Shoulder seasons are usually my favorite seasons in which to travel, and thats true in italy, too. Traveling during the offseason can definitely be worth it. Shoulder season april through midjune, midseptember through october. Greece is a tourist hotspot in the european summer, with the sparkling oceans, sandy beaches and dreams of whitewashed streets calling travellers from all over the globe. We believe the best time to travel is in the shoulder season. Shoulder season is the bestvalue time to visit the greek. June is the ending of the spring bargain shoulder season, meaning its your. How to take advantage of shoulder season the new york times. Not only are flights cheaper, but accommodation and ferry tickets often are, as well. The temperatures are cooler during the low season in greece. Shoulder season is a term used to describe the months following or proceeding peak travel season for any given destination when you can expect fewer crowds, temperate weather and offseason pricing. The shoulder seasons in greece run from april through the first part of june, and then from about midseptember through midoctober. Large arenas stage international rock and indie artists, while intimate. Shoulder season is the best time to visit europe and sits between the peak and offpeak seasons at a particular destination.
Choosing to visit during greeces shoulder season affords you the opportunity to experience a different side of greece, away from its popular mediterranean glamour with bronzed beach bodies and vibrant nightlife. Fewer people travel during low season for weather reasons and work schedules. Europes shoulder seasons that beautiful time of year when the temperatures begin their climb upwards or slow descent down, the water is that perfect temperature, windows are flung open and the costs for air and lodging are firmly planted in offseason prices, despite the glorious weather are ideal times to plan international travel. If youre a fan of winter sports, visiting greece in january is the height of ski season. Go during shoulder season july and august are greeces peak tourist months, but they are also when prices for. March is well outside shoulder season for the islands, for the mainland, it is fine. Weve compiled the best times to cruise, region by region. Sailing on the shoulder of the summer high season can easily translate to savings of 20 to 40 percent off cruise fares, with the most substantial discounting done towards the very start and tail end of the greek island cruise season in april and october. Midseptember and october represent the best time for a visit to the country, since the weather is still great with blue clear skies most of the time, the tourist crowds have left, the sea. In some cases, you pay extra if youre a younger driver. There is the preseason that starts as early as april and ends when peak season starts.
Nearly every resort and cruise ship in the caribbean reduces its rates around midapril. Being a huge travel nerd, im in love with shoulder season travel. Prices have fallen, but theres still great weather, most restaurants and attractions remain open and the bulk of the holidaymakers have moved on. To take advantage of the benefits of shoulder season travel you must first identify the shoulder season for your destination. Once you learn about shoulder season you just might change your mind about taking a trip this fall, especially if youre on a budget. If youre visiting in high season then this sort of behaviour is either going to require you to be a millionaire, or not even be an option. These are the best times to visit greece the points guy. In some years, carnival season begins in february, which can liven up the month considerably. There is the preseason that starts as early as april and ends when peak season starts halfway through june.
Shoulder season is considered by veteran travelers to be the best of the best for traveling in europe the weeks roughly aligned from midseptember to midnovember, and between midmarch and midmay, are quickly becoming the sweetest seasonal spots to travel practically anywhere in europe. Shoulder season is a travel industry insider term that refers to the two times of year. Best time to visit greece 2020 month by month breakdown. May is an ideal time to catch a destination during shoulder seasonthose few weeks when rates are low and the weather is almost perfect. When it comes to choosing what time of year to visit a resort, it pays to check out the value pricing offered during the shoulder season. Shoulder season falls between high season christmas and new year in most of the world and low or off season. To get a general idea of what a trip to greece costs, ive included the approximate price of flights both international and incountry, the average cost of a hotel in athens and in popular island destinations, general guidance around transportation and what it might cost your family to get around, what is considered peak season in greece. The shoulder season is typically a fantastic time to visit greece.
In this post, i break down the best time to visit based on weather, price, and things to do. Sadly, the hostel game on most of the islands is weak. Im talking heart going pitterpatter, lightheaded, happy just at the thought of it, in love. You can enjoy mild weather and fewer crowds during these shoulder season periods. The prices of hostels fluctuate wildly depending on the season youre visiting greece. When you visit the greek island of mykonos during the shoulder season, youre not coming for the beach clubs and all night dance parties. Everything is open but the hordes have either not yet arrived may or have just. But the island of winds still has plenty of appealing sites to check out.
Most island towns are empty of tourists from november until around the time of greek easter, but the main town in corfu and the cretan cities like heraklion are up and running all year long. We set off on our greek adventure in shoulder season, during midapril, and we are so happy we made this somewhat spontaneous decision 1 lower prices hotels. You can opt for the azure waters and funloving crowds of the high season or the big bargains and unreliable weather of the low season. The best time to visit greece depends on what type of trip youre looking for. Each season has its benefits and pitfalls, but it is no secret that avoiding the summer crowds will result in lower prices and wait times to enter attractions. May is an ideal time to catch a destination during shoulder season those few weeks when rates are low and the. We happened to go right after orthodox easter so it was barely open for the season.
