Greece in April means fewer crowds than summer, warmer weather than winter, and the same fantastic beaches, archeological sites, and mouthwatering gastronomy that travelers can experience year round.
The weather in Greece in April is mild and sunny. With as much as eight hours of glorious sunshine each day, and temperatures around 68°F, Greece in April is perfect for wandering along waterfront promenades, strolling beautiful villages, and hiking dramatic gorges.
Things to do in Greece in April run the gamut from exploring Athens’ glorious Acropolis to basking in spring sunshine on the islands of Rhodes, Santorini, and Mykonos. You might find you have some beaches all to yourself.
Mild Spring Weather
Acropolis, Athens
Spring is lovely and mild in Greece, with the islands and mainland beginning to warm up and average temperatures reaching 68°F. By April, there’s less rainfall, too, compared to February and March.
Spring in Greece is far milder than other parts of Europe, with plenty of blue skies to enjoy. That said, Greece in April can still experience dips in temperature, so it’s best to pack layers should some cooler days arrive.
Old Town, Rhodes
Think linen pants, denim jeans, T-shirts, button-up shirts, sweaters, and light jackets. You may even need a sundress or shorts in late April, when Greece’s temperatures continue to increase.
While daytimes remain typically pleasant, evenings can still feel cool, and it’s worth packing an extra sweater, cardigan, and scarf to keep warm while dining or enjoying alfresco cocktails beneath twinkling stars.
Read: What to Wear in Greece
Cosmopolitan Athens
Athens
April is an idyllic time to visit Athens to indulge in the city’s cosmopolitan lifestyle, café culture, shopping, and world-beating sights, such as the Parthenon and the monument of the Unknown Soldier.
Pick up a coffee from Coffee Lab in Syntagma Square before wandering the leafy National Gardens in the heart of Athens. Some of Athens’ most impressive landmarks surround this tree-lined park, including the Presidential Palace and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Monastiraki Square, Athens
Athens has some excellent shopping, with independent boutiques and designer stores in the Kolonaki neighborhood lining the central Voukourestiou Street. Next to Monastiraki Square, Monastiraki Flea Market is filled with handmade souvenirs and antique treasures.
Athens has no shortage of sensational restaurants that serve everything from souvlaki to international cuisine. Try Taverna Klimataria near the city’s Central Market, that’s been open since 1927, for traditional Greek cuisine.
Exhilarating Hikes
Lycabettus Hill, Athens
If one of your favorite things to do on vacation is accomplish an exhilarating hike, you’re going to adore Greece in April. With mild and warm weather, April is one of the best times of year to hike in Greece.
In Athens, conquer an urban hike to the pine-scented Lycabettus Hill, which peaks at 908 feet above the sea. This limestone outcrop is the highest point in Athens, with unbeatable views of the city, including the graceful Parthenon. There’s a funicular railway should you decide to take a more leisurely option down that whisks visitors through a tunnel to back to ground level in 10 minutes.
Fira to Oia route, Santorini
Santorini offers one of the best hikes in Greece, with the Fira to Oia route taking in a section of the volcanic island’s rugged west coast. Covering just under eight miles, it takes roughly three and a half hours and is well worth the yomp for sublime views of the sweeping caldera. Spring is the time to do this walk, as it’s often too hot in summer.
Crete is another knockout destination for hiking in the island’s dramatic White Mountains National Park near Chania. Follow trails through sheer-sided gorges and tiny mountain villages, spring flowers in bloom all around you.
World Beating Museums
Archaeological Museum of Olympia
Naturally, the shoulder-season month of April means fewer lines and crowds at the best museums in Greece.
From Delphi Archaeological Museum, northwest of Athens, to the Archaeological Museum of Olympia near Katakolon, Greece’s museums reveal plenty about the cradle of Western civilization.
In addition to those on the mainland, almost every island in Greece has an archaeological museum, with some attached to archaeological sites such as the Archaeological Museum of Delos, near Mykonos.
