Holidays in the year

Stavros, on the Akoriti peninsular near the historic town of Chania, has to be one of the most beautiful, secluded villages on Crete’s west coast. It enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate: hot dry summers, and mild winters. At the height of summer, average daytime highs of 29C mean that a golden tan is guaranteed. Expect rain through the winter season, though, and a fall in temperature to as low as 12C.

 

April sees the start of the holiday season in Stavros, and as a reasonably mild spring (with some rain) passes into summer, the village experiences highs of 20C – perfect for sightseeing or exploring the unspoilt traditional Crete villages found inland in the mountains, and also for trips (on foot or by bicycle) to nearby Therissos. The temperature gradually rises from 23C in May, to 28C through June and July, and then maxes out at a scorching 29C in August. With 12 hours of sunshine at the height of the holiday season, a dip in the clear clean water at the protected sandy bay is a must as, in Stavros, there will be little or no summer rain to help cool you off! 

 

Once the height of summer passes at Stavros, you can still get a tan and enjoy long afternoons on the beach in September, as the average daily temperatures stay constant at around 25C. However, as autumn arrives in October, the temperature will drop to highs of 22C and you can expect rainfall. Through the winter season (November to February) although the weather remains mild for the most part, increased rain is almost a certainty and the average temperature will fluctuate between 12C and 13C throughout this season.

If all you want to do on your holiday is chill out and enjoy a ‘no pressure, no hassle’ couple of weeks in a quiet and romantic location, then Stavros is undoubtedly the place to go. A gentle village in a small secluded bay, Stavros is ideal for those who crave a break from it all in picturesque surroundings.

 

The beaches at Stavros are recognised as some of the most outstanding in all of Crete. Set in a beautiful and protected sandy bay, there are 2 beaches as well as a long sandy beach, all of which are often uncrowded. In the clean clear water why not enjoy a swim or even try your luck with a spot of fishing? However you choose to enjoy your trips to the beach at Stavros (the setting for the famous film ‘Zorba the Greek’!), and the other fantastic beaches in close proximity along Crete’s west coast, pack your sunscreen as the weather is sure to be gorgeous.

 

The pretty village has a few modest and relaxed tavernas, restaurants and bars, where you can enjoy a tasty light meal or a few drinks in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

The unspoilt traditional Crete villages found inland in the mountains close to Stavros are a delight and make for a great afternoon’s exploring. The jewel in the crown has to be the village of Therissos (a bus or car ride away) where the magnificent landscape and warm welcome that awaits you makes for an irresistible combination.

From nearby Souda Bay port (a natural deep harbour) close to Chania, take boat trips to neighbouring resorts. The choice of destinations is great, with trips available to resorts on Crete’s south-west and north coasts, as well as to the Greek mainland.

Located in the middle of the north coast of Crete, and 40 miles south-east of Chania and Chania airport, Rethymnon experiences a typically Mediterranean climate, with long hot summers and fairly mild winters. Summer temperatures can reach as high as 30C in July and August, with rain being very unlikely. The average winter temperature is 15C, with rainfall being relatively high throughout the season.

 

The summer season in Rethymnon stretches from June to September, and even from the start of the season you can expect to work on your tan on the sandy beaches, as temperatures rarely fall lower than 27C in June. Through July and August the temperature can reach 30C and you can expect 12 hours’ sunshine per day before temperatures drop slightly to an average of 27C through September. For those who might be worried the scorching weather may prove a little too much in what is always a busy and bustling resort, the heat is made bearable by welcome northern winds which gently blow in off the Mediterranean Sea.

The autumn season in Rethymnon can still be pleasant, as temperatures level out at around an average of 21C through October and November, but rain can become a daily occurrence as the season passes into winter. With winter in Rethymnon stretching from December to the end of February, expect rain as the weather becomes rather unpredictable during this season. Although a run of cloudy days can be suddenly followed by sunnier ones, temperatures can drop to 16C in December, and to 15C in January and February. With the average high temperature rising from 17C in March, to 20C in April, and to an agreeable 24C in May, the milder spring weather then makes Rethymnon ideal for the more adventurous tourist who wishes to explore charming small hillside villages, lush valleys, olive groves and forests, and even close-by mountains!

Lying between Malia and Hersonissos, Stalis is located on the north coast of Crete, just 18 miles from Heraklion airport. The popular, developed resort experiences a typically Mediterranean climate, with long hot summers and mild, wetter winters. The maximum summer temperature in Stalis is 27C – great for picking up a tan on any of the numerous sandy beaches. Rain in Stalis during the summer is virtually non-existent, which means guaranteed, uninterrupted sunshine for the entire length of your holiday break. The average winter temperature is 15C, with rain falling for up to 12 days per month through the winter season.

The summer season in Stalis stretches from May to September, with an average of 12 hours’ sunshine per day in June and July. The average temperature in July and August is 27C which makes cooling off with a leisurely swim in the bluest of blue seas an absolute delight. If it’s a summer holiday in Stalis you’re looking for, but you would prefer slightly cooler temperatures, then you might be wise to wait until September to pack your suitcases and fly out as the temperature then remains constant at an agreeable 25C max.

If exploring local traditional Crete villages is what you’re into, or a trip to the rugged and rocky Dikti Mountains sounds great, then it would be best to visit Stalis in the spring where walking, hiking, cycling and even rock climbing can all be comfortably enjoyed as the temperature remains a constant 15C throughout March, rising to 18C in April. In the winter months (November to February), expect an average of 10 days of rain per month throughout the season.

Located on the north coast of Crete, 24 miles east of Heraklion (and the airport) and 3 miles east of Malia, Sissi experiences an exceptionally long hot summer season, contrasted with shorter winters where snowfall is not uncommon. Summer temperatures can reach as high as 26C in August – perfect for those afternoons spent topping up your tan on the gorgeous soft sandy beaches. You can expect very little rainfall throughout June, July and August. The maximum winter temperature in Sissi is 14C (in December) – ideal weather for exploring the wonderful Lassithi Plateau or the many charming Crete villages nearby without feeling all hot and bothered! Rainfall is relatively high throughout the winter season.

The long holiday season in Sissi stretches from April to October, with July and August being the hottest summer months as temperatures soar to 26C. Throughout June, July and August you can expect 12 hours of sunshine. The clear blue waters are perfect for a gentle paddle or a swim, and the cool winds blowing in from Sissi’s undulating rocky outcrop also help take the edge off the scorching heat. In the cooler months (May and September) you can still pick up a tan as the average temperature is 23C.

The average temperature in Sissi during the spring months of March and April is 16C – great weather for walking and exploring, and also for taking excursions to the ancient Minoan Palaces at Knossos or the archaeology museum at Heraklion. As mentioned, snow during Sissi’s winter season (November to February) is not unknown, but more likely is rain and temperatures at an average of 14C.