The ‘Mediterranean jewel’ that’s 24C in October — with £80 return flights

The season of pumpkin spiced lattes, Gilmore Girls and chunky knits is almost upon us, but we’re not all ready to pack away our bikinis just yet.

As the Met Office warns of rain, wind and flooding in the UK, elsewhere in Europe, the mercury is still soaring.

If you’re yearning for a last gasp of sunshine, there are plenty of nearby destinations that offer August temperatures in October.

A classic is, of course, Greece. And for guaranteed sunshine, there are few places better than Crete.

Known for its diverse landscapes of mountains and valleys, rich history and Mediterranean cuisine, there is far more to the largest of the Greek islands than sunbathing on its sandy beaches — although there’s plenty of that on offer, too.

And getting to the beach in the ‘jewel of the Mediterranean’ will cost you the same as a train from London to the coast in Cornwall. Direct return flights from the UK in October start from around £80.

What’s the weather like in Crete?

The weather in Crete during October is similar to an average British summer’s day, sparing you the scorching heat the island can reach in the height of summer – 44 degrees was recorded in June.

But in the coming weeks, according to local meteorological reports and several travel agencies, temperatures range between 17 degrees in the evening and around 24 degrees during the day.

The sea is still warm, coming in at a comfortable 23 degrees. 

There’s around eight hours of sunshine each day, making it the ideal location to squeeze in sightseeing, hiking and sunbathing. 

Compared to the peak of summer, there’s a slight increase in rainfall, which occurs in short, scattered showers. Tourists are encouraged to pack a raincoat.

How much are flights to Crete?

You can either get a direct flight to Crete’s two airports, Chania and Heraklion, or fly to Greece’s mainland and get an internal flight or a ferry. This can take anywhere from five to 14 hours from Athens to Crete, depending on the route and carrier.

A return flight from Manchester to Chania, which takes four hours one way, leaving on Friday, October 3 and returning the following Friday, costs £105.

Flying from London to Crete’s other airport, Heraklion, starts from £41 in October.

Things to do in Crete

If you’re looking for somewhere to swim and read, you’ll be spoiled for choice in Crete. The island is home to stunning beaches with crystal clear water and an award-winning beach.

The Balos Lagoon is a warm, shallow lagoon with Caribbean-like water and a panoramic landscape. This picture-perfect beach is in the Gramvousa Peninsula, in the northwestern coast of the island and is best reached by car or boat.

In southwest Crete, the famous Elafonisi beach is renowned for its pink sand and turquoise water. This year it was crowned best beach in the world TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards.

The pink tone comes from microscopic organisms called Foraminifera that produce red shells, which break down over time.

If you’re looking for something more active, October is a great time to hike in Crete and there are plenty of trails to choose from.

The Samaria Gorge is a challenging 16km downhill trek through a breathtaking gorge that starts in the mountains, in the town of Omalos. It takes up to seven hours to complete and it ends at the coastal village of Agia Roumeli.

Visiting Crete in October means you’ll miss all the crowds and crazy hot temperatures, allowing you to explore the island’s ancient Minoan history.

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum in the city of Heraklion is one of the oldest and largest museums in Greece.

It has a large collection of art and objects from the Minoan civilization, considered the oldest civilization in Europe, which found its home in Crete from c. 2000 – c. 1450 BC. Entry is €6.

Food, wine and olive oil

Crete is renowned for its delicious wine, food and olive oil farms, and what better way to experience the island than through eating and drinking.

There are guided walking food tours through Chania and Heraklion, where you can sample local delicacies such as Cretan cheese and apaki, cured pork loin.

You can visit olive oil farms and wineries, try a cooking class or visit local markets to sample street food such as bougasta, delicious Greek custard pie.

Other Cretan food highlights include olives, honey, cheese, superfood Stamnagathi (boiled leaves), Staka Me Ayga (an egg dish) and Chochlioi Bourbouristi (pan fried snails).

The Chestnut festival 

Head to Elos Village, a charming village surrounded by chestnut trees, 60km southwest of Chania Town, for the annual Chestnut festival. 

The event celebrates the harvest of the famous Christmas nut with live music, folk dancing, and traditional dishes.

It is celebrated on the third Sunday in October, which will be the 19th this year.