'Crete' April in Crete is a delightful spring month. Temperatures continue their upward trend, with average highs around 20 °C (68 °F) and lows about 12 °C (54 °F). Many days will climb into the low 20s °C, feeling warm in the sunshine. Rain becomes infrequent – the rainy season is ending, with roughly 25 mm of rain in the entire month and only a few rainy days. In fact, after early April it's not unusual to have long stretches of dry weather. The sun now shines a solid 8 hours a day on average, and the landscape is at its most vibrant. Spring is in full swing: wildflowers blanket the countryside in multicolour blooms, and the air is fresh with orange blossoms perfume the rural areas as citrus trees flower. April is arguably one of the most beautiful months to see the island's natural scenery.
With warming air, the sea starts to slowly warm too, though it's still cool at about 17 °C (63 °F) by month's end. Some intrepid swimmers and northern Europeans will start taking dips, especially on calm sunny days or in shallow bays that heat up faster. But most people will wait until late May for serious swimming. Instead, April is great for activities like hiking, cycling, and sightseeing. The weather is usually ideal for being active outdoors – not too hot, not too cold. Trails in places like the gorges of Imbros are open and uncrowded. It's also a fantastic time for cultural experiences. Easter often falls in April (sometimes early May), which is a huge celebration in Greece. If you visit during Orthodox Easter week, you can witness candlelit processions and feasts – a very special cultural experience – and the weather is generally pleasant for these late-night events.
Practical tips: You'll want spring attire – long pants or jeans, t-shirts or light long-sleeves, and a sweater or light jacket for the cooler evenings. Sunscreen becomes necessary now for midday hours, as the UV strength increases. An umbrella is less crucial, but it doesn't hurt to have a compact one just in case of an odd shower. By April, most tourist facilities in resort areas are reopening for the season, so you can enjoy a balanced atmosphere with lively streets yet fewer crowds at major attractions.