Best time to visit Crete

• “April to June, plus September and October, is best for mild weather” lonelyplanet.com
• “go to Crete in late May, June, or September” santorinidave.com
• “The best time to visit is late spring (April–May) and fall (Sept–Oct).” ricksteves.com

5 of the 9 travel guides we read name these months.

1. January60°F / 51°FChecking fares…January is cool and rainy with occasional sun; snow dusts the White Mountains.Epiphany on 6 January has swimmers retrieving a cross from icy water.January is olive harvest season.
2. February61°F / 51°FChecking fares…February is cool and damp with some sunny days; Rethymno holds Carnival.February weather is much like January, and both are not among the best times to visit.
3. March63°F / 53°FChecking fares…March is mild with less rain and mostly sunny days.March and April suit travelers who want pleasant weather without crowds.
4. Best timeApril68°F / 58°FChecking fares…Orthodox Easter is the most important religious date, with processions and fireworks.Beachside tavernas and clubs begin opening right after Orthodox Easter.Crete comes alive in April, with sunshine over 10 hours a day and rain on two to four days.
5. Best timeMay74°F / 64°FChecking fares…The Samaria Gorge reopens in May.May is the first month with truly great weather, averaging around 75°F.Crowds start to build from May but remain below summer levels.
6. Best timeJune79°F / 71°FChecking fares…All beaches fully open in June and the water warms quickly.June is hot and sunny with minimal rain, and one source calls it the best month.
7. July83°F / 77°FChecking fares…July and August are the peak months: scorching heat, warmest sea, and the busiest, priciest island.Iraklio’s Summer Arts Festival runs from July to mid-September.
8. August83°F / 77°FChecking fares…August has village festivals, and everything stops on 15 August for the Feast of the Assumption.Strong winds late in August can delay or cancel ferries.
9. Best timeSeptember80°F / 72°FChecking fares…September is described as a fabulous month for beachgoing, with the water still warm.Most attractions keep summer hours until 1 November, so September and October suit sightseeing.
10. Best timeOctober74°F / 66°FChecking fares…Beach businesses start to close in October, though churches and museums stay open.Many tourist resorts start closing down by October.
11. November69°F / 61°FChecking fares…November is the raki season, with fresh batches produced all month.November is cooler and rainy with some sun.
12. December64°F / 55°FChecking fares…December is cool and damp, and the wettest month on average.Christmas is generally low-key and cozy.

Weather: Heraklion averages (2007 to 2024 averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

What months can you swim in Crete?

Water temperatures are best at 23°C or above from June to October; the warmest weather runs late May to early October.

What month is the best weather in Crete?

One guide says the warmest weather is between late May and early October.

• Best Beaches in Crete8 places
• Best Places to Visit in Crete19 places

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