Rethymno in May: weather, sea and travel tips
Is May a good time to visit?
May in Rethymno suits a coastal break where walking matters more than heat. Days average +23 °C: a good fit for time outdoors if summer beach heat is not essential.
Weather in May
Compare the three parts of May below and choose dates that suit your plans. Check the forecast closer to departure.
- Water
- +19 °C
- Daytime air
- +23 °C
- Night-time air
- +17 °C
Early, mid or late May?
| Travel dates | Day | Night | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–10 May | +21 °C | +16 °C | +18 °C |
| 11–20 May | +23 °C | +17 °C | +19 °C |
| 21–31 May | +24 °C | +18 °C | +20 °C |
Hot days in May
Share of days when the daytime temperature reached +30 °C or higher, based on the weather archive.
Water in May
Seasonal data gives an average water temperature of +19 °C for the month. It averages +18 °C in the first ten days and +20 °C towards the end. These are seasonal averages, so the water on your travel dates can be warmer or cooler. Before your trip, check the water temperature and weather in the forecast for Rethymno.
Rainfall in May
In May, the average is 7 days with precipitation. In 2020–2025, the number ranged from 0 to 11 per month. Light precipitation is included in the count. This does not mean that it rains all day.
April, May or June: which should you choose?
| Month | Day | Night | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | +19 °C | +13 °C | +16 °C |
| May | +23 °C | +17 °C | +19 °C |
| June | +27 °C | +21 °C | +22 °C |
May has warmer days than April. April offers cooler conditions for walks. June has warmer days than May. The difference matters if you prefer warmth to cooler walking weather.
The annual charts for Rethymno compare air and sea temperatures with the rest of the year. For a closer look at May, see the May charts and archive by year.
Things to do in May
- On a dry day, the Venetian harbour offers a short waterside walk with views of the lighthouse and old customs house. It need not take up a whole sightseeing day.
- The Fortezza is an option for a dry day, with views of the town and Cretan Sea from the Venetian fortress. It suits an interest in historic defences and panoramas.
- For a rainy day, the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno has an exhibition inside St Francis Church. Finds trace the region from its earliest settlements to Venetian times.
About the data
Air temperatures use the WorldWeatherAI archive for 2020–2025. Precipitation uses data for 2020–2025. Sea temperatures use WorldWeatherAI seasonal data.