5 Reasons Why You Should Not Visit Greece This Summer

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Greece is an obvious choice for a European vacation, offering everything from history, culture, islands, mountains, and fantastic food and wine.

Although Greece is an ideal destination, it is becoming more and more populated, and the country and its historical sights are really feeling the effects.

For these reasons, a summer trip to Greece might not be the best idea at the moment.

One answer to the downsides of a summer trip to Greece used to be to wait until September to visit. Previously, a visit this month meant a great vacation with all the fun of summer but at a fraction of the price (not to mention fewer crowds).

However, it seems the secret is out, and now even September is booking up fast, with destinations like Athens showing a 73% increase in September bookings. So why not wait and visit in October when the weather is warm and the crowds are gone?

@katerinatheocharis Still an absolute favorite #mykonos #fun #crew #travel ♬ original sound – Mateo Rincon

Here are 5 reasons why you should not visit Greece this summer:

1. Overcrowding

With a record number of people traveling this summer, it should come as no surprise that Greece receives a large number of tourists. Even historic sites like the Acropolis are feeling the pinch and new measures are being put in place to help preserve the country’s historic culture in the face of overtourism.

One interesting thing is that waiting until September was once a safe bet and is no longer a surefire way to see fewer crowds and lower prices. As more and more tourists delay their trips to Greece until September, the likelihood of crowding increases.

So while Greece is, of course, an ideal vacation destination, your best bet is to wait until the crowds have really thinned out and head there in October. October is the perfect month as the weather is still warm enough for long sunny days and the water is warm enough for swimming.

Also, the prices are lower this month because it’s really the end of the season. A visit in July, August, or even September will result in little to no personal space, a stressful experience, and massive lines for everything.

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@lapetitewanderer The crowds in Santorini are insane 😅 #santorini #Santorini, Greece #challengesantorini #Greek islands #travelgreece #heard ♬ original sound – pandemic issues

2. Feeling hot, hot, hot

As temperatures rise and warmer weather drags on each year, what was once a nice hot summer spot has now become almost unbearable in some parts of the country.

Like most European cities, Athens has seen record temperatures in recent years; There’s nothing worse than climbing steps, exploring ancient sites, and fighting crowds in the sweltering heat.

Of course, the islands are a good place to go, but the temperatures are still high, making sleeping in your cute, authentic accommodation without air conditioning almost impossible.

3. High prices

It’s not a big surprise to learn that the peak tourist season in Greece, from June to August, is also the most expensive. A visit at this time will result in higher prices on everything from flights to drinks to water taxis to hotels and everything in between.

Prices go up about 50% for many things, and waiting until just after summer can result in huge savings.

@dani_making_memories There are definitely ways to cut down on the crowds and intense heat when visiting the Acropolis of Athens during the summer months! We loved this adventure! #Greece #travel tips ♬ original sound – Dani Edwards

4. No vacancies

With the increase in the number of tourists, finding accommodation is becoming more difficult. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for an Airbnb, a luxury hotel, or a hostel, chances are they’re mostly booked for when you want to stay this summer.

Of course, that means what is the left will be too expensive or not ideal. Although more accommodation has been opened in Greece to meet the demand, the number of properties is still below demand.

A crowd awaits tourists for the famous Santorini sunset

5. The (un)friendly skies

It’s not breaking news to report that flying right now is a nightmare for many reasons. Record crowds, understaffing, more turmoil, strikes and many other reasons combine to make air travel much more of a headache than it once was.

Save yourself the stress and avoid flying this summer if possible; Wait until fall, when most people have finished their travels. The likelihood of delays, rude passengers, and other annoyances is greatly reduced by traveling later in the year than in the height of summer.