When deciding to book a villa holiday in Crete, you will probably want to know what time of year is best to visit. This can be subjective, as various times of the year offer different experiences. It all depends on what you are looking for.
Crete offers visitors ancient history, beaches to relax, turquoise waters to swim, mountains and gorges to hike, and excellent food and wine to savour. However, some experiences are better enjoyed at certain times of the year.
\(Link: Blog A Guide to Villa Holidays in Crete: Everything You Need to Know.
Best Time Breakdown
Best Time for Warm Weather, Warm Seas, and Less Crowds
The best time for pleasant temperatures combined with fewer crowds is in the shoulder seasons, that is, between May and June, and September and October, though later in October, there may be showers. Temperatures in these months range between 20 °C - 27 °C (68F - 80F), although it can get hotter as June progresses.
Crete villas for rent will be cheaper at these times compared to the main summer months. This is a great time of year to find luxury Crete villas with pools at competitive prices.
Best Time for Hiking and Nature
One of the best times for appreciating nature is during April and May. The winter rains have left the island green, and there are beautiful wild flowers everywhere. Head to the Botanical Gardens of Crete, south of Chania, for an immersive natural experience. The food is great in the restaurant as well.
‘A sweeping view of the Botanical Gardens of Crete, with plants and trees from all over the world’
The temperatures are mild, so it is the perfect time for hiking one or more of the gorges. The most stunning and challenging is the 10-mile (16 km) Samaria Gorge, one of the longest in Europe. It starts 27 miles (approximately 43 km) south of Chania and ends on the south coast of the island. It is a must-do for people who enjoy a challenging hike. Temperatures at this time of year range from 16C (60F)to 20C 68F).
‘The challenging pathway of the Samaria Gorge, with two intrepid hikers ‘
Best For Beach Lovers
The peak season for sunbathing and swimming is from June to September. It can be very hot in July and August, ranging from 29C (85F) to 35C (95F), so it is the time for those who enjoy the heat. However, you can get a break from the sun in your luxury villa in Crete, as there is air conditioning.
Best Time for Festivals
Greek Orthodox Easter is a very important part of life in Crete. It doesn't always fall on the same date as the Christian religion, so if you want to experience the celebration, check the date. It can fall in April or even early May. It is a spectacular time of year to be in Crete. There are candlelit processions at midnight on Easter Saturday, and then non-stop feasting with lamb on the spit being the traditional Easter Sunday fare.
‘A basket of traditionally red-painted eggs to celebrate Greek Orthodox Easter’
In August, there is a public holiday on the 15th, which celebrates the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Festivals are held in many villages (called panigiria) where food and wine are plentiful and are accompanied by traditional music.
Season Breakdown
Spring (March - May)
The temperatures are comfortable, and the crowds are fewer, so it is the ideal time for visiting ancient sites, such as Knossos, close to the capital of the island, Heraklion. It dates back to the Minoan period, and the Old Palace was built around 1900 B.C., with the New Palace being built between 1700 B.C. and 1450 B.C.
‘The famous Minoan Palace of Knossos, built around 1900 B.C.’
Spring is also a great time for hiking. Try the Imbros Gorge, which is less challenging than the Samaria Gorge, so it will be suitable for the less experienced hiker. The views of the Libyan Sea close to the end of the Gorge are stunning.
‘The hiking path of Imbros Gorge, leading to the south coast of Crete and the Libyan Sea ‘
A good beach to visit in May is Vai Beach in Eastern Crete. It has Europe's only palm forest, but it can get crowded in the summer.
‘The famous Vai Beach on the east coast of Crete, with a stunning palm forest ‘
Seasonal produce at this time of the year includes artichokes and horta (wild greens), so buy some to cook in your holiday villa in Crete or ask your personal chef to prepare them Cretan-style.
Summer (June - August)
This is the peak tourist season, so you will appreciate a villa in Crete with a private pool. The beaches are crowded and holiday villas are more expensive. However, if you enjoy the heat, this is the time of year for you to visit. Life is lively, with beach bars and waterfront tavernas staying open until late.
The temperature during the summer is between 29 - 35C on average, and it can get hotter, even reaching 40C. Crete villas with a pool are perfect for this time of year. You will be able to escape crowded hot beaches in the middle of the day, be able to take a dip in the pool in peace, and pop indoors to cool down in the air conditioning.
There are spectacular beaches to enjoy in the summer. The Balos Lagoon on the Gramvousa Peninsula in the northwest of the island is beautiful. It is a breathtaking bay with a dreamlike sandy beach.
In the south-western edge of Crete are the pink sands of Elafonisi Beach with a small island of the same name.
On the south coast, next to the Libyan Sea, is the beach of Preveli which lies at the end of an impressive gorge.
A beach worth visiting if you are in the south-eastern part of the island, is the sandy palm beach of Vai.
It is important to book a villa in Crete in the summer as early as possible, even up to a year before.
Autumn (September - November)
Autumn
The sea is warm at this time of the year, and there are fewer people around, so it is a good time for the beach. You are likely to get a sun lounger in the autumn, but you also have the choice of just relaxing at your luxury villa with a pool.
The grape harvest is in full swing in September, so it is a good time to visit a winery and see how wine is produced. There are some places to visit in both the Chania and Rethymno areas, but if you are staying near Heraklion, take a wine tour in the Archanes Region. (Link: Blog; A Guide to the Archanes Wine Region in Crete)
‘A rural landscape in the Archanes area with olive groves and vineyards ‘
The olive harvest begins in October, so this is the time to visit an olive press. Olives have been important in Crete since the time of the Minoans. Crete has the oldest olive tree in Greece. It is around 3000 years old and is in a village called Vouves, a 35-minute drive from Chania. It still bears olives, which provide olive oil.
‘The oldest olive tree in Crete in the village of Vouves, estimated to be 3000 years old’
The Chestnut Festival is held in October in a village called Elos, which is about 60 km southwest of Chania. Chestnuts are much loved by the Cretans, and at the Festival, you can get complimentary roasted and boiled chestnuts. There is a feast with local wine and raki, traditional savoury dishes, and chestnut-based desserts. Entertainment is in the form of Cretan music, dancing, and cooking demonstrations. A market sells chestnuts, honey, and raki.
Winter (December - March)
If you decide to take a Crete villa holiday in the winter, you need to be aware that the resorts shut down in November and don't reopen until April. However, the major cities of Chania, Rethymno, and Heraklion are working cities, and many places stay open throughout the year, including shops, cafes, bars, and tavernas. \(Link: Blog: Chania vs Rethymno)
The weather is generally mild, though there can be plenty of rain. It is the perfect time to discover museums. The three major cities all have archaeological museums. Chania, with a history rooted very much in the sea, has an excellent Maritime Museum and a tiny, interesting Folklore Museum.
‘The fascinating Maritime Museum in the Old Venetian harbour of Chania’
Christmas is not such a big deal in Greece as Easter is, but it is becoming more important. There are decorations and plenty of feasting. New Year's Eve is celebrated with fireworks, and children receive their gifts on January 1st, delivered by Saint Basil. January 6th, the Epiphany, is a public holiday and involves the Blessing of the Waters. Young people jump into the sea to find the cross, and whoever does will have luck for the coming year. It's not recommended for those unused to colder seas.
Conclusion
Deciding on when to visit Crete really is a matter of what you are looking for in a holiday and what weather you prefer. Whenever you decide to come, be assured that Bnbstay has a fantastic selection of Crete villas to rent.
