Gavdos in October: Why the island is particularly attractive in low season.
Updated: Oct 24
October is the ideal month to experience the tranquillity and beauty of Gavdos away from the hustle and bustle of the high season. With pleasant temperatures, quiet beaches and affordable travel deals, Gavdos is a perfect destination for autumn holidaymakers. Find out in this article why visiting the island in October is particularly appealing and how best to plan your trip.
#1: The weather in October
#2: Cheaper accommodation, fewer tourists
#3: Ferry connections and infrastructure
#4: Activities on Gavdos in October
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#1 The weather on Gavdos in October
In October, you can expect pleasant, mild weather on Gavdos. With temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, you can enjoy warm but not oppressively hot days - ideal for exploring the island in a relaxed way. Casual beach days or active hikes across the island, both are possible! October also brings stable weather conditions with only a few rain showers, so most days remain sunny and dry. However, the ultimate guarantee of no rain, as in July and August, no longer exists in October. So be prepared for the occasional downpour. While the days are still summery warm, it cools down considerably in the evenings and especially at night. High humidity levels cause the perceived temperature to drop even further. A warm jacket should therefore be part of every traveller's luggage.
The waters of the Mediterranean (Libyan Sea) are also still pleasantly warm at this time of year, with water temperatures of around 23 degrees Celsius. This means that you can still enjoy swimming or snorkelling in the sea in autumn. While it is already getting cooler on many other Mediterranean islands, Gavdos remains a perfect place for outdoor activities in October. The milder temperatures also invite you to take long walks and hikes - without the oppressive summer heat.
#2 Cheap accommodation on Gavdos in October: fewer tourists, more peace and quiet
If you come to Gavdos in the high season in July or August, you will have to come to terms with a larger number of visitors. The picture changes completely in October. The island quietens down, the volume drops and the pace slows. In October, you can explore the island in peace and alone, but without the island appearing completely deserted. You can easily find your spot on the beach in complete peace and quiet. The cedar forests in Agios Ioannis or Sarakiniko offer you endless options for the perfect spot to set up your hammock or even your tent. In the evening, you can watch the sun sink into the sea in total silence.
In addition to the peaceful atmosphere, October also offers attractive price options. Many of the accommodations on Gavdos lower their prices significantly as soon as the high season is over. Most of the island's accommodation is still open until the end of October. So you can secure a cosy room or traditional accommodation without breaking the bank. Whether you want to stay on the beach or in an accommodation - you will be able to fully feel the relaxed atmosphere of the island. You can find an overview of accommodation on Gavdos here.
#3 Ferry to Gavdos in October and infrastructure on the island
Even in October, Gavdos remains easily accessible thanks to the regular ferry connections operated by Anendyk. The ferry to Gavdos runs several times a week from the harbours of Paleochora and Chora Sfakion on Crete. The crossing takes around 4 to 5 hours, passing the picturesque coastal towns of Crete such as Loutro or Sougia on the way. You can find all the details about ferry times, ticket prices and bookings in my article on the ferry to Gavdos.
As the neighbouring Cretan island is still very busy in October due to the autumn holidays in many European countries, the selection of different bus connections to the departure points of the Gavdos ferry is still very large. KTEL buses run regularly from Chania to the harbours of Paleochora and Chora Sfakion.
The bus on Gavdos runs daily between the harbour, Agios Ioannis and Sarakiniko. So if you arrive on Gavdos and want to go to Sarakiniko, for example, you can get a lift on the bus. The same applies to the return journey to the harbour. If you have special requests, you can ask the driver. There are no more regular connections across the entire island, as is usual in the high season. If you want to be more mobile, you can also take a car to Gavdos. There is also a taxi service in October.
On Gavdos itself, you can expect a quiet but still functioning infrastructure in October. Many of the traditional tavernas in places like Sarakiniko, Korfos and Kastri remain open until the end of October, so you can enjoy the delicious Cretan/Gavdiot cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. Small mini markets are also still active, so you can easily stock up on food and other essentials.
#4 Activities on Gavdos in October
Gavdos in October is all about tranquillity and individuality. There are no more big events like in August. The tavernas are much quieter, but this can also be an advantage. In the tavernas you will meet many open-minded and interested people from all over the world, with whom you can easily strike up a conversation. Every now and then you will meet locals, as well as some of the dropouts who have been living on Gavdos for many years.
Gavdos in the low season is ideal for hikes of all kinds. In my printed travel guide you will find a variety of different hiking routes across the island, as well as another large selection of activities. From pure coastal trails to gorge hikes, you'll find everything the island has to offer. I spent months crawling into every corner of the island to scout out all the routes down to the last detail. Gavdos proves to be a total hiking paradise. The small island hides great surprises and you will be amazed at the variety this little island has to offer.
In addition, a trip to the lighthouse is an absolute must on Gavdos, as is a hike to Kap Tripiti, the southernmost point in Europe.
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