Fourni & the Mirabello bay · month by month
The best time to visit Fourni and eastern Crete depends on what you come for. For the sea, come from June to mid-October: the water is between 24 and 27.5 °C. For walking and wildflowers, choose March to May or October. From November to February the villages are quiet, the afternoons mild (13 to 19 °C up at the village) and the olive harvest in full swing.
The year at Fourni
01 / 12 ★ For you
Green hills, empty lanes
The rains turn the hills green and snow often caps the high mountains on the horizon. Days are mild in the sun; evenings are for the warm house.
Ideal forPeace and quiet
02 / 12 ★ For you
Almond blossom
The first almond trees blossom and the countryside smells of wet earth and wild herbs. Carnival brings music and masks to the towns.
Ideal forVillages & traditionsPeace and quiet
03 / 12 ★ For you
The island in flower
Wildflowers cover the terraces: daisies, anemones, the first orchids. Walking weather begins, with clear air and green hills.
Ideal forWalkingVillages & traditionsPeace and quiet
04 / 12 ★ For you
Spring at its finest
Warm days, cool nights, hills still green: ideal for the gorges and the ancient sites without the heat. Orthodox Easter often falls in April or early May.
Ideal forWalkingVillages & traditionsPeace and quiet
05 / 12 ★ For you
First swims
The sea reaches about 20 °C by the end of the month and the beaches are still quiet. Long, bright days, the countryside still in flower.
Ideal forWalkingVillages & traditionsPeace and quiet
06 / 12 ★ For you
Long days, warm sea
The sea is warm (about 24 °C), the days are the longest of the year and the crowds of high summer have not arrived yet. Perhaps the best month for the sea.
Ideal forSwimmingVillages & traditions
07 / 12 ★ For you
Summer at full strength
Hot days, warm sea and the meltemi wind cooling the afternoons. Swim in the morning, rest in the stone house in the afternoon, eat late.
Ideal forSwimmingVillages & traditions
08 / 12 ★ For you
Festivals and starry nights
The hottest month, and the busiest. Evenings in the mountain village stay cooler than on the coast; on 15 August, the villages celebrate the Virgin with music and dancing.
Ideal forSwimmingVillages & traditions
09 / 12 ★ For you
The golden month
The sea is still very warm (about 26 °C), the light softens and the crowds thin out. Grapes are harvested in the villages.
Ideal forSwimmingVillages & traditions
10 / 12 ★ For you
Raki season
Still warm enough to swim (the sea is about 24 °C) and perfect for walking. Late in the month the stills fire up: raki is distilled in the villages.
Ideal forSwimmingWalkingVillages & traditionsPeace and quiet
11 / 12 ★ For you
The olive harvest
Nets are spread under the olive trees and the presses run day and night: the new oil is green and peppery. Mild days, quiet villages.
Ideal forWalkingVillages & traditionsPeace and quiet
12 / 12 ★ For you
A mild winter
Around 15 °C in the afternoon, rain on some days and bright skies on others. Christmas and New Year are spent with family: carols, honey biscuits, the vasilopita cake.
Ideal forVillages & traditionsPeace and quiet
January: Air 13 °C, Sea 18 °C, Rainy days 13; February: Air 14 °C, Sea 17 °C, Rainy days 10; March: Air 16 °C, Sea 17 °C, Rainy days 10; April: Air 20 °C, Sea 18 °C, Rainy days 6; May: Air 24 °C, Sea 20 °C, Rainy days 7; June: Air 27 °C, Sea 24 °C, Rainy days 4; July: Air 29 °C, Sea 27 °C, Rainy days 2; August: Air 29 °C, Sea 28 °C, Rainy days 2; September: Air 27 °C, Sea 26 °C, Rainy days 4; October: Air 23 °C, Sea 24 °C, Rainy days 5; November: Air 19 °C, Sea 21 °C, Rainy days 8; December: Air 15 °C, Sea 19 °C, Rainy days 11
Averages from ERA5 climate data (Copernicus) via Open-Meteo: air 2015–2024 at the village’s altitude (about 300 m), sea surface 2022–2024 in the Mirabello bay. Indicative: every year is different.
Calendar
A cross is thrown into the sea and swimmers dive to bring it back.
Masks and music, then kites, picnics and lagana bread on the first day of Lent.
date varies with Easter
School parades and flags in every village.
The biggest celebration of the year: candles at midnight, fireworks, lamb on the spit on Sunday.
date varies with Easter
The May wreaths are burnt and young people jump over the fires.
The great summer festival: mass, then music, dancing and long tables until late.
Grapes are picked and pressed; the must becomes wine and, later, raki.
A national holiday with parades.
Raki is distilled in the villages, often with friends, food and music around the still.
Nets under the trees, presses running, and the year’s new oil.
Questions
June and September: the sea is warm (24 to 26 °C), the days are long and there are fewer people than in July and August. For walking and wildflowers, April, May and October are ideal.
In October, yes: the sea in the Mirabello bay is still about 24 °C. In November it drops to about 21 °C, still possible on sunny days.
Yes, for quiet villages, walks, the olive harvest and mild days: around 13 to 15 °C in the afternoon at the village, with rain on some days. The house is heated.
In August, at about 27.5 °C. July and September are close, around 26 to 27 °C.
From November to March. April, May and October are a good compromise between mild weather and few visitors.
Cooler, yes: the plateau lies at about 840 m. Take a jacket even in summer evenings; snow is possible in winter.
Cool in August, warm in winter: the stone walls, the air-conditioning and the heating make the house pleasant all year round.
