Looking for a vacation destination in July? Why not opt for the beautiful island of Crete? With its rich history, golden beaches, crystal clear waters, picturesque villages and delicious local cuisine, Crete is a destination of choice for travelers looking to escape the daily grind. Discover the ancient historical sites, relax on the beach, taste the delicious food, and enjoy the lively nightlife of Crete in July!

Is Crete hot in July?

Can you swim in Crete in July?

Without any suspense: YES it’s hot and YES the sea is good! For more details, see below:

Which beach to do in Crete?
CitiesMaximum temperatureMinimum temperatureAverage temperatureSea temperatureSunshine rateRainfall
Chania31°C22°C26.5°C26°C12 hours per day0mm
Heraklion30°C23°C26.5°C25°C13 hours per day0mm
Rethymnon31°C22°C26.5°C26°C12 hours per day0mm
Agios Nikolaos29°C22°C26°C25°C13 hours per day0mm

These cities offer warm and pleasant summer temperatures with an average air temperature of around 26-27°C. Sea temperatures are also quite high, reaching about 25-26°C in July. The sunshine rate is also high, with 12 to 13 hours of sunshine per day, offering many opportunities to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Rainfall is generally low in July, providing ideal travel conditions for exploring the beautiful cities of Crete.

Are Crete ticket flights affordable in July?

Where to spend your vacations in the Mediterranean?
In summer the price of tickets tends to increase for flights to Crete. It’s the high season!
Departure CityAirportAirlineDirect/IndirectAverage Ticket Price (July)
LondonHeathrow (LHR)British AirwaysDirect£200-£300
LondonGatwick (LGW)easyJet, TUI AirwaysDirect/Indirect£100-£250
LondonLuton (LTN)Wizz AirDirect/Indirect£80-£150
LondonStansted (STN)Ryanair, Jet2Direct/Indirect£70-£150
ManchesterManchester (MAN)Jet2, TUI AirwaysDirect/Indirect£100-£250
EdinburghEdinburgh (EDI)Jet2, Ryanair, easyJetDirect/Indirect£100-£200
DublinDublin (DUB)Ryanair, Aer LingusDirect/Indirect€100-€250
CardiffCardiff (CWL)TUI AirwaysDirect/Indirect£150-£250
BristolBristol (BRS)TUI AirwaysDirect/Indirect£150-£250
GlasgowGlasgow (GLA)Jet2, RyanairDirect/Indirect£100-£200

Obviously, airfare prices in July can vary from year to year and are subject to airline promotions.

Budget: how much for a 1 week trip in Crete in July?

For 1 week in July, with a flight from London to Heraklion, in a 4* hotel with a shared swimming pool and a “medium” budget, you can expect a budget of about 1000€ per person!

Expense categoryAmount per person per dayTotal amount for 2 people for 7 days
Hosting74 €1036 €
Meals27 €378 €
Transportation11 €154 €
Activities and visits8 €112 €
Airline ticket368 €
Total120 €2048 €

As you can see, the budget is a bit higher in July due to the increase in accommodation prices. However, airfares are on average cheaper in July compared to the whole year. Despite this, the total budget for 2 people for 7 days would be about 2034 €, or 1017 € per person. If you are planning to travel to Crete in July, you will need to budget for a daily allowance of about €120 per person.

Where to sleep in July in Crete?

Are you searching for “hotel in Crete” or “hotel in Crete”, but you can’t find what you are looking for? Crete Autrement comes to your rescue and invites you to find your dream vacation in Greece thanks to the many luxury hotels, villas and very affordable establishments!

Find your hotel!

To find a hotel in July in Crete, you need to have some time to do your research or start early. Whether you are early or late, find your hotel in Crete on the map below:

Booking.com

Find a cheap hotel

In July, as you know, prices tend to soar. So to find a cheap hotel in the middle of summer on the island of Candia, in Elounda , Malia , Sitia , Paleochora Chania or Rethymnon , we propose you to discover the best promotions of the moment of Booking. To you the good plans:

Booking.com

Buy a villa for the summer!

In the summer, with the sun and the blue sky, but especially after a year of hard work, we sometimes feel like completely letting go. So why not try to rent a villa with pool and sea view in Crete ?

What to do in Crete in July?

The purpose of a vacation is to leave the daily routine and discover new things, have fun, etc. Considering this, your trip to Crete in July will not disappoint you. There are many events taking place at this time of year.

1. Obligatory swimming: discover the most beautiful beaches of Crete

Crete, for those who don’t know it yet, is a unique place in the world, with several of the most beautiful beaches in the world:

So don’t miss your pleasure and explore the Cretan wonders: multicolored sands, translucent and warm water, kite surfing spots, even naturist beaches! You can even treat yourself to a private tour with a guide:

2. Treat yourself to a dream cruise

Summer = sea cruise !

Whether by sailboat, catamaran or motorboat: you must take to the sea in July and discover Crete by the sea.

For this, you can rent a boat with or without skipper by clicking below:

Or book online a private cruise with guide and bonus services: meal, BBQ, aperitif, sunset, visit of the most beautiful places…

3. A stand up paddle or kayak trip in the Mediterranean Sea!

With such a blue and translucent sea, and such good weather, you would be wrong not to try stand up paddle or kayak in Crete. Many stands are waiting for you on the most beautiful beaches of the island, but you can also book your session in Crete below:

4. Test the island’s aquatic clubs

All inclusive vacation in Gouves, Crete

Crete has a number of incredible water parks that are a must in the summer. With the hot weather in July, you’ll want to take a swim, so make it fun. Discover the best waterparks on the island below:

5. Wine and olive oil tasting day!

As a Mediterranean country, Greece and Crete cannot escape the tradition: the local gastronomy is succulent. Cradled by a sunny climate all year round and by a land tradition that is passed on from generation to generation: the wine and olive oil are among the best in the world for example.

Do not hesitate to book in advance your wine and olive oil tasting day in Crete in July:

5 events to experience in Crete in July

1. The Kornaria festival

It takes place in Sitia, starts on July 1 and ends around mid-August.

This festival is organized every year to show tourists the rich traditions of the city.

The program includes:

  • concerts,
  • theatrical performances,
  • exhibitions, etc.

2. The Summer Festival in Heraklion

The summer festival of Heraklion takes place from July 1 to September 30.

It includes:

  • art exhibitions,
  • dance performances,
  • concerts, etc.

It takes place in the open air theaters Manos-Hatzidakis and Nikos-Kazantzakis.

3. The Cretan Diet Festival in Rethymnon

It is a festival that takes place in the city park.

If you want to taste Cretan wine and taste their different vintages, you must participate in the Cretan Diet Festival.

You will also have the opportunity to admire the wild dances and to party. This festival takes place between July 1 and 7.

4. The Cultural Festival of the Municipality

The municipality’s cultural festival opens its doors from July 1 to September 15.

It is organized by the city of Heraklion and promises entertainment.

You will have in the program:

  • concerts,
  • art exhibitions,
  • plays,
  • film screenings, etc.

5. The Cretan Diet Festival

It starts in the first week of July in Rethymnon and is a great success. This festival aims to promote local specialties, traditional know-how and regional products. You will be able to taste many Cretan dishes for free.

There is also thePhalassarna festival which is one of the most important festivals in Crete. It takes place on July 26 of each year.