WHEN TO VISIT THE SPORADES ISLANDS

Average Max. Temp.
in the Sporades		 Average days
of sunshine
Month C F No Clouds Some Clouds
April 18.0 64.4 9.3 15.0
May 22.4 72.3 12.9 16.1
June 26.7 80.0 18.1 10.7
July 28.6 83.4 25.0 05.0
August 28.4 83.1 24.4 06.3
September 25.0 77.0 15.4 12.8
October 20.7 69.2 10.1 15.2
Lefkada TownDuring the months of April and May, the islands are carpeted with a profusion of wild flowers, such as poppies, wild irises and freesias. The weather is mainly sunny and warm, with occasional showers, and cool evenings.

The sea is usually cool and warms up towards the mid of May. There is a feeling of activity and excitement as everyone prepares for the summer season ahead. In April, the Greek orthodox Easter festivities are definitely worth experiencing. April and May are ideal months for walking, painting and all special interest holidays.

By June, the sun has become hotter, although the countryside is still fresh and verdant, and there are still flowers to be found. The sea becomes warmer too, and all bars, tavernas and other facilities are functioning. The islands are still fairly quiet as most of the tourists have still not arrived, making June a good time to visit.

From mid July onwards, the islands fill up and August is the busiest month of the year. The air and sea temperatures reach their peak and evenings are warm, although some respite is offered by the strong winds known as ΄meltemia΄.

By September the islands begin to return to their quiet self although most of the tavernas, bars and clubs are still open, and there are enough people around for there to be a lively atmosphere in the towns. The countryside is still beautiful, as the wild pink cyclamens appear and the bracken and foliage turn golden. The weather becomes a little cooler, and there is an increased risk of showers, especially as October draws nearer, but this is still a good time to swim and enjoy the sun before the winter. Towards the second half of October, tavernas and most other facilities begin to close down.

WHEN TO VISIT THE IONIAN ISLANDS

Month Av. Sun
(hours)		 High Temp
(oC)		 Low Temp
(oC)		 Sea Temp
(oC)		 Rain
(mm)
January 4 14 13 15 13
February 5 15 13 15 11
March 7 16 14 14 9
April 7 19 15 17 7
May 9 23 18 21 5
June 10 28 22 23 2
July 12 31 23 25 1
August 11 32 24 27 1
September 9 28 23 24 5
October 6 23 21 22 9
November 4 19 17 19 12
December 2 16 14 16 15

May
Early during the month May you will find deserted beaches and quiet Tavernas. Flowers cover the hillsides in abundance and a show off a fresh looking Ionian Islands - after a winter of recuperation. Walking paths may be a little overgrown - making the coastal paths a little difficult. Weather wise expect daytime temperatures in the lower 20's. By the second half of May the weather is more settled and the tavernas and beaches slowly start filling up. Daytime temps are in the mid 20’s but the evenings can be cool so be sure to bring a jumper.

June
Early June sees the Ionians at its best – the beaches and tavernas are busier but are not yet crowded. Beautiful warm days enjoy temps reaching the mid 20’s. The evenings are beginning to warm up but again a jumper may be needed especially if you plan to use the evening water taxis to move around. The second half of June becomes a little busier and hotter. The weather is now settled and day temps of low 30's with warm evenings. Beaches now quite busy - especially weekends with locals. The Tavernas are now buzzing. The sea is warm and afternoon breezes help cool things down after a hot day.

July
July is possibly the hottest and busiest month for the Ionian Islands. The early part of the month sees daytime temperatures of low to mid 30's. Evenings are warm. Without air-conditioning it may be difficult to sleep. Glorious sunny days give way to busy beaches and packed Tavernas. The sea is warm and settled. During the evening the cicadas chirp. The second half of July brings the daytime temperatures up to the mid 30's consistently - and evening temperatures not much less! Occasionally the daytime temperature will reach the 40's - not for the faint hearted! High humidity may make it feel even hotter! To find a table at the tavernas you will need to book. The sea is like a bath!

August
Early August sees daytime temperatures mid 30's to 40 - with high humidity. Evenings are warm and humid. The islands are at their peak season and are typically full to capacity. The last half of the month with the highest temperatures and humidity make tropical storms likely. These flash storms usually only last for a few hours. The clouds suddenly blot out the sun and the rain hammers down. A few hours later the sun may emerge. The sea is not as settled as a result during the last few days of August and after any rain the sea temperature is a little cooler.

September
Early September is a particularly lovely time to visit the Ionian Islands with daytime temperatures around the 30's. Evenings are still warm but occasionally a jumper will be required late at night. The days are hot. The beaches are still busy, but lacking the children and large parties that dominate during August. The sea is warm. Temperatures drop to the mid 20’s during the last half of September. Beaches are quieter and the tavernas more sedate! Evenings become cooler and a jumper will be needed for the hardier who wish to eat outside. The early evenings are crisp and offer clear views across the sea.

October
Early in October the daytime temperatures are usually in the mid 20's. The sun is now lower in the sky making crystal clear, light blue skies with warming rays. Rain is of course a possibility this late into the season. Evenings will feel cool and require a jumper - especially if you have spent the day sunbathing on the beach. The sea is still sufficiently warm for swimming - having had all summer to warm up, it takes several months to cool down. The landscape returns to its lush green state after the punishing summer. In the last half of the month, the temperatures drop to the low 20’s and many tavernas and bars start to close. Evenings can be cold and only the hardy will eat outside after the sun has set at about 6pm.

Thalpos Holidays Note
The month of October does see some rain – though usually only a few days per month. Be sure to choose your accommodation carefully to ensure it is warm during the night and has somewhere to sit should it rain. For us, October can be one of the Ionian’s finest months. The beaches are deserted; the tavernas are quiet and the days are clear with stunning views. As an added bonus, flights and villa prices are at their lowest. If you are prepared to risk the chance of rain, October is an option that should be considered.