Season guide · Crete · Greece
Crete in summer
June–August: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ggia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Hot, dry and sunny with warm sea; peak crowds and prices in July and August, and strong winds at times. Expect highs up to 30°C (86°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F), with about 1 rainy days across June–August. June is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- June–August
- Temperatures
- 19°C (66°F) to 30°C (86°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 1
- Sea
- 22°C (72°F) to 25°C (77°F)
- Crowds
- Very busy
- Hotel prices
- Highest
Weather in summer
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 1 | 14.5 h | 4/5 |
| July | 29°C (84°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 0 | 14.3 h | 5/5 |
| August | 30°C (86°F) | 22°C (72°F) | 0 | 13.5 h | 5/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 29°C (84°F) against a yearly 23°C (73°F), and 1 of the year's roughly 55 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 5/5 and hotel prices 5/5 on average.
What's on in summer
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- July: Village wine and food festivals (summer weekends)
- August: Dormition of the Virgin — village festivals across the island (15 August)
Make the most of the weather
Beach · Southwest Crete
Elafonisi
Visit early or late in the day; avoid taking sand or shells, as the area is a protected nature reserve.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Island · Agios Nikolaos and Elounda
Spinalonga
A small island in the Gulf of Elounda fortified by the Venetians in the 16th century and used as a leper colony until 1957.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Views
Castle · Rethymno
Rethymno Old Town and Fortezza
Visit the Fortezza late in the afternoon for the sunset view over the sea.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Architecture
- Kids
Historic site · Messara plain
Phaistos and Gortyn
The Minoan palace of Phaistos sits on a ridge with views over the Messara plain to Mount Psiloritis; it was here that the Phaistos Disc was found.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Off the beaten path
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
Day trips in summer
- Chrissi island (About 1 hour by boat from Ierapetra) — A protected, uninhabited island off the south-east coast with shallow turquoise water, shell-strewn beaches and an ancient juniper forest growing on sand dunes.
- Archanes (About 25 minutes by car from Heraklion) — A restored wine village of neoclassical houses below Mount Giouchtas, with Minoan sites nearby, wineries in the surrounding hills and village tavernas around the square.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is summer a good time to visit Crete?
Yes: June is among the best months. Hot, dry and sunny with warm sea; peak crowds and prices in July and August, and strong winds at times.
+What is the weather like in Crete in summer?
Highs of up to 30°C (86°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F), with about 1 rainy days over the season.