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Original poster

Weather in the Greek islands early April

38 replies

kkelly82 · 25/02/2024 07:22

To anyone who has been to any of the Greek islands in early April, what was the weather like? I’d really like to go to either Crete or Rhodes but not sure if this time of early is too weather wise. I work in education so bound by the school holidays and May half term is really expensive and it’ll be too hot for me in August so that leaves early me with early April.
If anyone has been to a hotel with a heated pool and indoor pool (rare in the Greek islands I think) and would recommend it that would be good to know of. TIA.

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 25/02/2024 07:25

I wouldn’t be going to Greece until may at the earliest.

SapphosRock · 25/02/2024 07:28

It depends what you are looking for. If you want to hike and sightsee then April will be lovely. If you want to sunbathe and swim in the sea I would go somewhere more reliably warm like the Canary Islands.

Original poster
kkelly82 · 25/02/2024 07:29

@CurlsLDN This is brilliant - thank you.

OP posts:
Original poster
kkelly82 · 25/02/2024 07:32

@SapphosRock I would like to walk and visit places of interest (although I know this would have its limits with my two children so I’d have to compromise on how we did if this). I have considered the Canaries but a lot of the islands seem quite built up and maybe not as picturesque as some parts of the Greek islands. Although I’m not sure that’s a fair thing to say as I’m only going off what I can see online!

OP posts:
SapphosRock · 25/02/2024 07:54

How old are your children?

The Greek Islands are definitely picturesque and I would go there if the kids are older, especially if you can take them around on a Quad bike.

Gran Canaria has lovely beaches, shallow water and has lots for little children to do.

PinkEasterbunny · 25/02/2024 07:57

Bear in mind that even the Canaries can be a bit chilly in April? We’ve found them a bit hit and miss early in the season

FrenchandSaunders · 25/02/2024 08:00

A lot of the islands don’t even have direct flights in April. It’ll prob be quite chilly. Did you watch the mama Mia show with Alan carr … that was filmed in Corfu in may and weather didn’t look great at all.

Not as picturesque and not somewhere I would go in summer but Tenerife was mid 20s when we went in Jan one year.

PinkEasterbunny · 25/02/2024 08:02

And Greece is definitely more beautiful than the Canaries!

PeridotSparkle · 25/02/2024 08:09

I'm looking for somewhere in April too op. Was having the same thought process.

DaveWatts · 25/02/2024 08:12

I would head as far south as possible - we did Crete in April and it was lovely and warm and sunny but not really hot enough for the beach. Fine for hiking etc though. Also bear in mind that a lot of places will be closed as it's still off season, you'll be fine in the bigger cities but the village restaurants and cafes probably won't be open.

muddyford · 25/02/2024 08:21

I did Cyprus in March some years ago and it was warm and sunny. Sea still chilly and the pools were far too cold for swimming, unless you do it regularly. But I was there for birdwatching and walking so was great. Cousin lives on Crete. They haven't had a good winter, weatherwise, but April should be better.

zoopigi · 25/02/2024 08:49

Cyprus is at its best during April. Weather is warm enough to sunbathe, and the island is green with flowering trees because of the rains. The heat has not started baking the earth and burning everything to a crisp so everywhere you look is beautiful.
The rivers are still running, the waterfalls are at their fullest, and we have plenty of hotels with indoor pools if you are not brave enough to hit the outdoor pool or the sea..which will still be quite cool.

HappyHolidai · 25/02/2024 08:53

Rhodes was lovely in April: great for exploring and so much quieter without the cruise ship hordes. It felt like a real place people live, not just a holiday "theme park". Highly recommend. Had to change planes at Athens though.

SallyWD · 25/02/2024 08:57

We went to some Greek Islands in April. It was pleasant, warm and sunny but not beach weather. This was fine for us as we don't like to lie on the beach all day. We'd rather be walking around seeing things. It depends what sort of holiday you want.

icelolly12 · 25/02/2024 09:28

I went to Greece last year in early April and the weather on the islands was awful.

Hohofortherobbers · 25/02/2024 09:31

The sea will be far too cold

reluctantbrit · 25/02/2024 12:54

A friend's dad lived on Crete and they went a couple of times in April.

Definitely not a pool holiday, quite chilly in the evenings and not everything was open, so you need to do your research.

Cyprus may be a better choice as it will be warmer unless you go into the mountains (you should as it's great there but it means warm clothes).

FrillyGoatFluff · 25/02/2024 13:03

We did Crete late April/early may last year, was 21/22. Not everything was open, but warm enough (just) and sunny.

My mum was in kefalonja at the same time - early teens and raining for ten days, and EVERYTHING was shut. So much so, EasyJet (who she booked the b&b hotel and flight package with) refunded a portion of the holiday cost as they just couldn't eat anywhere.

For reliability, I'd echo previous posters and say go canaries.

GettingStuffed · 25/02/2024 15:55

We did Rhodes mid April to early may why DS2 was a baby , days were pleasantly warm definitely t-shirts and shorts weather but the locals were still wearing jumpers and coats. It did rain a couple of times but we went into town to look at museums.

Original poster
kkelly82 · 25/02/2024 16:42

@SapphosRock They’re 9 and 12. I have to cajole the 9 year to walk anywhere so if I don’t have the compromise of afternoons by the pool after a morning of exploring then it might be hard work! I’ll take a look at the Canaries again. Would you recommend anywhere in particular in Gran Canaria?

OP posts:
Tinkeytonkoldfruit · 25/02/2024 16:44

Morocco in April - weather beautifully warm but not too hot, lots of exciting things for children to see and explore - my DD8's favourite ever holiday. Flight time not much different than to the canaries.

Original poster
kkelly82 · 25/02/2024 16:44

Thanks everyone for your comments, all really helpful. I’d worry about turning up and restaurants / cafes not being open yet as the season isn’t in full swing so I’m thinking that a safer bet is probably the canaries or Cyprus.

OP posts:
Twilightstarbright · 25/02/2024 18:50

@kkelly82 lanzarote isn’t built up- planning laws mean there’s only one high rise building on the island in the capital. Puerto del Carmen is a bit neon but we stay in matagorda nearby and it’s low rise white buildings. You can cycle along the bike path by the sea all the way to PDC and arrecife plus the volcanoes are really interesting.

FoodieToo · 26/02/2024 19:19

We went to Ikos, Corfu the first week in April last year and the year before . Going to Ikos in Halkidiki this year at the same time.
Now Ikos heat their pools very well but we sunbathed and swam in the sea also .
Was lovely during the day , up to 23 degrees both years !
Hoping for similar this year .

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