Destination guide
Crete weather by month
June to August is the best time for hot, mostly dry weather in Crete, with average daytime temperatures rising from 29°C to 31°C. September is a better compromise if you want less heat without giving up warm swims: the sea still averages 25°C. Spring suits travellers who prefer being active outdoors, while autumn keeps its swimming appeal longer. Winter is mild by day, but rain and cool evenings make it a less reliable choice for a beach holiday.
- Hottest month
- 30.9°CJuly
- Coolest month
- 14.2°CJanuary
- Warmest sea
- 25.9°CAugust
- Flight from London
- 4 h 6 minShort-haul (up to 4.5 h) · estimated
Crete, month by month
A little perspective
Crete through the year
Every month at a glance; "best" marks our three top months on warmth, dryness and sunshine.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14.2°C | 8.2°C | 16.2°C | 3.8 | 73 | 12 | 0% |
| February | 14.8°C | 8.2°C | 15.5°C | 4.6 | 71 | 11 | 0% |
| March | 17.2°C | 9.3°C | 15.6°C | 6.0 | 57 | 9 | 2% |
| April | 20.8°C | 11.8°C | 16.6°C | 7.8 | 38 | 6 | 14% |
| May | 25.3°C | 15.7°C | 19.3°C | 9.9 | 29 | 4 | 51% |
| Junebest | 29.3°C | 19.8°C | 22.8°C | 12.9 | 10 | 2 | 91% |
| Julybest | 30.9°C | 22.2°C | 25.1°C | 13.7 | 3 | 1 | 99% |
| Augustbest | 30.8°C | 22.5°C | 25.9°C | 12.7 | 5 | 1 | 100% |
| September | 28.3°C | 20.0°C | 24.9°C | 10.2 | 20 | 3 | 84% |
| October | 24.2°C | 16.8°C | 23.0°C | 6.6 | 38 | 6 | 39% |
| November | 19.5°C | 13.1°C | 20.4°C | 4.3 | 50 | 8 | 5% |
| December | 15.6°C | 10.0°C | 18.0°C | 3.5 | 70 | 11 | 0% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
When to go to Crete
For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: May, June, July, August, September. January is the wettest month (73 mm, about 12 rainy days) and July the driest (3 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 25.9°C and coolest in February at 15.5°C.
Getting there
A direct flight from London Gatwick to Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER, 4 km from Irákleion) takes roughly 4 h 6 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Europe/Athens.
Records and extremes, 1991-2020
The hottest day recorded in Crete between 1991 and 2020 reached 42.3°C on 4 July 1998; the coldest fell to -0.9°C on 9 January 2017. In July one day in ten tops 35.3°C and about 59% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 5.7°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was February 2019 with 225 mm, against a February average of 71 mm.
Sunrise, sunset and daylight in Crete
Local time on the 15th of each month; daylight-saving rules as of 2020.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight | Sunshine/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 07:28 | 17:29 | 10.0 h | 3.8 h |
| February | 07:07 | 18:00 | 10.9 h | 4.6 h |
| March | 06:30 | 18:27 | 11.9 h | 6.0 h |
| April | 06:47 | 19:52 | 13.1 h | 7.8 h |
| May | 06:15 | 20:17 | 14.0 h | 9.9 h |
| June | 06:04 | 20:36 | 14.5 h | 12.9 h |
| July | 06:16 | 20:35 | 14.3 h | 13.7 h |
| August | 06:39 | 20:09 | 13.5 h | 12.7 h |
| September | 07:02 | 19:27 | 12.4 h | 10.2 h |
| October | 07:26 | 18:45 | 11.3 h | 6.6 h |
| November | 06:55 | 17:13 | 10.3 h | 4.3 h |
| December | 07:21 | 17:08 | 9.8 h | 3.5 h |
Resorts in Crete
Each resort has its own page with a 12-month table.
Jul high 31°C
Hersonissos
Jul high 31°C
Sissi
Jul high 30°C
Elounda
Aug high 28°C
Chania
Jul high 31°C
Stalis
Jul high 30°C
Gouves
Jul high 31°C
Koutouloufari
Spring: comfortable days, but the sea takes time to warm
March is better suited to time outdoors than lounging by the water: days average 17°C, but nights remain cool and rain is still a consideration. April brings a noticeable lift to 21°C, making lighter daytime clothing more practical, though you will want a layer after sunset. May is the strongest spring choice for warmth without midsummer heat, with days around 25°C and relatively little rain. The catch is the sea, which averages only 19°C even in May. Choose spring for walking and spending time outside; if comfortable swimming matters more, wait until summer.
Summer: the strongest choice for sunshine and swimming
June offers a useful balance for a beach holiday: days average 29°C, the sea reaches 23°C and rain is uncommon. July and August bring the greatest heat, both averaging 31°C by day, so plan active outings for mornings and leave room for shade at midday. Nights average 22°C, making light clothing useful well into the evening. July has the most sunshine, while August has the warmest sea at 26°C. These months suit travellers who prioritise swimming and dry weather over cooler conditions. Pack sun protection and avoid treating the monthly averages as a limit on how hot an individual day might feel.
Autumn and winter: lingering sea warmth, then wetter days
September keeps much of summer's appeal, with 28°C days and a warm sea, but less midday heat. October remains a reasonable swimming choice: the sea averages 23°C, though rain becomes more frequent and evenings call for a light layer. November shifts towards a mixed-weather holiday, with 20°C days but cooler nights and more wet days. December feels cooler again, so pack layers and waterproofs rather than relying on beach weather. January is the coolest and wettest month, averaging 14°C by day. February edges up to 15°C but remains among the less dependable months for sunshine. Winter suits travellers happy to plan around the weather; for a holiday centred on sitting outside and swimming, choose the warmer months.
A little more detail
Crete weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
What is the best time to visit Crete?
Judged on warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, the best months in Crete are August, July and June. July is the hottest month (average high 30.9°C) and January the coolest (14.2°C).
How many months a year is Crete over 25°C?
5 months in Crete average a daytime high of 25°C or more, and 7 average 20°C or more.
When is the rainy season in Crete?
January is the wettest month in Crete (73 mm on average) and July the driest (3 mm). Annual rainfall averages 464 mm.
What is the hottest temperature recorded in Crete?
The hottest day recorded in Crete between 1991 and 2020 reached 42.3°C on 4 July 1998; the coldest fell to -0.9°C on 9 January 2017. Records come from daily data for 1991-2020, not from a single station's all-time history.
Is May warm enough for swimming in Crete?
May is warm enough for spending time by the water, with average daytime temperatures of 25°C, but the sea averages 19°C. That can feel cool for a leisurely swim. June is a better choice if warmer water is a priority.
Is October still good for a beach holiday?
October can work well if you accept some weather interruptions. Days average 24°C and the sea remains at 23°C, but there are 6 rain days on average. Bring a layer for evenings and keep your plans flexible rather than expecting uninterrupted sunshine.
Which month has the warmest sea?
August has the warmest sea, averaging 26°C. July and September are close behind at 25°C. September is the better fit if you want warm water with less daytime heat, while August suits those who prefer hotter beach weather.
See also: Greece weather by month · where else is hot in July
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Irákleion (Heraklion). Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 1.7 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C