Stalis weather by month

When to go to Stalis

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 (65 mm, about 10 rainy days) and July the driest (3 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 25.9°C and coolest in February at 15.6°C.

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER, 24 km from Stalís) 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 Stalis 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 35.0°C and about 65% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 6.5°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was February 2019 with 274 mm, against a February average of 59 mm.

Winter and spring: layers first, swimming later

December brings mild afternoons around 16°C, but January and February settle at 15°C, with nights cool enough for a jacket. Each averages 10 rainy days, so keep outdoor plans flexible and pack a waterproof. March lifts daytime warmth to 18°C, although the sea remains chilly rather than inviting for a leisurely swim. April is a clearer step towards lighter clothing: days average 21°C, but cool evenings still call for layers. May is the better choice if you want warm afternoons without midsummer heat, reaching 26°C with fewer rainy days. The catch is the water: at 19°C, it can still feel brisk. Across spring, dress for the difference between a sunny afternoon and the walk back after dinner rather than packing only beachwear.

Summer: dependable beach weather, with hot afternoons

June is a strong choice for long days outside, with 13 hours of sunshine and a sea temperature of 23°C. It is already hot rather than merely warm, so plan shade breaks instead of leaving all your walking until midday. July and August are hotter still, averaging 31°C by day and 23°C at night; light clothing is useful well into the evening. Rain is uncommon, with each month averaging just 1 rainy day, though that is not a guarantee of dry weather throughout your stay. August has the warmest sea at 26°C, making it particularly suitable if comfortable swimming matters more to you than cooler afternoons.

Autumn: warm water lasts longer than the driest weather

September is a useful compromise if you want summer-like swimming without the highest daytime averages. Days reach 29°C and the sea stays at 25°C, although shade is still welcome around midday. October shifts towards easier conditions for spending time outdoors, with 25°C afternoons and water at 23°C. The catch is a greater chance of interrupted plans as rainy days become more frequent, so bring a light waterproof alongside swimwear. November is a further change: daytime temperatures average 20°C, evenings feel cooler, and sunshine is more limited. It suits travellers who are happy to fit outdoor time around the weather rather than rely on a daily beach routine.