Greece, Europe

Crete in August

The busiest month, with Greeks and Italians joining the Northern European crowds. Around August 15, ferries and hotels are at capacity.

TradeoffsHot, highs near 86F (30C), warmest sea

Turquoise water at Gramvousa and Balos, Crete — CretePhoto: Theodoros Alexandropoulos, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

August is a month of real tradeoffs in Crete. The busiest month, with Greeks and Italians joining the Northern European crowds. Around August 15, ferries and hotels are at capacity.

Weather: Hot, highs near 86F (30C), warmest sea
Crowds: 5 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What August is like in Crete

August is Crete's busiest month. Highs are near 86F (30C), and the sea is at its warmest. Greek and Italian families join the Northern European crowds, and around August 15, ferries and hotels are at capacity. Prices are at their peak. Late in the month, the grape harvest begins in the wine villages around Archanes and Peza.

It suits families on school break and beach lovers who book early and do not mind busy sands. It is the wrong month for quiet or bargains, and the midday heat is hard on hikers. For the same warm water with fewer people, September is the better choice.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Crete this month.

The warmest sea

Swimming is easy and pleasant everywhere, from shallow family beaches to snorkeling coves.

Start of the grape harvest

Late in the month, wine villages around Archanes and Peza bring in the harvest, and some wineries open for tastings.

Spinalonga at the end of the day

Take a late-afternoon boat from Plaka or Elounda to the fortress island, when the midday tour groups have gone.

What to pack for August

Swimwear and a quick-dry towel
A wide-brimmed hat and high-SPF sunscreen
Water shoes for rocky coves
A reusable water bottle

Our timing tip

Avoid arriving or leaving around August 15, when ferries, flights and roads are at their busiest.

Book Crete for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Crete
Opens a hotel search for Crete in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Crete
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Crete
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Crete for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in August

Grape harvest

Late August through September

The wine villages around Archanes and Peza bring in the harvest; some wineries open for visits and tastings.

Things to do in Crete

Full guide

Knossos

The great Minoan palace just south of Heraklion. Arrive at opening; tour buses fill it by late morning in season and there is little shade.

Tickets and tours →

Heraklion Archaeological Museum

See it the same day as Knossos. The frescoes and the Phaistos Disc are the context that makes the ruins come alive.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Samaria Gorge

About 10 miles downhill from the Omalos plateau to the Libyan Sea, finishing with a ferry from Agia Roumeli. Open roughly May through October, weather permitting.

Tickets and tours →

Chania old town and Venetian harbor

The island's most beautiful town. Walk the harbor at dusk, then eat in the lanes behind it.

Tickets and tours →

Balos lagoon

Reached by boat from Kissamos or a rough road and a steep walk. Go early or late in the day; midday in July and August is packed.

Tickets and tours →

Elafonisi

Shallow, warm water and pink-tinted sand on the southwest tip. It is a protected area, so stay on marked paths and expect summer crowds.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Split your trip between west and east. Chania and the southwest draw most of the famous-beach crowds; the Lasithi plateau and far east around Zakros are far quieter.
Visit Balos and Elafonisi before 10am or after 4pm. The day-trip boats and coaches cluster in the middle of the day.
Hike Samaria on a weekday and take the earliest bus to Omalos. In summer, the lower section gets very hot by early afternoon.
Do Knossos at opening and the Heraklion museum in the afternoon heat, not the other way round.

Know before you go

Heraklion, Chania, and Rethymno run year-round. Museums and major archaeological sites stay open all year, with shorter winter hours.
Many coastal resort hotels, beach bars, and boat trips close from about late October or November until around Easter.
The Samaria Gorge is generally open from about May 1 to late October, and it closes on days of heavy rain or strong wind in any month.
Sites close on major holidays including January 1, March 25, Orthodox Easter Sunday, May 1, and December 25 and 26.

Crete in August, quick answers

Is August a good time to visit Crete?

August is a month of real tradeoffs in Crete. The busiest month, with Greeks and Italians joining the Northern European crowds. Around August 15, ferries and hotels are at capacity.

What is the weather like in Crete in August?

Hot, highs near 86F (30C), warmest sea.

Is Crete crowded in August?

August is peak crowd season in Crete; expect lines at the headline sights.

What is happening in Crete in August?

Grape harvest (late august through september).