Island, Greece
Air quality in Crete
Moderate
The annual average PM2.5 in Crete was 11 µg/m³ in 2025, about 2.2 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Saharan dust and summer wildfire smoke occasionally reduce air quality; usually clean otherwise.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 11 µg/m³ yearly average (2025). Measured at Irakleio, 1 km away.
- PM10: 25.9 µg/m³ (2025).
- Nitrogen dioxide: 9.9 µg/m³ (2025), mostly from traffic.
- Recent average: 12 µg/m³ over the last five years of measurements.
PM2.5 by year
| Year | Annual average |
|---|---|
| 2025 | |
| 2024 | |
| 2023 |
Air quality across Greece
| Place | PM2.5 | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Crete | 11 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Chania | 11.4 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Meteora | 13.1 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Thessaloniki | 20 µg/m³ | Polluted |
Quick answers
Is the air in Crete bad?
Moderate: 11 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 2.2× the WHO guideline.
When is the air worst in Crete?
Saharan dust and summer wildfire smoke occasionally reduce air quality; usually clean otherwise.
How does Crete compare with the rest of Greece?
People in Greece breathe 14 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 11 µg/m³ measured here.
More about Crete
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Heraklion Airport (Fraport Greece)
- Visit Greece
- Ferryhopper
Annual averages are measured values reported to the WHO; check a live map for today's air. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.