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Greece · Crete

Palaiochora weather & best time to visit

Sun, sea & sand

Palaiochora at a glance

Best time
Jun – Sep
Warmest month
Jul · 33°
Warmest sea
Aug · 25.6°
Sunshine a year
2,850 h
Rain a year
834 mm
Climate
Mediterranean
Time zone
UTC+2 / UTC+3
Elevation
5 m

Climate in Palaiochora

Palaiochora has a Mediterranean climate with warm to hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. July is the warmest month with average highs of 33 °C, while January is the coolest at 16 °C. With around 2,850 hours of sunshine a year, Palaiochora is sunny; July is the sunniest month with 12.2 hours a day.

Holiday weather through the year

Best time to visit

Best time to visit Palaiochora

The best time to visit Palaiochora is from June to September. For a beach holiday – sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry – go from June to October. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from March to May and from October to November. Rain is frequent from December to February; the wettest month is December with 167 mm.

Palaiochora through the seasons

How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.

Palaiochora in spring

Mar – May

52

Fair

  • 18–26 °C by day
  • Sea 17 °C
  • 8.2 h of sun a day
  • 21 rainy days in all

Palaiochora in summer

Jun – Aug

92

Excellent

  • 30–33 °C by day
  • Sea 24 °C
  • 11.7 h of sun a day
  • 4 rainy days in all

Palaiochora in autumn

Sep – Nov

76

Good

  • 21–30 °C by day
  • Sea 23 °C
  • 6.7 h of sun a day
  • 23 rainy days in all

Palaiochora in winter

Dec – Feb

13

Poor

  • 16–17 °C by day
  • Sea 17 °C
  • 4.6 h of sun a day
  • 43 rainy days in all

Which month for what?

Beach & swimming

Jun – Oct

Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry

Sightseeing & hiking

Mar – May, Oct – Nov

15–28 °C and not too much rain

Rainy months

Dec – Feb

Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days

Find your perfect month

Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Palaiochora for you.

Swimming in the sea
Sunshine
Little rain

Your best months: June, September

Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.

Your holiday weather, at a glance

Weather in October

Weather in October

83

Holiday weather in October

Excellent

Best time to visit: June – September

Good forBeach & swimmingSightseeing & walks

A typical day in October

  1. Morning, 08:00: about 19°
  2. Midday, 13:00: about 25°
  3. Afternoon, 16:00: about 25°
  4. Evening, 20:00: about 22°
  5. Night, 23:00: about 21°

07:3018:52

Pleasant evenings; a light layer can help.

Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.

Light for photos in October

Golden hour
Morning 07:14–08:04 · evening 18:17–19:07
Blue hour
Morning 07:05–07:14 · evening 19:07–19:17

Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.

October in Palaiochora compared with home

Home:

Loading the climate at home …

Early or late October?

In October, daytime highs fall from about 27° at the start of the month to 23° at the end. The sea cools from 24° to 22°. The days get 1.0 h shorter.

Early or late October?
October1 Oct31 Oct
Daytime high27°23°
Night-time low19°17°
Sea24°22°
Daylight11.9 h10.8 h

What is the weather like in Palaiochora in October?

In October, Palaiochora is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 23.5 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 6.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 74 mm. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Palaiochora.

More details for October

Daylight
11 h 21 min07:30 – 18:52
UV index
5 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
Muggy days
0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
Wind
22 km/haverage daily peakAll months
Cloud cover
35 %on averageAll months
Hot days
2 days30 °C or moreAll months
Time zone
UTC+3offset from UTC

How the score comes together

  • Temperatureweight 35 %100 %
  • Seaweight 25 %93 %
  • Sunshineweight 20 %57 %
  • Few rainy daysweight 20 %69 %

Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Sun, sea & sand”.

What to pack in October

  • Swimwear
  • Sunscreen
  • Light, breathable clothes
  • Rain jacket or umbrella

Compare two months in Palaiochora

Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.

vs

September has the better holiday weather in Palaiochora: score 99 against 83. In September, days are 5 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 2 °C warmer in September. September has 4 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in September.

October vs September, Palaiochora
MonthOctoberSeptember
Holiday weather score8399better
Daytime high25°30°
Night-time low18°21°
Sea23.5°25.1°
Sunshine6.4 h8.8 hbetter
Rainy days84better
Rainfall74 mm33 mmbetter
Muggy days0better3

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Palaiochora month by month

The typical weather for every month at a glance.

