May or October?

In my opinion there are several advantages with the month of May compared to the month of October.

In May 90% of shops, restaurants and accommodation are open, while many begin to close at the end of September.

People who work in tourism start the season and are 100% available with a smile.

The weather will be better in May than in October with less chance of rain, the days will be longer, the vegetation is in bloom.

In May the sea is still a little cool, but I bathed .. and I don't like cold water! (I am currently in the Cyclades)

From a crowd point of view I think it is quite similar between May and October

Where in Greece? I went to 3 islands in mid-October. I don't think Crete slows down much, even though my taxi driver in Santorini said it was the very end of the season and his last week before heading home for the winter, there were still crowds and 1 to 3 cruise ships every day. Naxos was almost deserted. There were only a couple day tours available and some tourist shops had closed. On the other hand, the beaches were almost empty and you didn't need a reservation for dinner. If you want to enjoy the sea, October is better - the water is much warmer.

I have had some really awful weather in Greece in October, but never in May. I always think it’s better to go at the start of the season when people are eager to please rather than at the end of the season when they just can’t wait to close.

Daylight hours are much longer and there is more greenery and plant colour around. October can be dry and dusty, depending on where you are heading.

I go to Greece every October, first half, and for me it's perfect. I've been to the northern and southern islands including Crete and parts of the mainland.

The weather is still good, mild temperatures without the heat, some rain but no washouts, less tourists and lower prices for accommodations. The Aegean is still warm from the summer heat and you'll probably have the beaches to yourself if you like the beach.

While some of the tourist infrastructure is closing or close they'll always be shops, markets and tavernas open for locals which may give you a more "Greek" experience rather than a tourist experience.

I don't go to Greece for the beach, nightlife, shopping or partying so October works out for me.

A lot depends on what you are looking for in a trip to Greece.

We were in Greece one time in October and the islands were closing down. And the workers at hotels and restaurants were tired and often grouchy. I recommend traveling to Greece in May.

Another vote for May.

Mid-late May is ideal. Not too warm or crowded.

In May, you get 1 1/2 days of vacation for each day, because the sun doesn't set until 8:45 or later. in Octoober, it starts getting dark about 5 - 5:30, no fun to sit by harbor for a sunset drink, if sun's gone.

I think Janet's times are off.

Sunset in Greece on Oct. 15
Athens - 6.47 pm
Heraklion - 6.44 pm
Santorini - 6.42 pm

Lovely to watch the sunset with a drink before dinner.

I was referring to Dinner @8:30, my usual time -- and early in Greek terms... should have specified. It would be dark.

Thank you everyone! Does May get too hot? For example, my husband checked the weather in Athens for today and it's 84-90 - too hot for him to tour around. Would it be better to go at the end of April or the first 2 weeks of May? Thank you!

I still think early October would be wonderful.

Temps usually in the mid-70s (24 celsius+/-), sunny most of the time and the sunset isn't really that late.

Most people are still dining outside and not wearing sweaters at night.

First 2 weeks of may.

Hot or cold weather, rain, wind... all of that can change from year to year. No one will be able to tell you if May will be better than October or vice versa in 2023.

So don't decide on weather assumptions that no one can guarantee.

The only thing that won't change is that the sun will set much earlier in October and that makes a big difference as Janet told you.

Another parameter not to be overlooked is the weariness and fatigue of all the people who work for tourists, in October they have earned enough money and are eager to close their business and return home. It begins to be felt from mid-September.

I went to Greece from September 29-October 13th, 2018. Others are right that May is technically better because the sun sets later in the evening. The time of sunset didn't noticeably impact my trip. Obviously you can still have a fine time if you go to Greece in October. Don't put your trip to Greece off for 7 month just to get a little bit of extra sunlight in the evening. The weather will still be good enough in October. I didn't notice that the tourism season was closing.

I didn't notice “the weariness and fatigue of all the people who work for tourists, in October they have earned enough money and are eager to close their business and return home. It begins to be felt from mid-September.” Actually it is probably possible to go to Greece at any time of the year, even if it is not tourist season.

I also didn't notice the "weariness" of Greeks in October.

In fact they were happy to have business from tourists during the off season.

They were more relaxed, eager to talk and not have to deal with hordes of tourists who may or may not be obnoxious and demanding.

Always remember, just because one travels off season either May or October they'll always be enough shops, markets and tavernas open for locals so you may end up hanging out with Greeks rather than other tourists which after all is one of the reasons to travel to Greece . . . to meet locals and have a more personal experience with the Greek culture.

Thank you everyone! I have been reading all your comments and they are very helpful! Not an easy decision :)
Would the last week of April/first week of May be a good time to go? Or preferably the first 2 weeks in May?
Price wise, is there a big difference between the first 2 weeks of October and the first 2 weeks of May in hotels&restaurants?
I am still working on the itinerary but it will most likely be Athens, Santorini, Naxos, Nafplio (Epidavros, Mycenae) and Delphi, returning to Athens to go back home. Does this work for either October or May?
Thank you!
(Excuse any errors in my English - it is my third language :)

Is swimming in the sea important to you? The water is too cold until about May 15 ... in October, it's still OK, because of the lingering summer warmth, but when you emerge, you need a jacket. Also, October can bring some rainy days. Remember that the sun sets earlier in October, so you get less "day" for every day than you do in May.

As for prices, both may & October are "Shoulder season", similar hotel rates. Restaurant prices pretty much the same year-round.

Love this! Planning my Wedding in May of 2023 in Santorini!!

If swimming is notimportant to you, I would heartily suggest the very beginning of May or even into April if you can swing it. We visited Greece starting March 27 and found it to be ideal if you are mostly into touring and visiting sites. If swimming is your main focus, then May.

Would the last week of April/first week of May be a good time to go?
Or preferably the first 2 weeks in May? Price wise, is there a big
difference between the first 2 weeks of October and the first 2 weeks
of May in hotels&restaurants?

The first half of May and October are equivalent in terms of price. It is considered "Low Season".
In principle, restaurant prices do not change during the tourist season, but with the current inflation that Greece is experiencing (10% / year) you never know...

About swimming in the sea. If the weather is good, it is not too windy, the sea is calm, you find a beach with shallow water, and you do not need water heated to 25°C, I assure you that you can swim in May or October without catching pneumonia.

Thank you for posting this. I so wanted to when I started my destination vacation this year 😂

I tried to do diligent research online & most seemed vote early Oct. I too like to vacation right before or after tourist peak season. I was more concentrating on the weather aspect. Ignoring the proprietor’s perspective. 🤦🏻‍♀️ I agree they will be much more eager to help after the closed season. They will have forgotten he misbehaved tourists from the previous summer.

I have booked for Greece/Turkey Oct 2022 but now I wish I would have waited for next May. I am also worried about the summer covid outbreaks from tourists. That may have an impact on employees from Sept/Oct 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ In May they haven’t yet been exposed to the round of tourists.

I’m from the WA & the # of cases have been increasing. Boostered individuals are now getting Covid. I’m a little worried about my trip.

One last thing…I was debating if I should rebook my trip for 2023 but Turkish Air was only out till May 10th or so. So I couldn’t do a complete booking. Also I didn’t see much change in airfare. From the dates that were available.