Weather in Chania

Planning a visit to Chania? Stay up to date with the most current weather! This section provides fresh data, forecasts, and visual charts to help you plan your day.

The city of Chania in Greece boasts a typical Mediterranean climate, characterised by long, hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Temperature fluctuations throughout the year are moderate, making the city attractive to visit in various seasons, although weather conditions do change noticeably.

The summer months, especially from June to August, are very warm and sunny in Chania, with average temperatures reaching 25°C and minimal rainfall – often just 0-1 mm per month. This is the ideal time for a beach holiday. Winter, from December to February, remains mild with average temperatures around 11-13°C, but with a higher number of rainy days, reaching up to 16 in January and December. Spring and autumn are pleasant transitional seasons with comfortable temperatures and moderate rainfall, making them excellent times for excursions and walking around the city.

One of the most notable features of the climate in Chania is the distinct dry season in summer, when rain becomes an extremely rare occurrence. In contrast, the winter months bring the majority of the annual precipitation, although it is not excessively heavy. This seasonality allows you to clearly plan the type of holiday depending on the time of year.

The climate in Chania is characterised by noticeable seasonal temperature changes, offering comfortable conditions for visiting at different times of the year. The hottest months are traditionally July and August. During this period, the average air temperature is around 25.0°C - 25.2°C, and maximum daytime values regularly rise to 27.1°C - 27.3°C. Conversely, the coolest time of the year is considered to be January and February, when the average temperature holds at a level of 11.5°C - 11.7°C, and minimum night-time temperatures can drop to 9.9°C - 10.1°C.

The summer months in Chania, stretching from June to August, gift the city with consistently warm and sunny weather. The average daily temperature in June is a pleasant 22.4°C, gradually increasing to a peak of 25.2°C in August. During the day, the air warms up to a comfortable 24.6°C - 27.3°C, and nights remain very warm, with minimums no lower than 20.2°C - 23.2°C. An important feature of the summer season is the almost complete absence of rainfall, which creates ideal conditions for beach holidays and long walks.

The winter period in Chania, covering December, January, and February, is distinguished by its mildness and moderate coolness, without the severe frosts characteristic of many regions. Average temperature values in these months fluctuate in the range of 11.5°C to 13.4°C. At night, the temperature usually does not drop below 9.9°C - 11.9°C, and during the day, maximum figures reach 13.1°C - 14.9°C. It is worth noting that the difference between day and night temperatures in Chania throughout the year is relatively small and usually amounts to 3-4°C, indicating moderate daily fluctuations without sharp temperature spikes.

In the city of Chania, a pronounced seasonality in the distribution of precipitation is observed, typical of the Mediterranean climate. The year is clearly divided into a wet winter period and a very dry, sunny summer, which is a key feature of the local climate.

The bulk of precipitation falls in the period from late autumn to early spring. The wettest months are January and December, when an average of 4 mm of precipitation falls, and the number of rainy days reaches 16. February is also characterised by a significant amount of precipitation (4 mm) and 12 rainy days, while in November about 3 mm of precipitation falls with 12 rainy days. March can still bring up to 2 mm of precipitation and about 10 rainy days. Given the low absolute values in millimetres, the precipitation is most likely to be in the nature of light or moderate rains.

The summer months in Chania, by contrast, are distinguished by extreme dryness. June, July, and August are practically devoid of rainfall – the average monthly amount is 0 mm. In July, on average, there is only one day with precipitation, and in June and August – two each. This makes summer an ideal period for lovers of sunny weather. Transitional months, such as April, May, September, and October, are characterised by a small amount of precipitation (from 1 to 2 mm) and a moderate number of rainy days (from 5 to 8), smoothly bridging the dry and wet seasons.

When planning a trip to Chania, it is important to consider its Mediterranean climate. Summer, from June to August, is hot and dry here, with average temperatures from 22°C to 25°C and minimal rainfall. During this period, your suitcase should contain light, breathable clothing made from natural fabrics, swimwear, a hat, sunglasses, and high SPF cream. Even in May and September, when the weather is very comfortable, these items will be relevant. Evenings can be a little cooler, so a light cardigan or shawl may come in handy.

The winter months, from November to March, are significantly cooler in Chania (average temperature 11-16°C) and are characterised by the highest number of days with precipitation, although the rains themselves are usually not heavy. It is recommended to take layered clothing with you: warm sweaters, a fleece jacket, and a mid-season jacket (preferably waterproof or a windbreaker, as it can be windy on the coast) and an umbrella. Closed shoes will be more appropriate. Spring (April-May) and autumn (October) are transitional seasons with pleasant but sometimes changeable weather. The principle of layering your clothes will allow you to easily adapt to any whims of the weather. Regardless of the season, comfortable shoes for long walks along the charming streets of Chania are an absolute necessity.