Late spring · Weather & things to do
Athens in May
Athens warms up: highs climb to 77°F (25°C), from 67°F in April, with lows of 60°F (16°C) and about 0.8 in (21 mm) of rain.
At 98/100 for comfort (the top score of the year), it's one of the best months to visit.
- Avg high
- 77°F (25°C)
- Avg low
- 60°F (16°C)
- Rain
- 0.8 in (21 mm)
- Humidity
- 62%
- Cloud cover
- 37%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 03 min
- Comfort score
- 98/100 · Great
What May feels like
Highs settle around 77°F (25°C), warm enough for short sleeves most of the day.
Nights cool to an average low of 60°F (16°C).
Rain is scarce: about 0.8 in (21 mm) for the whole month.
Plan around May
May is one of Athens's best months on the climate data.
- First warm month: highs reach 77°F, up from 67°F in April.
- The year's biggest warm-up: highs jump 6°C (10°F) from April.
- Comfort improves from 95/100 in April to 98/100.
- May sits inside the May – Oct window our Greek Island Hop route recommends.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clothes77°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Athens in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Ancient Agora
Ancient marketplace with the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus.
Acropolis
The Parthenon and Erechtheion on Athens' sacred rock.
Varvakios Central Market
Noisy meat and fish halls with spice shops on the surrounding streets.
Brettos
Plaka distillery-bar from 1909 with a wall of colored bottles.
Lycabettus Hill
Highest point in central Athens, with views to the Acropolis and the sea.
Why now May scores 98/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Nearby in May
- Mykonos in May~95 mi · highs 67°F, 0.8 in rain · 5°C (10°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Naxos in May~109 mi · highs 70°F, 0.7 in rain · 4°C (8°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Santorini in May~146 mi · highs 69°F, 0.7 in rain · 5°C (9°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Selçuk in May~198 mi · highs 82°F, 1.3 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Athens in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Athens?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 98/100. Expect highs of 77°F (25°C) and 0.8 in (21 mm) of rain. May is inside the May – Oct window our Greek Island Hop route recommends.
How hot is Athens in May?
Average highs are 77°F (25°C) and average lows 60°F (16°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Athens in May?
Not much: about 0.8 in (21 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 4th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 19.7 in (500 mm).
What should I pack for Athens in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (77°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Routes in season in May
- Greek Island Hop May – Oct
Planning Athens in May?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.