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Best time to visit Karpathos: month by month
Short answer
May, June and September are best, with warm weather, a warm sea and less wind than mid-summer. July and August bring the strong meltemi, which suits windsurfers at Afiartis but makes boat trips rough; there is almost no rain from June to September.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16°C | 12°C | 11 | low |
| Feb | 15°C | 11°C | 7 | low |
| Mar | 16°C | 12°C | 9 | low |
| Apr | 20°C | 14°C | 3 | low |
| May | 23°C | 18°C | 6 | medium |
| Jun | 26°C | 22°C | 2 | medium |
| Jul | 29°C | 24°C | 0 | high |
| Aug | 30°C | 25°C | 1 | very high |
| Sep | 28°C | 23°C | 0 | medium |
| Oct | 24°C | 20°C | 2 | low |
| Nov | 22°C | 17°C | 4 | low |
| Dec | 18°C | 14°C | 8 | low |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Mild and increasingly dry, with rain on only a few days a month by April and May; good for walking, with Easter celebrations in Olympos.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot, sunny and almost rainless; strong meltemi winds in July and August.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is warm, calm and dry; October is quieter; rain returns in November.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cool and wetter, with rain on about 7–11 days a month; many hotels close from November to April.
Events worth planning around
- Greek Orthodox Easter, a major festival in Olympos (March, April or May)
- Feast of the Assumption, with music and dancing in Olympos (15 August)
When to avoid
Avoid July and August if strong wind bothers you or you plan many boat trips; avoid November to April if you want open hotels and regular boats.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Karpathos?
May, June and September.
Is Karpathos windy?
Yes, very windy in July and August; Afiartis is a well-known windsurfing spot.
When are the Olympos festivals?
Easter and 15 August; book accommodation well ahead.