Acropolis Museum, Athens
Naturally, the National Archaeological Museum of Athens near Omonia Square is a must-visit for its exquisite collection of Ancient Greek statues, artifacts, and artwork. The New Acropolis Museum is magnificent, too. Located just beneath the city’s ancient rocky outcrop, the museum is spread over three floors and features original items discovered around the archaeological site.
You’ll also find a plethora of folklore and Byzantine museums in Greece, including the Museum of Cycladic Art in Athens; and the Museum of Byzantine Civilization, and Benaki Museum in Thessaloniki.
Festivals & Feasting
Lamb
One of the most important dates on the Greek Orthodox calendar is Easter, which falls between early April and early May.
Tombs, churches, and squares are adorned with flowers to mark celebrations and pilgrims make their way to churches for Holy Light celebrations on Easter Saturday, which often culminate in dazzling fireworks displays.
Easter Sunday is marked by feasting on skewered lamb, known as souvlaki, accompanied by delicious wine, and traditional music in destinations such as Crete, Santorini, and Athens.
Easter celebration
Typically, Athens is much quieter during Easter celebrations, with many locals enjoying public holidays and therefore taking out-of-town vacations. If you’re visiting churches and monasteries during this period—including the Presentation of the Virgin Mary Holy Metropolitan Church in Crete or the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens—it’s important to dress modestly. Avoid revealing outfits and cover arms with a long-sleeved top or a pashmina scarf.
Later in April, the Feast of Saint George, or Agios Georgios, also takes place across Greece in honor of the famous knight who killed the dragon, with more feasting and festivities.
Pops of Spring Color
Santorini
As well as azure blues and brilliant Cyclades whites, you’re going to see more splashes of color in April in Greece. In spring, coastal regions, the countryside, and cities bloom with climbing wisteria, bitter orange blossom, red poppies, purple crocuses, chamomile flowers, plus fragrant wild herbs such as sage and thyme.
One of Greece’s most vibrant springtime floral displays is located just over two hours’ drive west-southwest of Kavala, on the mainland, where orchards are bursting with bright pink peach blossom.
You could marvel at the colorful display of orchids and cyclamens as you soak in the fresh air in Parnitha National Park, around an hour’s drive north of Athens.
White Mountains National Park, Crete
Crete also springs to life in April with wildflower meadows in the White Mountains National Park putting on a colorful display. Meanwhile, sea daffodils, crown daisies, and other wildflowers bloom on Santorini’s lava slopes.
Uncrowded Ancient Monuments
Parthenon in Acropolis, Athens
One of the best things to do in Greece in April is to visit some of the country’s UNESCO-listed ancient sites. Characterized by their symmetry and elegance, many ancient Greek landmarks are dedicated to mythological gods.
The most famous is located at the Acropolis of Athens, where you will see the Parthenon, built in the fifth century BC; the Propylaea, the gateway to the Acropolis; and the temple of Athena Nike among the monuments atop Acropolis Hill.
Temple of Poseidon, near Athens
Also in Athens, visitors can explore the marble Panathenaic Stadium. Built in 144 AD, the stadium hosted the first modern Olympic games in 1896. Further south, in a region known as the Athens Riviera, the Temple of Poseidon is an exquisitely beautiful temple characterized by its slender doric columns, perched on a clifftop above the sea.
High up in the Peloponnese, the Archaeological Site of Olympia is the birthplace of the Olympic Games, home to a village of spectacular finds, including the Temple of Zeus, a stadium, and gymnasium.
Lindos Acropolis
There are plenty of breathtaking ancient sites to explore in the Greek Islands, including the gleaming columns of Lindos Acropolis and the Ancient Theatre of Lindos, dating back to the 10th century BC, in Rhodes.
In Crete, head to Knossos Palace, near Heraklion, which is a fascinating ode to the Minoan civilization, who were responsible for introducing the Bronze Age to the island in around 3000 BC.
Akrotiri, Santorini
In Santorini, discover the remains of the ancient Bronze Age city of Akrotiri, which experienced a similar fate to Pompeii, Italy, when it was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1450 BC. It was this same powerful eruption that created Santorini’s caldera, with murals, street formations, and furniture preserved in the ash.
