Greek islands - August or October?

[Bythesea1982]

Hi there. Looking for some advice for those who have visited the Greek islands in August or October (the only times we could visit). How was the weather in October and is there still enough to do? I’ve read that restaurants etc can be closed.
August would be high season so busy but I’m concerned it might be too hot for me and my children. Am I right to be concerned about the heat?

August is very very hot and October half term much cooler and too cold for me.

If those are your only two options, August is better if you want beach and pool weather.

would waiting until May 2025 half term work?

October is the end of the season, things are closing down. If you want beach / pool weather go in summer but yes it will be hot. We like that though.

You are looking at two extremes. August will be absolutely boiling and very, very busy.

October can be lovely, but more of a temperature for walking, cycling or exploring than lying by the pool. Evenings cool down a lot, jeans and jacket weather rather than sundress and you could well get a day or two of rain.

In terms of stuff being closed, it will totally depend on where you go. Smaller islands have a much shorter season, those with an airport or easy access from the mainland have a longer season.

@AlannaOfTrebond We’re bound by the school holidays unfortunately. Which islands might be best to visit in October, not necessarily for weather but for being open to tourists?

@roses2 Yes possibly. But I’d really like to go away before then. It might be the best option though weather wise.

We have visited Corfu in Oct last year and in April this year, the weather was better in October tbh.

I know the west coast best and would say that you should find plenty of things open on Lefkada, Kefalonia and Corfu.

I haven't been to the east coast in October, but you would probably find that Skiathos is still open for tourists.

The flight schedules are generally a good indication of how much you will find open as most places tend to shut down when the flights stop for the season.

Any islands closer to Turkey will be warmer in October so Rhodes etc.

@Roselilly36 what was Corfu like in October weather wise and for things being open? Was the pool cold?

I forgot to say that the sea will be much warmer in October than May!

Do you mean English half term in October? Many of the hotels will be closing at the end of the week, the weather can be cool and pools are cold. No one got in them at all when we went a few years ago. You might get the odd warm day at the beach, as the sea is warmer, but it’s a risk.

I’d go for August if those are your only choices.

We stayed at the IKOS Dassia, the sea was warmer than the pool. Not sure what the temp was but it was very pleasant.

We've been to the Greek islands a few times over October half term, and we have generally had very nice weather ranging from properly hot (I.e. 30 degs, through to pleasantly warm in the sun but need to don a cardy in the shade 19 degrees). The sea is still warm then too so we have always gone swimming & snorkelling.

But we have always gone quite far south - look at Crete, Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos. Naxos last year was glorious - we had whole beaches to ourselves!

I wouldn't go to Corfu in October though - that is too far north

I have been to Corfu in August and it was hot but I preferred it over October. Depends what you are doing - we walked up a hill to something in Corfu Town and that was hard but everything else was fine.

Rhodes, Kos and Crete are best for October. I've been many times, only had had weather once.

@StaringAtTheWater thank you that’s really useful to know that you’ve been a few times at that time of year and weather has been good. I’ll bear in mind the more southern islands.

I’ve been to Zante in October and it was pleasant but not hot with a few days of warmish rain. Was definitely starting to close down for the season though.

We’re going to Crete in late September this year and I’m hoping it will still be hot.

@Movinghouseatlast Thank you for this. Would you recommend anywhere in particular in Rhodes or Crete?

There is a huge difference between northern Greece in October and southern. Kos/crete/Rhodes in October yes. Corfu not a chance. Rhodes in July just about bearable, not in August

We don't go with children so tend to go to quiet, out of the way places. Loutro in Crete, Halki near Rhodes.

Maybe look at Lindos on Rhodes.

August is insanely hot. I have been to Greece in Aug several times and I stay out of the sun 11-4pm. The evenings are lovely but impossible to do anything outside in the main part of the day unless in shade or water.
I would aim for Oct personally.

@bluejelly @Greentreesandbushes Thank you. I did think August would be too hot and trying to keep my kids out of the pool and in the shade in the middle of the day a challenge! Would the more northern islands be a bit cooler or still really hot in august?

I went to Crete the last week of August and the weather was not as hot as when I’ve been to many other Greek island the last week of July/first week of August so maybe going towards the end of the summer holidays could be a solution.

I would go in August as by the end of October things are winding down and many places might be shut.
The weather is lovely in the summer and great for lazy days by the pool and beach. There’s usually an beeeze to break the heat. Evenings are always really pleasant and we have never had trouble sleeping at night.
Have a look at Lefkada, Corfu, Kefalonia or Zakinthos - the Ionian islands.