Crete in January
Quiet city season
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
January is a below-average month in Crete.
January is quiet, with resorts closed but Chania and Heraklion still lively with locals.
January in detail
What January actually feels like
- Weather
- 9–15°C
- Mild and the wettest month.
- Crowds
- Low
- Very quiet.
- Prices
- €
- The lowest rates.
+Quiet cities and low prices.
–Resorts are closed.
My tip for January
Stay in Chania's old town for the most life in winter.
- City break
- Food
How January compares
Against the other eleven months
10th of 12 overall in Crete, 11th for weather, 1st for space, 1st for value. It is the emptiest month of the year; and it's also the best value.
See all twelve months for CretePlan around
What’s on in Crete in January
- Winter closures
- Beach resorts close, but Chania, Heraklion and Rethymno stay open.
November–March
Not set on January?
Months I'd choose over January
Weather
Weather in Crete in January
In January Crete averages a high of 15°C (59°F) and a low of 9°C (48°F), with about 81 mm of rain or snow over 10 wet days. The warmest month is July (around 30°C) and the coolest is January (around 15°C); the wettest month is December.
- Average high
- 15°C
- 59°F
- Average low
- 9°C
- 48°F
- Precipitation
- 81 mm
- Wet days
- 10
Climate data: Heraklion, Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (1991–2020). Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Crete in January: the questions people ask
- Is January a good time to visit Crete?
- January is a below-average month in Crete. It ranks 10 of 12 months in Crete overall (11 for weather, 1 for space, 1 for value). The main upside: Quiet cities and low prices. The main downside: Resorts are closed.
- What is the weather like in Crete in January?
- Average highs are around 15°C and lows around 9°C. Expect about 81 mm of rain or snow over roughly 10 wet days. Mild and the wettest month. For comparison, the warmest month is July (around 30°C) and the coolest is January (around 15°C).
- Is Crete crowded in January?
- Crowds are low. Very quiet. January is the quietest month of the year.
- How expensive is Crete in January?
- Prices are at level 1 of 5 (€). The lowest rates. January is also the best-value month.
- When is the best time to visit Crete?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, April is the best month overall (January ranks 10 of 12). The quietest month is January and the best value is January.
Still going to Crete in January?
Book early and plan around the busiest hours — resorts are closed.
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