Crete · Month comparison
November vs September
September ranks #1 overall vs November at #9. The hidden best month — warm sea, crowd-free beaches and accommodation costs cut in half
November
#9 of 12 months
Worth considering
Off-season Crete for independent travellers — budget prices, local life and archaeological sites uncrowded
- ↑Chania and Rethymno's old towns return to locals; Venetian harbours without tour groups
- ↑Budget accommodation; Knossos walkable without audio guide volume and crowd noise
September
#1 of 12 months
Best match
The hidden best month — warm sea, crowd-free beaches and accommodation costs cut in half
- ↑Warm 26–29°C with a 25°C sea — identical conditions to August but beaches dramatically emptier
- ↑Prices 30–40% below August; restaurants, tours and boat trips all available on the day
| Factor | November | September |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 5 | 9 |
| Value score | 8 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 2 | 6 |
| Events score | 3 | 5 |
| Atmosphere | 5 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 20°C | 29°C |
| Monthly rain | 62mm | 11mm |
| Daily sunshine | 6hrs | 10.5hrs |
November trade-offs
- ↓Rainy and cooling (11–17°C); the beaches are for walking, not swimming
- ↓Most resort-area restaurants and accommodation closed for winter
September trade-offs
- ↓Early autumn rain possible late September; a brief shower breaks the heat cycle
- ↓First resorts beginning to close for the season from late September
Scores compare months within Crete. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →