Whether you want to escape the relentless summer crowds or simply enjoy a more personal and laid-back experience, Greece in January has a multitude of activities to discover.
With bargain prices on flights and hotels, ancient monuments with no waiting lines, and generally pleasant sunny weather, Greece in January can feel like you have the whole country in the palm of your hand. The possibilities are endless, from sampling seasonal winter recipes such as stuffed lahanodolmades (a delicacy of generously stuffed cabbage rolls) or floating in invigorating thermal springs (such as the Pozar thermal baths).
Designing a trip to Greece in January offers the perfect opportunity to visit the various ancient monuments, mainland, and mountainous scenic villages. Whether you are riding the legendary steam train of Pelion or focusing on the thousands of museums and cultural visits, January is the perfect time to experience Greecehassle-free.
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Where to Go in Greece in January
Greece has no two locations that are the same, which is what makes it such a fascinating tourist destination. Travelling to the islands might help you escape rain and snow, depending on your preferences for the weather. On the mainland, however, the weather is often moderate, and the winter provides an excellent chance to see the numerous monuments and museums. Cities like Athens, where the Acropolis and other major sights are free of summer tourist hordes, are perfect destinations to immerse yourself in Greece’s rich, ancient history, which is all available on our 15-day highlights of Greece Tour.
Along with Athens, Thessaloniki is another example of a significant Greek city that offers a year-round experience with opportunities to experience authentic Greek culture and cuisine. The scenery in Greece can be mesmerising in the winter. The views are breathtaking at any time of year, but if you have an opportunity to view Meteora (one of the largest rock formations in the world, standing upon a cluster of cliffs and blanketed with snow), you will be gifted a memory that will last a lifetime.
What to Do / Best Places to Visit / Unique Experiences
Designer Journeys’ network of in-destination Local Designers will use their expert knowledge, local insight and travel planning skills to design your ultimate Greece experience. Begin designing your journey today! Athens, the capital of Greece, is a sprawling metropolis of high-rise blocks and buildings. Overlooking the city is the breath-standing Parthenon, a former temple carved in roman detail and formed by numerous pillars and towers. Not only is it one of the oldest cities in the entire world, being over 3,400 years old, but Athens is often considered to be the birthplace of western philosophy and classical art and architecture, and in the present day has a variety of trendy bars, cafes, and luxurious hotels. When visiting Athens, there are two stand-out museums, the Acropolis (which focuses on the findings of the Acropolis) and the National Archaeological Museum, both exhibitions that house up to eight thousand historical artefacts a year. You can experience the historical wonders of Athens as part of our 8-Day Athens, Pyros and Mykonos Tour. At any time of the year, Thessaloniki is a fascinating experience. The city is a vibrant representation of Greece, with many major archaeological sites and historical monuments to visit, every period of the city’s life is documented within its own museum, and it even has its own national park filled with wildlife, such as wild horses and water buffalo. If you are not visiting one of the city’s museums, you can climb the iconic White Tower and see a full view of the landscape and the rivers that flow through the city. Winter in Thessaloniki is a dream. Centuries-old ruins and relics from the eras gone by are all tied together by the city’s symbolic White Tower, which sits at the waterfront. Visit the iconic city of Thessaloniki in our 7-Day Athens, Thessaloniki and Crete Tour. For the ultimate travel inspiration, local insight straight from our expert Local Designers and exclusive offers you won’t find anywhere else from Designer Journeys, sign up today! Don’t miss out.
Pelion is a place that seemingly sits still in time. A natural paradise with charming stone-built villages dotted across mountain tops, it is the ideal destination for nature lovers. As it is less frequently visited by tourists, there are many opportunities to hike from village to village, with hiking trails crossing all over, that wind and lead to old monasteries, waterfalls, and hidden coves. You can choose to explore the mountainous villages and the vast nature that surrounds them, with Makrinitsa and Miles being standouts, or the museums of folk art, or you can also choose to ride the legendary steam train of Pelion, a train that dates back to the 19th century that helped form Pavilion, and has recently been restored for tourists to ride on. For those who are interested in arts and crafts, Souvenir Expo is Greece’s largest yearly souvenir tradeshow, providing market intelligence, retail store ideas, and artistic insight. Gifts and arts are the focus of this celebration, with many on display for visitors to admire. The exhibition showcases folklore from all across the globe and provides souvenirs for visitors. Informative talks and exhibitions about native cultures are given throughout the event. Souvenir Expo enables exhibitors from throughout the world to promote their products while also teaching about local folk art and crafts. Visitors may educate the public about communities and their practices. At the exhibitions, visitors may also purchase products that they learn about, it is an opportunity to be immersed in the arts and educated about the cultures that surround them. The Gynaikokratia Festival, a celebration of women’s rights, takes place in the Thrace area of North Greece, with women dancing, singing and rejoicing all over the streets. Women celebrate a day of freedom and celebration in pubs, town squares, and coffee shops on January 8th, while men choose to remain home. The celebration is hosted in communities around the Thrace area, including Charopo, Petra, and Monoklisia. It is a wonderful moment to witness the ladies of Thrace being recognised, whether you choose to participate in the ritual or just watch the festivities unfold. Designer Journeys’ network of in-destination Local Designers will use their expert knowledge, local insight and travel planning skills to design your ultimate Greece experience. Begin designing your journey today! January in Greece can be one of the coldest months of the year; despite this, temperatures can be mildly warm depending on where you visit (for example, the highest recorded temperature in Athens once recorded was 21°C) and are significantly higher than in many other European countries. In January, temperatures in Greece average 10°C, with highs of 13°C and lows of 7°C, so it is advisable to pack a variety of clothing and be prepared for shorts and jacket weather. The highest recorded temperature in Athens. Each day during the New Year has around three hours of sunlight, with an average rainfall of 40mm across nine rainy days. Whether you want to explore the ancient ruins of Greece’s oldest cities or lose yourself in the serenity of the mountain-top villages, Greece in January is the ideal holiday destination because there is an impressive array of monuments to see and places to travel at budget prices whilst avoiding the crowds of the high season. Making the most of the winter season means that you can see some of the world’s oldest and most iconic monuments whilst dining on signature winter cuisine. Whilst it may not be the sunniest time of year to travel, it is one that will give you the full experience. If you would like to customise your trip to Greece, you can visit our complete selection of tours and experiences and connect with our expert local designers, who will ensure your trip runs as smoothly as possible.Planning to Visit Greece?
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Things to Know Before You Go
