What is the best month to visit Crete?

Choose around your activities. In the historical Heraklion series, July has the highest monthly mean temperature and summer has the least rainfall. Spring and autumn have different conditions. Check the local forecast and the services available on your dates.

How hot are July and August in Crete?

The Heraklion station means for 1955–2010 are 26.4°C in July and 26.3°C in August. These are monthly means, not maximum temperatures or limits on how hot a day can become.

Can you swim in Crete in October?

Swimming depends on the particular day, beach, sea conditions and your ability. This page does not publish a verified October sea-temperature average. Check the forecast, flags and local advice before entering the water.

Does the south coast always have calmer weather?

No. Wind direction, terrain and the specific coast matter. Check the forecast for the actual destination and follow local beach and boat advice rather than assuming one side of Crete is always sheltered.

Does choosing a region change the monthly climate table?

No. The historical table always shows the named Heraklion station for 1955–2010. Selecting an area requests a separate five-day local forecast.

Climate and forecast

Crete weather by month: climate and local forecast.

Compare historical monthly climate readings from Heraklion and check a five-day local forecast before planning beaches, village visits or a boat trip.

Choose a month Best time to visit

Reference station: Heraklion
Observation period: 1955–2010
Highest monthly mean: July · 26.4°C
Highest monthly rainfall: January · 91 mm

01June

Historical climate for Heraklion.

These monthly readings are from the Heraklion station for 1955–2010. They describe past averages, not the weather on your travel date or every part of Crete.

Select month

Local forecast area

Mean temperature: 24.5°C
Mean minimum / maximum: 19.2 / 27.3°C
Monthly rainfall: 2.9 mm
Mean relative humidity: 57%
Mean wind speed: 13.1 km/h

Source: Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS), Heraklion station, 1955–2010. Wind converted from knots to km/h.

Heraklion climate, January to December.

Historical monthly means, Heraklion station, 1955–2010. Temperatures in °C and rainfall in mm.
Month	Mean min °C	Mean °C	Mean max °C	Rainfall mm
January	9.1	12.1	15.3	91
February	8.9	12.2	15.5	69
March	9.8	13.6	17	53.4
April	12	16.6	20.1	28.2
May	15.1	20.4	23.6	13.4
June (selected)	19.2	24.5	27.3	2.9
July	21.9	26.4	28.9	0.8
August	22	26.3	28.8	0.9
September	19.5	23.7	26.6	16.7
October	16.7	20.3	23.6	59.4
November	13.5	16.8	20.2	59.6
December	10.9	13.8	17.1	85.6

Mean maxima and minima are not record extremes or daily limits. Other coasts and higher ground can have different conditions.

03Travel planning

Choose the season around your plans.

Spring: March to May
The Heraklion series shows rising monthly temperatures and falling rainfall through spring. Take layers and check conditions for walks. A dry monthly average does not guarantee a dry day.
Summer: June to August
Summer is the driest part of this historical series. Monthly averages do not show heatwaves or a particular windy day. Check the current forecast before a hike, beach visit or boat departure.
Autumn and winter: September to February
Rainfall rises again in autumn and winter. Choose flexible plans, confirm seasonal opening and transport dates, and check local weather before driving into the mountains.

Use climate figures to plan, then check the forecast.

Heraklion is a reference point, not an island-wide average. The table helps compare months using one named station and observation period. It does not provide verified sea temperatures or hours of sunshine, so those estimates are not included.

For swimming, use the local forecast, beach flags and advice at the site. Water temperature alone cannot establish safe conditions. For a boat excursion, confirm the actual operating decision with the provider; a historical wind average does not predict a departure.

For a walking or village day, check the route, elevation, daylight and access. Match your clothing to the current conditions and keep a different plan available if the weather changes.

Plan by region.

Compare regional travel seasons and use the forecast selector for your destination.

FAQ

Crete weather questions.

Climate, swimming and planning a day out

Choose around your activities. In the historical Heraklion series, July has the highest monthly mean temperature and summer has the least rainfall. Spring and autumn have different conditions. Check the local forecast and the services available on your dates.
The Heraklion station means for 1955–2010 are 26.4°C in July and 26.3°C in August. These are monthly means, not maximum temperatures or limits on how hot a day can become.
Swimming depends on the particular day, beach, sea conditions and your ability. This page does not publish a verified October sea-temperature average. Check the forecast, flags and local advice before entering the water.
No. Wind direction, terrain and the specific coast matter. Check the forecast for the actual destination and follow local beach and boat advice rather than assuming one side of Crete is always sheltered.
No. The historical table always shows the named Heraklion station for 1955–2010. Selecting an area requests a separate five-day local forecast.

Crete weather by month: climate and local forecast.

Compare historical monthly climate readings from Heraklion and check a five-day local forecast before planning beaches, village visits or a boat trip.

Reference station

Heraklion

Observation period

1955–2010

Highest monthly mean

July · 26.4°C

Highest monthly rainfall

January · 91 mm

Historical monthly means, Heraklion station, 1955–2010. Temperatures in °C and rainfall in mm.

Month

Mean min °C

Mean °C

Mean max °C

Rainfall mm

January

9.1

12.1

15.3

February

8.9

12.2

15.5

March

9.8

13.6

53.4

April

16.6

20.1

28.2

May

15.1

20.4

23.6

13.4

June

19.2

24.5

27.3

2.9

July

21.9

26.4

28.9

0.8

August

26.3

28.8

0.9

September

19.5

23.7

26.6

16.7

October

16.7

20.3

23.6

59.4

November

13.5

16.8

20.2

59.6

December

10.9

13.8

17.1

85.6

Crete weather by month: climate and local forecast.

Spring: March to May

Summer: June to August

Autumn and winter: September to February

Crete weather questions.

01What is the best month to visit Crete?

02How hot are July and August in Crete?

03Can you swim in Crete in October?

04Does the south coast always have calmer weather?

05Does choosing a region change the monthly climate table?

Crete weather by month: climate and local forecast.

Spring: March to May

Summer: June to August

Autumn and winter: September to February

Crete weather questions.

01What is the best month to visit Crete?

02How hot are July and August in Crete?

03Can you swim in Crete in October?

04Does the south coast always have calmer weather?

05Does choosing a region change the monthly climate table?