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Best Times to Visit Crete
The best time to visit Crete is from mid-May to June or from September to October. May brings with it warmer waters and beautiful wildflowers that can be spotted throughout the island's natural attractions. If you plan on going during the summer, travel experts strongly suggest to take your vacation in June, as July and August usher in lots of crowds, which may compromise the comfort of visitors who traveled to the island to escape. The heat from the high season cools down in September and October, along with room rates and tourists, making this the best time to visit.
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| September-October |
Low hotel rates, fewer crowds … the autumn months offer all the perks of spring with one exception: The beach weather holds fast. Average temperatures stay in the mid-70s through September before descending into the high 60s come October. Even if you miss the chance to bathe in the Mediterranean, Crete's awe-inspiring historic attractions and lively celebrations are still worth the trip. Key Events:
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| November-February |
As cooler weather descends upon Crete, so does the rain. Temperatures average in the 50s as the island sees an abundance of precipitation. But that sure doesn't keep the Cretans from letting loose, and it shouldn't stop you either. The winter season sees some of the most rambunctious festivals. Hotel rooms are generally easy to find (not to mention cheap), but still, consider booking well in advance if you're planning to attend Carnival. Key Events:
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| March-April |
Springtime ushers in slightly higher temperatures with the averages ranging from high 50s to the low 60s. Visitors will be greeted with low room rates and fewer crowds, meaning you won't be spending a good chunk of your day waiting in line to get into attractions. The trade-off, however, is a higher likelihood of showers. Key Events:
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| May-August |
Summer is everyone's favorite time to head to Crete. Average temperatures rest in the low 70s and 80s, inspiring tourists and residents alike to don their bathing suits and hit the beach. But as temperatures rise, so do hotel prices, not to mention wait times at popular attractions and restaurants. Also, consider getting your day started early: You can avoid long lines by getting to the top sites first. Key Events:
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Popular Times to Visit Crete
Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016.
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