Kommos (Crete) Archaeological Site
Minoan archaeological site and sandy beach on Crete
Kommos on southern Crete combines a Minoan archaeological site with a long sandy beach; visitors split time between ruins, swimming and nearby Matala cafés.
Kommos (Crete) at a Glance#
Address: Kommos archaeological site, near Matala, Heraklion regional unit, Crete, Greece
How to Get to Kommos (Crete)#
Kommos is about 15 km southwest of Heraklion and a few kilometres west of Phaistos. Drive from Heraklion via the national road towards Tympaki/Matala; there is roadside parking near the site. Local buses stop at Matala from which a short taxi ride is possible.
Tips for Visiting Kommos (Crete)#
- Combine a visit to Kommos with nearby Phaistos for a fuller view of Minoan Crete.
- Walk the shoreline at low tide to see both archaeological features and modern fishermen's nets.
- Bring a hat and water-summer sun on the south coast can be intense and shade is scarce.
Best Time to Visit Kommos (Crete)#
Visit in spring or autumn for cooler temperatures and fewer crowds; summer is hot but ideal for swimming after archaeological visits.
Weather & Climate near Kommos (Crete)#
Kommos (Crete)'s climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 8°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (522 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 9° - 15° | 12° | 109 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.7 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.9h |
| February | Good | 9° - 16° | 12° | 82 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.0 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.8h |
| March | Good | 10° - 17° | 13° | 66 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.9 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Excellent | 12° - 21° | 16° | 24 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 5.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 13.0h |
| May | Ideal | 16° - 25° | 20° | 11 mm | some cloud | 64% | 4.6 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.9h |
| June | Ideal | 20° - 29° | 24° | 3 mm | clear | 58% | 4.8 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 14.4h |
| July | Ideal | 22° - 30° | 26° | 1 mm | clear | 56% | 5.7 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 14.1h |
| August | Ideal | 22° - 30° | 26° | 1 mm | clear | 58% | 4.2 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 13.3h |
| September | Ideal | 20° - 28° | 24° | 14 mm | mostly sunny | 62% | 4.9 m/s | 1.5 very high | 12.3h |
| October | Excellent | 16° - 24° | 20° | 51 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 4.3 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.2h |
| November | Very Good | 13° - 20° | 17° | 67 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 3.8 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.2h |
| December | Good | 10° - 17° | 14° | 93 mm | overcast | 77% | 4.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
