Weather in Crete in January

How January compares

January is the 12th warmest month of the year in Crete and ranks 75th of 134 destinations we compare for January - see where else is hot in January. Within Greece it is 11th of 44 (Greece in January). Against London's average high of 7.4°C in January, Crete is 6.8°C warmer by day and 6.0°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in January

The typical January day in Crete peaks at 14.2°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 17.4°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average 8.2°C; one night in ten drops to 5.7°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest January day here reached 21.6°C (2016-01-11) and the coldest night -0.9°C (2017-01-09).

Rain in January

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 12 days with 1 mm or more, 73 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest January was 2020 with 173 mm, the driest 2007 with 24 mm. Humidity averages 81%.

Sea temperature in January

The sea averages 16.2°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 15.5°C to 16.9°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (25.9°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 3.8 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.9 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 07:28 and sets about 17:29 local time in mid-January. Average cloud cover is 61%.

Is January a good time to visit Crete?

January is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Crete on our scoring are August, July, June; months averaging 25°C or more: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep.

Milder than London, but still winter

January is Crete's coolest month, so judge it against winter at home rather than a summer holiday. Its average daytime high is 6.8°C above London's, a useful difference for spending time outside, but not a promise of sitting comfortably in a T-shirt. The warmer days reach around 17°C or more, while the coldest nights can fall to around 6°C or lower. Pack layers that you can adjust during the day, plus a warm jacket for evenings. This is a reasonable choice if you prefer cool conditions for walking; it is a poor fit if you want reliable warmth from breakfast until bedtime.

Leave room for rain and limited sunshine

Rain is a practical catch: about 12 rainy days means a waterproof jacket and shoes that cope with wet conditions deserve space in your bag. Avoid making every day's plans depend on staying outdoors, and use dry spells when they arrive. There are about 3.8 hours of sunshine within 9.9 hours of daylight, so daylight should not be confused with clear skies. Plan outdoor time for the brighter part of the day rather than relying on long, sunny afternoons. If rain would make the trip feel wasted, January is difficult to recommend; it works better when you are content to change plans with the weather.