Direct flight about 3 h 40

Heraklion from London Gatwick

Published 4 October 2026 · HolidayWow editors · Written with AI, numbers checked against our data ·

From London Gatwick, a nonstop flight gets you in Heraklion in about 3 h 40. You land at Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER), 3 miles from the destination, after 1,665 miles of flight.

In Heraklion, the best time for a trip is June to October, with daytime highs up to 28 °C and the sea up to 25 °C.

7 days in Heraklion in August, Beach and hiking, from London Gatwick on your own

Plan a trip

Flight time from London Gatwick: about 3 h 40
Flight distance LGW to HER: 1,665 miles
Nonstop from LGW: Direct flight
Best time to go: June to October

Flight times estimated from the distance, nonstop routes according to OpenTravelData.

Why Heraklion works as a Cretan starting point

Heraklion gives you direct access to Crete's largest city, an active harbour and a strong mix of old Cretan character and everyday local life. It works well for travellers who want a useful city base before exploring nearby places. The harbour area is convenient for ferries, while the historic centre places shops, cafés and major sights within a manageable walking area.

Cretei

Heraklioni

A stay here also makes day trips straightforward. The Palace of Knossos lies close to the city, and the coast around Agia Pelagia and Fodele provides contrasting scenery. Travellers with several days can combine city sightseeing with beach time and inland drives, then return to one base rather than changing accommodation repeatedly.

Think about who is travelling and how much movement suits the group. Heraklion offers easy access to transport and useful services, making it a sound choice for a first visit. Families may appreciate the range nearby, couples can balance old streets with coastal outings, and small groups can organise a Crete journey around one central stay.

Cretei

Heraklioni

Choosing a month for the Cretan journey

Spring brings a useful balance of rising temperatures, increasing sunshine and opportunities to explore inland Crete. April offers daytime temperatures around 19 °C and night temperatures around 15 °C. May is warmer at 23 °C by day and 18 °C at night, with around ten hours of sunshine, making it comfortable for sightseeing and coast walks.

Summer provides the strongest beach conditions. July has daytime temperatures around 28 °C, night temperatures around 24 °C and sea temperatures around 25 °C. August is similarly warm, while September remains appealing for swimming with daytime temperatures around 26 °C and sea temperatures around 25 °C.

Autumn suits travellers who want warm days and a change of pace after summer. October averages 23 °C during the day and 20 °C at night, although rainfall becomes more frequent than in late summer. Winter is milder than many UK travellers expect, with January at 15 °C by day and 12 °C at night, yet it is the wettest month in the climate record.

Plan a balanced week around Heraklion

Begin with Heraklion itself and give the city a full day. The historic centre, harbour and local food offer a relaxed introduction to Crete. A second day can cover Knossos and a nearby coastal destination, with the pace set according to the group. HolidayWow can use a balanced itinerary with two or three stops each day.

Use the middle of the week for contrast. Fodele offers a green setting and a change from the city, while Agia Pelagia brings a beach and a waterfront promenade into the itinerary. On another day, travel towards western Crete and choose a small group of stops rather than trying to cover the entire island. These routes benefit from a clear map and planned travel legs.

Keep the final day in Heraklion for another city experience, a relaxed meal and time before the onward journey. Return to a favourite café, revisit the harbour or add a stop connected with the interests of your group. This structure creates a balanced week with city time, culture, coast and countryside while leaving useful room for changes.

From London Gatwick to Heraklion

From London Gatwick, Heraklion is {{dist.home:LGW}} away as the crow flies. From London Heathrow it is {{dist.home:LHR}}. From Manchester it is {{dist.home:MAN}}. London Gatwick travellers get the best of Heraklion in May, June, July and August.

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London Stansted lies {{dist.home:STN}} away. From Edinburgh it is {{dist.home:EDI}}. Door to door, the plan lines up the ride to the airport, the flight with live fares and the transfer on arrival.

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Airports at the destination

Your nonstop flight from London Gatwick lands at Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (HER), 3 miles from the destination.

HERHeraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport3 miles to the destination, about 3 h 40 from LGW, 1,665 miles of flightDirect

Best time to travel in Heraklion

In Heraklion, the best time for a trip is June to October, with daytime highs up to 28 °C and the sea up to 25 °C. The sea reaches 25 °C in August.

Climate by month
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
Day °C	15	15	16	19	23	26	28	28	26	23	20	17
Night °C	12	12	13	15	18	22	24	25	23	20	17	14
Sea °C	16	16	16	17	19	22	25	25	25	23	20	18
Sun h/day	4	5	7	9	10	12	13	11	9	7	5	4
Rain days	15	12	9	5	5	2	1	1	5	9	9	14

Climate: NASA POWER 2006 to 2025, sea: NOAA OISST 1991 to 2020. Day and night are average highs and lows, sun in hours per day.

Heraklion through the year

The warmest month is July with 28 °C, the coolest January with 15 °C. Rain is rarest in July (1 days) and most frequent in January (15 days). The sunniest month is July with 13 hours a day.

The sea is warm enough for proper swimming in July, August, September and October, peaking at 25 °C in July. For walking and sightseeing in pleasant warmth, aim for May, June, July, August, September, October and November.

