When to visit Heraklion & Knossos (Crete) without the crowds
Heraklion & Knossos (Crete) (Greece) is calmest in January, February, March, April, November and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in May, June, July, August and September. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals.
Best months
Apr–May & Oct–Nov
When everyone heads home
The second half of October.
Tip
Reach Knossos at opening or an hour before closing: cruise groups arrive at midday.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1/5 · calm | 16 °C (62 °F) | New Year's Day, Epiphany |
| February | 1/5 · calm | 17 °C (63 °F) | |
| March | 2/5 · calm | 19 °C (67 °F) | Clean Monday, Annunciation, Independence Day |
| April | 2/5 · calm ✦ | 23 °C (73 °F) | Good Friday |
| May | 4/5 · busy ✦ | 27 °C (80 °F) | Labour Day, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday |
| June | 4/5 · busy | 31 °C (87 °F) | Pentecost, Whit Monday |
| July | 4/5 · busy | 32 °C (90 °F) | |
| August | 5/5 · busy | 32 °C (89 °F) | Heraklion Summer Festival (Jul–Aug), Assumption Day |
| September | 4/5 · busy | 30 °C (85 °F) | |
| October | 3/5 · moderate | 26 °C (78 °F) | Ochi Day |
| November | 1/5 · calm | 22 °C (72 °F) | |
| December | 1/5 · calm | 18 °C (64 °F) | Christmas Day, St. Stephen's Day |
✦ = something special to see.
What to see, and when
- Wildflowers in Crete's mountains and gorges (Apr–May).
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (Eurostat, Crete, 2023-2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Heraklion & Knossos (Crete) without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually January, February, November and December (crowds 1/5). In November the average high is 22 °C (72 °F). All the calm months: January, February, March, April, November and December.
When is Heraklion & Knossos (Crete) most crowded?
The busiest season is May, June, July, August and September. The second half of October.
What is the weather like in Heraklion & Knossos (Crete)?
Average highs range from 16 °C (62 °F) in January to 32 °C (90 °F) in July, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What is there to see in Heraklion & Knossos (Crete) by season?
Wildflowers in Crete's mountains and gorges (Apr–May).
What festivals are there in Heraklion & Knossos (Crete)?
The main ones: Heraklion Summer Festival (Jul–Aug) (August).
More places in Greece
- Santorini calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in June, July and August
- Athens calm in January, February, November and December; busiest in May, June, July, August and September
- Mykonos calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in June, July, August and September
- Chania (Crete) calm in January, February, March, April, November and December; busiest in May, June, July, August and September
- Rhodes calm in January, February, March, April, November and December; busiest in May, June, July and August
- Corfu calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in June, July and August
- Thessaloniki calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in June, July, August and September
- Meteora (Kalambaka) calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Nafplio calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Naxos calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in June, July, August and September