The climate of Crete
The climate of Crete is temperate mediterranean. Winter is mild,
with snow on the mountains and rain in the plains but still
a good deal of sunshine. The combination of rain and relative warmth
make it one of the greenest places in the Mediterranean basin, especially
in spring. The summers are hot and dry, particularly on the shores
of the Libyan Sea (south coast of Crete). Crete is a mountainous
island and the weather changes can be sudden. It is often windy (anything
from a light breeze to gale winds).
There is no "best time" to visit Crete, it depends on
what you are looking for. Here a list of pros and cons for each period
of the year
January to March:
This is the real winter time. The weather can be cold and rainy,
the deserted towns and villages often melancholic but sometimes a
little depressing. But when the sun comes out all is forgotten and
you can enjoy stupendous views of the snowy mountains (there is at
times over 3m of snow on them). This is also the time where flowers
start to grow, almond trees blossom in January, anemones are plentiful
and the citrus trees are full of fruit. You might find it difficult
to get food and lodging in tourist resorts but will have no problems
in the cities. If you come to Crete for culture and essentially want
to spend time in the museums, visit archaeological sites and churches,
it is not at all a bad time. Winter is almost the only time of the
year when you can visit Knossos and the Archaeological Museum of
Heraklion without having to jostle with crowds. Although Crete can
be cold, it never gets as cold as in northern Europe: the lowest
temperature measured in Heraklion was -0,1°C (in 1928).
March and April:
The weather is still unstable and can be very pleasant or very
rainy. The nights will still be cool or even cold. The sea is still
too cold to swim in it. After the winter rains the island is at its
greenest and literally carpeted with flowers. April sees the first
tourists and is also the time of the Greek Easter (not on the same
date as the Catholic Easter), the most important feast of the year
giving you the best opportunity to experience the hospitality of
traditional Crete.
May and June:
You are almost guaranteed to get good weather, the sea is warmer,
there are still a lot of flowers, not too many tourists. It is maybe
the best time of the year to visit Crete, especially if you intend
to hike as the weather isn't too hot yet.
July and August:
The high season! The weather is hot, very hot, too many tourists
especially since the Greeks have "discovered" Crete as
a holiday destination. You become a number in the crowd, prices are
higher and you may have difficulties finding accommodation. The sea
of course is wonderfully warm and if you search a little it is possible
to find villages and beaches that remain fairly quiet.
September and October
These are better months as the weather is not as hot anymore. The
sea is still really warm and there are far less tourists. The Cretans
- especially the ones who work with tourism - although tired from
the summer season are getting more relaxed. It is also one of the
preferred period for hikers. One drawback is that as it has not rained
for several months the nature is really dry.
November and December:
Tourism comes to an abrupt stop at the end of October with the
end of charter flights. These months are as quiet as January and
February but the chances of good weather are much higher. It is also
still possible to swim. All in all not a bad time to be on Crete
if you are prepared to risk some days of rain.
Climate and weather links
Climate
chart
Current
weather in West Crete
Current
sea conditions |