Athens is a unique travel destination that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. What makes it special is its rare combination of old and new sites that you will be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Plus, the mild October weather is perfect for visitors to step out and explore all that this splendid Greek capital has to offer. Among this city’s biggest highlights are the Acropolis, Temple of Zeus, and the Ancient Agora; sites that set the scene for the city’s glorious past beautifully. Not too far away from these historic monuments, you will find thriving urban neighborhoods like Monastiraki, Psiri, Koukaki, Thissio, Gazi and many more. There is so much to explore and not enough time!
What makes Athens in October special?
- Dwindling crowds -Continuing the trend from September, Athens experiences the tourist numbers thinning in October as the month carries on. You can enjoy all the main tourist sites at your leisure without the hassle of large crowds as the last of tourism season draws to a close.
- Lower prices - Vacationing in Athens during this month is a good bet as hotels and airlines offer good deals on fares. Since October is considered a shoulder season, expect prices to get much cheaper compared to its summertime counterparts.
- Ideal weather - Arrive in Athens in one of the last months of the year to enjoy pleasant weather! The start of the month is ideal to hit the beaches as the water is warm enough for swimming and snorkeling. The scorching summer heat of the previous months is replaced with a more agreeable climate that you should absolutely experience when visiting this dynamic city.
October Weather in Athens
The October month begins with pleasant autumn weather, with daytime highs reaching 73°F (23°C) and the nighttime lows recording around 59°C (15°C). As the month progresses, the number of daylight hours starts to decrease. Furthermore, the second half of the month receives more rainfall. The water temperature stays warm enough for swimming at the start of the month, but it becomes too cold for swimming or sunbathing as the month end approaches.
Must-Dos in October
1
The Acropolis
The Acropolis is a magnificent citadel that holds many secrets of the ancient Greek civilization. Dedicated to the Greek Goddess of War Athena, the site boasts stunning archaeological monuments like the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, Propylaea, Hadrian's Library, Erechtheum, and many others.
October Timings
8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Last entry at 7:30 PM)
Athens, 105 58
Greece
Getting There ›
2
Ancient Agora
Situated on the northwest part of the Acropolis is the world-famous Agora, where the Greeks first laid the foundations of democracy that would come to influence the whole world. The pleasant weather of October is ideal to take a walk among this sprawling ancient site and admire the ruins of Bouleuterion, the temple of Hephaestus, the Stoa of Attalos, and the Odeon of Agrippa.
October Timings
Daily - 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Last entry at 3:45 PM)
Adrianou 24, Athina 105 55
Greece,
Getting There ›
3
National Archaeological Museum
The largest museum in Greece holds a pride of place among locals and visitors alike. It houses around 11,000 artifacts that include sculptures, vases, metalworks, artworks, pottery items, etc. The museum sheds an unprecedented light on the day-to-day life of ancient Greeks. Take your time to closely examine the Mask of Agamemnon and the Artemision Bronze during your visit; two of the museum’s most prized exhibits.
October Timings
Tuesday - 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday to Monday - 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
28is Oktovriou 44, Athina 106 82,
Greece
Getting There ›
4
Museum of Cycladic Art
The Museum of Cycladic Art houses a prestigious collection of Cycladic art from the islands of the Aegean Sea, Cyprus, and the ancient Greek civilizations dating back to 5000 years. You will surely marvel at the smooth marble figurines, clay objects, jewelry, weapons, and bronze artworks that were used by these ancient civilizations.
October Timings
Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday - 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday - 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday - Closed
Neofitou Douka 4, Athina 106 74
Greece
Getting There ›
5
Athens Food Tour
Familiarize yourself with the local flavors of Athens on a walking tour that will take you through the city’s most popular culinary hotspots. Visit the bohemian neighborhoods, reputed for its culinary scene, over the next 3 hours with a tour guide. See what a vegan take on a traditional Greek pie tastes like. Sample the best street snacks, munch on a variety of nuts, and finally get the Greek’s penchant for olive oil.
