Sissi weather by month

When to go to Sissi

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 (72 mm, about 10 rainy days) and July the driest (3 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 25.8°C and coolest in February at 15.6°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER, 31 km from Sísion) 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 Sissi between 1991 and 2020 reached 42.4°C on 12 August 2002; the coldest fell to 0.1°C on 14 February 2004. In July one day in ten tops 35.1°C and about 66% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 6.4°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was February 2019 with 381 mm, against a February average of 67 mm.

Spring: pleasant days, but the sea takes longer to warm

March is mild rather than reliably warm, with daytime averages of 18°C and nights around 10°C. Pack layers and a rain jacket if you plan to spend much time outside. April brings more comfortable daytime warmth at 21°C, although evenings still call for a jumper. By May, afternoons average 26°C and rain becomes less frequent, making it a good choice if you like warm days without the hottest summer conditions. The catch is swimming: the sea averages 17°C in April and 19°C in May. Spring suits travellers who prioritise outdoor time over long swims, with May offering the strongest balance of warmth and sunshine.

Summer: dependable heat, warm seas and little rain

June, July and August are the strongest choices for a holiday built around sunshine and swimming. June reaches 30°C by day, with a sea temperature of 23°C, so it already feels like summer rather than a gentle warm-up. July and August both average 31°C during the day, making midday a sensible time for shade and a slower pace. Rain is uncommon, averaging 1 rain day in each of those months, though that is not a guarantee of dry weather. August has the warmest sea at 26°C, but nights average 24°C too. Choose light clothing and consider how comfortably you sleep in warm conditions.

Autumn and winter: lingering sea warmth, then cooler and wetter

September keeps much of summer's warmth, but October is the better compromise if you prefer less heat: days average 25°C and the sea remains at 23°C. Rain becomes more likely, so leave room to rearrange outdoor plans. November still offers mild afternoons at 20°C, though cooler evenings and more frequent rain make it less suited to a swimming-led trip. December drops to 16°C by day, while January and February both average 15°C, with nights around 9°C. Each of these winter months averages 10 rain days, so waterproofs and layers matter more than beachwear. January and February also have a sea temperature of 16°C. Winter suits travellers content with mild spells between showers, not those expecting reliable warmth or comfortable sea swimming.