10January16° · Sea 17° · 4.5 h

In January, Palaiochora is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 16.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.5 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 158 mm. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Palaiochora.

Palaiochora in January
15February16° · Sea 16° · 5.4 h

In February, Palaiochora is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sea averages 16.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 135 mm in total. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Palaiochora.

Palaiochora in February
23March18° · Sea 16° · 6.6 h

In March, Palaiochora is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 16.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.6 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 90 mm in total. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Palaiochora.

Palaiochora in March
51April22° · Sea 17° · 8.4 h

In April, Palaiochora is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sea averages 16.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 8.4 hours a day. Rain falls on about 6 days, adding up to 38 mm. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in Palaiochora.

Palaiochora in April
82May26° · Sea 19° · 9.7 h

In May, Palaiochora is warm: daytime highs average 26 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. The sea averages 19.1 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. With around 9.7 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is rare: about 4 days bring 26 mm in total. All in all, May is an excellent month for a holiday in Palaiochora.

Palaiochora in May
93June30° · Sea 22° · 12.0 h

In June, Palaiochora is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 20 °C. The sea averages 22.0 °C – refreshing for a swim. With around 12.0 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. On about 15 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, June is an excellent month for a holiday in Palaiochora.

Palaiochora in June
91July33° · Sea 24° · 12.2 h

In July, Palaiochora is hot: daytime highs average 33 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 23 °C. The sea averages 24.4 °C – pleasant for swimming. With around 12.2 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. On about 28 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, July is an excellent month for a holiday in Palaiochora.

Palaiochora in July
91August33° · Sea 26° · 10.9 h

In August, Palaiochora is hot: daytime highs average 33 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 24 °C. The sea averages 25.6 °C – pleasant for swimming. With around 10.9 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. It hardly ever rains. On about 29 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, August is an excellent month for a holiday in Palaiochora.

Palaiochora in August
99September30° · Sea 25° · 8.8 h

In September, Palaiochora is hot: daytime highs average 30 °C, and even at night it stays warm at around 21 °C. The sea averages 25.1 °C – pleasant for swimming. The sun shines for around 8.8 hours a day. Rain is rare: about 4 days bring 33 mm in total. On about 14 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, September is an excellent month for a holiday in Palaiochora.

Palaiochora in September
83October25° · Sea 24° · 6.4 h

In October, Palaiochora is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 18 °C. The sea averages 23.5 °C – pleasant for swimming. Expect around 6.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 74 mm. All in all, October is an excellent month for a holiday in Palaiochora.

Palaiochora in October
45November21° · Sea 21° · 4.8 h

In November, Palaiochora is warm: daytime highs average 21 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sea averages 21.3 °C – refreshing for a swim. Expect around 4.8 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 100 mm in total. All in all, November is a so-so month for a holiday in Palaiochora.

Palaiochora in November
13December17° · Sea 19° · 3.8 h

In December, Palaiochora is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sea averages 18.7 °C – bracing, so a wetsuit helps for longer swims. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.8 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 167 mm. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Palaiochora.

Palaiochora in December

Climate in detail

Climate through the year

Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.

Best time to visit

Nights and sleep in Palaiochora

How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.

  • Cool 8–15°
  • Pleasant 15–20°
  • Warm 20–24°
  • Hot 24° and more

PleasantOctober: nights around 18°. Ideal for sleeping, often with the window open.

The coolest nights are in February (10°), the warmest in August (24°). Tropical nights of 20 °C and more are the rule from June to September; then air conditioning or a fan helps you sleep. Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) in May and from October to November.

Temperatures through the year

Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.

OctoberDay 25°Night 18°Sea 24°
DayNightSea
MonthScoreDayNightSeaSunRain daysRain mm
JanuaryJan1016°10°16.8°4.5 h15158
FebruaryFeb1516°10°16.1°5.4 h13135
MarchMar2318°11°16.1°6.6 h1190
AprilApr5122°14°16.9°8.4 h638
MayMay8226°17°19.1°9.7 h426
JuneJun9330°20°22.0°12.0 h25
JulyJul9133°23°24.4°12.2 h12
AugustAug9133°24°25.6°10.9 h26
SeptemberSep9930°21°25.1°8.8 h433
OctoberOct8325°18°23.5°6.4 h874
NovemberNov4521°15°21.3°4.8 h11100
DecemberDec1317°12°18.7°3.8 h15167

Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences

35.23° N, 23.68° E · 5 m · Europe/Athens

Swimming calendar

Sea temperature in Palaiochora

Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.

