Which is the hottest month in Crete?

The hottest time of year in Heraklion, Crete is normally August. Expect maximum daytime temperatures to reach 28°C with moderate heat and humidity.

Best time to visit Crete

Q: When is the best time to visit Crete?

The best time to visit Crete (Heraklion) is May, June, July, August and September based on the following average weather conditions. Daily hours of sunshine = 10 hours or more.

Q: Which month has the most rain in Crete?

In terms of rainfall, January is usually the wettest month in Heraklion, Crete with 153mm on average. There are normally 12 days in January with some rain.

Q: When is it sunniest in Crete?

The sunniest time of year in Heraklion, Crete is normally July with bright sunshine on average for 86% of daylight hours; that's 12 hours of sunshine per day.

Q: When is the sea warmest in Crete?

The sea is usually at its warmest in Heraklion, Crete in August when the water temperature reaches 25°C.

Crete weather is typically Mediterranean with hot dry summers and plenty of sunshine from the beginning of May to the end of September.

Crete by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Recommended for Crete

TUI: up to 8% off holidays booked online

Sale

Book online with TUI & save up to 8% on holidays
FREE child places available for select holidays
Pay £0 deposits with direct debit & spread the cost

Go to TUI deal >>

View all TUI offers

TUI deal finder

Destination

Top Crete destinations

Below are the temperatures expected today at popular countries, regions and places in Crete. Select a destination to compare today's forecast with average weather conditions.

All Crete destinations

When is the best time to visit Crete?

The best time to visit Crete (Heraklion) is May, June, July, August and September based on the following average weather conditions.

Daily hours of sunshine = 10 hours or more [remove]

Change the criteria to reflect your weather preferences.

0.5
Jan
0.5
Feb
2.5
Mar
4
Apr
5
May
5
Jun
5
Jul
5
Aug
5
Sep
2.5
Oct
1.5
Nov
0.5
Dec

Change criteria

Hours of Sunshine (daily)

4
Jan
5
Feb
6
Mar
8
Apr
10
May
12
Jun
12
Jul
11
Aug
10
Sep
6
Oct
5
Nov
4
Dec

Best time to visit

Destination

Daytime temperature

Sunshine hours

Sea temperature

Monthly rainfall

Days with some rain

Heat & humidity

The weather guide for Crete (Heraklion) shows long term weather averages processed from data supplied by CRU (University of East Anglia) & today's weather forecast provided by meteoblue. Find out more about our data sources.

Metric (°C / mm) | Imperial (°F / inches)

Crete weather overview

It is cooler and cloudier in the other months of the year particularly from the end of October to the beginning of March when most of the annual rainfall occurs.

Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands and also the most southerly holiday destination in Europe. It is well served by flights from the UK with direct connections to up to a dozen UK airports.

Most holiday-makers fly into Iraklion, centrally located in the north of the island or into Khania to the west.

Samariá Gorge, Crete, Greece © Birger Kühnel - Fotolia.com

The most dominant geographical feature on Crete is a great spine of mountains that runs more or less the length of the island from west to east.

These mountains which in places rise to over 2,000 metres affect weather conditions considerably and can cause quite large variations in weather between the north and south.

The south and east of the island generally has the best weather with slightly more sunshine and marginally higher temperatures.

However the north of the island has been more extensively developed for tourism than the south, and in summer benefits from the Meltemi winds that blow from the north-west during the hottest months from May to September.

As long as the Meltemi does not blow too strongly it can provide a welcome relief from hot and humid conditions by lowering heat and humidity and to some extent high temperatures as well.

The holiday season in Crete generally begins in May. This is a great time of year for trekking in the mountains or taking part in other outdoor activities that do not involve swimming in the sea because the weather is still relatively cool.

At sea level average temperatures range from 24°C during the day to 17°C at night with 10 hours of sunshine a day; at altitude it is cooler and tends to be cloudier with many of the mountains still capped with winter snow.

Beach holidays to Crete do not really take off until June when average daytime temperatures finally reach the high twenties Celsius and fewer clouds mean that there are usually 12 hours of sunshine a day.

July and August are even warmer, with maximum daytime temperatures reaching into the low thirties Celsius.

This is actually a few degrees lower than Malta or Benidorm at this time of year, and definitely not as hot as Marmaris or Bodrum.

The sea temperature in the middle of June is still usually only 22°C but by the middle of August it rises to 25°C. During the height of summer it is unlikely that there will be any rain.

By September weather conditions in Crete are more like they are in May although the sea is quite a bit warmer and there is more cloud than in May.

By late October the first rains of winter bring some relief from months of summer drought, though it does not become cold until the end of November.

Daytime temperatures still rise into the mid twenties Celsius in October, and usually still touch 20°C in the middle of November.

The months when it rains most are December and January when it can be quite grey at times however there are still sunny days in between.

