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Weather in Crete

The Weather in Crete - below you can see the weather for Crete for today, this is a completely up-to-date temperature.

You can also see the forecast for the next seven days, with highest and lowest expected temperatures.

CRETE WEATHER

Weather in Crete

Looking for some sun?

Our beautiful island of Crete has contrasting seasons, an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, snow on the mountains in winter and a glorious explosion of wildflowers in spring.

Are you planning a trip? When is the best time to visit Crete?

Summer months are July and August
Summer is extremely hot, with temperatures in the high 30 to 40 °C (100 °F)
The best times to visit are early spring and late summer/autumn
Spring is from April to June, these are good months to visit
Late summer and autumn are in September to November, these are good times to see Crete
Swimming temperatures are good from Easter until November

Tips here for the best time to visit Crete.

Weather in Crete

The spring months of April, May and June in Crete are blissful and ideal for exploring nature, walking in the mountains and gorges, sightseeing and swimming. With high temperatures averaging 20 °C or 67 °F, the nights can be cooler with averages of 14 °C or 58 °F. Sea temperatures warm quickly after May and June is perfect for swimming. The average sea temperatures are 19 °C or 66 °F.

Summer months of July and August are hot in Crete, with high temperatures averaging 26 °C or 78 °F and night time temperatures of 20 °C or 69 °F. Sea temperatures are 24 °C or 76 °F. There is little or no rain and wonderful sunshine each and every day, all the better to enjoy the hundreds of beaches in Crete.

The autumn months of September and October are a little cooler than the hottest months of summer yet still great for beach activities, all water activities and nature walks, hiking and exploring all over Crete. We do prefer autumn as the busy months of tourism are over and locals are more relaxed.

High temperatures average 21°C or 70 °F and night temperatures average 17 °C or 62 °F. Water temperatures average 23 °C or 74 °F, completely enjoyable for snorkelling, diving or just lazing around by sea. Hiking and walking are wonderful in these warm months.

Winter

From December to March is cold in Crete and it is time to head to the town to explore the history, tavernas and musicianship.

Locals are out harvesting olives, taking them to the press and bottling. Snow comes to the mountains and life slows down. In contrast to the rest of Europe, days are still sunny and relatively warm.

Without the crowds of summer it is refreshing to visit places all over Crete without the press of humanity on your shoulders. Ancient sites can be explored in an unhurried way, and really the most pleasant thing is that you can meet locals who have more time to talk and who will treat you as a valued visitor with true Cretan hospitality, rather than just a face in the milling throng of summer haze.

Of course the touristic resorts based on beachgoing do close down during this season, yet there is so much more to experience in Crete during this wonderful time, we cannot say strongly enough that you really must experience Kriti in winter.

Nea Chora Beach remains open and you will find plenty of villages with good tavernas fully operating, such as Armenoi, Drapanos, Kefalas, Kalives and Vamos.

Weather in Crete
The Story in Images

Wildflowers in Crete - flowers burst in the meadows in Spring from April to June

Balos Lagoon - Summer in Crete

Crisp clear days and chilly nights in the mountains of southern Heraklion in autumn - this is the view from Thalori Retreat

Crisp clear days and chilly nights in the mountains of southern Heraklion in autumn - view from Thalori Retreat

Crete in snow - Omalos Plateau in the White Mountains of Chania - winter is cold from December to February

Current Weather in Crete

The current weather in Crete with forecast and monthly average temperatures.

CRETE WEATHER

Accommodation by Season

Spring

In spring visit Knossos without the summer crowds. Knossos is located 5 km south of Heraklion. Stay in Achanes village, in The Old Stone House, in a traditional Cretan home with modern comforts, just 7 km from the archaeological site of Knossos.

Mera Beachfront Home - Falasarna Beach - Crete

Summer

In summer stay just a stone's throw from the beach at Falasarna. Mera Beachfront House sleeps 6 in rustic yet modern apartment with a beachy garden and views across the sea. This very affordable accommodation, with its own laid back quirky charm, is very popular and sells out quickly.

Autumn

In autumn hike in the White Mountains. Visit Omalos Plateau. Make Mike's Houses your home. Built in the local traditional style, with stone and wood, this mountain location is remote and best visited with a car. Wonderfully quiet and peaceful. Two homes sleeping 4 and 3 guests in warm comfort. Attentive service and local knowledge. 8 km to the entrance of Samaria Gorge. Also close to Agia Irini Gorge walk.

In autumn hike in the mountains of Heraklion, experience the crisp clean air of Thalori Retreat. This is a huddle of traditionally built houses in the scenic village of Kapetaniana in the Asterousia Mountains. Relish traditional cuisine in the stone and wood village restaurant with views across to the sea.

Winter

In winter visit the central mountains and the Arodamos Guesthouses - this family-run traditional Cretan home away from home is located 33 km from Heraklion on the fresh Livadi Plateau in the foothills of Psiloritis.

Here your whole family will be greeted by Yannis and Irini Tsikandilaki and treated to a real experience of Cretan farm life, with all modern comforts.