What's the weather like in Chania in October
October marks the slow descent into autumn.
Temperature
The average temperature slides down to 19°C (66°F), but that doesn't really spoil the fun, as the western coast insists on being sunny and warm and very much against the autumnal equinox. Low temperatures are expected to hang around 15°C, but the high temperatures are most likely to go well over the 23°C average normally recorded for this time of the year. The first two weeks of the month are generally warmer, while the third and fourth weeks register a clear increase in humidity and a sensible loss of several degrees throughout the night.
Average Sunshine Hours
The days get significantly shorter, with up to 6 hours of sunshine, and 43% chances of sunny days. Chances of cloudy days rise to 11%, while the probability of rain hits 24%. About 6 rainy days are expected throughout the month of October at a surprising 80mm. This is a sudden increase from September and indicates the start of autumn and the end of glorious summer weather. Humidity soars to 70%, consistently felt in several abundant showers expected for this month.
Wind
The atmospheric pressure is not expected to exceed a maximum of 1019MB, which is high enough to favor the flow of slightly cooler winds. The speed of the aforementioned winds is at 1.2 m/s on average, which, combined with the overall warm and humid weather, still makes for good conditions for sailing and even hiking along the coast. Just pack a raincoat and an umbrella, in case it catches you by surprise.
Average Sea Temperature
Blue as ever, the Aegean Sea doesn't follow the typical autumn patterns either, losing only a couple of degrees to an average of 22°C (72°F) - it's still excellent for swimming, even at night! Tropical currents continue flowing in October, albeit with less intensity. October is the beginning of two benign, mild and wet autumn months typical for Crete.
Chania Hotels in October
Samaria and Kydon Hotel
Maybe to your surprise, you'll find that many hotels get busy quickly even in mid-October. Fortunately, the 4-star Samaria offers excellent deals on its doubles and twins, for £90 per night, and the lovely and equally starred Kydon Hotel has splendid suites available for just £64 per night.
Ambassador's Residence
The superb Ambassador's Residence, one of the few 5-star jewels of the Cretan coast, has luxurious suites for £125 per night for couples, and they also offer airport shuttle services.
Doge Traditional Hotel
If that's too much for what you'd normally spend in October, the superb Doge Traditional Hotel is currently offering great deals for just £46 per night for its double, twin and junior suites.
Budget Friendly Hostels
Alternatively, the few still available hostels in Chania for this month are a great option - not only because they're budget friendly, but also because they are fully equipped and offer great service. The popular Chania Hostel has dorms going for £10.24, while the central Morfea's Nest offers privates starting from £25.05. Diana's Guesthouse has privates from £11.39, and the beautiful Constantinos Studios have dorms and privates available from £9.11 and £11.40 per night, respectively. They all have very good Wi-Fi coverage, to help you keep your Facebook travel photo album nicely updated.
Chania Beaches for October
Sfakia Beach
October is still good for some sunny vitamin D, but chances are you will get a better experience out of exploring the more secluded and savagely beautiful beaches around Chania. Pack a picnic box as well, otherwise once you get to Sfakia Beach, for example, some 70km south-east of Chania, you will regret it - the scenery is absolutely breathtaking, a pebbled beach framed by a blue sea and a rocky coastline.
Drapanias Beach and Finikas
You should also visit Drapanias Beach, 35km west, close to Kissamos. Finikas, the wild and most secluded of them all, is 80km from Chania Town and is only accessible on foot from Loutra - a gorgeous beach to visit. If you want to stay close to the Harbour though, the beautiful Agia Marina and its golden sands stretch just 9km west, and it also has an exciting diving club.
Bars and Restaurants
Well of the Turk
If the Natour Lab hasn't made you fall irreparably in love with Chania's cuisine, then the not-so-easy-to-find Well of the Turk will capture your attention, with a delicious variety of Moroccan, Mediterranean, European, Turkish and (obviously) Greek dishes.
Kritamon Wine Bar & Restaurant
The Kritamon Wine Bar & Restaurant serves excellent contemporary Mediterranean food, and its comprehensive wine list has made it a major attraction for locals and tourists alike.
Soul Kitchen
For authentic "soul food", try a lunch at Soul Kitchen, whose chefs like to think outside the box and dazzle their guests with wonderful twists on local dishes and burgers alike.
Night's Out
For a fun night out, we suggest heading down to the Old Harbour. It's always open, there's always music and there is always a good bar to end up dancing in. My Cafe Bar is one of Chania's favorites, functioning as a lovely cafe during the day, then a bar and club at night. El Mondo Bar is another superstar, known for live music, excellent service and a wicked atmosphere. For something different, try Klik, a Scandinavian bar that has been enchanting its patrons since 1993!
Things to do in Chania in October
Ochi Day
Despite it being off season and quite rainy at times, Chania still keeps busy with some absolutely wonderful events. The first to mark on your calendar is Ochi Day, a public holiday complete with military parades which celebrates the occasion when General Metaxas gave a blunt one-word response to Mussolini's request to allow Italian troops into Greece in 1940: "Ochi", meaning "No".
Chestnut Festival
Another important (and absolutely delicious) event is the Chestnut Festival, celebrated every October/November (do check with local websites closer to the month for a more precise date) in the quaint little village of Elos; it is surrounded by large and generous chestnuts, the main source for the harvest upon which the festival is based. Expect food, drinks and music, but above all, expect all sorts of specialties based on chestnuts - from particular dishes to comfitures, spreads, desserts and other wonderful and soul-pleasing delights.
Natour Lab Gastronomy & Hike
And speaking of this Cretan tendency towards loving food, we definitely recommend that you take the marvelous Natour Lab Gastronomy & Hike, an excellent opportunity to not just explore the splendid scenic surroundings of Chania, but also to taste some amazing artisanal dishes and drinks, including local honey and wines. One of the regular hosts is former teacher turned beekeeper named Artemis, who will dazzle you with an amazing home-cooked lunch, among other treats.
More Things to do
And if it rains, go explore the beautiful Municipal Art Gallery (where local and international art is displayed), the Folklore Museum (for a hefty slice of history and local culture) or the Church of Agios Nikolaos, a stunning work of religious architecture. And on a sunny Sunday, you can run down to Pistapark for some go-kart fun on one of Greece's best kart-tracks.
