Holidays in the year

The quiet resort of Kokini Hani is located on Crete's north coast, just 10km from the island's capital, Heraklion. Experiencing a typically-Mediterranean climate, the town sees hot sunny summers and mild winters, with ideal weather for a relaxing holiday. Due to the island's southerly location in the Mediterranean, Kokini Hani boasts a longer than average tourist season that runs from April to October. 

 

Spring sees warm conditions in Kokini Hani, with highs of 19C in April, the start of the season, and 8 hours of daily sunshine, rising to 22C in May. Visitors can make the most of this pleasant weather, and enjoy lots of different outdoor activities, such as walking, cycling and tennis, before the temperatures start to rise, and the north coast becomes much more crowded. These months are good for heading to the capital, Heraklion, to explore, or visit the ancient ruins at Knossos, and with just 19mm - 38mm of rainfall, the days are generally dry and sunny. June brings hotter weather, with daytime highs of 26C, and as much as 12 hours of sunshine, seeing more holiday-makers head to the coast. Humidity begins to rise at this time, and night-time temperatures reach 18C. The peak season months of July and August experience very hot weather with temperatures rising to 28C, and the sun shining for a constant 12 hours each day, with this period seeing visitors to Kokini Hani flock to the beach to sunbathe, swim and enjoy water sports and boat rides, thanks to the warm seas that remain around 24C - 25C. Summers remain extremely dry, with less than 8mm of monthly rain falling between June and August.      

 

The weather stays hot into September, with highs of 25C and a constant 10 hours of sun, only falling to 22C in October as the season winds down. Rainfall does increase at this time, with the resort seeing 82mm during October, and as much as 148mm in the wettest month of January. Winters remain mild, with daytime temperatures only dropping to 14C in January and February, and the sun still out for 4 - 5 hours each day.

The main feature of Kokini Hani is the wonderful sandy beach, which boasts convenient tourist facilities such as umbrellas and sun beds, and some beachfront snack bars.

 

Water sports to enjoy include wind-surfing, jet-skiing, surfing and canoeing, and there are fishing trips available.

 

Visitors can take a number of boat trips along the coast, which head out past hidden beaches, coves and bays, or out to Spinalonga Island.

 

Tour the area by jeep safari, and get a real taste of the island by exploring unspoilt Greek villages, the rugged mountainous interior and its stunning coastal regions.

 

The Aqua Plus Water Park at Hersonissos is a great alternative to the beach, and offers a number of slides and a lazy river - fun for all the family.

 

Heraklion, the island's capital, is an interesting day trip 14km away, and accessible by bus from the village. Here, there are museums to visit, and a wealth of restaurants and shops in which to browse.

 

There are also buses that go to Hersonissos, Stalis, Malia and Agios Nikolaos, for a change of pace, and local attractions include the Aquarium in Gournes, the ancient site at Niros and the little village of Analipsis with its local craft shops. Visit the Minoan Palace at Knossos, the historic Rethymnon, hike the Samaria Gorge and even take a drive to Chania in western Crete, to tour the unspoiled end of the island.

The unspoiled village of Kefalas close to Georgioupolis offers a quiet peaceful base for exploring this part of western Crete, and its typically-Mediterranean climate provides ideal beach weather for holiday-makers. With its longer-than-average tourist season, Kefalas welcomes visitors from April to October, and experiences hot sunny weather all season long.

 

Spring sees lovely warm weather in Kefalas, with April bringing highs of 19C and 8 hours of sunshine, and these pleasant days ideal for touring the region, enjoying walks, bike rides, and bird-watching in the rural countryside. There is limited rainfall at this time, an average of 30mm during the month, and the dry weather means perfect conditions for being outside, before it gets too hot. May sees temperatures rise to 23C, and by June the average daytime highs have reached 28C, and there is 12 hours of daily sunshine. The beaches are the place to be at this time, with peak season temperatures of 29C and as much as 13 hours of sun, however there is increased humidity, which is tempered by the northern winds that blow along the north coast. Rainfall is extremely limited in the summer, with less than 3mm falling each month. Night-time temperatures remain very warm, with Kefalas evenings centred on leisurely dinners in the local tavernas and relaxing drinks.

 

The hot weather continues into September, with daytime highs of 27C, and a constant 10 hours of sun each day, only dipping down to 22C in October, the end of the season. At this time the rainfall increases, with Kefalas seeing 77mm, rising to 125mm in the wettest month of the year, January. Winter sees the weather remaining mild, with the temperature only dropping down to 14C in the coldest months of January and February.

This rural base will suit those looking to explore the countryside of the region, with plenty of opportunity for hikes and nature trails, as well as excellent bird-watching. Cycling trips in and around the area are a fun way to experience the beauty of the region.

 

Kefalas has a number of good beaches to visit, namely Almirida, Georgioupolis and Kalives. The whole of the north-west coast has countless little coves and hidden beaches to discover, with many deserted spots for quiet relaxation.

 

Boats depart from Rethymnon and Chania and take passengers along the coast to various hidden bays and coves, or on excursions to Karga Island or Spinalonga Island. 

 

Nearby Almirida has a selection of water sports to choose from, such as scuba-diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, sailing and canoeing. 

 

Chania Town is a must-see on any holiday to Kefalas, with its charming centre home to beautiful Venetian architecture, and the magnificent harbour a major attraction. There's excellent shopping and dining here, and plenty of night-time entertainment for visitors. A bus service runs from the village to Chania via Vamos.

Explore the interior by car and discover a wealth of tiny traditional villages, or tour the churches and monasteries of the area. Head to the lake at Kournas, visit Heraklion or Rethymnon for sightseeing, tour the Minoan ruins at Knossos Palace or hike the Samaria Gorge in southern Crete.

Kato Daratso lies just 6km from Chania, the capital of western Crete, and experiences a typically-Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. This small village on the hillside offers a quiet base for a holiday in Crete, and enjoys a longer-than-average tourist season that runs from April to October.

The spring brings warm weather to Kato Daratso, with April seeing highs of 19C and 8 hours of sunshine, and limited rainfall - just 30mm during the month. Conditions during this time are ideal for exploring the region, especially sightseeing trips to the town of Chania, and for walks and bike rides around the village. In May it gets hotter, with average daytime temperatures of 23C, and 10 hours of sunshine, and pleasant evening temperatures of 15C. By June, the weather in Kato Daratso is a very warm 28C, and there is 12 hours of daily sun, with increasing humidity. The beaches are the place to be during the summer, with the peak season months basking in 29C weather and up to 13 hours of sun, and the coastal waters off the village reach 25C. Rainfall is virtually non-existent in the summers, with less than 4mm falling each month, and the evenings are a very warm 21C, meaning ideal conditions for al-fresco dinners in the local tavernas and evening strolls.

 

The hot weather continues into September, when the village sees highs of 27C, only dropping to 22C in October at the end of the season, when there is still plenty of sunshine, between 7 - 10 hours each day. Rainfall increases at this time, with October has 77mm, and the wet weather continuing into the winter, with as much as 127mm falling in January. Winter temperatures are mild, with January and February, the coldest months in Kato Daratso, only dropping down to 14C.