The climate of Crete is temperate Mediterranean. As the southernmost island of Greece it is, with Cyprus, the sunniest island of the Mediterranean with an average of 300 sunny days a year. The summers are long and warm weather stretches well into the autumn. Winters are mild, with snow on the mountains and a good deal of rain in the plains, but still a good deal of sunshine. The combination of rain and relative warmth make it one of the greenest places in the Mediterranean basin, especially in spring

Being the most southern of all the Greek Islands, Crete enjoys plenty of sunshine and the longest of all the summer seasons in the region, lasting from April to October. With its temperate Mediterranean climate, the island sees hot dry summers, and mild winters, and remains a popular destination all year round.

January and February: This is the real winter time. The weather can be cold and rainy, but when the sun comes out you can enjoy stupendous views of the snowy mountains (there is at times over 3m of snow on them). This is also the time when flowers start to grow, almond trees blossom in January, anemones are plentiful and the citrus trees are full of fruit. You might find it difficult to get food and lodgings in tourist resorts but will have no problems in the cities. If you come to Crete for culture and essentially want to spend time in the museums, visit archaeological sites and churches, it is not at all a bad time. Winter is almost the only time of the year when you can visit Knossos and the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion without having to jostle with crowds. Although Crete can be cold, it never gets as cold as in northern Europe: the lowest temperature measured in Heraklion was -0,1°C (in 1928).

May and April: The weather is still unstable and can be very pleasant or very rainy. The nights will still be cool or even cold. The sea is still too cold to swim in.  After the winter rains the island is at its greenest and literally carpeted with flowers. April sees the first tourists and is also the time of the Greek Easter (not on the same date as the Catholic Easter), the most important feast of the year giving you the best opportunity to experience the hospitality of traditional Crete.

May and June: You are almost guaranteed to get good weather, the sea is warmer, there are still a lot of flowers, not too many tourists. It is maybe the best time of the year to visit Crete, especially if you intend to hike as the weather isn't too hot.

July and August: The high season! The weather is hot, very hot, too many tourists especially since the Greeks have "discovered" Crete as a holiday destination. Hot and dry, particularly on the shores of the Libyan Sea (South coast of Crete). The sea of course is wonderfully warm and if you search a little it is possible to find villages and beaches that remain fairly quiet.

September and October: These are better months as the weather is not so hot.  The sea is still really warm and there are far less tourists. The Cretans - especially the ones who work with tourism - although tired from the summer season are getting more relaxed. It is also one of the preferred periods for hikers. One drawback is that as it has not rained for several months the ground is really dry.

November and December: Tourism comes to an abrupt stop at the end of October with the end of charter flights. These months are as quiet as January and February but the chances of good weather are much higher. It is also still possible to swim. All in all not a bad time to be in Crete if you are prepared to risk some days of rain.