Crete in April is a great island to visit, but things are quite different on the island as it’s not high season yet. Here is everything you need to know if you are looking to visit Crete in April.
If you are planning to visit Crete island in Greece in April, you should know that this is considered the “shoulder” season and it is usually the month when the Greek Easter occurs (it actually depends on the moon so it changes every year but it’s usually in April or late May). The weather in April can usually be anything between 12-20 degrees Celsius, and it can be cold, rainy and windy but in general Crete has a more mild and warm weather than the rest of Greece because it’s more south. April is the month when most of the businesses in Crete are slowly getting prepared but are not yet all open. However, because Crete is a massive island that does not depend only on tourism industry there will be thousands of businesses restaurants and shops 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 definitely a better month weather-wise compared to March, but it’s definitely not a hot month (for greek standards at least…). Unfortunately, you are not going to get summer weather and you are not going to enjoy the awesome beaches in Crete, as it would probably be too cold for most people. You can definitely try if you date though!
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The island won’t feel crowded at all in April, and you may only see a few crowds during the Greek Easter long weekend mainly in major villages and towns. All beachside areas, though, will be feel deserted and closed in April, as May is actually the month that they are opening for business. Don’t get me wrong, there is still going to be life in Chania, Heraklion and Rethymno towns but it’s going to feel deserted compared to July or August.
READ ALSO:
Where to Stay in Crete
Best Hotels in Crete
Best Family Resorts in Crete
Best Hotels in Chania
I will put it this way: if August is 120% busy for Crete, then April is about 20% busy.
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 actually offering rooms in April on Booking.com
- April is considered mid-season for Crete; some people also call it “shoulder season” along the month of May and October, because these are the months just before and after the high season 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 definitely need a jacket even during the day and nights can be quite 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 also, you will probably be alone on the beach. In general, nobody swims in the sea in Greece, in April (us greeks prefer for 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. as it’s the capital of the island with the most open shops and restaurants throughout the year. It would be great if your trip occurs at the Greek Easter weekend as you will see lovely celebrations throughout the island, (check the dates here).
- Most of the restaurants in Crete will actually be open in April and ready to feed you (try the “antikristo” lamb yummy bbq)
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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 12-20 degrees Celsius (or 54-68 Fahrenheit) but it can feel cold, especially during the 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.
During the day, you will definitely need a light jacket (especially if it’s cloudy) so no t-shirts or shorts, unfortunately…
If it’s sunny though (and mostly 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 Meditteranean after all!
Where to stay in Crete in April ?
April is not high season and since most of the businesses on the beach side 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, which are the liveliest towns of the island any time of the year.
Bear also in mind that the island will feel much busier and livelier during the long weekend of the Greek Easter , as most Greeks celebrate orthodox easter and they gather to their birth places and village from the big cities in mainland Greece (mostly Athens).
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 anyways.
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, your sweaters and your trousers. You need your sweatpants for those hiking tours and your comfy jeans. No summer clothes at all…
Is early April a good time to visit Crete ?
April is a great time to visit Crete (as it’s 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 I can 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 lots of 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
- Daytrip 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?
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 famous beach life of the island. The super cute towns of Chania and Rethymno will still be there and available for you to enjoy but the island will feel definitely much more quiet and relaxed with more locals usually around. There are still things you can do in April such as hiking the Samaria Gorge or even 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. In regards to accommodation, you should definitely stay in Chania as it is the liveliest town on the island at any time of the year.
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