Weather in Crete in March

How March compares

March is the 9th warmest month of the year in Crete and ranks 73rd of 134 destinations we compare for March - see where else is hot in March. Within Greece it is 6th of 44 (Greece in March). Against London's average high of 10.5°C in March, Crete is 6.7°C warmer by day and 6.0°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in March

The typical March day in Crete peaks at 17.2°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 21.6°C or more. Roughly 1 in 43 days top 25°C and 1 in 1000 pass 30°C. Nights average 9.3°C; one night in ten drops to 6.8°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest March day here reached 30.3°C (2001-03-26) and the coldest night 3.5°C (2003-03-24).

Rain in March

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 9 days with 1 mm or more, 57 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest March was 1997 with 138 mm, the driest 2001 with 4 mm. Humidity averages 74%.

Sea temperature in March

The sea averages 15.6°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 14.9°C to 16.3°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (25.9°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.0 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 11.7 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:30 and sets about 18:27 local time in mid-March. Average cloud cover is 49%.

Is March a good time to visit Crete?

March is not the strongest month here: mild 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.

Comfortable afternoons, chilly evenings

The daytime warmth is useful for walking and spending time outdoors, but it is not a reason to pack only summer clothes. The warmest days can reach 22°C or more, so a lighter top may be comfortable during a warm afternoon. That is a bonus rather than the baseline: only 2% of days reach 25°C. Evenings need a different approach, with average lows of 9°C and the coldest nights dropping to 7°C or below. Bring trousers, a jumper and a jacket you can add as the temperature falls. March suits travellers who would rather stay active than rely on sunbathing weather.

Plan around rain rather than ruling out March

Rain is a meaningful catch, with about 9 rainy days during the month. You do not need to dismiss March outright, but a tightly scheduled holiday with every activity outdoors leaves little room to adapt. Pack a waterproof jacket and shoes you are comfortable wearing in wet conditions, and keep your outdoor plans flexible. There is still about 6.0 hours of sunshine a day on average, so wet weather is not the whole picture. Treat the sunshine as an opportunity to get outside rather than assuming every afternoon will be clear. This is a better fit for flexible travellers than for anyone seeking dependable dry weather.

The sea is colder than the afternoon air suggests

Sea temperature averages 15.6°C, which is cold for swimming even when the air feels pleasant. The year-to-year range of 15°C to 16°C offers little prospect of a noticeably warmer sea, so do not choose March expecting comfortable, lingering swims. Time beside the water is a more realistic focus than time in it. With 11.7 hours of daylight, there is a useful window for outdoor plans without needing to make swimming the centre of the holiday. Pack for sitting outside in mild conditions, with an extra layer ready when the warmth fades. Travellers who need warm water should choose a different month.