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written by Joanne Owen
updated 10.10.2023
Wondering about the weather in Crete in October? Read on for a run-down of everything you need to know on that subject. Here we cover everything from average air and sea temperatures, to what to expect in terms of costs and crowds, and what to wear. In addition, we share inspired itinerary suggestions that’ll help you make the most of your trip.
Meet your Greece local travel expert
The Historical and Mythological Cyclades islands
The Cyclades islands include two of the most famous Greek Islands: Mykonos and Santorini. Visit these and some of the smaller, quieter, islands. With white washed houses, narrow cobbled streets, blue domed roofs and stunning beaches, they are what Greece is all about.
customize ⤍A secluded villa stay on Mainland Greece
Stay in a secluded private villa with magnificent views to the sea and explore this beautiful corner of Mainland Greece with your own rental car. Under the impressive Mt Taygetos in Southern Peloponnese, the region of Mani will give you a snapshot of authentic Greece.
customize ⤍Along the Coast of Crete: from Heraklion to Platanias
As Greece's largest island, Crete's culture and atmosphere is distinctly different from mainland Greece. Thousands of years of unique culture and rich history complement the island's untamed natural beauty. Explore Crete at your own pace with this unique self-drive trip!
customize ⤍Cultural and natural sites of Athens and the Peloponnese
Welcome to wonderful Athens for an unforgettable adventure. Enjoy getting lost in this maze of charming streets, where the modern sits beautifully with the ancient. Venture out into the Peloponnese on mainland Greece, and discover historical, cultural and natural wonders the region is blessed with.
customize ⤍An Odyssey Adventure in Ancient Greece
Learn the secrets of Ancient Greek mythology and history visiting the world-renowned site of the Acropolis, explore the unspoiled landscape of Peloponnese, become a true Spartan warrior in Thermopylae and much more - this self drive tour takes you on a real Greek adventure.
customize ⤍Explore Classical Greece: self-drive motorhome trip
This 15-days motorhome road trip will take you to Athens, the city of legends and some of the most fascinating classical sites, such as Epidaurus, Olympia, Delphi and the man-made marvels of the Corinth Canal and Byzantine monasteries of Meteora. A perfect tour for history.
customize ⤍Athens: City of the Gods
Welcome to wonderful Athens. Wander this maze of charming streets, where the modern sits beautifully with the ancient; discover the Acropolis and the Parthenon, the crowning architectural achievements of the Classical Age; indulge your sense with delicious Mediterranean food at local tavernas.
customize ⤍Discover Naxos in style
Stay in a secluded private villa and explore Naxos at your own pace in your own rental car. Lasting just above 1 week, this itinerary leaves plenty of room for relaxation and exploration of the amazing island of Naxos, with its authentic mountainous villages and magnificent sea views.
customize ⤍Epirus and Athens: The Ancient Sites
Discover the ancient cities of the Epirus region and Athens. Shrouded in myths and legends of Greek gods and Roman and Byzantine warriors, the sites in the Epirus region of Greece, temples, castles, fortresses and rivers, all have tales to tell.
customize ⤍An exclusive stay in Milos
Get to know the most exotic island in the Aegean by staying in a private luxury villa by the sea. Volcanic rocks paint the beaches red, pink and orange, white rock formations, emerald green waters and caves eroded by the sea, are steeped in stories of pirates. Milos is truly unique.
customize ⤍Greek Island-Hopping Honeymoon
Hop between the islands of Milos, Naxos, and Amorgos on this romantic trip. Drive around stunning coastlines, explore mountain villages, visit ancient sites, and luxuriate on golden beaches as you are transfixed by the allure of the Aegean’s turquoise waters.
customize ⤍Relaxing discovery of classical Greece
Spend a wonderful few days exploring Athens and the ancient sites surrounding the capital on mainland Greece. Blessed with glorious weather, nature and beaches, see sites that rival anything which you may find on the Greek Islands.
customize ⤍If you’re not keen on crowds and super-scorching weather, October is a great time to visit Crete, Greece's largest island.
In fact, many return visitors to the island wax lyrical about September and October being their favourite time to go. And the reasons? While the weather is mild (all the better if you’re planning an active holiday), you can expect 6-8 hours of sunshine a day.
Visiting Crete in October is also all the better for exploring the island's top ancient attractions, which draw colossal queues during the peak summer season. What's more, fewer crowds and lower costs mean you have a better chance of bagging the best accommodation at a better price.
