7 Greek Destinations for the Fall That Will Have You Booking Your Trip

There is a notion that Greece is only to be visited when the sun is at its fiercest and the beaches are at capacity. We would put it to you that this is a mistake.

In truth, fall is perhaps one of the more underrated times to make your way to Greece. The summer’s intensity gives way to something far more manageable.

Mountain villages take on a golden hue, the historic towns are quieter, and you can put in some good miles on a hiking trail or sit down to a long meal without the midday heat making it uncomfortable.

Then there are the islands, lovely as they are, but they are hardly the only places of interest in the country.

Whether you are after ancient ruins, a vibrant city or a dramatic mountain range, we have put together 7 Greek destinations ideal for a fall trip. Some are well known; others have been surprisingly missed by international visitors. For an autumn holiday with a bit of a different feel, these should do the trick.

1. Meteora

It does not get much more dramatic than Meteora.

You will see sandstone formations of immense size jutting up from the ground with old monasteries perched above them. While it is a remarkable sight in any season, the fall brings its own atmosphere. With the temperature down, the hiking trails and vantage points are far more pleasant to cover. The forests in the vicinity are changing color, which stands out against the gray of the rock pillars.

The monasteries are the obvious draw, but do not just putter from one viewpoint to the next behind the wheel. Take your time and put in some walking. An early morning is worth it for the spectacle: the first light on the countryside and monasteries while the mist is still between the rocks.

If you have done the Greek islands and want a change of pace, Meteora is the place to be.

Best for: A memorable escape for couples, as well as history, nature and photography.

2. Zagori

Make for the north to Zagori if you want to see what Greece can be at its most atmospheric.

Set in the Pindus Mountains of Epirus, this is the home of traditional stone villages, old arched bridges and some of the finest mountain scenery around. One could make a case for fall being the best time to come here. The cooler weather puts the hiking in a different league to the summer months and the forests are ablaze with color.

The Vikos Gorge is a must for the more adventurous type of traveler. In villages like Papigo or Monodendri you will find cobbled paths, stone houses and cafés that put the crowded islands to shame. And the food is no slouch either; this is where you find the hearty regional fare, local cheeses and pies that are all the better when the air turns cool.

Put simply, if your idea of a proper Greek vacation includes fireplaces and traditional villages, keep Zagori high on the list.

3. Pelion

Consider Pelion, a spot in central Greece where you can be in a colorful mountain forest in the morning and at the sea by afternoon.

The peninsula has a way of working in any season, but there is a particular charm to it in autumn. You have the lush mountains, the winding roads and the beaches. Places like Makrinitsa and Portaria are favorites for their stone architecture and the view of the Pagasetic Gulf from the balconies.

By October the drives through the hills are very scenic. It is not a place for the hard-charging sightseer. You might explore a village, have lunch at a taverna and then put in a hike before you settle in to look over the sea. In many ways it is several Greek holidays in one.

Best for: Food lovers, road trips and those who want their mountains and sea in equal measure.

4. Nafplio

When it comes to a romantic and effortless fall day, you will not do better than Nafplio.

This elegant town in the Peloponnese has all the right ingredients: neoclassical buildings, a waterfront full of good restaurants and cafés, and narrow streets to wander. The autumn chill makes it the perfect excuse to get a little lost in the old town.

Why not make the climb up to Palamidi Fortress to take in the Argolic Gulf and Nafplio from above? Then head back down for an afternoon coffee. You could do worse than Nafplio as a base for a history-minded trip; the town is ideally placed to put some of Greece’s key archaeological sites within easy reach, such as Mycenae and Epidaurus.

Then there is the matter of pace. In the fall one is not under the same pressure to make the most of every beach day as in the height of summer. A stroll, a meal, some exploration and another coffee is about as good an itinerary as you will find in Nafplio.

Best for: weekend trips, food and architecture, romantic getaways, and a bit of history.

5. Thessaloniki

Do not write off Thessaloniki if your idea of a Greek city break is more appealing than a rural retreat. As the country’s second-largest city it has an energy to it that is all the more enjoyable once the stifling heat of summer is a thing of the past.

Make for the waterfront and head in the direction of the White Tower, or put in some time in Aristotelous Square and the older parts of town. With its mix of Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and modern elements, you will find something to pique your interest at nearly every turn.

But then again, the food is perhaps the main draw. Thessaloniki has built up a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest food cities in Greece. You will find traditional fare with a nod to the city’s multicultural past, and the bars and restaurants have no trouble keeping the streets animated late into the night.

It is the sort of place where you can put in hours on foot without overheating, call in at a museum or two and have a proper dinner and drinks to end the day. Being so well connected to the north of Greece, it also serves as a fine point of departure for the wider area.

Best for: culture, shopping, nightlife, food and any city break.

6. Monemvasia

There is a quality to Monemvasia that is almost cinematic. The medieval town is perched on a massive rock, linked to the rest of the world by little more than a causeway. Go through the old gate and you might as well be in another era.

Inside the town there are no cars to contend with, which makes for a pleasant walk along the stone streets that meander between the churches and small shops. Fall is the time to come here when the weather is agreeable for making your way around the fortress. Put in some time in the upper part of the settlement for a view of the Myrtoan Sea and to see the stonework turn golden at sunset.

For those who want to avoid the usual Athens-and-islands circuit, this is a fine choice. It is historic but not like an open-air museum, and romantic in a way that does not feel contrived.

Best for: unique weekend escapes, photography, couples and lovers of history and architecture.

7. Crete

Some island had to be included, and Crete is worth it.

Being the largest of them all, it is far from being just a beach. There is enough here to occupy you for weeks. The fall season means you can have warm days without the worst of the summer intensity or the crowds.

You might wander the old town of Chania, see the site of Knossos in Heraklion, or drive out to the mountain villages for a hike and a long meal of some of the better regional cooking. September is still very much like summer if you are after a swim, while October is preferable for those wanting to balance some sea time with other pursuits.

The appeal of Crete in the autumn is the latitude it gives you. Hire a car and head up the mountain roads to a local taverna or a beach that would be swamped in July and August. It is what you go to for a little of everything.

Why Greece in the fall?

It is a common error to think of the country as having only one season. Summer is fine, but the fall is different.

The walking and hiking are more comfortable, the popular spots are not so packed and there is a certain ease to the restaurants and attractions.

The mountains and forests are putting on their autumn colours.

More than anything, it is an opportunity to see the gorges, the castles and the lively cities, not to mention the cuisine, rather than simply the beaches. These are the places to have on your list for the coming months.

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