Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit Crete
Greece's largest island, with Minoan palaces, Venetian harbour towns, mountain gorges and a long beach season.
Best time to visit: May–June and September–October for warm weather with fewer crowds; July and August are hottest.
Local tip: The north coast can be windy in summer (the meltemi); south-coast beaches are often calmer.
Getting around: Buses (KTEL) link the main towns; a hire car is best for gorges and remote beaches.
Good to know: The Samaria Gorge typically opens from spring to autumn, depending on conditions.
What to plan your trip around
- Knossos
The Minoan palace site near Heraklion.
- Samaria Gorge
A long hiking gorge in the White Mountains, open in the warmer months.
- Chania Old Town
A Venetian harbour with narrow lanes and waterfront tavernas.
- Elafonisi
A lagoon beach known for its pinkish sand.
Crete weather by month
Crete weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall Crete gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C | 12°C | 95 mm | 74% |
| February | 15°C | 12°C | 65 mm | 76% |
| March | 16°C | 13°C | 44 mm | 74% |
| April | 19°C | 15°C | 19 mm | 71% |
| May | 23°C | 18°C | 15 mm | 69% |
| June | 26°C | 22°C | 9 mm | 68% |
| July | 28°C | 24°C | 4 mm | 67% |
| August | 28°C | 25°C | 5 mm | 70% |
| September | 27°C | 23°C | 18 mm | 69% |
| October | 23°C | 20°C | 38 mm | 71% |
| November | 20°C | 17°C | 51 mm | 73% |
| December | 16°C | 13°C | 74 mm | 73% |
Crete through the year
January · 14° / 12°C · 95 mm
- Rain is above Crete's usual level, by about 161%.
- There's little difference between day and night (around 3°C).
April · 19° / 15°C · 19 mm
- April brings mid-spring to Crete.
- Days and nights are close, only about 4°C apart.
July · 28° / 24°C · 4 mm
- Rain is well below Crete's usual level (around 89% less).
- There's little difference between day and night (around 4°C).
October · 23° / 20°C · 38 mm
- Crete is usually about 2°C warmer than Tínos, 240 km away, in October.
- Days and nights are close, only about 3°C apart.
The best time to visit Crete is April, May and June, when average highs are 19–26°C and rainfall is around 14 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to Crete, season by season
December – February
Good15° / 12°C · 78 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
March – May
Best time19° / 15°C · 26 mm
Pleasant temperatures and relatively little rain: the best window for sightseeing and time outdoors.
June – August
Good27° / 23°C · 6 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Crete?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to Crete in April, May and June. Average highs are then 19–26°C.
- Why is April a good time to visit Crete?
- In April, Crete averages 19°C by day and 15°C at night, with about 19 mm of rain and 51% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in Crete?
- July is the warmest month in Crete, with average highs of 28°C and lows of 24°C.
- What is the coldest month in Crete?
- January is the coldest month in Crete: average highs of 14°C, dropping to 12°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in Crete?
- January is the wettest month in Crete with about 95 mm of rain. The driest is July, with around 4 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit Crete?
- January is the least reliable month in Crete, with around 95 mm of rain. Bring a rain jacket and keep a flexible plan.
- Is the shoulder season a good time to visit Crete?
- Yes. March sits just outside the best months for Crete, with average highs of 16°C and about 44 mm of rain a month. Weather-wise, it is a good alternative to the peak months.
- How can I check the weather in Crete before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for Crete from three independent weather services on WeatherCompare. When they agree, the forecast is more reliable.
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Best time to visit Crete. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/greece/crete
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/greece/crete">Best time to visit Crete</a> (WeatherCompare)
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