February 3, 2025, 6:38 am | Read time: 3 minutes
The weather on Crete is sunny all year round—but not everywhere. In summer, it is hot and dry. In the other seasons, the climate on Crete is divided: In the north and west it is cool and rainy, in the south and east the weather is warm and mostly dry. The seasons at a glance.
A recommendation for the best time to travel to Crete depends on your interests. A beach-only vacation is only worthwhile in the summer months, from June to mid-September. By then, it is almost too hot to hike through the Samaria Gorge or visit the many sights on Crete.
Crete is particularly beautiful in spring. From mid-March to the end of May, the plants are in bloom, and the island, which is actually quite barren, is green. From mid-April to mid-May, it is already quite warm on Crete, without being too hot. In the fall, from September to November, you can combine a beach vacation with excursions and hikes. In winter, only Crete fans and diehards travel to the island. It is chilly, many stores are closed, and it rains. Only in the south is the weather still mild and relatively dry.
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Best Time To Travel to Crete: An Overview of the Seasons
Weather and Climate on Crete in Spring
- March: Cool, rainy in the north, air: 14 to 16 degrees, 10 degrees at night, water: 16 to 17 degrees, little rain; perfect for hiking and mountain biking, many hotels and restaurants closed
- April: Mild around 20 degrees, cool at night, occasional rain, water: 16 to 17 degrees; low season; many things are still closed
- May: Start of the season, warm around 20 degrees, cool at night, hardly any rain, water: just under 20 degrees, spring blossom; perfect for hiking, excursions and occasional sunbathing
Crete’s Weather in Summer
- June: Start of the main season, very warm and dry, 28 degrees around 20 degrees at night, water: 22 degrees; still good for hiking and excursions
- July: Hot and dry, average 29 degrees, over 20 degrees at night, water: almost 25 degrees; good for beach vacations on Crete
- August: Very hot and dry, sometimes over 30 degrees, over 20 degrees at night, water: 25 degrees; perfect for a beach vacation
The Weather on Crete in Fall
- September: Still very warm and dry at the beginning, almost 25 degrees in the second half of the month, water: 24 degrees
- October: Just under 25 degrees, below 20 degrees at night, water: 22 degrees, occasional rain; end of the season, perfect for combining hikes, excursions and the beach
- November: Still warm at around 20 degrees, rainy, water 20 degrees; recommended for individualists who want to discover Crete
What Is the Weather Like on Crete in Winter?
- December and January: Lots of rain in the north, around 15 degrees, below 10 degrees at night, water: around 16 degrees, many restaurants and hotels closed
- February: Cool around 15 degrees, below 10 degrees at night, rainy, water: 15 degrees; hardly any tourism.