Athens in March: Weather, Crowds and What to Do

March suits travelers who plan to see Athens on foot. The coldest stretch of winter is over, poppies and daisies are coming up around the ancient monuments and neighborhoods, and the big crowds haven't arrived yet.

What is the weather like in Athens in March?

March weather is a mixed bag. Cold, gray, rainy days alternate with bright ones, and sunny spells become more common toward the end of the month. Daytime is pleasant for strolling and comfortable at the Acropolis, with none of summer's heat. Mornings, evenings and nights stay chilly. The sea is still too cold for swimming.

Is March a good time to visit Athens?

For most travelers, yes. Tourists start arriving around the middle of the month and keep coming through the end of it, yet the Acropolis and the museums stay far calmer than in June and July. You'll share the Parthenon with other visitors, just without the crush on the stones and in your photos.

Prices are still off-season, too. Hotels often run off-season or shoulder-season deals that can take up to half off the usual rate, and airfare tends to be well below spring and summer levels.

Sights, museums, restaurants and markets are open, and the city varies little from one neighborhood to the next, so you can stay in many areas and still find good food nearby. Some archaeological sites keep limited hours early in the season. The Ancient Agora, with its Stoa of Attalos, is a site worth putting high on your list, and since its opening times can be limited early in the season, it helps to check hours before you head out.

How does March compare with February and April?

February is the cooler, grayer neighbor. The main sights are open and crowds are thin, but sunny days are fewer, rain is likely and the mood is more winter than spring. Its highlight is Carnival, the weeks of costume parades, feasting and dancing before Lent.

April is when exploring gets easy. Days are warmer and longer, the skies and views tend to be clear, and it's a peak time for the Acropolis while crowds are still below summer levels. Greek Orthodox Easter usually falls in April, sometimes in May, and is the biggest celebration of the year across the country. Hotels book up around it, so reserve well ahead if your dates touch Easter week.

March offers much of April's feel at lower prices and with more elbow room. You trade away some warmth and some sunshine.

What is there to do in Athens in March?

Start at the Acropolis with the Parthenon and the Old Temple of Athena, then add Hadrian's Library, near Monastiraki station. Clear days also suit a bike ride past the historic sights. Save the museums for gray days, since several of them have pretty cafés worth a stop. With kids, head to Flisvos Marina in Palio Faliro, whose waterfront cafés, parks and play areas draw local families on weekends.

The calendar adds plenty of local life. Carnival parades and street parties can carry on into early March. Clean Monday, the start of Lent, usually falls in March and sometimes in late February. Locals fly kites and spread out meat-free picnics, and the sky fills with color. March 25 is both Greek Independence Day and the Feast of the Annunciation, marked by a military parade in the city center, marching bands and flag-waving crowds. A classic way to mark the day is with bakaliaro-skordalia, which is salt cod in batter served with a garlicky sauce. The Athens Half Marathon is an event some visitors build a trip around, whether they want to run or cheer.

Day trips work well in this mild weather. Delphi holds the Sanctuary of Apollo, seat of the oracle at the site Greeks once saw as the center of the world. The Attica wine region is the home of retsina, with vineyard visits at estates such as Strofilia and Papagiannakos, plus food tours. Down the coast, the Athens Riviera has the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion and Lake Vouliagmeni, whose mineral waters are fed by warm underground currents and stay warm all year, so you can swim there while the sea is still cold.

Can you visit the Greek islands in March?

You can, but it's early. Most of the touristy resorts open in May, beachside facilities are closed, and few restaurants and hotels are running. The towns feel sleepy, which some visitors enjoy as a look at everyday island life. Santorini, Paros and Naxos start hosting visitors earlier than most, and Naxos has tavernas open this time of year.

Ferries serve the islands all year, because islanders depend on them. Tourist routes are another matter: there is no ferry between Mykonos and Santorini from late October until mid-March. March timetables usually come out in December or January, so check them, along with the official Greek sites for the Cyclades, before you commit to an island-hopping plan. If Greek beaches are what's driving the trip, wait until later in spring.

What should you pack for Athens in March?

Layers win. Bring a warm, waterproof jacket for chilly nights and rainy days, a sweater for evenings, and comfortable shoes with good grip, because the Acropolis involves a lot of slopes and stairs. Bring a refillable water bottle for the climb, since drinks at the kiosk outside the entrance can be pricey. A swimsuit is handy if you plan a dip in Lake Vouliagmeni.

What do Americans need to know before traveling to Greece?

U.S. citizens can enter Greece without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism or business. Your passport should have at least three months of validity beyond your planned departure date, and a passport reported lost or stolen will not get you in. Be ready to show proof of sufficient funds and a return or onward ticket if asked.

Greece is a generally safe destination, though petty crime is common in tourist areas, and pickpockets work the metro. Strikes and demonstrations can halt public transportation, taxis, ports and airports with little notice, so build some slack into travel days. The Athens metro and airport are fully accessible with ramps and elevators. Validate your metro ticket, because riding without a valid one can bring a fine of up to 60 times the basic fare.