Thinking of visiting Crete in October? Talk to our local Greek travel experts.
With an average daily maximum of 23°C, and average minimum of 17°C, the weather in Crete in October is warm-to-mild. In other words, it’s nigh-prefect for folks who struggle with the intense heat of summer, but aren’t keen on the cold.
With sea temperatures around the 23°C mark, October is also an excellent time to soak in Crete’s idyllic waters.
Set on taking a trip to Greece? Browse our inspirational Greece itineraries to start planning your perfect trip.
With an average of 14 mm of rainfall in October, visiting Crete in October also fares pretty well on the precipitation front.
Across the month, on any given day, there’s a 62% chance of blue skies and a 38% chance of clouds.
For more details on the weather in Greece around the year, read up on when to go to Greece.
Being shoulder season, visiting Crete in October means the crowds of peak summer season have departed. At the same time, the hiked costs of flights and accommodation also drop off.
Just be aware that while you can bag some bargains when it comes to booking flights and ferries, operators might be running reduced services.
Set on taking an autumn break? For further inspo, discover more of the best places to visit in October. As it happens, Crete is among them.
Longing for an October break that serves stacks of natural beauty, unique history, and world-class wine and dining experiences? Take inspiration from our Greece itineraries — here we highlight just a few of them.
All these suggestions can be customised to your exact needs, with a local Greek travel expert on hand to offer insider tips and take the hassle out of planning and booking.
For the day, you can wear pretty much what you’d bring for a summer break i.e. come armed with beach and swimwear.
You’ll also want to pack cool, comfortable clothes for daytime exploration (e.g. shorts and sun dresses), plus a light layers and longer garb for the evening, when it cools down.
While daytime temperatures can reach 23C, this drops off in the evening and overnight. So, in our view, A/C isn’t necessary in Crete in October. This might give you more choice when deciding where to stay.
While October is outside high season, and there are bargains to be had, it’s no secret that Crete is one of the best Greek islands to visit in autumn. As a result, you’d like to book your preferred flights and hotel, resort or guesthouse early, before others do so!
Crete delivers thousands of years of unique culture and rich history alongside untamed natural beauty. And, happily, October is the ideal time to take advantage of seeing the island’s top cultural attractions unhindered by crowds.
It’s also the perfect time to back to nature in cooler temperatures that are easier to handle than during the heady heights of summer.
With those general points in mind — plus a run-down of October festivals — read on for ideas for what to do in Crete in October.
Cooler temperatures make October a great time to try your hand at gorge walking and trail hiking in Crete’s wild interior.
Also a hotspot for mountain biking, canyoning and horse-riding, Crete has a bounty of beautiful beaches to bliss out on when you need a break. All the better for enjoying relative peace in October.
With the sea still being invitingly warm, you could enjoy tonnes of water sports activities. Don’t miss Elafonísi — it's one of the best beaches in Greece for a very good reason.
With the island less crowded by tourists in October, it’s a marvellous month to explore Crete’s ancient sites, with the Minoan Palace of Knossos sitting on top of the archaeological tree.
Elsewhere — one hour south of Heraklion — the Palace of Phaistos — is a remarkably well-preserved, myth-rich Minoan marvel.
Held across the harvest season — from mid-August to early October — this exuberant festival offers visitors authentic insights into the tradition of grape harvesting. You’re welcome to join local winemakers in hands-on experiences, and top tastings.
Held across the last weekend of October, one of Crete’s liveliest festivals features folk music, dancing, and plenty of chestnuts to chomp on!
Held on 28th October, this national holiday presents parades, folk dancing and speeches to commemorate Prime Minister Metaxas’ one-word reply to Mussolini’s 1940 ultimatum. Namely, Ohi! (“No!”).
Inspired by these ideas? Discover more reasons to visit Greece in winter.
Love the sound of Crete? Get yourself The Rough Guide to Crete. For more island inspiration, read up on the best Greek Islands to start planning your trip.
Alternatively, if the idea of planning leaves you cold, browse our customisable Greece itineraries.
written by Joanne Owen
updated 10.10.2023
Joanne is a Pembrokeshire-born writer with a passion for the nature, cultures and histories of the Caribbean region, especially Dominica. Also passionate about inspiring a love of adventure in young people, she’s the author of several books for children and young adults, hosts international writing workshops, and has written articles on the Caribbean and inspirational community initiatives for Rough Guides. Follow her @JoanneOwen on Twitter and @joanneowenwrites on Instagram.
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From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Greece
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