Crete in August: weather and travel tips

If you’re in the market for a classic Greek island summer holiday, you may well be considering visiting Crete in August. So, to help plan your trip, here we share everything you need to know about the weather in Crete in August, along with travel tips, and Greek itinerary suggestions to spark travel inspiration.

What is the weather like in Crete in August?

Situated between North Africa and the Greek mainland, the gorgeous Greek island of Crete boasts the country’s warmest climate, with August and July being the hottest months of the year.

The weather in Crete in August is characterised by long, hot hours of extended sunlight. Rainfall is virtually unheard of, and the sea is at its warmest. 

Still haven't decided where you're going this summer? Explore our list of the best August holiday destinations.

Average temperatures in Crete in August

August sees Crete hit an average daytime temperature of around 28℃, which drops to an average of 24℃ at night.

In addition, August also sees the sea around Crete at its warmest level — a bath-like 26℃.

Average rainfall in Crete in August

Happily, travellers who are looking forward to spending long days stretched out on Crete’s beaches, the island sees virtually no rain in August. It’s pretty much cloudless through the entire month.

For comparison, September sees around 10mm of rain on average while December — Crete’s rainiest month — experiences a soggy 89mm.

Not sure when to travel? Read up on when to go to Greece to find out about the weather in Greece around the year.

Is August a good time to visit Crete?

For summer sun and the best weather for enjoying the island’s beautiful beaches, August is a great time to visit Crete. 

Just be aware you definitely won’t have a quiet, secluded experience at this time of year. Bars and restaurants are busy and buzzing. Beaches throng. Trails teem with hikers and walkers. 

Considering visiting Crete in August? Browse our customisable Greece itineraries for inspiration.

What about the crowds and cost?

Given that August is the peak of Crete’s high season, it’ll come as no surprise that the island is crowded in August. 

Hand in hand with that is the fact that the cost of flights and accommodation are also at their highest. To get the best deals, book your fights and hotel early.

If you prefer smaller crowds, need to stick to a tighter budget, and fancy seeing the island beyond the beach, think about visiting Crete later in the year. For example, there are plenty of enticing reasons to visit Greece in winter.

Ready for your dream trip to Crete?

If you’re looking to enjoy a special summer trip that delivers sun, stunning beaches, warm waters and incredible cultural attractions, you’ll find inspiration in our Greece itineraries — here we highlight just a few of them.

• Coast of Crete — a stunning self-drive experience (10 days): if you’re longing for awe-inspiring scenery, ancient culture, and a sense of freedom, this self-drive trip along Crete’s coast has your name all over it.
• Milos — an exclusive island idyll (9 days): for an alternate Greek Island experience, why not get to know the Aegean’s most exotic island while staying in a private luxury villa by the sea?
• Epirus and Athens — the Ancient Sites (8 days): shrouded in myths and legends of Greek gods and Roman and Byzantine warriors, sites in the Epirus region of Greece have fascinating tales to tell. Add to that exploring Athens, and this amounts to a diversely exhilarating experience.

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. 

Festivals and events in Crete in August

Although Crete isn’t as much of a full-on party destination as some of the other Greek islands (such as Mykonos, Ios and Kos), August sees this holiday hotspot come alive with festivals and events. These come in addition to beach gatherings and live music events around the island.

Kornareia Festival

Head to scenic Sitia for the Kornareia Festival, which sees traditional cultural events held from the end of May through to the end of August.

Events aside, Sitia is well worth visiting in its own right. Around 130 km east of Heraklion, it’s within reach of unique archaeological treasures, such as the Minoan palace of Zakros, and special beaches.

15^th August 

15^th August is Crete’s largest religious festival. Known as Greece’s ‘little Easter’, it sees families celebrate the festival of the Panagia (Virgin Mary) through feasts and street dancing.

Feast of Saint Titus

August 25^th sees Heraklion host a huge feast in honour of Saint Titus. Considered to be the island’s protector, Titus was the first bishop of Crete.

Houdetsi festival 

Held in the village of Houdetsi for four days in August, this blends global music events with celebrations of Cretan culture and heritage.

Tips for travelling to Crete in August

From what to wear, to making the most of the island’s cultural attractions, here are a few tips to help you plan your trip to Crete in August.

What to wear in Crete in August

Bearing in mind the high temperatures, you’ll want to wear lightweight clothing. Your packing list should prioritise light dresses, shorts, t-shirts, sandals and flip-flops.

Remember to bring footwear suitable for walking — that counts for when you’re out and about visiting villages and towns, or when you fancy exploring Crete’s walking trails.

Be sun-savvy

The UV index will be super-high in Crete in August, so you’ll need to keep slavering yourself in sunscreen and wear a hat and sunglasses. 

Don’t forget to top up applications after swimming, and try to limit sun exposure between noon and 4pm, which segues into our next tip…

Visit top attractions early in the day

To avoid highest sizzling temperatures, plan to visit top attractions like Knossos and Phaistos in the early morning. 

Not only will the day be pleasantly warm at this time (as opposed to being scorching hot!), but you’ll also avoid the hordes of coach parties. These tend to arrive from 10am. 

The same goes for hikers and walkers — set out early.

Book flights and accommodation early

As August is the pinnacle of Crete’s high season, it goes without saying that you should book flights and your preferred accommodation as early as possible. 

Leaving it late will mean paying higher prices, and you could be too late to secure your number one location and preferred flights.

Planning your August trip to Crete 

Thinking of taking a trip to Crete? With in-depth region-by-region coverage, and detail on where to stay, eat, drink and shop, The Rough Guide to Crete is the perfect companion for pre-trip planning and on-the-road exploration .

Alternatively, if you’re not keen on the hassle of researching, planning and booking, browse our customisable Greece itineraries.

As with all Rough Guides’ itineraries, your perfect trip will be curated with input from a local expert who really knows their stuff.