Rhodes · Month comparison
September vs May
May ranks #1 overall vs September at #2. The smart-traveller month — 24C, 10 hours sun, almost no rain, hotels at half summer rates.
September
#2 of 12 months
Best match
Probably the islands best month — sea at 26C, weather identical to August, prices dropping 30% mid-month.
- ↑Sea peaks at 26C — warmest of the year, often holds through end of September
- ↑Hotel rates drop 30-40% from mid-September as Northern European schools resume
May
#1 of 12 months
Best match
The smart-traveller month — 24C, 10 hours sun, almost no rain, hotels at half summer rates.
- ↑24C and 10 hours sun without summer humidity — best walking weather in the old town
- ↑Beach resorts fully open with 30-40% lower rates than June
| Factor | September | May |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 10 | 9 |
| Value score | 6 | 7 |
| Crowd score | 5 | 7 |
| Events score | 6 | 6 |
| Atmosphere | 10 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 29°C | 24°C |
| Monthly rain | 15mm | 15mm |
| Daily sunshine | 10hrs | 10hrs |
September trade-offs
- ↓First week still effectively August prices and crowds
- ↓Storm risk creeping back from last week — single days can wash out
May trade-offs
- ↓Sea still cooler than most expect — 19-20C, viable but no warmer than UK August
- ↓Meltemi wind picks up on the west coast from mid-May (Ixia and Ialyssos windy)
Scores compare months within Rhodes. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →