Athens, Nafplio, Mycenae, and the Cyclades in July?

How sensitive are you--Have you traveled somewhere hot in July before? Does being by the water offer you relief? I'd go anytime, as I figure in Athens you have air conditioning in the museums, and at Nafplio and in the islands you will have the sea.

I've lived in Washington DC and survived the summers -- though grudgingly. Mainly thinking of an ill-timed trip to Italy in July 2015 during the massive heat wave where the temperature didn't drop below upper 90sF and humid during the day.

We were in Greece in late May and early June but hit heat as soon as we were on the mainland. It was mid 90s for a week.

We spent four nights in Nafplio and basically went sightseeing in the morning and to a beach in the afternoon.

We had a tour of Acropolis and some other sites beginning at 4 pm. That worked well with the weather.

The other two days we were in Athens we did site seeing outdoors in morning, had lunch in a shady spot, and visited museums in afternoon.

You basically need to plan your activities around the heat of the day. It is a drier heat so perhaps more manageable.

Our experience shows that even a more optimal timing can turn out to be hot!

We only had 10 minutes of rain in two weeks. Rain is much worse than heat in my view on vacation.

We are from Florida but in the heat of summer I confine my outdoor activities to early morning or evening or in the water.

I am very sensitive to the heat but I manage my body heat by drinking plenty of water and jumping in the water.

I've lived in Washington DC and survived the summers -- though grudgingly.

Were you out and about like a tourist all day long, or out in the heat only for the dash from your air conditioned car to the air conditioned store?

Is your sensitivity to heat a medical issue or just a matter of feeling comfortable only in a lower temp. range?

Moisture wicking fabrics and lots of water is what I did to 'cope'.

Now that we are not hostage to school schedule, I would choose some other time. However have no regrets about the trip.

I've been in Athens in July a couple of times and have since avoided that circumstance for many years now. Never again. Not only is it scorchingly hot but the air is so polluted as to be visible.

I have lived in DE (so not too far from DC), and traveled to Greece during July (not the same year) and the heat is totally different. I would not call Greece humid. I now live in the desert and the heat is closer to this in Greece. The heat in DE was the worst heat Ive ever experienced because of the humidity. I dont think I went outside at all that summer, and Im not heat-sensitive. Still, Greece was hot. A few things that helped: planning to be at sites early in the morning and either having some kind of siesta/rest during the height of the heat later or being closer to the water. I like to be at sites by 8am, to avoid the high heat but also, because you get places much more to yourself (and this goes for museums too). So plan to be at Epidauros and the Acropolis (for example) at 8am, and plan something indoors with air conditioning (the Acropolis museum, or a beach with a book, for example) for later in the day. You can do a lot of walking the city at night as well, where people are out and active until at least 10p.

Follow the rhythm of the islands, the local habits, and the wisdom shared above.
Earlier morning is great for visiting ancient temples or hiking. Shade and water will help when the day heats up.
In 2013 the heat in Athens caused them to close the Acropolis for several days in July. We had to line up prior to opening, then hurried straight up the hill. They closed it by noon.
Hot afternoons can be spent taking a nap inside or visiting a museum. Make sure your hotel/residence has air conditioning. In the evening, you'll be ready to rejoin the fun as the sun goes down.