From trying unique traditional foods to visiting beautiful beaches and exploring the history of the birthplace of western philosophy, there are so many reasons to visit Greece. And even though most think of it as a summer vacation area, travellers are in for a treat if they choose to visit Greece in October. There are fewer tourists due to this being the ‘shoulder season’ provides the perfect welcome. The harmonious combination of pleasant weather, thinner crowds, seasonal delights, and unique experiences makes October an ideal time to visit Greece.
1. Island hopping
If you’ve ever heard of the term island hopping and were thinking about where you could have your own island-hopping adventure, look no further than Greece. You can’t go wrong with Greek islands; with up to 6000 islands (200 inhabited), there is undoubtedly a lot of hopping opportunity. Whatever the direction of your sails is while hopping islands, the fall months will offer the perfect combination of fewer yachts in harbours, cool evenings for a restful night’s sleep, and smooth sailing conditions. With the calming of the notorious August, winds come great sailing conditions and pleasant temperatures for exploring on foot.
If you’re from far away and are planning to move to one of Greece’s islands, this is also a great way to get to know a bunch of your options in real life very quickly. For example, suppose you’re from Virginia and are planning the move. In that case, this is the perfect way to get to know the different areas and direct your international moving company toward the island of your choice. With good preparation, a skilled team can handle it even if you just decide to stay on the island and wait for the movers to bring your stuff there.
2. The olive and grape harvest in the fall
October presents a unique opportunity for visitors to southwest Peloponnese. This is because over 6,000 olive trees are picked by hand during this time, which helps create sensational olive oil. Tourists can either give it a try and help out or witness this time-honored tradition, returning home with a greater appreciation (and a few bottles) of Greece’s liquid gold.
Greek wines offer much diversity. This is mostly attributed to the varied terrain from different altitudes, soil makeup, and Mediterranean weather. Doing this time of year, grapes ripen and are harvested, and local vineyards begin to press grapes. The visitors who planned their trip well may even have the chance to take a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the wine.
3. Weather
One of the biggest reasons to visit Greece at this time is that throughout October in Greece, the weather remains delightful as it is basically in the perfect middle point between the summer heat and winter chills. This opens up the opportunity to immerse yourself outdoors, explore the sites, or sail the seas. Daytime temperatures average about 70°F and often fall at nighttime to a cool 60°F. Continuing with the “perfect middle point” sentiment, during October, you’ll also have the winter benefits of UV rays carrying much less strength while the chance of rainfall is still low, much like the summer.
4. Shoulder season benefits
Rates on airfare, hotels, tours, and excursions all decrease after the high summer season. The general lack of people vacationing in Greece during the fall season allows the cunning travelers. They go there in October to peacefully visit landmarks like the Parthenon, which are usually packed with tourists. Even Santorini, which is usually packed with tourists during the summer, has a bit of rest throughout October. Also, if you want to be part of responsible tourism, avoiding the busiest months is helpful. This is because the strain on the environment is the biggest during those months.
One more thing to remember is that seasonal closures most commonly occur in the winter months, not in October.
5. Perfect waters
Serene coves and gorgeous bays dot the coastline of Greece with all of its seas – the Ionian Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Aegean. And one of the main reasons to visit Greece in October is that during this month, it’s possible to find entire beaches which are empty and waiting for you to claim them as your own.
Water retains heat for longer, allowing the lovely summertime water temperatures to carry into fall. This creates amazing swimming conditions, especially between mid-September and mid-October.
Snorkeling and scuba diving are great at this time of year in Greece. Grecian waters are filled with spectacular sea life. Sometimes you’ll even find hidden caves and a beautiful mix of both serenity and thrill as you explore the underwater world of Greece.
6. Hiking and outdoor activities
October weather is one of the most popular reasons to visit Greece for outdoor activities. These include hiking, rock climbing, biking, and, of course, swimming. Taking the time to explore even just a little bit of Greece on foot is a must on your travels, especially if you want to fully immerse yourself in Greece’s natural beauty. You can take in the views of olive trees, changing leaves, and alluring landscapes.
7. Seasonal specialties
Of course, we couldn’t end this list without talking about Greek food. Greece is sure to take your palette on a culinary journey, and some foods are truly meant to be enjoyed in the fall. For example, almonds, chestnuts, pistachios, and walnuts ripen and are harvested during the fall. They are then used to fill the pastry sheets of Greece’s staple dessert: baklava. Many fruits also ripen in October. Those are usually used to create seasonal jams, such as apple jam and grape jam.
To continue the journey through local cuisine, you can sample fresh octopus at a waterfront taverna and ask for some tzatziki on the side. Some other Greek staple foods to try are:
Souvlaki
Moussaka
Spanakopita
Lamb
Dolmadakia
Different local olive
Final thoughts on reasons to visit Greece
Without a doubt, there are many more reasons to visit Greece in October. This place is sure to leave you yearning for more. Taking advantage of this shoulder-season month will allow you to create more personal memories of Greece. The lack of visitors and large crowds in Greece during October makes it the perfect time for more intimate travelling, like taking a honeymoon trip or a family bonding vacation where you can truly connect to the tradition, culture, nature, food, and beaches that this beautiful place has to offer.
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