The best time to visit Rhodes is May, June, or September, when the island offers warm, dry weather and a swimmable sea without the intense heat and heaviest crowds of July and August.
Rhodes’ Long, Dry Mediterranean Summer
Rhodes sits at the southeastern edge of the Aegean, giving it one of Greece’s sunniest, driest climates: virtually no rain falls between June and August, and the island averages well over 300 sunny days a year. Winters are mild by European standards but bring the bulk of the island’s modest annual rainfall, concentrated into a handful of wetter months.
Rhodes Weather by Month
The chart below shows average high and low temperatures, monthly rainfall, and sea temperature for Rhodes town and the island’s east coast, based on long-term climate normals.
Jan
(59°/48°F)
12 rainy days
Sea Temp. 17°C
Feb
(59°/48°F)
10 rainy days
Sea Temp. 16°C
Mar
(63°/50°F)
7 rainy days
Sea Temp. 17°C
Apr
(68°/55°F)
4 rainy days
Sea Temp. 18°C
May
(75°/63°F)
2 rainy days
Sea Temp. 20°C
Jun
(82°/70°F)
1 rainy days
Sea Temp. 23°C
Jul
(86°/75°F)
0 rainy days
Sea Temp. 25°C
Aug
(86°/75°F)
0 rainy days
Sea Temp. 26°C
Sep
(82°/72°F)
2 rainy days
Sea Temp. 25°C
Oct
(75°/64°F)
6 rainy days
Sea Temp. 23°C
Nov
(68°/59°F)
9 rainy days
Sea Temp. 21°C
Dec
(63°/52°F)
12 rainy days
Sea Temp. 19°C
| Month | Avg. High | Avg. Low | Rainfall | Rainy Days | Sea Temp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 15°C / 59°F | 9°C / 48°F | 130 mm | 12 | 17°C |
| Feb | 15°C / 59°F | 9°C / 48°F | 90 mm | 10 | 16°C |
| Mar | 17°C / 63°F | 10°C / 50°F | 55 mm | 7 | 17°C |
| Apr | 20°C / 68°F | 13°C / 55°F | 25 mm | 4 | 18°C |
| May | 24°C / 75°F | 17°C / 63°F | 10 mm | 2 | 20°C |
| Jun | 28°C / 82°F | 21°C / 70°F | 3 mm | 1 | 23°C |
| Jul | 30°C / 86°F | 24°C / 75°F | 1 mm | 0 | 25°C |
| Aug | 30°C / 86°F | 24°C / 75°F | 1 mm | 0 | 26°C |
| Sep | 28°C / 82°F | 22°C / 72°F | 8 mm | 2 | 25°C |
| Oct | 24°C / 75°F | 18°C / 64°F | 55 mm | 6 | 23°C |
| Nov | 20°C / 68°F | 15°C / 59°F | 110 mm | 9 | 21°C |
| Dec | 17°C / 63°F | 11°C / 52°F | 140 mm | 12 | 19°C |
Peak Season (July-August): Hot, Sunny, and Crowded
July and August bring Rhodes’ hottest, driest weather, with highs around 30C (86F) and essentially no rain. It’s also peak tourist season, when Rhodes Town’s Old Town and the island’s best beaches see the largest crowds and highest prices of the year.
Shoulder Season (May-June, September): The Sweet Spot
Late spring and early autumn offer nearly the same reliable sunshine as midsummer, with warm-but-not-scorching temperatures and a sea that’s comfortably swimmable from May through well into autumn. Crowds and prices both drop noticeably compared to peak summer, making this the preferred window for many repeat visitors.
Winter (November-March): Rhodes’ Wettest, Quietest Months
Winter brings the majority of Rhodes’ annual rainfall along with cooler temperatures, and many seasonal hotels and restaurants outside Rhodes Town close entirely. It’s by far the cheapest and quietest time to visit, appealing mainly to travelers focused on history and the Old Town rather than beach time.
Checking Conditions Before You Go
Because most of Rhodes’ rain is concentrated into a few winter months while summer stays reliably dry, a live rain map is most useful for shoulder-season and winter trips, helping you time a walk through the Old Town or a day at the beach around any passing showers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to visit Rhodes?
May, June, and September offer the best balance: warm, mostly dry weather, a swimmable sea, and noticeably thinner crowds than the July-August peak.
What is the rainiest month in Rhodes?
December is the wettest month, averaging around 140mm of rain across 12 rainy days, though even winter rain tends to fall as scattered showers rather than sustained downpours.
Does Rhodes have a long swimming season?
Yes. Sea temperatures stay above 20C (68F) from roughly May through November, one of the longest swimmable seasons in the Aegean.
Is Rhodes hot in August?
Yes, August is the hottest month, with highs around 30C (86F) and virtually no rain, though the Aegean’s meltemi winds often make the heat feel more manageable than mainland Greece.
Is Rhodes busy in the shoulder season?
Considerably less so than peak summer. May, June, and September still offer excellent weather with meaningfully smaller crowds and lower hotel prices.
What is the cheapest time to visit Rhodes?
November through March, outside the main tourist season, offers the lowest prices, though many hotels and restaurants outside Rhodes Town reduce hours or close entirely.
In Conclusion
For the best mix of sunshine, warmth, and manageable crowds, aim for May, June, or September. Peak summer guarantees dry skies but comes with real trade-offs in heat, cost, and crowding.