Sea in October23.5°Cpleasant

8 in 10 years: 22.5 – 24.2 °C

Swimming season: Jun – Nov

  • cold
  • fresh
  • refreshing
  • pleasant
  • warm
  • very warm
OctoberMean sea temperature 23.5°8 in 10 years 22.5° – 24.2°
20°
Mean sea temperature8 in 10 years20 °C – comfortable for swimming

The sea temperature in Palaiochora ranges from 16.1 °C in February to 25.6 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from June to November.

The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in August, while the air already peaks in July. From December to February the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in August, eight out of ten years were between 24.9 and 26.4 °C.

Sea temperature by month
MonthAverageCool yearWarm yearFeels
JanuaryJan16.8°16.0°18.0°cold
FebruaryFeb16.1°15.4°16.7°cold
MarchMar16.1°15.5°16.7°cold
AprilApr16.9°16.3°17.5°cold
MayMay19.1°18.4°19.8°fresh
JuneJun22.0°21.4°22.9°refreshing
JulyJul24.4°23.9°25.2°pleasant
AugustAug25.6°24.9°26.4°pleasant
SeptemberSep25.1°24.0°25.8°pleasant
OctoberOct23.5°22.5°24.2°pleasant
NovemberNov21.3°20.3°22.2°refreshing
DecemberDec18.7°17.6°19.4°fresh
Sunshine

Sunshine hours in Palaiochora

Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.

Per year
2,850 hours
Sunniest month
Jul · 12.2 h a day
Least sunshine
Dec · 3.8 h a day
OctoberSunshine 6.4 hDaylight 11.4 hShare of daylight 56 %
SunshineDaylight

In October, the sun shines for about 6.4 of 11.4 hours of daylight in Palaiochora, 56 % of the daylight hours.

Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.

Rain

Rain in Palaiochora: rainy days and rainfall

A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.

Per year
834 mm on 90 days
Wettest month
Dec · 167 mm
Driest month
Jul · 2 mm
OctoberRainy days 8Rainfall 74 mm

In October, Palaiochora has about 8 rainy days with 74 mm of rain in total.

Sun protection

UV index in Palaiochora

How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.

Clear-sky UV in October
5 · moderateAround midday seek shade; use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.

The sun is strongest in June (UV 11).

Minutes until sunburn in October

Very fair skin
about 25 min
Fair skin
about 30 min
Light brown skin
about 45 min
Olive skin
about 60 min

Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.

Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.

Wind & clouds

Wind and clouds in Palaiochora

How breezy and how cloudy Palaiochora is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.

Wind

Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.

Year average
23 km/h · moderate breeze
Windiest month
Feb · 27 km/h
Calmest month
Jul · 18 km/h
OctoberWind 22 km/hBeaufort 4
20
WindBeaufort 4

In October, the wind in Palaiochora typically peaks at 22 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.

Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting

From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting: Sep – May.

Clouds

Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.

Year average
33 % · mostly sunny
Clearest month
Jul · 2 %
Cloudiest month
Dec · 57 %
OctoberCloud cover 35 %Sunshine 6.4 h

In October, cloud covers on average 35 % of the sky over Palaiochora: mostly sunny, with about 6.4 hours of sunshine a day.

Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.

Heat & humidity

Heat and humidity in Palaiochora

How often the day gets hot in Palaiochora (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.

Hot days a year
92 days
Hottest month
Jul · 33 °C
Hot months
Jun – Aug

Heat calendar

  • pleasant
  • some hot or muggy days
  • often muggy
  • often hot
  • hot and muggy
OctoberHot days (30 °C+) 2Daytime high 25 °C

In October, Palaiochora has about 2 hot days, with an average daytime high of 25 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.

Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year

Planning a trip to Palaiochora

Weather for your travel dates

Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.

Palaiochora in the school holidays

How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.

Palaiochora has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 91) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 12).

