Athens best: Excellent
Ancient wonders such as the Acropolis, very hot in summer.
The capital and largest city, known for the Parthenon
Vitamin D in Greece: best months for sun and a travel guide
The best months for vitamin D in Greece are May to October. In June, a full dose of about 1,000 IU takes around 7 minutes at midday for skin type III at age 30, with 9.3 usable sun hours a day. For a beach stay it is too cool from November to April.
Greece month by month
Greece is rated at its median coastal place, for skin type III at age 30. Click a month for the details.
| Month | Rating | Sun window | Peak UV | Full dose, age 30 | Full dose, age 65 | Afternoon high | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Too cold | 2.3 h | 2.9 | 18 min | 34 min | 15°C | 8/30 |
| February | Too cold | 4.4 h | 3.9 | 14 min | 26 min | 17°C | 4/30 |
| March | Too cold | 6.8 h | 5.7 | 9 min | 18 min | 17°C | 9/30 |
| April | Too cold | 8.1 h | 7.0 | 8 min | 14 min | 22°C | 1/30 |
| May | Excellent | 8.8 h | 7.4 | 7 min | 14 min | 24°C | 2/30 |
| June | Excellent | 9.3 h | 7.9 | 7 min | 13 min | 26°C | 1/30 |
| July | Excellent | 9.5 h | 8.2 | 7 min | 12 min | 32°C | 0/30 |
| August | Excellent | 8.9 h | 7.6 | 7 min | 13 min | 32°C | 3/30 |
| September | Good | 7.5 h | 6.4 | 8 min | 16 min | 28°C | 4/30 |
| October | Good | 6.2 h | 5.0 | 11 min | 20 min | 23°C | 0/30 |
| November | Too cold | 3.8 h | 3.4 | 16 min | 29 min | 20°C | 3/30 |
| December | Too cold | 1.8 h | 2.6 | 21 min | 38 min | 17°C | 15/30 |
Sun window is the number of hours a day with UV Index 2.5 or higher. Full dose is the minutes at midday for about 1,000 IU of vitamin D with a quarter of the body bare, for skin type III. Rainy days are days with at least 1 mm out of 30.
Travel guide: why go to Greece
Why go
Greece offers reliable sun, clear water and thousands of islands, each with its own character. It also has food, ancient sites and easy island hopping.
Best for
Couples, families, island hoppers, history fans and sailors.
What to expect
Hot, dry summers and a strong northern wind (the meltemi) in July and August. Many island hotels close and ferries run less often from November to March. May, June and September give good sun with fewer people.
Greece in more detail
Where to base yourself
Greece has more than a hundred inhabited islands, in groups. The Cyclades (Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros, Milos) are the white-and-blue postcard islands. The Ionian islands (Corfu, Zakynthos, Kefalonia, Lefkada) are greener, with dramatic coasts. Crete is the biggest island with its own mountains, beaches and ancient sites. The Dodecanese (Rhodes, Kos) have long sandy beaches and are close to Turkey.
Choosing the month
The sun is strong from May to early October. July and August are hot, and the north wind (meltemi) blows on the Aegean islands. May, June and September balance strong sun, warm sea and fewer people. Many island hotels and ferries slow down from November to March, and the sun is weak in winter.
Getting around and good to know
Ferries connect the islands, so pick an island group and hop within it. Hire a car or scooter on the bigger islands, and check the weather for sailings when the meltemi blows. Swimming off rocks is common, so water shoes help.
Places in Greece
Each place has its own climate, so its best months can differ from the country as a whole.
Santorini best: Excellent
Volcanic island with white villages above a flooded crater.
A volcanic island known for its beautiful views, towns and sunsets
Mykonos best: Excellent
Windmills, beach clubs and nightlife.
World famous, sophisticated holidays
Chania best: Excellent
Venetian harbour town in west Crete with a lively old quarter.
Surrounded by beaches and the Samaria National Park
Heraklion best: Excellent
Crete's capital, home of the Minoan palace of Knossos.
Crete's largest city and main hub with the archaeological site of Knossos
Rethymno best: Excellent
Old town and long town beach in Crete.
Rhodes best: Excellent
Medieval walled city and sandy beaches.
Impressive medieval structures, nightlife and beaches
Corfu best: Excellent
Green island with a UNESCO old town and quiet bays.
Large island with many attractions
Zakynthos best: Excellent
Turtle-nesting beaches and the Navagio shipwreck cove.
Kefalonia best: Excellent
Mountainous Ionian island with famous pale beaches.
Naxos best: Excellent
Large Cycladic island of long sandy beaches and villages.
Paros best: Excellent
Easy-going Cycladic island with fishing villages and windsurf beaches.
Milos best: Excellent
Volcanic island of strange white rock beaches.
Kos best: Excellent
Long sandy beaches, easy cycling and a hop to Turkey.
Lefkada best: Excellent
Ionian island reached by bridge with dramatic white-cliff beaches.
Halkidiki best: Excellent
Three-pronged peninsula with pine forests and good beaches.
Skiathos best: Excellent
Small green island with sandy beaches and lively nights.
Hydra best: Excellent
Car-free island of stone houses and rocky swimming spots.
Nafplio best: Excellent
Pretty harbour town and a base for ancient Epidaurus and Mycenae.
Ios best: Excellent
Cycladic island known for young party crowds and a lovely bay.
Some short descriptions come from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Questions about vitamin D in Greece
When is the best time to visit Greece for vitamin D?
The best months for vitamin D in Greece are May to October. In June, a full dose of about 1,000 IU takes around 7 minutes at midday for skin type III at age 30, with 9.3 usable sun hours a day.
Can you get vitamin D from the sun in Greece in December?
Yes, but slowly. In December a full dose takes about 21 minutes at midday for skin type III at age 30, with 1.8 usable hours a day.
How long do I need in the sun in Greece?
In June, the best month, about 7 minutes at midday with a quarter of the body bare, for skin type III at age 30; about 13 minutes at age 65. Darker skin needs longer and fair skin burns sooner, so keep sessions short. This is an estimate for planning, not medical advice.
Which months should I avoid in Greece?
For a beach stay, avoid the months when it is too cool from November to April.
What is the best place in Greece for vitamin D?
In June the strongest sun of the places we rate is around Rethymno. Each place has its own rating, so open the place list to compare them.
Plan by month
- Jan Too cold
- Feb Too cold
- Mar Too cold
- Apr Too cold
- May Excellent
- Jun Excellent
- Jul Excellent
- Aug Excellent
- Sep Good
- Oct Good
- Nov Too cold
- Dec Too cold