🌡️ Extreme heat🔥 Wildfire

Natural hazards Greek islands (Rhodes, Crete, Corfu…)

Greece · total risk 61% (Very high) — our indicative estimate for a two-week stay in high season, based on 2017–2025.

Fire danger today (EFFIS): loading… See the live map & forecast ›

In our estimate, Greek islands (Rhodes, Crete, Corfu…) scores a total risk of 61% (very high). The main natural hazards for a summer holiday are extreme heat (50%) and wildfire (25%). Below you'll find the full profile, what happened in recent years, the best time to travel and practical travel advice.

Risk profile

🔥 Wildfire25% · Elevated

🌡️ Extreme heat50% · Very high

🌊 Flooding6% · Low

⛈️ Storm / severe weather7% · Low

🌋 Seismic / volcanic8% · Low

Percentage = indicative chance that a two-week stay in high season is noticeably disrupted by this hazard. Based on 2017–2025, not an official forecast.

When is the best time to visit Greek islands (Rhodes, Crete, Corfu…)?

Peak-risk months: July – August

Jan15°

Feb15°

Mar16°

Apr17°

May20°

Jun24°

Jul26°

Aug27°

Sep25°

Oct22°

Nov20°

Dec17°

Avg. maximum temperature per month · climate normal 2019–2024 (ERA5)

What happened here? (2017–2025)

2023Rhodes: the largest tourist evacuation ever in Greece — 19,000 people, including thousands of Dutch visitors
2023Corfu and Evia evacuated at the same time during a heatwave
2025Mass evacuations on Crete; fire on Chios with rescues from the beaches
2025Sea quakes near Santorini/Amorgos (a swarm), temporary unrest

Travel advice

Islands are extra vulnerable: limited escape routes and firefighting capacity. Choose accommodation near the coast/town rather than in wooded hills.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to travel to Greek islands (Rhodes, Crete, Corfu…)?

In our indicative estimate, Greek islands (Rhodes, Crete, Corfu…) scores a total risk of 61% (very high): the chance that a two-week stay in high season is noticeably disrupted by natural hazards — from smoke or heat stress to evacuation. This is based on the historical frequency in 2017–2025 and is not an official forecast. Most holidays pass without incident even in higher-risk areas; always check the live map and local warnings just before departure.

What is the biggest natural hazard in Greek islands (Rhodes, Crete, Corfu…)?

Extreme heat is the dominant risk at 50%, followed by wildfire (25%). Islands are extra vulnerable: limited escape routes and firefighting capacity. Choose accommodation near the coast/town rather than in wooded hills.

When is the best time to visit Greek islands (Rhodes, Crete, Corfu…)?

Peak-risk months: July – August. Outside the peak months the risk of natural hazards is considerably lower, and it is also quieter and often cheaper.

Travel guides for this region

Greek islands: is a summer vacation still safe? After the major evacuations on Rhodes and Crete, many travelers are having second thoughts. What do the figures really show, when is the risk highest, and how do you choose a safe location? Forest fire on your vacation: what you arrange beforehand and what you do on the spot A forest fire near your holiday accommodation is rare, but when it happens, every minute counts. This is the straightforward checklist: what you arrange before you leave, which app you need per country, and what you do in case of evacuation.

Check the current risk for Greek islands (Rhodes, Crete, Corfu…)

Live fire danger (EFFIS/Copernicus), official warnings and the 7-day forecast.

Open the atlas ›

The percentages are indicative estimates based on the historical frequency and scale of events in 2017–2025 (EFFIS/Copernicus, EM-DAT, national weather services). They are not an official forecast. The live fire danger above is official, current data. Just before departure, consult the live map and local warnings.