Even during January and February, the coldest months, temperatures still generally range between 10°C at night to 15°C during the day.

Spring appears towards the end of March when wildflowers start to bloom and the vegetation reaches its peak of greenness after winter rains.

In common with much of the Mediterranean, Crete is susceptible to sirocco winds at any time of year but these occur most frequently between March and the end of May.

A sirocco is a warm to hot southerly wind blowing off the Sahara Desert. The dust that is driven skywards remains in the air and combined with moisture off the Mediterranean Sea produces a foggy sometimes hot blast that is not particularly pleasant.

Siroccos can last for a few hours to a few days, but are not that common.

Though most people travel to Crete at the height of summer, Crete has a lot to offer in all months of the year. Even in the middle of winter it is never very cold by Northern European standards.

For those who like warmth and sunshine and who are not so keen on crowds or basking on the beach, spring and autumn also offer good prospects for some excellent Crete Weather.

What to pack for Crete weather

Light clothes are fine in the summer in Crete, supplemented by slightly warmer attire in the autumn and winter when an umbrella might also prove handy. Outside the summer months, take warm cover-ups against the wind especially if visiting the mountains.

More about Crete

Explore our complete guide to Crete with the latest travel advice for travellers and holidaymakers including official updates and local travel tips for Crete.

Essential travel guide
Travel guidance
Travel health
Travel features
Top travel deals
FAQs

Crete travel guide - essential info

Below is a beginner's guide to Crete with essential travel facts such as dominant language spoken, typical flight time from the UK and the local currency. You can also check whether visas are required and what plug adapter you need to pack.

Crete - quick facts
Flight time^✝	4 hours
Time difference	UK +2 hours
Language(s)	Greek
Currency	Euro
Electricity	C + F plug (230V)
Driving side	Right

Why visit Crete?

Considering a holiday to the Crete? Here are some of the very good reasons it makes such a wonderful holiday destination be it for beaches or culture to ensure you get the most out of your 2025/2026 escape.

Beaches
Culture
Nature

Crete tourist information

Incredible Crete

✝ = Typical flight time from the UK.

Travelling to Crete?
Holidays Hotels Flights Ocean cruises eSIMs Travel insurance

Crete travel guidance

Check the latest travel guidance and advice on visiting Crete from official government sources (in english) from around the world including entry requirements and travel restrictions.

UK traveller advice for Crete - UK FCDO
Irish traveller advice for Crete - Department of Foreign Affairs, Ireland
Safe travel advisories for Crete - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, New Zealand
Smarter traveller advice for Crete - Department of Foreign Affairs, Australia

Learn more about the current safety and security risks from terrorism, natural disasters and more. Read about the local laws and customs to consider when travelling around Crete.

Note: UK FCDO - UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Crete travel health

Find out more about staying safe when travelling to Crete with the latest guidance on required vaccinations and recommended medication to take with you.

Vaccines & medicines for Crete - CDC
Health & vaccinations for Crete - TravelHealthPro, NaTHNac
How to stay safe & healthy in Crete - Fit for Travel, Public Health Scotland

Check out the general travel tips for staying safe and healthy in Crete, risks of preventable diseases and what to pack.

Note: CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Crete travel features

Do you want to learn more about Crete? Read our latest features covering travel tips and insider destination guides on where to go and what to do in Crete.

The best beaches and bays in Crete, Greece

Crete FAQs

Read our frequently asked questions about travelling to Crete including the current entry restrictions, driving side, electrical plugs used and much more.

Which month has the most rain in Crete?

In terms of rainfall, January is usually the wettest month in Heraklion, Crete with 0mm on average. There are normally no days in January with some rain.

When is it sunniest in Crete?

The sunniest time of year in Heraklion, Crete is normally January with bright sunshine on average for 0% of daylight hours; that's 0 hours of sunshine per day.

When is the sea warmest in Crete?

The sea is usually at its warmest in Heraklion, Crete in January when the water temperature reaches 0°C.

What is the flight time to Crete from the UK?

The flight time to Crete from the UK is typically 4 hours.

What is the time difference between Crete and the UK?

The time difference between Crete and the UK is UK time+2 hours.

What is the main language spoken in Crete?

The main language spoken in Crete is Greek.

Learn a language for Crete with Rosetta Stone^*.

What is the currency in Crete?

The currency in Crete is the Euro (EUR).

Send money to Crete with TransferGo^* and XE Money Transfers^*.

Which plugs are used in Crete?

Crete uses electrical plug type C + F (230 Volts).

Which side of the road do they drive on in Crete?

They drive on the right side of the road in Crete.

Find out more about driving in Greece with RAC^*, International Drivers Association^* and Halfords^*.

Crete travel deals

Holidays to Crete

Check out the latest deals, discount codes and special offers on holidays to Crete in 2025/2026. Pay low deposits and save with last minute holiday availability and free kids places.