.
Temperatures, sea and rain in January
| Place | Temp (min–max) | Sea | Rain days | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | 7–13° | 16° | 9 | 50 |
| Thessaloniki | 1–10° | — | 6 | 40 |
| Crete (Heraklion) | 9–15° | 16° | 10 | 90 |
| Rhodes | 10–15° | 17° | 9 | 145 |
| Mykonos (Cyclades) | 9–13° | 16° | 10 | 100 |
| Santorini (Cyclades) | 10–14° | 16° | 9 | 115 |
Long-term averages in Celsius, from Climates to Travel (Athens, Thessaloniki and Heraklion: 1991–2020). “Rain days”: days in the month with precipitation. The source gives no sea temperature for Thessaloniki. These are averages, not a forecast: any year can bring heatwaves, cold spells or storms.
The sea in January: can you swim?
Too cold for most people: the sea averages 16–17°C. January is not beach season in Greece.
What's open and on in January
- On the smaller islands, such as Mykonos and Santorini, many hotels, restaurants and tours close in winter and there are fewer ferries. In winter Mykonos has at least one ferry a day to Athens and Syros, but usually no direct boat to Santorini. In Santorini, Fira stays active all year. (SantoriniDave)
- The ski season at Parnassos depends on snow. In 2025–2026 the resort opened on 23 December. (GTP)
- Autumn and winter are storm season: in late September and early October 2026 Crete was under a red warning, with floods and 112 alerts. Check the weather warnings before you travel. Read more · Weather warnings
Holidays and events
- 1 January 2027 · New Year's Day Almost everything closed.
- 6 January 2027 · Epiphany Most shops closed.
- 11 January 2027 – 28 February 2027 · Winter sales From the second Monday of January to the end of February, by law.
- 17 January 2027 – 14 March 2027 · Patras Carnival season, Greece's biggest (carnifest.com)
Greek holidays: full calendar
What to pack in January
- A warm coat, sweaters and a scarf, especially for evenings.
- An umbrella and waterproof shoes.
- Thessaloniki and the north are colder (on average 1–10°C): a winter coat, gloves and a hat.
Plan your trip
Common questions
What is the weather like in Greece in January?
In January Athens averages 7–13°C, with about 9 rain days. The sea around Athens and the islands is around 16–17°C. Warmest place in the table: Crete (Heraklion) (up to 15°C). Thessaloniki: 1–10°C.
Can you swim in the sea in Greece in January?
Too cold for most people: the sea averages 16–17°C. January is not beach season in Greece.
How many rain days are there in Greece in January?
Athens has about 9 rain days on average in January. Most rain days in the table: Crete (Heraklion) (10). Autumn and winter can also bring storms, so check the weather warnings before you travel.
Where is warmest in Greece in January?
By the averages in the table, Crete: up to 15°C by day. Coldest is Thessaloniki and the north: 1–10°C.
What should I pack for Greece in January?
A warm coat, sweaters and a scarf, especially for evenings. An umbrella and waterproof shoes. Thessaloniki and the north are colder (on average 1–10°C): a winter coat, gloves and a hat.
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Sources
Information checked on 4 October 2026. Dates and opening hours change, so check before you travel.
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