'Crete - October 2011' - Attribution: October in Crete is autumn with a dash of summer – a shoulder season month that often surprises visitors with how nice it can be. Early October can feel almost like an extension of summer with plenty of sunny days and highs around 25 °C (77 °F) or above. Overall, the average high is about 24 °C (75 °F) and the average low around 17 °C (63 °F). Later in October, evenings can get cooler (around 15 °C or 59 °F), so you might need a light jacket at night, even though the day still calls for short sleeves. The sea remains warm enough to swim in early October – about 23 °C (73 °F) at the beginning, cooling a little by month's end.
October is when the weather becomes more variable. A long dry spell often breaks during the month, and Crete sees around 45 mm of rain over approximately 4–5 days. Rainfall may appear as a brief downpour or a thunderstorm, typically followed by clear skies. Sunshine hours drop to about 6–7 hours per day. One notable feature is the reduction of wind – the Meltemi is gone, and aside from occasional local breezes, wind is not a major factor. Occasionally, southerly winds from Africa (Sirocco) can bring a last burst of warmth and even a touch of Sahara dust, resulting in dramatic orange sunsets and a hazy sky.
Practical tips: Pack clothing for both beach weather and cooler, rainy interludes. Bring t-shirts and swimwear for sunny afternoons alongside long pants, a sweater, and a light waterproof jacket or umbrella for potential showers. October is a quieter time for tourists: many resorts in smaller beach towns start to close while main towns and well-known sites remain active. This is also a wonderful time for hiking with refreshing autumn colours and for visiting archaeological sites like Knossos Palace, which are far more comfortable without the summer heat.