Not that there is such thing as “best time” to visit Crete but here’s a quick reference to what a visitor might find or not find in each period of the year:
January to March: It is wintertime, hence rainy, windy and cold days.
Average temperatures may be well above 5 degrees Celsious but humidity adds a feel like below zero feeling… Still, there is a lovely period of 7-10 days in January, during which the weather calms down, it is sunny and hot in daytime, perfect for strolls. This period is called the Halcyon Days.
In February the almond trees bloom, as they are one of the earliest blooming deciduous trees and in March there could be many consecutive sunny days, but still, what is there to do in Crete?
Well, apart from the deserted summer resorts, the bigger towns offer plenty of accommodation and dining options and a chance to blend in with the locals.
It is by far the best time to visit museums, archaeological sites and churches, avoiding the crowds.
Moreover, stay in the mountain resorts, on picturesque villages spread all over the island and experience the first call of spring, sometime around March.
April: Medium temepratures and less rain. The nights are still a little cold and swimming is for the brave, but the Greek Easter has arrived! One of the best periods to visit and experience the most traditional aspect of the island. A must-visit period for Crete lovers.
May: Nature at its best! May is undoubtedly the best month for outdoors activities and long hikes. The days become significantly warmer, rainfalls are rare, but nights can still be cool. Having a swim on a sunny day in May could be rejuvenating!
June: The ultimate beach days! The sea is warm and calm, all resorts are long ready for their guests, and the locals who are into tourism are dying for a chat, still not too many tourists.
July and August: Windy and very hot. July and August are the months that the seasonal North winds blow. It is hard to do anything else during these months, than spend the entire day at the beach. Look for a shady place and drink plenty of water. Do not forget your hat and sunscreen. Not the best weather for people who cannot stand high temperatures (30-35 C).
July and August: The high season! The weather is hot, very hot, too many tourists especially since the Greeks have “discovered” Crete as a holiday destination. You become a number in the crowd, prices are higher and you may have difficulties finding accommodation. The sea of course is wonderfully warm and if you search a little it is possible to find villages and beaches that remain fairly quiet.
September: Sunny, less windy and slightly cooler. Good for outdoors activities. Get a light jacket for the night, especially if you plan to visit any mountainous areas.
October: Sunny, very few windy days but some rain will fall, especially in the west part of Crete. The weather is very good for outdoor activities. October is the month that the traditional drink of Crete, raki, is distilled from grape skins. Warm clothes are rarely necessary.
September and October: These are better months as the weather is not as hot anymore. The sea is still really warm and there are far less tourists. The Cretans – especially the ones who work with tourism – although tired from the summer season are getting more relaxed. It is also one of the preferred period for hikers. One drawback is that as it has not rained for several months the nature is really dry.
November: The weather becomes unpredictable. It may be sunny but there are plenty of rainy and windy days too. Pack a sweater and don’t forget your umbrella. The south winds start and sometimes they carry sand from the Sahara desert. This sand covers the sky of Crete and it creates very unusual weather conditions.
December: The weather conditions vary from year to year with a mixture of windy, calm, rainy, sunny, cold and warm days. Pack warm clothes together with your swimming suit. There are days when the temperature along the south coast makes swimming possible and pleasurable.
November and December: Tourism comes to an abrupt stop at the end of October with the end of charter flights. These months are as quiet as January and February but the chances of good weather are much higher. It is also still possible to swim. All in all not a bad time to be on Crete if you are prepared to risk some days of rain.