Νο68 Βαρβακειος Αγορα, Athina,
Greece
Getting There ›
6
Athens Riviera Night Cruise
With temperatures dropping to 15°C, October may be the last month of the year where you can enjoy the nighttime views without freezing to death. So, set off on a three-hour-long cruise from Marina Zeas and enjoy the exceptional views from your vantage point. Toast this incredible experience with a glass of sparkling wine while watching the sun set on the horizon.
October Timings
Sunday/Monday/Wednesday - 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
28is Oktovriou 42-44, Athina 106 82
Greece
Getting There ›
7
Temple of Zeus
The Temple of Zeus was an absolute architectural mammoth. The 15 surviving temple columns, measuring 6m (20ft) wide and 18m (59ft) tall give a sense of the extravagant scale of the original structure. Among other notable sites are the Themistoclean Wall, the Doric Temple of Apollo Delphinium, the Gate of Hadrian, etc.
October Timings
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM [Last entrance at 7:40 PM]
Athens 105 57
Greece
Getting There ›
8
Day trip to Delphi
Embark on a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Delphi, once deemed by the Greeks to be the center of the world. It houses the remains of the majestic Temple of Apollo, where the famed Oracle lived and made divine proclamations from. The religious sanctuary held a mystical aura during its heydays and it can still be felt to this day.
October Timings: Daily - 8:00 AM onwards
Events in October
Oxi Day
October 28th, 2023
The Oxi Day commemorates the historic day in 1940 when Greece officially entered World War II. On this national holiday, you will see locals taking to the streets in a sea of white and blue clothes waving their national flag and parading with marching bands. So, celebrate the patriotic fervor with the locals if you find yourself in Athens on that day.
29th Athens International Film Festival
September 27th - October 9th, 2023
The Athenian cinephile crowd is gearing up for the 29th International Film Festival (AIFF). To find out which is the hottest film of the season and to discover the rising stars in independent films, do attend the festival which is spread across the city of Athens at venues like Piraeus Municipal Theatre and the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron).
Athens October Essentials
LanguageGreek
Time zoneGMT+2
Country Code+30
Socket Type C & F
CurrencyEuro (€)
Weather
The pleasant, warm weather of 73°F (23°C) at the start of October gives way to a cooler temperature reaching 59°C (15°C) towards the end of the month. As the days go by, you will see increased precipitation. Plus, the water temperature gets too cold and makes swimming or sunbathing difficult, which is in direct contrast to the more agreeable temperature during the first two weeks of the month.
Athens Accommodation In October
It can be overwhelming to go through the plethora of options available in Athens for a comfortable stay while keeping your requirements, budget, occasion, and preferences in mind. We have curated a short list to help make your decision easier.
- Luxury - Divani Caravel, Azur Hotel, Grand Hyatt Athens .
- Moderate - Hotel Thissio, Athens 21, Heritage Hill Hotels .
- Budget - Phidias Hotel, Phaedra Hotel, Filopappou Hill Suites by Athens Stay .
What to pack
It is best to pack for both weather conditions. When the sun is out, especially in the first-half of the month, shorts, t-shirts, and loose dresses are most preferable. Carry sunglasses, hats, and caps for the outdoors. Moreover, bring warmer clothes like sweaters and long-sleeved jackets as it will come in handy during the evenings when there is a nip in the air. Lastly, pack your swimming costume to get some much-needed beach time before the cold weather settles in.
Getting around
Taxis - The taxi service works on a meter system and charges per kilometer. You can find many app-based yellow taxi services to use like Uber, Taxiplon, Radio Taxi,Ikaros, etc. But, TaxiBeat is the most widely-used app in Athens.
Metros - Metro is a very popular mode of transport in Athens as it is the quickest way around. The timings for the same are between 5 AM and midnight on weekdays and 5 AM to 3 AM during the weekends. Of all the metro lines, three are connected to the bus routes, tram, and suburban railway.
