Hottest Greek islands in May

Hottest Greek islands in May

Hottest Greek islands in May are the southeast Dodecanese and southeast Crete where summer starts first. Rhodes at 1401km2 with Rhodes Town and Lindos, Karpathos at 324km2 with Pigadia and Olympos, Kasos at 69km2, Kastellorizo at 9km2 off Kas, Symi at 58km2, Chalki at 28km2, Kos at 290km2, Crete at 8261km2 especially Ierapetra, Makry Gialos and Sitia on the south coast, and Gavdos off Crete as the southernmost island average 24-27C highs with sea at 20-22C and long dry days. Rhodes and Karpathos are usually the warmest large islands with southerly exposure.

Known for swimmable sea and empty beaches before high season, with Anthony Quinn Bay and Tsambika on Rhodes, Apella and Kyra Panagia on Karpathos, Elafonissi and Vai palm beach on Crete, and Kastellorizo blue cave and harbor swims. May brings reliable sun and little Meltemi wind yet, while central Cyclades like Mykonos at 86km2, Paros at 196km2, Naxos at 430km2 and Santorini at 76km2 sit at 22-24C with cooler nights and wind, and Ionian islands like Corfu at 591km2, Kefalonia at 734km2 and Zakynthos at 405km2 are greenest at 22-24C but with higher chance of showers early in the month.

IslandDescription
KastellorizoMay avg max 25.5C, min 17.5C, sea 21.5C, farthest southeast bare rock hottest May.
RhodesMay avg max 25.2C, min 17.0C, sea 21.5C, south less Meltemi Lindos bare rock hot.
KarpathosMay avg max 24.8C, min 16.8C, sea 21.0C, Apella sheltered.
KasosMay avg max 24.6C, min 16.5C, sea 21.0C, flat dry.
CreteMay avg max 25.0C, min 16.5C, sea 21.0C, Libyan Sea warms first.
GavdosMay avg max 24.5C, min 16.0C, sea 21.0C, southernmost Europe first warm sea May.
ChrissiMay avg max 24.8C, min 16.2C, sea 21.0C, south Crete cedar sand 40C.
StrongyliMay avg max 25.5C, min 17.5C, sea 21.5C, bare rock easternmost hottest.
RoMay avg max 25.4C, min 17.5C, sea 21.5C, near Kastellorizo hottest rock.
KosMay avg max 24.8C, min 16.5C, sea 20.8C, flat Dodecanese hot.
SymiMay avg max 25.0C, min 17.0C, sea 21.2C, near Rhodes enclosed holds heat.
ChalkiMay avg max 25.1C, min 17.0C, sea 21.2C, near Rhodes flat.
TilosMay avg max 24.6C, min 16.5C, sea 20.8C.
NisyrosMay avg max 24.5C, min 16.5C, sea 20.8C, volcano crater holds heat.
KoufonisiMay avg max 23.8C air but sand 45C, sea 20.0C, low flat sand reflects hottest Cycladic sand May.

Hottest Greek islands in May are Crete, Kos, Karpathos and Rhodes — 24°C highs, 11 hours sun

Hottest Greek islands in May list is clear. Hottest Greek island in May is typically Crete, consistently experiencing average high temperatures low to mid-20s Celsius low to mid-70s Fahrenheit. Its southerly location and large size contribute warmer climate compared other Greek islands. Crete among hottest islands visit during May average high 24°C. If you looking warmest Greek Island in May then set your sights on Crete — also largest Greek Island that stays open all year round whereas smaller ones do not.

Warmest Greek islands in May list: Crete Warmest Overall 24°C 75°F Highs — magnificent island often basking warmest temperatures May you can expect delightful highs around 24°C lovely 75°F. Island of Crete actually stays hottest for longest time any Greek island — from April through November — but May temperature averages pleasant 24C. Average temperature 20°C 68°F but variation between islands.

Southern island Kos one warmest places Greece in May average temperatures around 24°C and 11 hours daily sunshine. When you think visiting Greek islands Karpathos embodies everything you could want spring getaway — among Greece’s warmest islands May offers irresistible mix beautiful beaches excellent cuisine interesting architecture.

May heat by island — Crete 24°C, Kos 24°C, Rhodes 23°C, Karpathos 23°C

Guide nuance: Greece greets May warm weather open arms weather Greece May great seeing ancient ruins beautiful islands average temperature ranges depending specific location Athens daytime highs about 75-80°F 24-27°C evenings comfortably cool Greek islands enjoy even warmer days. In recent times hottest May day ever recorded island saw temperatures rise up to 34°C. Visit towards end month for warmest weather resort still much quieter than peak summer — May average Tsilivi Zakynthos 19ºC reaching high 23ºC hottest part afternoon.

Enjoying Mediterranean climate long hot dry summers mild wet winters Greek islands holidaymaker dream Unlike mainland heat tempered sea breezes meltemi winds which can blow for days time late June to August especially Cyclades islands — May before meltemi, so calmer and warmer feel. May first signs summer begin show average 20°C.

So hottest Greek islands in May ranking: Crete 24°C warmest overall, Kos 24°C 11 hours sun, Rhodes 23-24°C, Karpathos warmest, Zakynthos Tsilivi 23°C high. Crete stays hottest longest April November — best bet May heat plus open year-round tavernas.

Sources

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Last Updated on September 8, 2026 by admin