Relaxing Beach Time
Faliraki Beach, Rhodes
Things to do in Greece in April include spending time on the country’s many glorious beaches, with springtime offering the ideal opportunity to stroll in the sand, gaze at the sea, and enjoy a delicious seafront lunch.
Greece boasts some of the best beaches in Europe, with beautiful cerulean water and everything from tranquil coves to stretches of volcanic sand. In April, the water will still be a little bracing, but the beaches themselves are just as beautiful as in summer.
Elia Beach, Mykonos
On the buzzy island of Mykonos, laid-back tavernas and chic bars line soft sandy shores, including the relaxed Psarou Beach on the south coast.
In beautiful Santorini, striking black-sand beaches—including Perissa and Kamari beaches in the southeast—are in sharp contrast to the island’s sugar-cube houses. One of the best beaches to visit in Santorini is Kokkini Paralia, which translates as Red Beach, named after its Martian ochre glow.
Beach in Lindos
In Rhodes, once you’ve gazed at the dazzling Lindos Acropolis, make your way to the crescent-shaped sandy beach for a waterside stroll or a soothing swim.
Crete has some of Greece’s whitest beaches, including Agios Onoufrios and Kalatha near Chania. Pristine Balos Beach Lagoon is one of the best beaches in Crete thanks to its candy-like white and turquoise swirls where crystalline water meets velvety sand.
If you’re exploring the mainland, try Voula Beach on the Athenian Riviera. It’s a short drive from Athens and has soft, blond sand and a thick cluster of pine trees behind the shore.
Kalafatis Beach, Mykonos
Greece’s beaches typically offer excellent facilities, such as watersports, tavernas, and lounge chairs, though operating hours may vary throughout the year. If these facilities are important to your beach trip, it’s worth checking ahead to find out the hours of operation.
Charming Old Towns & Quaint Villages
Oia, Santorini
A huge part of Greece’s allure is the country’s many charming villages, with their quaint squares, cobblestone streets, vine-covered tavernas, and ancient churches. Better still, you’ll find the best seats available at village restaurants and fewer crowds at monasteries, markets, and museums when visiting in April.
Known for its blue-domed churches, whitewashed houses, and gorgeous views of the Aegean Sea, Oia in Santorini has a romantic vibe. In April, it’s the perfect place for strolling around.
Athens might be a large cosmopolitan city, but it’s made up of a series of vibrant neighborhoods, including Plaka. This central spot has a village feel, with Neoclassical buildings lining winding streets, and a lovely selection of shops, cafés, and bars.
Little Venice, Mykonos
Mykonos has more of a sleepy feel in April, before the waves of summer travelers take over the island’s whitewashed villages and long, sandy beaches.
One of the best things to do in Greece in April is spend time in Mykonos’ Little Venice. Browse the galleries and boutiques, visit the famous windmills, and settle down for cocktails and snacks on the waterfront.
Old Town, Rhodes
Rhodes’ UNESCO-listed Venetian Old Town is unmissable, too, with its eye-catching Palace of the Grand Master of Knights, medieval Street of the Knights, and other grand palaces and piazzas.
Seasonal Mediterranean Cuisine
Taverna in Mykonos
From zesty lemons to fresh zucchini, Greece’s mild Mediterranean climate delivers a rich bounty of produce throughout spring. Indeed, one of the best things to do in Greece in April is experience the country’s tasty national cuisine at traditional tavernas.
White and green asparagus hold their flavor in spring, while fava beans, fennel, green beans, peppers, radishes, and eggplants are ripe, along with melons, raspberries, loganberries, and strawberries.
Gyros
Order dishes of chicken and lamb souvlaki, grilled fish, and moussaka, a delicious eggplant casserole with layers of potato, lamb, and creamy béchamel sauce. Don’t skip on the tzatziki, a yogurt and cucumber dip, and warm pita bread, followed by something sweet, such as honey cake.
On a cool April day, nothing beats a hearty, warming bowl of fasolada, a Greek white bean soup, followed by obligatory slices of rib-sticking, nutty baklava.
Read: Best Things to Do in Greece
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