If you have started to think about your vacations next year, the islands of Greece are magical destinations. I use the plural here as they really all have their very own individual flavours, their own fauna & flora, customs, landscape antiquities and microclimates. The islands range from the very large (Crete being about the size of Jamaica) to the tiny (many like Hydra and Spetses do not even have cars). There are islands with a long summer season and ones where things all shut down at the end of September. Some smaller islands almost literally shut down during the winter months with the owners of tourist tavernas and bars spending the winter in Athens or other large cities.

Generally speaking, when visiting the Greek islands, you can be virtually guaranteed sunny, warm weather with balmy nights through from late May until late September. Tourist facilities will be fully operational during this period, the only exception to this being the islands near the north mainland, like Thassos, which only really operate in July & August. Temperatures soar during late July & August, as do rooms prices, and, although they put a brave face on things, you may get less friendly service in busy tavernas as the staff struggle to cope with the demands of Greek tourists as well as foreign ones whilst working very long hours in the heat 7 days a week.

When and where you go will depend largely on what you want to do on your vacation. If you want to hike (and Greece offers some superb almost virgin hiking country) then spring is the best (especially on Crete). Or if birdwatching is your bag, then winter spring and autumn are the times to be here – most exciting at migration times as many birds travel south/north through the Aegean to and from overwintering in Africa

Crete is the southernmost island (excepting the tiny island of Gavdos some 35km off the south coast of Crete). It enjoys the longest summer season and a warm autumn too and temperatures are good a little earlier than many other more northern destinations. Here you can visit and enjoy comfortable temperatures in the 20’s Celsius or 70’s Fahrenheit (you will get a suntan) through to December and usually it is still nice and comfortable to swim through almost until Christmas, especially on the south coast in towns like Paleochora.

Many of the main tourist facilities close at the end of October but that is not to say that tourists are no longer welcome. Towns on Crete, even smaller ones such as Paleochora still function as the local economy is mainly driven by agriculture and fishing (unlike some smaller towns on smaller, more isolated islands which literally become ghost towns in the winter). You will find that there are a few tavernas and many bars still open through the winter months and, to get a real ‘feel’ for the Greek way of life, the winter can be an interesting time to visit.

It is worth mentioning, however, that the weather can get really cold in the winter. The more north you go, obviously the worse it can get. Rainfall can be heavy in the north Aegean and Ionian seas. Even the south coast of Crete gets snow occasionally! By and large, though, in the winter, the more south you are the better. Paleochora enjoys far less rain as it is in a rain shadow from the inland mountains to the north.

In conclusion, do investigate the Greek Island experience more fully. You will be enthralled and delighted by your stay. And if you are among the number who spent holidays in Greece years ago, hopefully this short article will re-awaken your love for the place.

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