Gavdos in September and October: Why the island is particularly attractive in low season!
Updated: 3 days ago
September and October are the ideal months to experience the tranquillity and beauty of Gavdos away from the hustle and bustle of the high season. In September, Gavdos still feels very much like summer – just much quieter than in August. In October, however, the island begins to change noticeably: it becomes quieter, slower-paced and more unspoilt. With pleasant temperatures, empty beaches and great travel deals, Gavdos is the perfect destination for autumn holidaymakers. In this article, find out why a visit to the island during the off-season 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
5 Summary: What stays open and what closes?
#1 The weather on Gavdos in October
In the first few weeks of September, there is usually still no noticeable difference from the hot, dry height of summer. The water has now reached its absolute maximum temperature. Gradual changes in temperature usually set in during the second half of September. Daytime temperatures slowly drop by a few degrees, and in the evenings you’ll often find yourself needing to put on a light jacket. Downpours are also extremely rare in September. In recent years, September has usually been completely rain-free.
In October, you can expect pleasant, mild weather on Gavdos. With temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, you’ll enjoy warm but not stiflingly hot days – ideal for exploring the island at a leisurely pace. Whether it’s laid-back days on the beach 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, unlike in July and August, there’s no longer a guarantee of rain-free weather in October. So be prepared for the odd heavy downpour. Whilst the days are still summery and warm, it cools down significantly in the evenings and especially at night. High humidity makes the temperature feel even lower. A warm jacket should therefore be included in every traveller’s luggage. In most years there was less than 5 days with rain October.
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
Anyone visiting Gavdos during the peak season in July or August will have to come to terms with larger numbers of visitors. Almost as if at the flick of a switch, the situation changes in September. Suddenly, rooms are available again and prices gradually start to fall. Gavdos in September feels a bit like ‘August Light’. All the accommodation and tavernas are open, but the island is already noticeably quieter.
In October, the scene changes completely. The island settles into a state of tranquillity, the noise levels drop and the pace slows down. In October, you can explore the island in complete relaxation, without it feeling completely deserted or abandoned. You’ll have no trouble finding a spot on the beach. The cedar forests at Agios Ioannis or Sarakiniko offer you a seemingly endless choice of perfect spots to set up your hammock or even your tent. In the evening, you can watch the sun sink into the sea in total silence.
As well as its peaceful atmosphere, October also offers some great value for money. Many of the accommodation options on Gavdos reduce their prices significantly again in October. Many of the island’s accommodation options remain 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 settle into a guesthouse, you’ll be able to fully soak up the island’s relaxed atmosphere. 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. Bus connections on Crete to Chora Sfakion and Paleochora can be found here: https://www.gavdos-travelling.com/post/bus-to-paleochora-chora-sfakion-2026-bus-schedules-and-prices
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.
#5 Summary: What says open and what closes?
Places that close at the end of October:
Panorama Tavern in early October and Panorama Rooms at the end of October
Metochi Tavern and Rooms at the end of October
Sofia’s Tavern and Rooms at the end of October
Exoristoi Rooms and Café at the end of October
Kiki Rooms, Mini Market and Café (stays open well into November!)
Nixterida in early October
Kantina in Ag. Ioannis in early October
What remains open after October:
4 Brothers Tavern until further notice and Rooms all year round
Litsa in Karave: Rooms and Tavern all year round
Mini Market Kastri all year round
Princess Rooms and Tavern until further notice (though it is due to close for a few weeks this winter for the first time)
Chez Gogo in Kastri: open all year round
Consolas Rooms: open all year round
Stella’s Bakery in Kastri: open all year round
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