Crete in March: Weather, Crowds and What to Do

Crete in March is an island waking up from winter. The hills are green and full of wildflowers, the days are mostly sunny, and the trails and old towns are quiet. The sea is still too cold for a beach holiday, and many seaside businesses have yet to open. For hikers, sightseers and anyone glad of elbow room, it is a lovely month to go.

Is March a good time to visit Crete?

For hikers and sightseers, yes. Temperatures are ideal for long walks, and parking is easy and often free, even in lots that charge in summer. Crowds are light compared with summer, so you can see Knossos and Rethymno's old town before the tour groups arrive. Some trails feel almost empty, which is lovely and occasionally a little eerie.

The catch is that much of the island is still shut. Most tavernas in the resort areas stay closed, and many resort hotels don't open until mid to late April, or even May. Many tavernas also don't update their hours online for winter, so a place can look open on Google Maps when it isn't. Check directly before you drive out for lunch.

Timing within the month matters. The first days of March feel noticeably calmer than the weeks around the end of the month, when more places start to open. Around Independence Day on March 25, more restaurants, cafés and tavernas open their doors.

The savings are real. Room rates are well below summer levels, and flights tend to be cheaper too.

What is the weather like in Crete in March?

The sea is still cold. Wading is pleasant, and swimmers manage a dip on the warmest days, but the beaches are better for walking than for lying out. Evenings cool off quickly once the sun goes down.

Rain tends to come in short showers, and the chance of it fades as the month goes on. Wind is the bigger wildcard. A few days can bring very strong gusts, so check the wind forecast before hiking exposed paths. When the wind blows from the south, it can carry Sahara dust, which turns the sky hazy even on a sunny day.

How does March compare with February and April?

March is the pivot between the two. February is cool and damp. March brings more sun, less rain and longer days, and it feels noticeably different from the three months before it.

April is warmer, sunnier and drier. In a warm year, a few beach days become possible by late April. Beach towns wake up gradually, and by then most of their hotels and restaurants are open. In March, plenty of places are still closed, with owners out painting chairs and facades for the season ahead. If open restaurants and hotels matter most, April is the safer pick. If quiet trails and low room rates matter most, choose March.

Where should you stay in Crete in March?

Base yourself in a city and explore on day trips. Chania, Rethymno and Heraklion have large local populations and stay active year-round. Chania and Rethymno have open hotels, cafés and shops, plus weekly markets. Rethymno is quiet in the morning and livelier by the afternoon, especially along the café-lined street beside the marina and the beach. Its old town lanes are mostly pedestrian with no on-site parking, though free parking nearby is easy to find in March.

A resort area that depends on tourists alone can feel very empty in March, since most tavernas and cafés there are usually closed. If you stay outside the cities, book a self-catering apartment or villa so you can cook. Seasonal extras like outdoor pools and hotel breakfasts may not be running.

How do you get around Crete in March?

Rent a car. Buses and ferries run at very low frequency in March, so a car is essential for reaching gorges, beaches and villages. Greek law requires you to carry a valid U.S. driver's license, and insurance companies may require an international driver’s permit. Greece has one of the highest traffic fatality rates in the European Union, so drive with care. Greece is generally safe, though petty crime is common in popular tourist spots, and thieves are known to break into rental cars, so it is wise to keep passports, valuables and luggage out of a parked car.

Island hopping takes planning. Ferries between Crete and nearby islands usually run from April to October, and some may also sail in late March, so check timetables before you commit. Getting to Crete takes planning too.

What is there to do in Crete in March?

Hike. Gorges, coastal paths and mountain trails are a pleasure to explore when the weather is mild. Chania makes a handy base for day trips to Katholiko Gorge, Seitan Limania, Lissos Gorge near Sougia and Elafonisi Beach, where a short wade over to the island rewards you with pink sand. From Plakias on the south coast, you can reach Aradena Gorge, Imbros Gorge, Sweet Water Beach and Preveli Palm Beach. Plakias itself has a few tavernas, cafés and supermarkets open, and the mountain villages of Sellia and Myrthios above it serve wonderful Cretan meals. The Samaria Gorge isn't open in March, so plan around it. Wildflowers make it a pretty month for photos, nature walks, coastal strolls and birdwatching.

Culture works well too. Chania offers wine tasting, museums and walks around its Venetian harbor. Near Chania, ancient Aptera, with its Roman cisterns and bathhouses, fills with wildflowers in late March. Rethymno's old town has a Venetian fortress and a Thursday market that's good for local honey, fruit and vegetables. Museums and historic sights stay open through the cooler months, but many keep shorter winter hours until Easter, so check closing times and plan site visits for the morning.

March also brings festivals. Carnival season, known as Apokries, brings a big parade to Rethymno, with Cretan music and food. Independence Day on March 25 means parades, fireworks, folk music and dancing.

What should you pack for Crete in March?

Think layers. Pack a warm coat for the chilly days, which come mostly early in the month, and a rain jacket for showers and wind. Add a light sweater or windbreaker for evenings, and a scarf or beanie if you run cold.

• Hiking pants, sturdy boots and comfortable walking shoes
• Sandals for warm afternoons
• Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• A swimsuit, in case a warm day tempts you
• A reusable water bottle and a small umbrella

Temperatures are cooler in the hills, so pack for any higher ground you plan to visit.

What do Americans need to enter Greece?

The U.S. State Department says U.S. citizens can enter Greece without a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism or business. Your passport should have at least three months of validity beyond your planned departure date. Be ready to show proof of sufficient funds and a return ticket or other evidence of departure if asked. If you have ever reported your passport lost or stolen, travel on a new one, because Greece will not admit you on a passport reported lost or stolen and may send you back to your departure point.