When is the best time to visit the Greek island of Crete?

As is the case when it comes to the majority of Greek islands, Crete has a Mediterranean climate.

If you’re looking for glorious sunshine and dry heat, you may prefer to go during the peak of summer. The sea is at its warmest and the nightlife is at its most vibrant. These factors allow you to enjoy pleasant, peaceful swimming and exciting buzz surrounding bars and restaurants in larger towns. It’s generally a more expensive time to visit when you factor in the costs of flights, food and accommodation, as well as the expense of summer tourist experiences.

By going in late May, June or September, you can miss the hoards of people and higher prices that come with the peak season, whilst still being able to soak up all the sea, sand and sun that the island has to offer. It’s also a great time of year to indulge in sightseeing, winery tours, island-hopping and historical ruins without becoming overheated.

During the low season, you’ll be met with much lower temperatures, possibly a few storms and some closed businesses, but this could be a small price to pay if you’re longing to see the olive harvests, mountainous regions or perhaps even snowfall. Do keep in mind that there aren’t many direct flights from Europe to the island during this time of year, but you can travel from Athens to Crete to begin your wintery trip.

Whenever you decide to go, there are always positive aspects to each month and plenty to enjoy:

Late October-April: Expect low temperatures and much more limited travel schedules. However, the low season allows you to see the agricultural life of Crete and still take in the beautiful mountainscapes and the history that runs through the veins of this island.

May-June and September: Just before and after peak season the temperatures are still high. You can have an unforgettable trip under the warming Cretan sun without an overwhelming amount of people around you. Prices can be a little bit lower and flights are still very regular to and from Crete.

July-August: Peak season is synonymous with gorgeous, incredibly hot weather, making it a terrific time of year for families, couples and solo travellers to get a feel for the beauty of hot, dry, Cretan summers.

What is there to do in Crete?

For those who are lovers of the outdoors and are looking to explore the island’s natural beauty, Crete has some magnificent gorges; hiking through them gives you the opportunity to see the dramatic, mountainous landscape. The Samaria Gorge is in the White Mountains to the west of the island and will take your breath away. Nevertheless, this gorge is 18km long and can take up to 7 hours to hike through, so make sure you’re physically prepared for the challenge!

If you’re hoping for something less taxing but still want to see what nature the island has to offer, you can head over to the Imbros Gorge or the Agia Irini Gorge (both found in the west), where you can see rocky formations, plant life and even wild goat. Elsewhere on the island, the Giofarago Gorge or the Gorge of the Dead in Heraklion will allow you to see impressive caves, some of which used to serve as tombs.

You could visit the Ha Gorge near Lasithi where, at the end of this strenuous hike, you'll be rewarded with rich wildlife and a spectacular waterfall.

History, archaeology and mythology can be found around almost every corner in Crete. A top place to visit is the Palace of Knossos in Heraklion. The ruins were said to have been the residence of the famous mythological Minotaur but the ancient palace dates back even further than the era of the ancient Greeks, spanning back to the Minoan Civilization. It is a fantastic place to learn more about ancient cultures, their way of life and their art. You can also indulge your studious side by learning more about Crete’s fascinating past at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, which is just a short car journey away.

The beaches are a huge draw for visitors, given their sapphire-coloured waters, breathtaking coastal scenery and stunning surroundings. Balos beach is beautifully exotic and is an idyllic place to swim or snorkel in the crystal-clear sea or relax on the soft, white sand. This beach is also home to monk seals and loggerhead turtles, which adds to the long list of reasons to visit. In the southwest, Elafonisi beach offers glistening waters and even pink sand, which makes it such a unique area. Vai beach in the southeast is also very distinctive as it is surrounded by the largest palm tree forest in Europe, creating a tropical atmosphere ideal for unwinding and feeling connected to nature. There are endless amounts of pristine beaches for you to explore.

Another incredible experience you can have while travelling in Crete is visiting the eerily tranquil island of Spinalonga. Serving as the setting for Victoria Hislop’s novel The Island, this fortress used to be a leper colony from 1903 to 1957, forming a close-knit community of the outbreak’s victims. Here you can see the remnants of houses and daily life, retracing the steps of the residents who lived, fell in love, learned, worshipped and died there. The story of Spinalonga is utterly moving, so if you want to see a living piece of history, make your way to Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, or Plaka (the last option being the quickest) to catch a brief boat ride over to this stunning island with a dark past.

Lastly, the Cretan food is superb, so it is something you can’t skip when visiting. Moussaka and Greek salad are commonplace on menus, but if you’re feeling more adventurous in your choices, try the kalitsounia, which are delicious cheese pies traditional to this region of Crete. Or you could order the hirina apakia; a dish of marinated pork smoked over local herbs. If you love bruschetta, why not try the Greek version called dakos? Finally the gamopilafo, which is a rice dish served with butter, lemon and meat, is so sensational that it’s often served at weddings.

What should I know before visiting Crete?

Before you dive into the interesting history, culture and landscapes of this extraordinary island, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Hire a car to see all the sights

Crete is much larger than places like Santorini or Paxos. We suggest exploring car hire so you can explore the island during your stay, but be aware that you’ll probably not be able to see/drive to the whole island, so look at the things that you want to do or see and plan around your ideal itinerary. At any rate, the fact you can’t see everything gives you the perfect excuse to return.

Watch out for goats

Whilst driving, it’s not uncommon for the thousands of wild goats that inhabit the island to cross the road. Be aware, slow down in advance and these creatures will normally make way for you… Perhaps at their own pace though. They were here before the roads, after all!

To try or not to try?

Hospitality is an integral part of Greek culture; this is often demonstrated by restaurants and hosts offering a complimentary shot of delicious Raki (an alcoholic drink made of grapes) after a meal. Unless you have health issues or are committed to staying sober, some locals might see it as rude if you say no to this drink. Whilst this is not a serious faux-pas in restaurants that are used to foreign tourists, if you visit the home of a friend or more rural areas, it’s best to politely sip this tasty symbol of friendship and social interaction.