Visiting Crete in April: Wildflowers, Hiking & Weather

Crete is a grand island to visit in April, but things are pretty different as it’s not high season yet. Here is everything you need to know if you are looking to visit Crete in April.

Suppose you plan to visit the island of Crete in Greece in April. In that case, you should know that this is considered the “shoulder” season, and it is usually the month when the Greek Easter occurs (it depends on the moon, so it changes every year, but it’s generally in April or late May).

The weather in April can usually be cold, rainy, and windy, between 12 and 20 degrees Celsius. Still, because it’s further south, Crete generally has milder and warmer weather than the rest of Greece.

April is when most of Crete’s businesses are slowly getting prepared, but are not yet all open. However, because Crete is a massive island that does not depend solely on the tourism industry, thousands of businesses, restaurants, and shops will be open throughout the year, and obviously in April, especially close to the big cities such as Heraklion, Chania, and Rethymno.

BEST HOTEL IN CRETE IN APRIL:

BUT ALSO CHECK:

For Couples:
For Families:
For Honeymoon:
With Private Pool:
In Chania:
In Heraklion:

April in Crete is better weather-wise than March, but it’s not hot (for Greek standards at least…). Unfortunately, you are not going to get summer weather, and you are not going to enjoy the fabulous beaches in Crete, as it would probably be too cold for most people. You can try if you date, though!

The island won’t feel crowded in April, and you may only see a few crowds during the Greek Easter long weekend, mainly in major villages and towns. However, all beachside areas will feel deserted and closed in April, as May is the month they are opening for business. Don’t get me wrong; there will still be life in Chania, Heraklion, and Rethymno towns, but it will feel deserted compared to July or August.

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I will put it this way: if August is 120% busy for Crete, then April is about 20% busy.

seasons in crete — This is how Crete feels every month; these are not official statistics but more like my personal views after having visited the island many times over the past twenty years and experiencing firsthand the crowds and the… tranquility.

VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW FOR CRETE IN APRIL

NOT all businesses, restaurants, hotels, bars, and shops will be open in April in Crete, so check which hotels are offering rooms in April on Booking.com
April is considered mid-season for Crete; some people also call it “shoulder season,” along with May and October, because these are the months just before and after the high seasons of June, July, August, and September.
The weather in April in Crete can be cold, windy, and rainy, but it can also be sunny and warm (but not very warm). You would need a jacket even during the day, and nights can be pretty chilly, especially if it gets windy. Do not pack swimsuits if you are planning to visit Crete in April!
The sea water will be cold (at least for most people), and swimming in the sea might be challenging. Of course, you can still swim, but it won’t feel nice, and you will probably be alone on the beach. In general, nobody swims in the sea in Greece in April (we Greeks prefer the weather to be super hot to get into the water)
Because it’s not high season yet and most businesses will not be open, I strongly suggest you stay in one of the big towns such as Chania, Heraklion, or Rethymno. They are the capital of the island and have the most open shops and restaurants throughout the year. It would be great if your trip occurred during the Greek Easter weekend, as you will see lovely celebrations throughout the island (check the dates here).
Most of Crete’s restaurants will be open in April and ready to feed you (try the “antikristo” lamb yummy BBQ).

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⛴️ Ferryhopperis the best website to book your ferry tickets or check the timetables for Santorini, Mykonos , Crete & all Greek islands

🎫 Get Your Guide has the best and largest variety of Tours in Athens and the Greek islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Crete etc)

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✈️ Booking.com Flights has all the available flights to and from the Greek islands

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How is the weather in Crete in April?

April in Crete is pretty hot and dry. The temperature can be anything between 12 and 20 degrees Celsius (or 54 and 68 Fahrenheit), but it can feel cold, especially at night, because of the wind. April weather in Crete is not predictable, and you may definitely get rain some days, but you will also get lovely sunny days.

crete weather — *The average temperature in Crete in April is about 16 degrees Celsius or about 60 Fahrenheit, and it will mostly be sunny but also windy and chilly during the night(from **here**)*.

crete average rain — *There is a chance of rain in April in Crete,* but it will mostly be sunny; rain is *more possible than in August (from **here**)*.

