Last Updated: January 3, 2024
Unsure whether it really does snow in Greece? If you’re visiting Greece during the winter months, you might be wondering if you’ll be lucky to witness some snow. Keep reading to find out not only if it does snow in Greece but also where you can go for your chance to see impressive snowfall.
Greece is a wonderful destination all year round and in this ultimate guide, you will find useful information on when, where, and how often does it snow in Greece.
We’ve created this article to make things easy for you and help you answer your question “Does it Snow in Greece?”. The truth is that you will experience quite a few sunny days even during the winter in the country but we feel that Greece is truly worth visiting during the winter. Without further ado, let’s dive in and answer that burning question, “does it snow in Greece?”.
DOES IT SNOW IN GREECE?
The quick answer to the question “does it snow in Greece?” is yes. Albeit, not all areas in Greece are fortunate enough to experience snowfall, but thankfully, there are plenty of places that are coated in snow during the winter months.
Generally, you’re more likely to see snow in the outskirts of Athens and in the mountainous areas in Greece. Normally, Athens does get a few inches of snow almost every year, so if you’re eager to experience Greece during this magical time but you don’t want to venture too far from the capital, then you won’t get disappointed.
WHERE DOES IT SNOW IN GREECE?
By this time, you’re probably wondering “where does it snow in Greece?”. If heavy snow is what you’re after, then your safe bet will be the regions located in the northern parts of Greece. Most of the areas mentioned below are off the beaten path and no one talks about them. But, trust me when I say that you’ll be rewarded with more snow and a fairytale landscape!
Although it certainly does snow in Athens, you’re much more likely to see frozen rain or experience low temperatures here, as well as in most Greek islands such as Santorini and Crete. The answer to your question “does it snow in Greece?” is still a “yes” and we will expand below on where in Greece it snows.
WHERE DOES IT SNOW IN GREECE? – Arachova, Viotia
Arachova is a picturesque village located in Viotia, primarily known for the ski resort at Mt. Parnassus; one of the most famous winter destinations in Greece. When someone asks me “does it snow in Greece?”, Arachova is the first destination that comes to mind. For your chance to experience snow in Greece, head over to Arachova between the months of December and April. Be sure to also visit Delphi, one of the most important archeological sites in the world. Arachova has been welcoming ski-goers and celebrities for many years so it is without a doubt one of the best places to see snow in Greece.
WHERE DOES IT SNOW IN GREECE? – Kalavryta, Achaea
You will find the charming village of Kalavryta in the Achaea region, in Peloponnese, Greece. The village welcomes visitors throughout the year but during the winter is particularly popular. Kalavryta Ski Center is the second closest to Athens, one of the reasons why this wonderful destination is one of our go-to answers for “where does it snow in Greece?”.
Imagine skiing and swimming on the same day. Yes, in Kalavryta, it is possible to do both, although admittedly the swimming is for the brave ones. We highly recommend that you visit the nearby seaside town of Diakopto and enjoy a few hours by the sea before you make your way to the snowy slopes of Kalavryta.
WHERE DOES IT SNOW IN GREECE? – Meteora, Thessaly
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora is one of the most unique destinations in Greece. Meteora generally sees snowfall levels of a mere few inches during December and January. Although this isn’t a massive amount, you’re still likely to see a lot of snow on your travels to this area. Meteora in Greek means “elevated” and it was named after the awe-striking 6 monasteries perched on the hilltops, which give the impression as if they’re elevated midair. The landscape in Meteora is so extraordinary, it resembles a scene from a fantasy movie.
Do not hesitate to add Meteora to your list of places to visit if you’re wondering “where does it snow in Greece?”.
WHERE DOES IT SNOW IN GREECE? – Metsovo, Epirus
Situated in the foothills of the Pindus mountain range, Metsovo is a small village of unparalleled beauty. Underrated as it may be, Metsovo is one of the best destinations that comes to mind when answering the question “where does it snow in Greece?”. It is an ideal destination to visit if you want to see snow in Greece. Also, a superb place to get acquainted with the culture of the Vlach people. Vlachs are a native ethnic group of people, descendants from the Balkans who settled down in Northern Greece over the centuries.
Visitors are drawn to Metsovo from all over Greece, especially during the winter when the village is covered in snow.
WHERE DOES IT SNOW IN GREECE? – Ioannina, Epirus
Ioannina is one of my favorite Greek towns! It is located in the northwest of Greece, in the Epirus region, and sits on the shores of Lake Pamvotis. Having the beautiful lake on one side and the imposing mountains on the other, Ioannina is one of the most picturesque towns in Greece. Despite Ioannina’s location and the fact that it is surrounded by mountains, this picture-perfect town sees only a few inches of snow during the wintertime. With that being said, Ioannina is one of the most ideal places that comes to my mind when someone asks “where does it snow in Greece?”.
If heavy snowfall is what you’re after, then be sure to check out Zagori villages which are located a little over an hour by car from Ioannina. That’s the great part about Ioannina, that it combines all the benefits of being in a rather large town and offers a lot of options for short road trips in the surrounding villages.
WHERE DOES IT SNOW IN GREECE? – Crete Island
You’re probably surprised that we’ve included an island in this list. The truth is that Crete is one of the most famous Greek islands to visit in winter. The landscape in Crete is so diverse that you can enjoy snowy mountaintops one day and the next, benefit from warm temperatures by the seaside. I grew up in Crete, Greece and ever since I remember, my family would drive up to the mountains every year during the early days of January so we could enjoy the snow. It comes as no surprise that Crete is one of our top recommended destinations when someone asks the question “where does it snow in Greece?”.
Cretans are the most hospital people in Greece, so expect an honest Greek welcome to be extended, by most locals. Our suggestion, if you’re wondering “where does it snow in Greece?”, venture off-the-beaten-path and visit the Cretan villages perched in the mountains. This will give the opportunity to see snow and get a glimpse of the true Cretan culture. Be sure to try Raki (local spirit), snails, and Cretan Dakos. I am almost certain that you will fall in love with Cretan cuisine! So much so, that you’ll be seeking the recipes so you can cook the dishes back home.
WHERE DOES IT SNOW IN GREECE? – Kastoria, Macedonia
We saved the best for last. Kastoria is our top suggestion for “where does it snow in Greece?”. Winters in Kastoria are bone-chilling with temperatures frequently dropping as low as -15C!
Not all winter destinations in Greece are fortunate enough to see snow often, but how can we not include Kastoria on this list when it does most certainly guarantee snowfall every year?
The town turns into a winter wonderland from November to March. However, December is the best time to visit, when Kastoria sees an average snowfall of 2.5 inches. Kastoria is an excellent place for singles, couples, and families alike who are looking for the best destination in Greece with snow, as it is packed with traditional cafes (kafeneio), cozy tavernas, and plenty of winter activities to do. What’s more, in Kastoria you will find one of the most beautiful lakes in Greece! That’s right, Lake Orestiada adds even more charm to the already scenic landscape of Kastoria, which makes this Greek winter destination simply irresistible.
Here they are, our top suggestions to the question “does it snow in Greece?”. Although there is an abundance of wonderful locations where you can find snow in Greece, the above are our most favorite destinations.
We understand that very few places can compete with the beauty of the Greek islands, such as the likes of Santorini but we strongly believe that Greece is definitely worth visiting in winter and exploring its rugged off-the-beaten-path destinations.
