Greece is an obvious choice for a European holiday, offering everything from history, culture, islands, mountains, and some fantastic food and wine.
Although Greece is an ideal destination, it’s becoming increasingly overcrowded, and the country and its historic sights are really feeling the effects.
Because of these reasons, a summer trip to Greece might not be the best idea right now.
One answer to the downsides of a summer trip to Greece used to be waiting until September to visit. Previously a visit in this month meant a great holiday with all the summer fun but a fraction of the price tag (not to mention fewer crowds).
However, it appears the secret is out, and now even September is booking up quickly, with destinations like Athens showing a 73% increase in September bookings. So, why not wait and visit in October, when the weather is warm, and the crowds have left?
Here Are 5 Reasons Why You Should Not Visit Greece This Summer:
1. Overcrowding
With a record number of people traveling this summer, it should come as no surprise that Greece will see massive numbers of tourists. Even historic sites such as the Acropolis are feeling the effects, and new measures are being put in place to help preserve the country’s historic culture in the face of over-tourism.
One thing that is interesting is that waiting until September was once a safe bet and is no longer a surefire way to see fewer crowds and lower prices. As more and more tourists push back their Greece travels to September, the likelihood of crowding increases.
So, while Greece is of course an ideal holiday destination, the best bet is to wait until the crowds have really thinned out and head there in October. October is the perfect month as the weather is still warm enough to enjoy long sunny days, and the water is warm enough to swim.
In addition, the prices are lower this month as it’s really the tail end of the season. A visit in July, August, or even September will result in little to no personal space, a stressful experience, and massive lines for everything.
2. Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot
As the temperatures creep higher and the warmer weather stretches longer each year, what was once a nice warm summer hotspot has now become almost unbearable in parts of the country.
Like most European cities, Athens has reported record-high temperatures in recent years; there is nothing worse than climbing steps, exploring ancient sites, and battling crowds in the sweltering heat.
Of course, the islands are a nice place to go, but the temperatures are still high, making sleeping in your cute little authentic accommodation with no AC nearly impossible.
3. High Prices
It’s not a big surprise to hear that Greece’s peak tourist season of June thru August is also the most expensive. A visit at this time will result in higher prices across the board, from flights to drinks, water taxis, hotels, and everything in between.
Prices get about 50% higher for many things, and waiting until just after summer can result in huge savings.
4. No Vacancy
With the increased number of tourists, finding accommodation is getting harder and harder. No matter if you are looking for an Airbnb, a luxury hotel, or a hostel, it’s likely that they are mostly booked up for when you want to stay this summer.
Of course, that means what is left will be overpriced or not ideal. Although more lodging has opened up across Greece to meet demands, the number of properties still lags behind the demand.
5. The (Un) Friendly Skies
It is not breaking news to report that flying right now is a nightmare for many reasons. Record crowds, understaffing, more turbulence, strikes, and many other reasons all combine to make air travel much more of a headache than it once was.
Save yourself the stress and skip flying this summer if possible; wait until the fall, when most people have finished their trips. The likelihood of delays, rude passengers, and other annoyances are greatly decreased with a trip later in the year than in the height of summer.
