When to Go

Athens's nightlife shifts to the southern coast in the summer, typically from July through August. Après-ski town Arachova is the place to be in winter (though expensive), but it's only a stepping stone to Delphi in summer. Attica's northeastern coast is beautiful anytime, though in winter things can feel dead. In Delphi, be prepared to go head-to-head with the crowds and the heat in summer. The beaches, of course, are most enjoyable in full summer, but even chic and pricey Astir Beach gets engulfed by a rising tide of tourists. A much better time to visit is April to June, when wildflowers carpet the arid hillsides of Attica and the Marathon plain. September and October is another beautiful stretch since the sea remains warm, with temperatures that are still ideal for swimming.