Why you should visit Rethymno, Crete

Rethymno › Why you should visit Rethymno, Crete

Rethymno, or Rethimno, is a city on the north coast of the Greek island of Crete. The old town wirth its Venetian Harbor is filled with fishing boats and lined with tavernas. The Rethymno Lighthouse was built in the 1830s. West, the hilltop Fortezza is a star-shaped, 16th-century citadel. Long, sandy Rethymno Beach stretches to the east. Follow my travel guide to the highlights and best beaches in Rethymno.

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Welcome To Rethymno – A City Steeped In Ancient History

Rethymno’s historic old town is a true gem and is considered one of the most beautiful historic city centres in Crete. A walk through its narrow alleys allows you to experience the city’s eventful history up close. Mosques from the Ottoman period, Venetian fortresses and in between: lots and lots of people!

Rethymno is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island, which comes as no surprise due to the long sandy beach that runs almost directly from the old town. Here, one hotel follows another. Taverns advertise their delicious seafood dishes in menus in every conceivable language to attract guests.

My advice: you shouldn’t miss Rethymno’s old town with its impressive sights, you can however skip the beach. There are really nicer places in Crete for a beach holiday.

In this blog article, I’ll introduce you to what to expect in Rethymno. I will introduce you to the most important sights and things to do, tell you about my experiences and, and reveal my best tips for your beach holiday on Crete.

Getting there

The best way to reach Rethymno is by rental car via the Crete Island Highway. Coming from Heraklion, take the Kapetan Giorgi exit and follow Marko Portaliou Road for the last 10 minutes to the city centre.

Greece is very safe for motorists, & you can drive across the entire island in less than 6 hours! Best of all, rental cars are very cheap (starting at €30) & easy to book by comparing rates across dealerships in Heraklion using DiscoverCars.

Where to stay in Rethymno?

The city centre has a lot of cosy places to stay in various styles, which makes it difficult to pick at first glance. But after filtering by star rating, location and amenities, you should quickly find a suitable place to stay that fits your budget and requirements. In the centre or on the beach in Rethymno, you will usually pay more, while a little further out and in the interior of the island, it is comparatively quieter and cheaper.

Old Town & Rimondi Fountain

Behind the old harbour, I took Arkadiou Street into the labyrinth of alleys in the old town. At the Venetian loggia, which now houses a museum of replicas of ancient finds, turning into Paleologou Street.

Several buildings from the Ottoman period with their distinctive wooden cornices mark the passage to Platanos Square and the Rimondi Fountain. The old fountain with its three lion heads, Corinthian columns and water basin was built in 1626 by the Venetian mayor Rimondi and served to supply water to the town’s inhabitants. The fountain does not bubble every day, but the Rimondi Fountain is always a beautiful photo motif, even without water.

On nearby Via Arambatzoglou Lane with its many jewellery shops and boutiques, I reached the heart of the old town. Then, after a few metres, I suddenly found myself in front of Angelon Church, also known as Lady of the Angels or Mikri Panagia, a true beauty.

Fortezza – Panoramic views from the Kastro

The Fortezza on Paleokastro Hill was built by the Venetians in the 16th century. The place is said to be the site of the acropolis of the ancient city of Rithymna. The fortress was intended to protect the city from attacks by the Ottoman Empire. The plan was also to accommodate the entire population of the city within the fortress. Due to lack of space and the unwillingness of the townspeople to move, the fortress was ultimately only inhabited by the town administration and the Venetian lord.

• Location: Fortezza of Rethymnon (Φορτέτζα Ρεθύμνου)

After entering the Fortezza through the main gate, I explored the extensive grounds and visited the remaining buildings from times gone by. I passed an open-air theatre, the armoury, the former residence of the city council and the living quarters of the governor. Parts of the main food store have also been preserved. A path led me down to some dark cellars.

• Opening hours Fortezza Rethymo: daily 8 am to 7:15 pm, €5 admission

To the east of the fortress, you can enjoy a magnificent view over the city of Rethymno. The atmosphere at Fortezza Kastro is particularly atmospheric in the evening.

Neratze Mosque and Mikrasiaton Square

You can then continue your tour in the picturesque maze of alleys in the old town heading southeast. Numerous photo opportunities await you amid the flower-covered building facades. After a few minutes, you will reach Mikrasiaton Square with its imposing Neratze Mosque.

• Location: Mikrasiaton Square

The Neratze Mosque’s story begins in the Venetian period, when it was originally established as a Catholic church dedicated to Saint Catherine.

In the Ottoman times of the 17th century, the building was converted and supplemented with three domes. The minaret with two balconies dates from 1890. Today, it is reserved for use by the Islamic community, and you can only view the ornate building from the outside.

Museums

If you can’t get enough of the cultural aspect, after sightseeing you can pay a quick visit to one of the various museums, which provide you with information in a relaxed atmosphere, even on the island’s rare rainy days.