Airport - The international airport is located at a distance of nearly 20 kilometers. Metros and buses are the most economical options to travel to the airport. A third option is to use the Airport Express bus service, which is open 24x7.
Buses/TrolleyBuses - The bus and trolleybus services operate daily from 5 AM until midnight. It is advisable to confirm your route’s schedule on the given day as last-minute changes are fairly common.
Trains - The suburban railway works all days of the week from 4:30 AM until 11 PM.
Trams - The tram service is connected to the overground train and metro at the following 4 stops: Syntagma, Neos Kosmos, Syngrou/Fix, and SEF (Peace and Friendship Stadium in Faliro). The service operates every day starting from 5:30 AM to 1 AM. Only on Fridays and Saturdays, it runs till 2:30 AM.
Athens in October: Seasonal Delicacies
Grilled lamb chops are a local delicacy that should be on your must-have food list as it is nothing short of wholesome lip-smacking goodness! The lamb chops are marinated using fresh herbs, olive oil, lemon juice and then grilled to perfection. It is served with a side dish of either potatoes, salads, or tzatziki sauce.
Where to order: Kritikos in Leontario
The Greeks love their pies and the Spanakopita or the savory spinach pie is one of the best pies you will find in Greek gastronomy. This recipe calls for crispy layers of phyllo pastry to surround a hearty filling made with spinach, dill, spring onion, sweet leak, feta cheese, etc.
Where to order: Platanos Taverna in Diogenous 4
When in Greece, have a Greek salad! The quintessential salad exemplifies Greek flavors like nothing else. You can opt for basic ingredients like feta cheese, olives, and olive oil (the trademark of Greek cuisine) or go for more texture with tomatoes, onion, cucumber, and lettuce.
Where to order: Ella Greek Cooking in Mitropoleos
Keftedes is made with ground beef and/or lamb and flavored with the likes of fresh parsley, mint, and oregano. Serving it with tzatziki sauce and pita bread on a mezze platter is pretty customary in Greece. The local delicacy also tastes better with a serving of Moussaka, or with basmati rice and a simple Greek feta salad.
Where to order: Avli in Psirri
The buttery delight known as Galaktoboureko may be a mouthful to pronounce, but it is absolutely worth the effort. This pudding-like creation can best be described as a semolina custard baked inside filo pastry. With its rich and creamy texture, Galaktoboureko is indulgent to the core!
Where to order: Stani in Omonoia
Tips for Visiting Athens in October
- During your visit, plan more activities outdoors to take advantage of the mild, pleasant weather of October.
- Look out for amazing deals on ticket bookings and entry fees in the shoulder season of October.
- Do not make plans to drive around the city on Oxi day as the streets get taken over completely with national parades and related activities.
- Reserve your summer pastimes like swimming, snorkeling, etc. for the first two weeks of October as the water temperature drops significantly in the second-half, rendering it too cold for such activities.
- Learn some basic Greek phrases to better mingle with the locals.
Athens October Itinerary
Even if you're in Athens for only 24 hours, you can still cover all of the major attractions! Take a look at our Athens in 24 Hours Itinerary.
FAQs
The weather in Athens in October ranges between 23°C to 15°C. The weather is pleasant and warm, and one can expect rain too sometimes.
You can explore ancient attractions like The Acropolis and The Temple of Zeus or visit historical museums like the National Archaeological Museum and Benaki Museum. Enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and biking in the nearby national parks or take a food tour while your stay in Athens.
Be sure to pack comfortable shoes suitable for walking and sightseeing. Travel adapters are also recommended for charging your phone or electronics on the go.
Some of the events in October to look forward to are The Day of Ohi, The Pomegranate Festival and The Dreaming: Symposium 2023.
A great way to get around Athens is by Metro. The Athens metro has three lines that can take you from the city center to the suburbs and back with ease and speed.
