South Crete is generally a couple of °C warmer (but water temperatures are roughly similar). The east of the island, has less rain than the north and especially the north-west.
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Yes. The south coast - air and sea temperatures - is generally warmer than the north coast, and the south east is the driest part of the island.
South Crete is generally a couple of °C warmer (but water temperatures are roughly similar). The east of the island, has less rain than the north and especially the north-west.
Crete is the largest island in Greece and boasts some of the county's hottest days. The hottest months are between May to October, with temperatures ranging between 18°C to 29°C. The hottest place in Crete is Ierapetra, with average highs of 32°C, though Chania is only marginally cooler, at 30°C.
In general, eastern Crete is warmer than western Crete, the southern part of the island is warmer than the northern, the western part of Crete has more vegetation and in the mountainous areas the weather is cooler.
It depends on what type of experience you're looking for. The east side of Crete offers more rugged and less crowded beaches, while the west is known for its cosmopolitan cities and picturesque villages. If you want to relax and enjoy peace and quiet, then the East is your best bet.
There is no one best side of Crete, full stop. It depends on what you are looking for: long beaches, scenic coves, mountains, nightlife… However, if I really have to make a choice: Best base to explore: north-west coast.
There won't be any cooling rain showers: Crete has zero rain in July and August. This is one time of year when, contrary to what you might expect, Corfu is actually hotter than Crete. Daytime averages in both July and August are 32ºC, so expect some days to be much hotter.
This means that even when the north coast is uncomfortably windy, the south coast may be calm and pleasant. The exception to this is where gorges and valleys channel the north winds, which can create areas of intense winds at certain spots along the coast. This is especially true at Frangokastello and Plakias Bay.
This one is a close call with both destinations seeing temperatures sitting in the balmy mid- to late-twenties during the summer months. Out of the peak season, the Greek island of Crete warms up as early as May hitting around 25C, while the Algarve isn't far behind at around 22C.
If you are looking forward to having some quiet time and a semi-rural experience, consider visiting the southern side. However, the more adventurous tourists should go to the north where it is easy to find transportation, modern amenities and exciting nightlife.
Chania Town is probably the most beautiful town in Crete. The Old Town of Chania, with the evident Medieval style, is a wonderful place to walk around, lined up with elegant Venetian mansions.
Climate. For many tourists, where to go is dictated somewhat by the month they have chosen for their holiday. Cyprus is a warmer island (Weather in Cyprus). It's 19 º? + on average in March, and in April and May you can fully enjoy a beach holiday, whereas on Crete it is still cool.
The “warmest” Greek destination is, according to Holidu, Aghios Nikolaos (pictured), on Crete, with average winter sunshine of 261+ hours and an average winter temperature of 16.4C.
The mountain ranges of Crete affect the weather in a couple of ways. First, they create a physical barrier for the winds from the North. This means that even when the north coast is uncomfortably windy, the south coast may be calm and pleasant.
Ierapetra is called the sunniest city in Crete. Moreover, it is the southernmost town in Europe, which provides the view onto the coast of Africa. This place combines the features of a typical resort with a rich historical heritage.
The average Crete temperature decreases as you travel north. July and August are the warmest months, and January is the coldest month of the year. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30ºC (70-90°F) and in winter between 10-15ºC (50-60°F).
This one is a close call with both destinations seeing temperatures sitting in the balmy mid- to late-twenties during the summer months. Out of the peak season, the Greek island of Crete warms up as early as May hitting around 25C, while the Algarve isn't far behind at around 22C.
Crete has better beaches but they're spread out and it takes a fair bit of effort to see the best beaches. Santorini is small and it's easy to get around to all the popular beaches. Crete has more small traditional (non-touristy) villages. Santorini is more romantic and better suited to a honeymoon.