Hersonissos is a resort on the north coast of the island of Crete, an island located north of mainland Greece, with a Mediterranean climate. This European holiday destination, also known as Chersonisos, is blessed with beautiful hot sunny weather during the long summer months, and mild but wet winters. The summers have guaranteed sunshine and warm temperatures of around 28°C. The best month to swim in the Mediterranean Sea is August when the sea temperatures are at their warmest at 26°C. The temperatures drop over the autumn and winter months and rainfall increases, so it is not an ideal winter sun destination. Visitors will still enjoy the area outside of the summer months, as fewer crowds and lower, more pleasant temperatures, allow travellers to experience more than the beaches and explore the surrounding villages and countryside away from the relentlessly hot sun. °C
The topography of Crete, with its central mountain range, means Hersonissos can be somewhat cooler and wetter than the rest of Crete. These mountains act as a natural barrier to the prevailing northerly wind for the southern part of the island. This can be a relief in the hot summers, while the surrounding Mediterranean helps prevent extremes of temperature in the summer and keeps winters mild.
This village and port have developed into a popular tourist resort, thanks to its ideal climate for relaxing during a summer holiday. The area offers plenty to keep everyone occupied, with busy beaches, a modern town with shopping, restaurants and bars, and a wide range of accommodation options. There are also many activities to keep the kids entertained when visiting this resort. For detailed information before travelling, have a look at the averages for this resort which will help in planning the best holiday.
Summer
The summer months in Hersonissos, from June to September, are hot and dry, with average temperatures during the day reaching between 22°C to 25°C, although it often gets much hotter than this. The hottest month of the year at this resort is August, when temperatures can climb as high as 28°C. Throughout this season, temperatures stay warm even overnight, with lows of 18°C in June to 22°C in July and August. Humidity is generally fairly low as this is a dry climate, but the hot sun can be relentless and a refreshing swim helps cool off. August is the best month of the year to enjoy all the water sports and beach activities this area has to offer. The white sandy beaches and blue Mediterranean Sea are perfect with sea temperatures an average of 26°C in this month, but are warm throughout the whole summer and range from 22°C in June to 25°C in July and September. There are low levels of precipitation in summer, ranging from an average of only 2mm falling in August, the driest month of the year, to 4mm in July, 1°mm in June and 24mm in September as the wetter autumn season approaches. There are high levels of sunshine in summer and July sees the longest, sunniest days with around 14 hours of sunshine every day.
Autumn
October and November are autumn in this resort, and generally have cooler weather than summer and more rainfall. Average temperatures in October range from 16°C to 22°C, while November sees temperatures drop even further to around 12°C overnight to 19°C during the day on average. This is still warm in comparison to northern Europe, so an autumn trip to this resort is still pleasant. If planning outdoor activities, it would be wise to check the forecast before heading out for the day. Rainfall is getting heavier and more frequent at this time of year and average precipitation can be 89mm to 91mm during these months. This can occur as thunderstorms or heavy downpours. Days are still fairly long, and the amount of sunshine each day is around 8 to 9 hours. There are still many opportunities for water sports and swimming on the warmer autumn days, as sea temperatures in October are a pleasant 23°C and are still a mild 21°C in November.
Winter
Winter months, from December to February, are characterised by cold, wet weather, although the climate is still warm in comparison to other European destinations. January is the wettest month of the year in this resort with 169mm of rainfall over the course of the month, while December receives 148mm and February 12°mm of rain. Make sure to pack an umbrella and jacket if visiting in the winter, and plan for indoor activities on the wetter days. There are few sunny days in winter, with higher levels of cloud cover, and only 6 or 7 hours of sunshine per day, gradually becoming brighter later in the season. December is the warmest winter month at 13°C on average, but with high temperatures of 14°C and low temperatures dropping down to 8°C, February can be the coldest month of the year. This may not be an ideal time of year to visit if looking for beach activities or sunshine, but the area still has a lot to offer those who travel in the winter. Snow and frost are extremely unlikely as it does not get cold enough in this part of the world, unlike the northern areas of Europe.
Spring
The spring months of March, April and May see gradually increasing temperatures and milder, more pleasant conditions. This is a good time of year to visit if you want to avoid the large summer crowds and very hot temperatures. The days are getting longer and the sun shines for around 9 hours a day in March, increasing to 11 hours in April and 12 hours in May. Temperatures are starting to rise from an average of 13°C in March, 15°C in April and a warmer 18°C in May. The days can get as warm as 22°C in May but still drop down to quite cold temperatures overnight, so bring a jumper or jacket for the cooler evenings when visiting in spring. The rainfall is decreasing through spring, and by May, there is an average of 22mm precipitation over the month. The sea temperatures are still chilly, ranging from 16°C to 19°C as spring progresses, and the weather can be unpredictable and dependant on the wind and sunshine for temperatures to rise or fall.