October is Crete's best-kept secret. The beaches empty, the gorges return to their silence, and the entire island seems to breathe a sigh of relief after summer. For those who love to travel on foot, it is a golden season: the light is soft, the air warm, and the Cretans, freed from the summer rush, rediscover the pleasure of welcoming visitors.
The climate in October
Picture luminous mornings at 22 degrees, afternoons at 25, a light breeze carrying scents of thyme and warm earth. The sea, filled with summer warmth, still reads 23 degrees, a temperature that invites a swim after every walk. Rain may make a brief and welcome appearance late in the month, just enough to revive the colours of the land. The evenings are mild, perfect for dining on a terrace beneath the stars with a glass of local wine in hand.
This is not a climate you read about in a chart; it is a climate you feel: the warmth on your skin, the clarity of the air, that low-angled late-afternoon light that gilds the cliffs and transforms every landscape into a painting.
Why October is perfect for walking in Crete
The trails of Crete take on a special quality in October. The heat is no longer an obstacle; shade stops become a pleasure rather than a necessity. You walk at your own pace, light on your feet, your gaze free.
The Imbros Gorge, emptied of its summer visitors, recovers its silent majesty. The coastal trails of the south, between Loutro and Paleochora, can be walked in a companionable solitude. The October light, low and golden, is the kind photographers prefer: it deepens the contours, lengthens the shadows, gives the white villages a particular radiance.
And then there is the welcome. In October, the Cretans have time. The taverna owner comes to sit at your table, the shepherd stops for a few words, the guesthouse hostess prepares a homemade cake. This is authentic Crete, the one that reveals itself only to those who take the time to discover it.
What to see, what to do
The Imbros Gorge is a perfect walk for October: accessible, magnificent, never overwhelming. The Samaria Gorge, however, generally closes by mid-October, so you should visit in the first days of the month if you wish to walk it.
The south coast is the beating heart of Crete in autumn. Loutro, that village with no road, reachable only by boat or on foot, lives its final weeks of the season in a gentle, companionable atmosphere.
Paleochora, further west, offers its long beaches and seaside tavernas with a nonchalance that is its greatest charm.
Among the towns, Chania is enchanting. The old Venetian harbour, the alleyways of the historic quarter, the covered market with its stalls of spices and honey: everything can be explored on foot, at your own pace. Rethymno, with its Venetian fortress and Ottoman fountains, offers equally rich wandering.
Heraklion, the capital, also deserves a day of discovery. The Archaeological Museum, one of the richest in Greece, houses the treasures of Minoan civilisation: colourful frescoes, gold jewellery, the famous Phaistos Disc. A few kilometres south of the city, the Palace of Knossos, over 3,500 years old, brings the myth of the Minotaur to life in a labyrinth of courtyards, staircases, and painted halls. In October, the site can be visited in rare calm, far from summer crowds, and the low autumn light gives the stones a golden hue that adds to the emotion.
The beaches, finally, have not said their last word. The lagoon of Balos, in the north-west, keeps its turquoise waters and immaculate sand. Elafonissi, with its pink reflections and its peninsula linked at low tide, is savoured in the quiet of the off-season. And the beach of Matala, backed by cliffs riddled with caves, holds the memory of travellers who, long before us, paused there to contemplate the Libyan Sea.
The Cretan table in October
October is when Crete sets the most generous table. The olive trees begin to bend under the weight of their fruit, and the approaching harvest puts everyone in good spirits. The first new oils, green and peppery, appear on the taverna tables.
It is also the season of tsikoudia, the Cretan spirit. In the villages, the distillation of grape pomace is a social event: people gather around the still, taste, share, and tell stories. The figs are still around, the pomegranates burst with red, and raisins dry on the terraces. Thyme honey, harvested in autumn, flavours the breakfast yoghurt.
Eating in Crete in October means tasting the terroir at its most honest. Sun-drenched vegetables, sheep's cheese aged in caves, fish caught that very morning, wild herbs gathered on the hillsides. Every meal is a discovery, every taverna a small happiness.
Festivals and traditions in October
October punctuates Cretan life with its seasonal events. On the third Sunday of the month, the village of Elos and its neighbours celebrate the Chestnut Festival: chestnut cakes, jams, and stews are served, all accompanied by traditional music and dancing. It is a simple and warm moment of sharing, open to all visitors.
In the countryside, the kazania season is in full swing: copper stills are fired up to distil grape pomace into tsikoudia, and every family opens its doors. People taste, sing, and clink glasses. These evenings around the still are among the finest memories one can bring back from Crete in autumn.
On October 28th, a national holiday, Greece commemorates the "Oxi" (No) of 1940. In every town and village of Crete, parades and ceremonies pay tribute to the resistance. It is a rare chance to see the Cretans in traditional dress, proud of their history, and to understand how alive this memory remains.
Practical tips
Flights to Heraklion and Chania remain frequent in October, often at gentler prices than in high season. Direct flights from major European cities reach the island in about three hours, and airlines still offer good availability at this time of year.
For accommodation, October allows you to stay in charming addresses without booking months in advance, though the best guesthouses do fill up quickly. Rates are often lower than in high season, which makes it possible to treat yourself to character hotels you might not have considered in July.
Pack a few light layers for evenings and mornings at altitude, a windbreaker for boat crossings, and good walking shoes. A light jumper will be welcome for terrace dinners when the breeze picks up. For the rest, Crete takes care of everything.
For getting around the south coast, a car remains the most comfortable option. The mountain roads, winding but beautiful, open access to villages that buses do not serve. Ferry connections between Paleochora, Sougia, Loutro, and Chora Sfakion also allow lovely combinations, alternating walks and sea crossings.
Our trips in Crete
- Crete, between villages and the Libyan Sea: the south coast at your own pace, between gorges, fishing villages, and secret coves.
- Crete, from the Lassithi Plateau to the southern shores: from the mountains to the sea, a gentle crossing of the island.
- Authentic Crete, between mountains and sea: a guided trip to discover the island's hidden treasures, from the plateau to the shoreline.
Solène Roux
Responsable Éditoriale