During the day, you will definitely need a light jacket (especially if it’s cloudy), so unfortunately, no T-shirts or shorts. If it’s sunny though (and mainly towards the end of April) it may even get warmer and sunnier ☀️.

April in Greece is considered spring and not summer, but the weather is still better than in the major European capitals (Paris, London, etc). It’s still the Mediterranean after all!

Where to stay in Crete in April?

April is not high season, and since most of the businesses on the beachside areas will probably be closed, your options will be limited.

If you are visiting Crete in April, I highly recommend you stay in a big town such as Chania or Heraklion. These towns are the liveliest on the island at any time of the year.

Bear also in mind that the island will feel much busier and livelier during the long weekend of Greek Easter, as most Greeks celebrate Orthodox Easter and gather in their birthplaces and villages from the big cities in mainland Greece (mostly Athens).

where to stay in crete — Unfortunately, staying close to. A beach is not recommended in April as most beaches will feel deserted without any businesses open; the seawater would probably be too cold for most people to enjoy, too.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to enjoy any of the famous Crete beaches in April as the sea water is usually too cold, and there is literally no life around. All the beach clubs and most of the hotels and restaurants will be closed during April. That doesn’t mean, though, that you cannot visit the beaches at all, as they are fantastic anyway.

What do I need to pack for a trip to Santorini in April?

Forget about swimsuits, bikinis, monokinis, Borat-kinis, Speedos, Hawaiian flowery shirts, normal t-shirts, shorts, etc. You need to pack light winter or spring clothes.

You need your jackets, sweaters, and trousers. You also need your sweatpants for those hiking tours and your comfy jeans. No summer clothes at all.

santorini in april packing — *You won’t need any summer clothes in Crete in April.*

Is early April a good time to visit Crete?

April is a great time to visit Crete (as it is every month, in my opinion), but it’s not the best month if you are looking for summer weather and beach life. It is a great month to experience the lovely Greek Easter celebrations in Chania αnd all over the island, but it won’t feel like summer.

The seawater is cold in April because of the previous winter months.

See Also: Best Beaches in Crete you MUST visit (even if you don’t swim)

Can You Swim in Crete in April?

Unfortunately, not. You won’t be able to swim in the seawater in April in Crete, and most beach businesses, shops, bars, restaurants, tavernas, beach clubs, and hotels at the famous seaside towns of Hersonissos or Panormos will be closed. They usually open in early May and close at the end of October.

What things can I do in Crete in April?

You cannot do everything you’d do during May, June, July, August, September, or October, as many businesses, tour operators, and hotels will NOT be open. However, there are still many things to do on the island (and that’s the great benefit of Crete in general, as it’s a massive island that doesn’t depend on tourism only).

Visit the amazing Crete Beaches for a walk and photos, even if you don’t swim.
Visit Knossos Palace
Wander in the old cities of Chania and Rethymno
Day trip to Santorini island
Hike Samaria Gorge
Visit Spinalonga island

What are the flights to Crete in April?

For April, here are the companies with direct flights to Crete usually (these change every year, so please double-check before booking anything):

(Unfortunately, there are usually no direct flights from outside Europe to Crete in April…you have to get off at Athens and then take another plane or ferry to Crete). April is usually the month when the flight operators start flights to Crete (only from major European cities).

What are the ferries to Crete in April?

highspeed ferry greece — *Ferries to the Greek islands are less frequent in the winter, but Crete always has plenty of options.*

Read my super-detailed guide for all the ferries in Crete here:

–> How To Get From Athens to Crete

For the latest schedules and ferry timetables, you should always check the best website for booking ferries in Greece: Ferryhopper.

CONCLUSION

April in Crete is a great time to visit the island, but you won’t be able to swim in the sea or enjoy the island’s famous beach life. The super cute towns of Chania and Rethymno will still be available to enjoy. Still, the island will feel much quieter and relaxed with more locals usually around. You can still do things in April, such as hiking the Samaria Gorge or visiting the amazing Museums of the island and Knossos Palace. Μost importantly, you might be able to catch the amazing Greek Easter celebrations in any town if you are on the island at that time. Regarding accommodation, you should stay in Chania as it is the liveliest town on the island at any time of the year.

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