Greece is a beautiful country, with many islands located around the country for tourists to visit, it is an ideal summer holiday. With delicious food, a sun that gives you the perfect tan, warm waters, and pristine beaches, what’s not to love? I have visited several of the islands, including Zakynthos, Corfu and Kefalonia.
Although these islands offered different activities and vibes they all had one thing in common – an unforgettable experience. I visited both Zyakynthos and Kefalonia in August (during peak season). However, for Corfu, I went during the Spring. So the question is, Is Greece worth visiting in the Spring time?
It can be hard to know where to travel in Spring in Europe because the weather can be unpredictable and Easter holidays may mean lots of tourists. From my experience, travelling in the Spring offers cheaper getaways whilst still providing amazing memories.
Weather
As with any country during their Spring time, there is no guarantee that it will be hot the entire time (or at all). There is also the chance of slight rain and cooler evenings. Despite this, the weather can still provide you with enough heat to go swimming and get a good tan.
When I visited Corfu, I was very lucky with the weather as it was constantly sunny at around 20-25 degrees outside. This was the perfect weather as it allowed me to lay around on the beach, go on a boat trips and wander comfortably in the town. The mornings were cool but not cold, the days were warm enough for lounging, and the evenings were perfectly comfortable.
Of course, Spring weather is not as predictable as it is in summer. Generally, the weather in Greece is quite warm. Therefore, I believe it’s a great option to consider when planning a trip this year.
Crowds
In terms of crowds, it was not overly busy compared to summer seasons, though it was still a little busy. We did not stay near the old town as we stayed at the Grecotel Hotel located in Dassia. This was a bit further out on the island. We were able to get a boat to the old town and wandered around for the day. As it was still somewhat busy, I think if it was summertime, it would be packed compared to Spring. This is where the pros outweigh the cons in terms of travelling during Spring.
Affordability
Depending on the Island or area in Greece you want to visit, the cost will vary. Of course, popular destinations like Santorini and Mykonos tend to be more expensive compared to lesser-known spots like Kefalonia. Regarding going to Greece in the Spring, hotels are likely to be more affordable.
This is the same amongst most places as increases in the price often occur during peak seasons. Despite this, if you go during half term or Easter Holiday’s, it’s likely that hotel prices will increase compared to a random Tuesday in April (just something to be aware of). That being said, there are sometimes last minute summer deals on some travel websites which could offer an affordable alternative.
CONS
I cannot be biased and say that Greece is perfect all the time in Spring. In fact this would be me lying as I have not stayed throughout the whole season and each year may change. A downside to visiting Corfu in the Spring was that not all places were open. Some areas in Greece rely heavily on tourists and if it is not peak season, they may not open to save themselves some money. This meant I was sometimes limited on what I could do.
There was a time when I found a restaurant online that said it was open, only to arrive and discover it was closed. This happened a few times. However, if you are in a busy area it may not be as common to find closed restaurants, it is something to think about.
In addition to this, some hotels do not open their pools until a particular month/date. This is something you will have to look out for when booking your trip. A similar process occurs for the activities. You may see some fun boat trips online, but when it is time to book you realise they are closed until a particular date due to the weather.
Conclusions
I don’t think the cons I mentioned should discourage you from going. It’s important to double-check everything before booking any trip, and the same applies to visiting in the Spring. You may have to adapt some of your plans, but for me, I had an amazing time when I visited. The weather was good, the crowds were manageable and the experience was spectacular. When I compare it to my summer trips in Greece, there was only a slight difference.
In summer there were slightly more crowds and it was slightly warmer. That was the main difference for me. Of course everyone’s experience will be different, but I think if you are planning on going to Greece this Spring you should! So to answer the question ‘Is Greece worth visiting in the Spring time?’ Yes. Yes it is worth it. Just do your research beforehand.
