Travel advice for Greece
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Greece
If you’re seeking a warm spring break in a charming, historic location, consider adding Crete to your travel wish-list. While it won’t yet be hot, the weather in Crete in April means warm days, mild evenings, and small crowds. Read on to discover more about visiting Crete in April, with trip-enhancing tips and inspirational itinerary suggestions.
Sitting in the southern Aegean Sea between the Greek mainland and North Africa, Crete is one of the warmest places in Europe at this time of year.
If you visit Crete in April, you stand an excellent chance of enjoying pretty warm weather and relatively little rain as the island transitions through spring.
With an average daily maximum of 21ºC, and an average daily minimum of 12ºC, Crete enjoys warm-to-mild temperatures in April. As for the sea, it remains a brisk 17ºC.
For context, the average high temperature in Crete in May is 24ºC, dropping to an average of 14ºC at night, while the sea temperature averages 19ºC in May.
By June, the average daytime high is 28ºC, and the sea will be around 25 ºC.
After March’s showers, the average rainfall in Crete drops to 21mm across six days in April.
If you can hold off another month or two, Crete sees an average of 13mm of rainfall through May, and practically none in June, July and August.
Meanwhile, December — Crete’s rainiest month — experiences an average of 89mm.
Considering visiting Crete in April? Browse our inspirational Greece itineraries to start planning your perfect trip.
If you’re into experiencing local culture, cuisine and walking scenic trails, April is a great time to visit Crete. The weather is warm, it’s drier than the preceding months, and pleasantly uncrowded.
Get lucky, and you might also find yourself basking in the spring sun on one of the island’s beautiful beaches.
Just be aware that the sea isn’t exactly hot at this time of year, and the evenings and nights cool down.
Not sure when you want to travel? Read up on when to go to Greece around the year.
As mentioned above, if you visit Crete in the shoulder season of April, the crowds will be pretty small. Just check when Easter falls, as this does see in increase in visitors.
The same applies to the question of the costs associated with visiting Crete in April. Shoulder season means lower costs than you’ll typically pay for flights and accommodation through June, July and August.
But it’s best to book early, especially when Easter fall in April.
Keen to enjoy a break in April? For more ideas, discover more of the best places to visit in April.
If you’re in the market for a spring break that’s sure to put a spring in your step, you’ll find inspiration in our Greece itineraries. Here we highlight just a few of them.
All these suggestions can be customised to your exact needs, with a local expert on hand to offer insider tips, and take the hassle out of planning and booking.
If you visit Greece in April, you’re in for a treat when it comes to local events, especially if Easter falls within the month.
One of the most important religious festivals in Crete, a number of rites are performed throughout Holy Week, with a huge firework display on the Saturday.
On Easter Sunday and Monday, expect to feast on succulent roasted lamb and local drinks, with most towns and villages having their own way of marking the occasion.
On April 23rd, the feast of Agios Georgios — AKA Saint George, patron Saint of shepherds — is celebrated around the island, with notable gatherings held in Chania, Plakias and Rethymno.
Still undecided about when to travel? Be inspired by reasons to visit Greece in winter.
Here we share a few tips to help you make the most of visiting Crete in April.
Bearing in mind the warm daytime temperatures, you’ll want to wear light summer clothing during the warm days — the likes of summer dresses, shorts and t-shirts.
At the same time, you’ll want to come prepared with pullovers and cardigans for the cooler days and evenings.
Finally, while the rain has dropped off from March, we also suggest packing a light raincoat and umbrella.
When Easter falls in April, expect an increased demand for flights and accommodation, which usually means increased prices.
To secure your seat on the plane — and your preferred place to bed down — book early.
If you’re hoping to swim, and aren’t keen on braving the chilly sea, check out accommodation options with heated pools.
While this is something you might overlook — or can do without — in July and August, April’s cool sea temperatures might make it more of a must-have, depending on what you want from your trip.
Looking for more options for your holiday in April? Find the perfect holiday destination with our top suggestions.
If you’re feeling inspired to visit Crete in April, get yourself The Rough Guide to Crete to start planning your trip.
It’s packed with detail on top attractions and hidden gems, with in-depth area-by-area intel on accommodation, how to get around, and how to live your best authentic Cretan life.
Alternatively, if you’re not a fan of planning, browse our customisable Greece itineraries.
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Greece