January: 15 °C, sea 16 °C, 15 rain days, 4 h of sun
February: 15 °C, sea 16 °C, 12 rain days, 5 h of sun
March: 16 °C, sea 16 °C, 9 rain days, 7 h of sun
April: 19 °C, sea 17 °C, 5 rain days, 9 h of sun
May: 23 °C, sea 19 °C, 5 rain days, 10 h of sun
June: 26 °C, sea 22 °C, 2 rain days, 12 h of sun
July: 28 °C, sea 25 °C, 1 rain day, 13 h of sun
August: 28 °C, sea 25 °C, 1 rain day, 11 h of sun
September: 26 °C, sea 25 °C, 5 rain days, 9 h of sun
October: 23 °C, sea 23 °C, 9 rain days, 7 h of sun
November: 20 °C, sea 20 °C, 9 rain days, 5 h of sun
December: 17 °C, sea 18 °C, 14 rain days, 4 h of sun

How to shape a May day in Heraklion

Mornings suit an unhurried walk through the old streets or along the water. The warmest hours, at 23 °C, are perfect for being outside. Evenings drop to 18 °C, so plan dinner outside and keep a layer handy.

Packing for Heraklion in July

With 28 °C by day and 24 °C at night and 1 rain days in July, pack for heat. Your plan builds this list for you and updates it when you change the dates.

Light, breathable clothes for the day
Sun hat and sunscreen
A refillable water bottle
A warm layer for the evenings
Swimwear and a beach towel
Comfortable walking shoes
A travel adapter for your chargers

Prices for Heraklion

Every price for Heraklion on this page comes live from a partner, in your currency. Open a card to see today's rate for your dates.

Weather in Heraklion month by month

January15 °C16 °C
February15 °C16 °C
March16 °C16 °C
April19 °C17 °C
May23 °C19 °C
June26 °C22 °C
July28 °C25 °C
August28 °C25 °C
September26 °C25 °C
October23 °C23 °C
November20 °C20 °C
December17 °C18 °C

Nonstop flights in Heraklion from other airports

Besides London Gatwick, nonstop flights in Heraklion leave from 7 other airports; the closest to London Gatwick is London Luton, with a flight time of about 3 h 44.

Flight times estimated from the distance, nonstop routes according to OpenTravelData.

Get the Gatwick journey and stay working together

Treat the airport, first stay and onward travel as one connected plan. HolidayWow can start a Heraklion trip at your home, include the route to the airport, the flight and the transfer to the first accommodation. That door to door structure makes it easier to see which part of the journey belongs to departure day and which belongs to arrival day.

Dates are optional while you shape the holiday. Begin with a month if that suits your planning, then add dates when you are ready to organise the details. Each day card can gain its weekday, live weather and live prices, allowing the city, stays and excursions to remain connected rather than scattered across separate lists.

The planner also gives you three pace settings. Choose a relaxed rhythm with one or two stops, a balanced approach with two or three, or a packed plan with three to five. Adjust the pace for individual days by moving a stop, replacing an activity or making the route lighter. The plan checker reorders the day after each change.

Book live options and keep everyone in step

Use the plan to compare current flight, stay, tour and transport prices rather than relying on an old estimate. HolidayWow shows live partner prices in pounds or offers a live price check where appropriate. Booking links appear within the itinerary, so you can move from the overall route to the relevant option without rebuilding the holiday around a separate checkout.

A shared link gives everyone access to the same map and day cards. Viewers can follow the route, editors can change plans, and group members can comment or vote on possible stops. This is useful when several people are choosing between a beach afternoon, a museum visit or another day in the countryside.

A trip budget can hold estimated costs in your home currency, with price watching for stays and tours and cost splitting for the group. Add passports, tickets and confirmations to the document vault so important details travel with the itinerary. The packing list and checklist can then reflect your destination, travel dates and planned activities.

Heraklion from London Gatwick: frequently asked questions

How far is Heraklion from London Gatwick?

HolidayWow uses that live distance in a door to door route, giving you one map for the airport journey, flight, transfer to Heraklion and onward movement during the holiday. The distance token updates as route information changes.

Which month is best for flying from Gatwick to Heraklion?

The best month depends on your holiday priorities. May combines mild warmth with increasing sunshine, while July through September offers the warmest sea conditions. Autumn brings warmer daytime temperatures, and winter remains comparatively mild. HolidayWow includes monthly climate information so you can match the season to beaches, walks or city sightseeing.

Can I include the whole journey in my Heraklion plan?

Yes. Start the holiday with your home address and HolidayWow can include the ride to the airport, the flight and the transfer to the first stay. The map then continues into your daily route, so departure and arrival logistics sit beside the activities, accommodation and onward travel.

Can I change the pace after creating a Heraklion holiday?

Yes. You can move a stop to another day, replace a place or make a day lighter using a relaxed, balanced or packed pace. The plan checker reorders the route after each change. This makes it practical to keep city days calm, create busier sightseeing days or add another coastal outing.

Can I book flights and hotels through HolidayWow?

HolidayWow shows live prices and partner booking links in your plan. Flight, stay, tour and transport options can sit alongside the relevant day, while the trip budget provides a place to review expenses and split shared costs. Every displayed price comes from the relevant live partner module.

More nonstop destinations from London Gatwick

Everything about a holiday in HeraklionIn Heraklion in AugustAll nonstop destinations from London Gatwick

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