Weather Pefkos , Rhodes
Taking its name from the pine trees that line the beach, Pefkos is a pretty village and beach resort located on the east coast of Rhodes. The Greek island of Rhodes (which is the largest of the Dodecanese islands) sits in the southeast Mediterranean Sea, just off the west coast of Turkey.
While the resort of Pefkos was traditionally a sleepy fishing village, it has now become a popular tourist destination, though a very small one. Unlike some Greek resorts it has managed to retain its old-fashioned charm, which can be seen in the cobbled streets and authentic bars and restaurants that line the coast. You won't find British pubs and cafés here.
The resort is perfect for a laidback, slow-paced holiday, but for those who want more action, the nearby resort of Lindos offers more activities, while the historic capital city of Rhodes and its attractions are just an hour's drive away.
Due to its southerly positioning within Europe, one of the main draws to Pefkos, and indeed the whole of Rhodes, is its wonderful climate. The whole island has an enjoyable Mediterranean climate with long, hot, sunny summers and mild winters. Throughout peak season, tourists flock here to soak up the beautiful sunshine and warm weather on the Blue Flag beaches that Pefkos is famous for. With more than 300 days of sunshine per year, it's no wonder the island has become such a popular holiday destination.
In addition, the hills in central Rhodes give shelter to the village of Pefkos and make it one of the driest and warmest places on the island. The weather is generally predictable throughout the year in Pefkos, but holiday makers can check the local weather forecast for up-to-date information before they travel.
Summer weather in Pefkos
Pefkos enjoys long, hot, dry summers and receives beautiful sunshine in abundance. For this reason, summer is the main tourist season in the resort and visitors flock here from all over Europe to enjoy the perfect beach weather.
The summer season lasts from June to September, when there's between 11 and 14 hours of sunshine per day and daytime temperatures stay in the high 20°Cs and beyond. July and August are the hottest months of the year, with average temperatures around 25°C and highs averaging 28°C, though temperatures have even been known to get into the 30s. Lows fall to around 22°C during these two months.
Thankfully, relief comes in the form of the Meltemi wind. This cooling breeze blows from the northwest and keeps temperatures comfortable in the resort. It is prevalent from May to October and is at its strongest between July and September when it is needed most.
Rainfall is very low throughout summer which is another great reason to visit Pefkos at this time of year. June and September only see rain for one day a month on average and in the months of July and August, it's almost non-existent, providing perfect beach weather.
The summer months see an average sea temperature of between 23°C and 26°C which is more than warm enough for swimming in the crystal clear waters around the coast of Pefkos.
Autumn weather in Pefkos
Autumn is a great time to visit Pefkos, especially in the month of October. At this time of year, the weather is still warm but you won't experience the intense summer heat that can be uncomfortable for some. On top of that, the resort is much quieter than summer, which is a plus for some travellers.
Much like the rest of the island, temperatures stay pleasant throughout all of autumn, with average daytime temperatures of 19°C in October and 16°C in November. Highs can still reach into the 20s and even at night in late autumn the temperature doesn't drop too far, with lows of just 12°C.
Rainfall increases in autumn but shouldn't be too much of a problem. October sees rain on 5 days of the month and November has 7 days on average. While a lot of rain falls (between 64mm and 84mm per month) it usually does so in short storms rather than prolonged showers. Sunny weather is still abundant but you might get the odd quick rain storm, so just remember to pack an umbrella.
The sea temperature remains above 20°C until late November still warm enough for a lengthy swim!
Winter weather in Pefkos
The winter months in Pefkos are the quietest of the whole year, with weather that's mild but wet. December, January and February see around 70% of the annual rainfall for the whole year. December and January are the wettest, with around 150mm of rain on average and rainfall on a little under half of the days each month.
Despite this, the Mediterranean climate means that there can still be plenty of good weather to enjoy and it is a great destination if you're looking for some winter sun; there's still 6 to 7 hours of sunshine every day, even in January.
In terms of winter temperatures, they average at between 11°C and 13°C, while highs can still reach 16°C in December. January and February are the coldest months of the year with lows dropping into single figures of 8°C, much better than the weather experienced in northern Europe.
Spring weather in Pefkos
Spring is a great time to be in Pefkos, as the mild winter temperatures quickly turn into hot summer ones and the resort comes to life again.
Beginning in March, things start to warm up again in the resort; the average temperature for this time of year is between 13°C and 18°C and average highs can reach into the early 20s by May. Nights and early mornings are still a little cool, with lows of 9°C in March, but this isn't anything to worry about as long as you pack some warm layers.
March still sees a bit of rain with about 8 days a month, but by May rain is rare, with only 3 wet days and 14mm of rain. Instead, you can expect clear sunny weather for the majority of the time, with an average of 10 hours of sunshine per day.
The wonderful weather combined with fewer crowds makes spring a popular time to visit the resort and hit the beach. A swim in the sea at this time, however, can be a little bracing as the water doesn't fully warm up again until June so temperatures are still hovering at below 20°C.