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Averages for Crete in February

Weather lowdown

With winter almost coming to an end, February sees temperatures slowly but surely rising across the island of Crete. Average daytime temperature climbs up to 12 degrees Celsius, with daytime high peaks reaching up to 16 degrees and lows rarely going below 8 degrees. The sea is constantly warmer than the air outside, staying at a mild and comfortable 16 degrees.

Although still chilly outside, the island’s numerous outdoors activities slowly start picking up pace during this month. The sun is expected to fully shine for three hours each day, with some cloud cover getting in the way. These clouds still allow a fair share of light to pass through however, as they are rather thin in nature, a fact that is proven by the amount of rainfall during the month of February.

Total precipitation for the month reaches 64 mm with the island experiencing some form of rainfall during 11 of the month’s days. Since Crete is a sizeable island, it is possible to escape the rain by travelling across its span. February is a particularly windy month and the wind serves to rapidly drop the temperature, especially in coastlines that have a very close proximity to mountain peaks that may still have some snow. Wind blowing from the inland terrain will be chilled in the mountains before descending to the beaches, lowering temperatures.

Dates for the diary

Each year towards the end of February tourists visiting Crete have the opportunity to witness and participate in the island’s Carnival celebration known as ‘apokries’. During the apokries (literally meaning ‘stopping the meat’) there are numerous music, parades and fiestas across the island’s settlements. In this traditional carnival people dress up in weird costumes and parade down the streets.

Along with the traditional carnival, more exotic, Latin-style parties also take place. These carnival parties have a foreign air that merges perfectly with the local customs. During these carnival events, colourfully dressed dancers and wild parades are unleashed on the streets.

Things to do

Footscapes of Crete take adventurous tourists to various locations impossible to visit in a car. The footscapes tours walk you across narrow alleys and into beautiful old buildings, exploring the city of Rethymnon in a unique way. The tour ends with a visit to the city’s best shopping centres and high-end boutiques.

The beaches of Nea Chora are fairly quiet and perfect for families. They boast fine sand, clean waters and shallow waters. There are lots of facilities including showers, toilets and restaurants, making this beach very child-friendly. Several water sports are also practiced here, too, including parasailing.

Aghios Nicolaos beach is a beautiful bay east of Heraklion, the island’s capital. The bay includes Europe’s deepest sea level and lots of other curiosities including old ships and a unique bridge spanning across the bay. This is a lively beach with lots of clubs, bars and discos at walking distance.

Where to eat & drink

If you are looking for a good, low-key place to eat in Gouves then head to Skorpios. Located at walking distance from the beach, this restaurant serves great international and local food at bargain prices. The portions are large and the atmosphere is merry.

The traditional taverna Dounias in Chania follows the ideals of the slow food movement. Run by an accomplished and award-winning chef, Dounias serves reinvented Greek classics with a nouveau cuisine touch twist.

Where to stay

Located on an idyllic prairie, Hotel Palladion is a good choice. The Palladion offers budget accommodation with free WiFi and a hearty breakfast buffet – ideal for fuelling your adventures in Crete.

Hotel Alexis is a boutique that pays close attention to detail. The hotel overlooks the beautiful city of Chania on one side and the island’s famous mountains on the other. As Alexis is close to many mountain paths, this is the perfect choice of accommodation for hikers and trekkers wishing to explore Crete’s mountains.

Istron Bay is a budget Hotel offers packages and budget deals which will appeal to the budget-savvy tourist. Istron Bay offers bed and breakfast packages as well as half-board and all-inclusive deals too. The prices are low but the service is excellent in this hotel, which is known to serve special treats including fruit or wine.

Creta Solaris Hotel Apartments offer affordable accommodation with lots of added benefits. The hotel itself is pretty and unpretentious, with comfy indoor areas and a picturesque garden. This is a great option for for families and older tourists.

The Blue Sea Resort is a modern and accessible all-inclusive hotel that is just meters away from the famous blue sea beach. The resort features a spa and a number of recreational facilities including kids’ areas and playgrounds. Welcoming staff and well prices, too.