January in Crete is the coolest and wettest month of the year, with mild daytime temperatures and frequent rain. Families will find the island quiet and excellent value during this off-peak period.
Quick verdict
5.4/10
overall family rating for January
January ranks #10 out of 12 months for a family holiday in Crete.
Great for
· Families seeking peace and quiet
· Budget-friendly trips
· Exploring without crowds
Things to consider
· You want warm, dry weather
· Swimming or beach activities are a priority
Weather
1.0/10
Poor
Crowds
9.0/10
Very low
Value
9.0/10
Excellent
Weather in Crete in January
Average daytime high
11.8°C
Average nighttime low
6.2°C
Rainy days
~15
Average sunshine
~8 hrs/day
On average, daytime highs reach 11.8°C and nights drop to 6.2°C, with over 15 rainy days and 7.5 hours of sunshine per day.
Based on historical climate averages from the latest 10 complete years (2016–2025).
Crowds and value in January
Crowds
Very low
Relative value
Excellent
Crowds are very low, making it easy to explore without busy tourist areas.
January typically offers excellent value compared to peak months.
Crowd and value levels are editorial seasonality indicators comparing months within
Crete. They are not measured visitor numbers or live prices.
Crete temperatures throughout the year
Crete temperatures throughout the year
Month
High
Low
January
(selected month)
11.8°C
6.2°C
February
12.7°C
6.6°C
March
14.8°C
7.8°C
April
18.4°C
10.6°C
May
22.2°C
14.5°C
June
25.9°C
18.3°C
July
27.8°C
20.4°C
August
27.4°C
20.3°C
September
25.0°C
17.8°C
October
21.4°C
14.5°C
November
17.7°C
11.7°C
December
13.6°C
8.2°C
January is typically cooler by 1.8°C than December and similar temperatures than February.
Rainy days throughout the year
A day counts as rainy when it records at least 1 mm of precipitation.
Rainy days throughout the year
Month
Rainy days
Rainfall
January
(selected month)
15.3
129 mm
February
11.4
116 mm
March
11.9
98 mm
April
8.1
61 mm
May
7.7
75 mm
June
4.8
28 mm
July
2.6
16 mm
August
3.8
19 mm
September
7.8
43 mm
October
7.5
56 mm
November
10.9
87 mm
December
14.6
128 mm
July is typically the driest month and January the wettest.
Best months for a family holiday in Crete
Best months for a family holiday in Crete
Month
Family score
January
(selected month)
5.4
February
5.9
March
5.3
April
7.1
May
7.6
June
7.0
July
6.2
August
6.2
September
7.0
October
7.6
November
6.2
December
5.4
January ranks #10 out of 12 months for a family holiday in Crete.
Families seeking comfortable accommodations with pool access and proximity to beaches.
Children's pool
Family rooms
Kitchenette
Apartment style
Beachfront
Near beach
Family strengths from stored data: Children's pool, Family rooms, Kitchenette, Apartment style, Beachfront. Haris Apartments in Crete offers family-friendly accommodations with a freshwater pool and children's pool, just a short distance from local beaches and attractions.
Families seeking a beachside getaway with local amenities and attractions.
Baby cots
Family rooms
Connecting rooms
Kitchenette
Apartment style
Beachfront
Family strengths from stored data: Baby cots, Family rooms, Connecting rooms, Kitchenette, Apartment style. Georgioupolis Beach Hotel offers a family-friendly stay just steps from the beach in Crete. With spacious family rooms and a rooftop restaurant, it's ideal for relaxation and exploration.
Families looking for a beachside retreat with pool access.
Children's pool
Baby cots
Family rooms
Kitchenette
Apartment style
Beachfront
Family strengths from stored data: Children's pool, Baby cots, Family rooms, Kitchenette, Apartment style. Kera Apartments in Crete offers family-friendly accommodations with a pool and a short walk to Kera Beach. Ideal for families seeking a relaxing getaway.
Families seeking a quiet and comfortable stay near beautiful beaches.
Family rooms
Kitchenette
Apartment style
Beachfront
Near beach
Quiet area
Family strengths from stored data: Family rooms, Kitchenette, Apartment style, Beachfront, Near beach. Elia Studios in Palekastro, Crete, offers family-friendly accommodations with a peaceful atmosphere, a swimming pool, and proximity to beautiful beaches.
Families seeking a spacious and comfortable villa with outdoor amenities.
Children's pool
Baby cots
Family rooms
Kitchenette
Apartment style
Near beach
Family strengths from stored data: Children's pool, Baby cots, Family rooms, Kitchenette, Apartment style. Villa Joanna in Crete offers a spacious family-friendly villa with a large private garden, a swimming pool, and a children's pool, ideal for family getaways.
Families looking for a beachside hotel with convenient amenities.
Children's pool
Baby cots
Family rooms
Kitchenette
Beachfront
Near beach
Family strengths from stored data: Children's pool, Baby cots, Family rooms, Kitchenette, Beachfront. Arlen Beach Hotel in Crete offers family-friendly accommodations with a seasonal outdoor pool and children's section, just steps from the beach.
Many attractions and restaurants may have limited opening hours in January. Pack for cool, damp weather and bring waterproof clothing. Outdoor activities may be affected by rain, so plan some indoor options.
Average daytime highs are 11.8°C, with lows around 6.2°C.
Is January a rainy month in Crete?
Yes, January is typically the wettest month, with over 15 rainy days.
Are beaches suitable for swimming in January?
Sea temperature data is not available for January, and conditions are generally too cool for swimming.
What are the crowds like in Crete during January?
Crowds are very low, offering a peaceful experience.
Is January a good value month for families visiting Crete?
January generally offers excellent value compared to busier months.
Data sources
Historical weather averages are calculated from
Open-Meteo
historical weather data
using the latest 10 complete calendar years (2016–2025).
Crowd and value levels are editorial seasonality indicators, not measured statistics.
Scores are calculated deterministically from the values shown on this page.
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