The month in detail
What to expect in January
In January, Athens sees 13°C during the day with 4.2h of sunshine per day. Rain risk remains low (19% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities.
January ranks 12 out of 12 months in Athens. Compared to December: −2°C daytime.
This month's conditions
What it's like in January
UV index
3 · low
no protection needed
Feels like
dry air
4°
Sea
17°C
cold, for the brave
Daylight
9.6h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 31
Compare
Is January the right month?
The best month in Athens is June (9.1/10), 4.8 pts higher than January.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Athens
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Athens
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach holiday.
Country · Greece
🗣️LanguageGreek
💶CurrencyEuro (€)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘModerate · 3/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 34°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 13°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘDecember · 22%
🏖️ Beach holiday
📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
🛂VisaSchengen · 90 days
Explore
Other destinations in January
If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Athens ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
GreeceTemperate oceanic climate with a 9.1 → 4.3 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
37.98°N · 23.73°E
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Athens?
June is the best month with 31.0°C highs, 21.0°C lows, 11.2h of sunshine and 12.0% rainy days. The months of June & September offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Athens get in June?
Athens averages 11.2 sunshine hours per day in June. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.8/10.
What is the rainiest month in Athens?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Athens in June?
In June, overnight lows reach 21.0°C, while afternoon highs average 31.0°C.
Is Athens good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Athens scores 4.2/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains June with a score of 8.8/10.
When should you avoid Athens?
January is the most difficult month to visit Athens, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Athens in January?
In January, the sea averages 17°C in Athens: cold, for the brave. Best left to hardened swimmers or those with a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Athens in January?
The average UV index reaches 3 in January in Athens (low), with about 9.6h of daylight. No protection needed.