Month guide · Crete · Greece
Crete in August
What August is really like in Crete: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Venetia84, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
August is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 30°C (86°F), lows of 22°C (72°F), about 0 rainy days and roughly 13.5 hours of daylight. The hottest, busiest month; warmest sea, with village festivals around 15 August.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 30°C (86°F) / 22°C (72°F)
- Rainy days
- About 0
- Daylight
- About 13.5 hours
- Sea temperature
- 25°C (77°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in August
August is the warmest month in Crete: days average 30°C (86°F) against a yearly average high of 23°C (73°F), and nights fall to about 22°C (72°F). Rain falls on roughly 0 of its 31 days. Compared with July (29°C (84°F)), August is about as warm; by September highs drop to around 27°C (81°F).
- Sunrise (15 August)
- About 06:41
- Sunset (15 August)
- About 20:10
- Daylight
- About 13.5 hours
- Sea
- 25°C (77°F)
Summer (June–August). Hot, dry and sunny with warm sea; peak crowds and prices in July and August, and strong winds at times.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, August rates 5 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 5 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: August is one of the pricier months.
Events in August
- Dormition of the Virgin — village festivals across the island (15 August)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in August
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Religious site · Rethymno
Arkadi Monastery
A fortified monastery with a Venetian Baroque church facade, about 23 km from Rethymno.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
Nature · Lasithi Plateau
Lasithi Plateau and the Dikteon Cave
Wear shoes with grip for the cave path and bring a layer; the plateau is cooler than the coast.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- History
Aquarium · Hersonissos and Malia
Cretaquarium
A large aquarium at Gournes, about 15 km east of Heraklion, with tanks of Mediterranean marine life including sharks, jellyfish and seahorses.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Nature · White Mountains
Samaria Gorge
Start early, wear proper hiking shoes and carry water and snacks; the descent is hard on knees and takes most people 5–7 hours.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Active
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Iconic
The sea averages 25°C (77°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Crete.
What to pack
For highs near 30°C, lows near 22°C and 0 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is August a good time to visit Crete?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Crete in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is August a good time to visit Crete?
It is a shoulder-season month. The hottest, busiest month; warmest sea, with village festivals around 15 August.
+How warm is Crete in August?
Average highs are around 30°C (86°F) and lows around 22°C (72°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Crete in August?
Expect rain on about 0 days of the month, so it is usually dry.