One of the classics in Rethymno is the Archaeological Museum, which presents exciting finds from the Neolithic period, such as ceramics, statues and figures, as well as sarcophagi.

• Location: Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon

In the History and Folklore Museum, on the other hand, you can admire exhibits such as traditional handicrafts, leather goods and baskets as well as woven or embroidered textiles.

The small museum is particularly worth seeing for those interested in history, who also want to visit other archaeological sites in the surroundings, such as the Late Minoan cemetery of Armeni, or Eleftherna.

• Rethymno Museum opening hours: Wed-Mon 9am-5pm
• Admission: €5

Venetian Harbour & Lighthouse

Next, take a short walk past the colourful fishing boats and along the harbour wall to the honey coloured lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in the 1830s by the Egyptians after being handed Crete by the Turks during the Ottoman rule. Look closely at the top to see some intricate carved symbols.

The old harbour of Rethymno is lined with fish restaurants, waterside tavernas and small cafés. A walk past these, alongside the water, will have the owners inticing you in to eat. Other restaurants in the old town’s alleyways aren’t quite as pricey as here, but the view of the Venetian port by the waterside is the best here.

Sights & Activities around Rethymno

Visit Mili Gorge

Mili Gorge is a breathtaking green oasis located about 7km outside of Rethymno, north of the village of Chromonastiri and south of Xero Chorio. It is actually a gorge with a huge number of plants and trees, a real botanical garden.

• Location: Mili Gorge (Φαράγγι Μύλων)

Hiking Facts:

The Myli Gorge Hike is a round trip route that is 4.5 kilometres long in total and takes about 2 hours to complete, with an elevation difference of 210 metres.

In recent years, it has attracted many hikers who enjoy walking along a beautiful path. In the middle of the gorge, we come across the abandoned village of Mili, which is divided into two districts, Ano (upper) and Kato (lower) Mili. Its name was taken from the watermills that were housed in the gorge, about 30 in total. The villagers were mainly millers, and almost all the grain in the region and the surrounding villages was ground in Mili.

The gorge outside of Rethymno is perfect for a hike in unspoiled countryside. You’ll find a traditional village or two on the way. The 4km walk will take you through olive groves and citrus trees, along steams which used to power the now deserted watermills.

Rethymno – Beaches

The coastal town offers wonderful places to swim and relax. Where should you go after arriving at your hotel? Perhaps one of the following spots will catch your eye.

Rethymno Beach

If you are travelling with children to Greece or Crete, this beach may be your favourite choice. It slopes gently, allowing your little ones to splash around happily in the cool water. The soft sand is also ideal for relaxing moments with the family, and its easy accessibility is a plus, as it is only a few minutes’ walk from the centre.

For everyone else, there are also great water sports activities on offer. Or you can top up your tan at your favourite spot along the twelve-kilometre-long beach, which is one of the most beautiful in Crete. At the end of the day, be sure to take a stroll along the promenade! There you will find cosy bars and typical tavernas where you can stop for a bite to eat.

Platanes Beach

A mix of sand and gravel welcomes you east of Rethymnon Beach. The infrastructure here is very well-developed thanks to sun lounger and parasol hire and restaurants.

There are however also more quiet and unmanaged sections available. In addition, you should avoid some places, as they serve as a nesting site for loggerhead turtles.

Geropotamos Beach

It takes a 20-minute drive to reach this windy and wild paradise full of pebbles. The entrance is not shallow and the waves are high, which is why Geropotamos Beach is more suitable for walkers, snorkellers, and sun worshippers than for parents with children. You can rent a sun lounger at the rock-framed spot or enjoy delicacies in the tavern.

Preveli Beach

A little further away is this natural beach, which was already a favourite meeting place for the hippie community in the 1970s. A mountain stream that flows into the clear and clean sea and a monastery are the special features of Preveli Beach. A palm forest also provides shade.

My Travel Tips for Rethymno

Is Rethymno in Crete worth visiting?

Rethymno (or Rethymnon) is definitely worth visiting. It’s everything a Greek town should be. Rethymno features one of the best preserved medieval towns in Greece with many intact historical buildings and is one of the most beautiful towns in Crete.

Best time to travel

Summer is the perfect season for a beach holiday in Crete, as temperatures rise to 30 degrees Celsius and above. However, due to the numerous hot days, the months of June to August are less suitable for activities such as sightseeing and hiking. In this case, we recommend choosing early autumn or late spring.

The diversity of Rethymno makes it worth staying as long as possible. I recommend three days for those who mainly want to relax. Those who want to experience adventure and plan many excursions should stay at least a week.

Getting there and getting around

To start your break from everyday life, first fly Heraklion. In the high season, you can book a three-hour direct flight from Europe. After that, you’ll need to travel for a good hour by rental car or bus to get to Rethymnon. Public transport connects you perfectly to the island’s larger towns.

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