Greece, Europe

Crete in March

The island turns green and blooms. Many coastal hotels are still closed until around Easter, and the sea is cold.

Quiet valueWarming, highs near 64F (18C), wildflowers

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

The straight answer

March is a quiet, good-value month to visit Crete. The island turns green and blooms. Many coastal hotels are still closed until around Easter, and the sea is cold.

Weather: Warming, highs near 64F (18C), wildflowers
Crowds: 1 of 5
Prices: 1 of 5

What March is like in Crete

March is when Crete turns green and starts to bloom. Highs reach about 64F (18C), the hills fill with wildflowers, and the days lengthen. Crowds are minimal and prices low. The catch is that many coastal hotels stay closed until around Easter, and the sea is still cold. March 25 is a national holiday, and sites close that day.

It suits walkers, photographers and travelers who prefer quiet villages and open cities to beach life. Rethymno's carnival sometimes falls in March. Families wanting warm swims should wait until June. For the best mix of flowers and open resorts, April or May is the better bet.

Make the most of March

What is especially good about Crete this month.

Wildflowers begin

The countryside greens and blooms, making short walks around villages and hillsides a joy.

Carnival some years

When Orthodox Easter is late, the Rethymno Carnival and its final-Sunday parade land in March.

Empty archaeological sites

Knossos and the smaller Minoan sites are peaceful, with cool air for exploring.

What to pack for March

A light waterproof jacket
A warm fleece for evenings
Walking shoes for hillside trails
Sunglasses for bright spring days

Our timing tip

Check that your chosen hotel is open before booking a coastal stay, since many only reopen around Easter.

Book Crete for March.

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

Rethymno Carnival

The weeks before Orthodox Lent, February or March depending on the year

One of the largest carnivals in Greece, with a treasure hunt and a big parade on the final Sunday.

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.

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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.

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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 March, quick answers

Is March a good time to visit Crete?

March is a quiet, good-value month to visit Crete. The island turns green and blooms. Many coastal hotels are still closed until around Easter, and the sea is cold.

What is the weather like in Crete in March?

Warming, highs near 64F (18C), wildflowers.

Is Crete crowded in March?

March is one of the quieter months in Crete; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Crete in March?

Rethymno Carnival (the weeks before orthodox lent, february or march depending on the year).