Choose shoulder season months like october and may for an optimal experience there. Whether youre more interested in sightseeing, beaches, island hopping, or local experiences, theres an optimal season for you. The warmest weather in greece and the greek islands is between late may and early october when its sunny, warm, and the water is good for swimming. The fact that fewer tourists frequent greece in the low season was. There is a huge range of cultural, food, music and religious festivals in croatia, taking place throughout the year. Pros and cons of visiting greece in low season the sweetest way. There are hotels, shops and restaurants that are simply not open in the winter. Timing a trip to greece may seem like an easy choice. Aneksuperfast ferries fares to ancona igoumenitsa patras, aneksuperfast venice offers and special prices to greece from italy or italy greece italy, aneksuperfast ferries online booking system, superfast ferries schedules, superfast ferries connections, superfast ferries prices, superfast ferries offers, superfast ferries special group fares. The fact that fewer tourists frequent greece in the low season was apparent in a number of different instances in both athens and santorini. To bring down your billand avoid the mobsvisit during shoulder season, when the streets may be bustling but elbow room is. Click on the climate link for more on greece s weather pattern and how to make the most of it. Majority everything on the island is closed during the off season and only a few things are open in the shoulder season. How to have an affordable vacation in greece the new.
Some islands, like naxos, have higher local populations, so they can be pleasant year round. Many cruises also offer special discounts in september as they reposition their cruise season. In shoulder season, youll enjoy decent weather, longenough daylight, fewer crowds, and a local tourist industry still ready to please and entertain. The shoulder season is the best time to visit greece for its natural beauty without the influx of crowds. Summing up the seasons travel seasonal travel nbc news. There are two different shoulder seasons in greece. The best time to visit greece updated for 2020 santorini dave. Offseason there are fewer boats and flights to the islands, where some shops, hotels, and restaurants do not open until june and then close in. Here are five ways to find the shoulder season for any specific destination. Low season in greece is winter hemonas low season is best described as progressively cold and rainy with some nice weather thrown in too. Highseason weekly rates with unlimited mileage start at about 280 for the smallest models eg a fiat seicento, dropping to about 150 per week in winter. Generally speaking, the best time to visit greece is during the shoulder seasons spring from april until. Then, there are the shoulder months, which have some of the advantages of both. The best time to visit greece and where to go by season.
The minimum driving age in greece is 18 years, but most carhire firms require you to be at least 21 or 23 for larger vehicles. Shoulder season is the period in between a destinations low and high seasons of tourism, making prices cheaper for hotels and airfare and crowds smaller at popular attractions. I was in siem reap, cambodia during the shoulder season, and was able to explore angkor wat with almost no crowded. Pros and cons of visiting greece in low season the. April and october are almost outside shoulder season, it would be hit or miss.
Generally speaking, the best time to visit greece is during the shoulder seasons spring from april until midjune. The shoulder season offers you the opportunity to embrace. Heat nearly killed me, but it was worth it for the quietness. Mid maymid june and september are good shoulder periods in the islands.
Theres not a lot of straight flights to the smaller islands in greece which is okay because we had a 6 hours to go to athens to see a few things. Superfast ferries prices venice igoumenitsa, venice patras. When is the best time to visit greece in 2019 a locals guide. Youll still see plenty of sunny days but also overcast days and little to no sunbathing. Why its better to travel in shoulder season what is shoulder season. Why its better to travel in shoulder season travelalerts. Easter aside, april is also a good time to pick up a shoulder season flight at bargain prices and enjoy a city break. Which makes the greek islands in spring or autumn an enticing prospect with or. Thus begins shoulder season, the transitional period when you still get great weather but the crowds begin. The shoulder seasons used to essentially be spring and autumn, but italys popularity has meant the expansion of the high season into its neighboring shoulder seasons. The shoulder seasons of late spring and early autumn are arguably. Greece is at peak capacity from june to august, meaning overflowing crowds, high hotel rates, and packedtothe brim restaurants and attractions. Shoulder season is the period in between a destinations low and high seasons of tourism, making prices cheaper for hotels and. Greek islands shoulder season rick steves travel forum.
Mykonos is known for being the party island and a very hip tourist destination. I agree with you about visiting in the shoulder season. Loved your post, amanda and the photos are amazing. Water temperature increases throughout the summer months.
215 601 1192 437 337 1520 1056 1333 138 1374 1235 822 1092 846 887 674 1095 724 339 272 339 580 627 1418 1148 762 252 841 635 1231