August is the most crowded and most expensive month in Greece. The weather is very hot, the beaches crowded and the festivals in full swing.
Weather
Hot, very hot…it doesn’t matter if you are on the mainland or the islands, it’s hot, with temperatures reaching 100 F / 37.8 C on some days. Average temperatures in Athens are around 88 F/31C, while in Rhodes you can expect 85 F / 29.4 C. But remember that these temperatures don’t consider that 2007 has been the hottest year in Greece and things aren’t expected to change in 2008 either.
>>more information on Greece Weather
Facilities
Ferries and flights are very crowded and the transportation seems to get jammed around August 15. Everyone goes home for the Festival of the Assumption of Virgin Mary and all the businesses will be closed on that day (August 15).
Don’t expect to be able to book a room or a flight/ferry on the last minute, so make sure to book well in advance.
The prices are highest of the entire year.
>>more information on Flights to Greece & Flights within Greece
>>more information on Ferries in Greece
Where to stay
All accommodation in Greece is open and usually fully booked although prices are very high. Make sure to book in advance if you plan to vacation here in August.
What to Do
If you plan to go sightseeing, do that early in the morning. By noon the temperatures are getting really hot. You can always try scuba diving or snorkeling. Wind surfing and other water sports might also appeal to you.
The nightlife is vibrant. The night clubs are always crowded and you will find a lot of clubs on the beaches or the roof terraces –try Icaros on Mykonos.
Festivals
August 15 marks the Festival of the Assumption of Virgin Mary. Between August 1 and August 15 the Greek Orthodox are fasting. That doesn’t affect the food available for the travelers, but it might be a nice change to try the fast-friendly traditional Greek dishes. On August 15 there will be big feasts in every major Greek town.
Grape harvest season starts in August so major festivals are taking place in Rhodes and Samos.
Do you like sardines? If so don’t miss the Sardine Festival on the island of Lesvos between August 1 and August 7.
Tips
If you are an independent traveler, try to skip July and August. They usually spell nightmare when it comes to traveling or finding places to stay. If you can’t skip this time of the year, choose to visit the Northern part of the country or a less popular island: Alonissos or Thassos are great choices.
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