  • Easter holidays

    Mar – Apr

    43

    Fair

    • 21 °C by day
    • Sea 17 °C
    • 7.9 h of sun a day
    • 7 rainy days a month

    Good for: Sightseeing & walks

  • May half-term

    May – Jun

    84

    Excellent

    • 27 °C by day
    • Sea 20 °C
    • 10.2 h of sun a day
    • 4 rainy days a month

    Good for: Sightseeing & walks

  • Summer holidays

    Jul – Aug

    91

    ExcellentBest holidays

    • 33 °C by day
    • Sea 25 °C
    • 11.4 h of sun a day
    • 1 rainy day a month

    Good for: Beach & swimming

  • October half-term

    Oct

    83

    Excellent

    • 25 °C by day
    • Sea 24 °C
    • 6.4 h of sun a day
    • 8 rainy days a month

    Good for: Beach & swimming, Sightseeing & walks

  • Christmas holidays

    Dec – Jan

    12

    Poor

    • 16 °C by day
    • Sea 18 °C
    • 4.2 h of sun a day
    • 15 rainy days a month

    Keep in mind: Frequent rain

Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.

Getting there

Flying from

Nonstop flight
about 3 h 40 min
Distance
2,640 km
Time zone
UTC+3
Jet lag
Hardly any (under 3 h)

Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.

Compare & alternatives

Compare

Palaiochora compared

Put Palaiochora side by side with another destination.

Nearby:
Compare with home:

Palaiochora vs Kissamos

In October Palaiochora has the better holiday weather (score 83 vs 72). During the day Kissamos is 2 °C cooler than Palaiochora. The sea in Kissamos is 1 °C cooler.

Palaiochora vs Kissamos, in October
in OctoberPalaiochoraKissamos
Holiday weather score8372
Daytime high25°23°
Sea24°23°
Sunshine6 h6 h
Rainy days88
Best timeJun – SepJun – Sep

Through the year

OctoberPalaiochora 25°Kissamos 23°
PalaiochoraKissamos
Go to Kissamos
Ranking

Greece in October: the best places

In October, Palaiochora ranks 11 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.

  1. Heraklion25°23°88
  2. 2Malia25°23°88
  3. 3Agios Nikolaos26°23°88
  4. 4Elounda26°23°88
  5. 5Ierapetra24°24°88
  6. 6Sparta25°88
  7. 7Palekastro24°23°87
  8. 8Rethymno25°23°85
  9. 11PalaiochoraThis page25°24°83
All destinations: Greece

Near Palaiochora

Other destinations close by.

Places with a climate like Palaiochora

Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Palaiochora's – good alternatives.

  1. 86 % similar80KardamyliGreece24°24°Best time: May – Oct
  2. 86 % similar80KalamataGreece24°24°Best time: May – Oct
  3. 84 % similar79KyparissiaGreece24°23°Best time: May – Sep
  4. 84 % similar91DatçaTurkey26°23°Best time: Jun – Oct

Frequently asked questions about Palaiochora

When is the best time to visit Palaiochora?

The best time to visit Palaiochora is from June to September. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.

How warm is the sea in Palaiochora?

The sea temperature in Palaiochora ranges from 16.1 °C in February to 25.6 °C in August. It is warm enough for a comfortable swim (20 °C and more) from June to November.

Can you swim in Palaiochora in October?

Yes. In October the sea averages 23.5 °C – pleasant for swimming.

What is the warmest month in Palaiochora?

July is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C and nights around 23 °C. January is the coolest month at 16 °C.

When does it rain most in Palaiochora?

Rain is frequent from December to February; the wettest month is December with 167 mm. The driest month is July with 2 mm.

How many hours of sunshine does Palaiochora get?

Palaiochora gets around 2,850 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 12.2 hours a day; in December there are 3.8 hours a day.

What time zone is Palaiochora in?

Palaiochora is on UTC+2 in January and UTC+3 in July.

How long is the flight from London to Palaiochora?

A nonstop flight from London to Palaiochora takes about 3 h 40 min, for a straight-line distance of about 2,640 km.

Which school holidays are best for Palaiochora?

Palaiochora has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 91) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 12). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 43, May half-term 84, summer holidays 91, October half-term 83, Christmas holidays 12.