Ретимно

In the region of Rethymno, there is no airport. The nearest ones are located in Heraklion and Chania. They receive charters and regular flights from cities in Greece and European countries. To get to Rethymno from the airport, you first need to take a bus to Heraklion or Chania. Then, get off at the bus station and transfer to a route to Rethymno. If you want to save time, you can book a transfer or rent a car.

In Rethymno, there is a port that connects the capital of the region with Athens (Piraeus), Mykonos, Ios, Naxos, Paros, and Santorini (Fira).

Resorts and villages in the region are connected by bus service. Tickets are usually sold at bus stops, kiosks, and supermarkets. The price depends on the distance of the trip. Buses to other major cities in Crete (Chania, Heraklion) depart from the central KTEL station in the city of Rethymno. There you can also check the schedule.

In any city, including Rethymno, there are car rental companies. This is an excellent option for those who do not want to rely on public transportation but still dream of seeing as many interesting places as possible.

Entertainment and Sightseeing

The Rethymno region is rich in attractions: both natural and man-made. In the city of Rethymno, the Old Town with the majestic Fortezza fortress, Rimondi Fountain, and houses that still remember the Venetians are worth a visit.

For a spiritual experience, one should visit the legendary monasteries Arkadi and Preveli. Nature lovers should explore the caves Sfendoni and Melidoni, as well as the Ideon Cave. There are also many archaeological sites in Rethymnon:

• Ancient Eleutherna - an incompletely studied city with ruins from various historical periods. Founded by the Dorians, Eleutherna continued to flourish under the Romans and Byzantines. It was then destroyed by the Arabs. In the ancient city, you can see the ruins of an early Christian basilica with mosaic decoration and an archaic necropolis. Numerous findings are exhibited in the Eleutherna Museum.
• Ancient Lappa - one of the most important cities that reached its peak during the Roman period. From that time until today, a huge collection of coins, ceramics, sculptures, and mosaics has been preserved. Lappa was destroyed by the Saracens during one of their campaigns in Crete. Later, it became a hiding place for rebels fighting for the freedom of Crete. Part of the archaeological complex includes a necropolis, Roman baths, and basilica ruins.

In addition to Eleftherna and Lappa in Rethymno, it is worth visiting the ruins of ancient Axos and the Late Minoan necropolis in Armeni.

Holidays and Events

Rethymno is one of the important cultural centers of Crete. Every summer for the past 33 years, the "Renaissance" festival has been held here. The city flourished during the Renaissance period. It is this period that is celebrated during the festival days. Performances are staged in the regional capital, musicians play melodies from different centuries, starting from the Renaissance era. Impromptu performances are also held on the streets of the Old Town.

During the summer, the Festival of Cretan Wines is held in Rethymno and the surrounding villages. Here you can taste various types of local drinks and purchase your favorites. It's also a great opportunity to get acquainted with the culture of the island.

If you manage to visit Rethymno in winter, you may have a chance to attend the grand carnival. In terms of scale, it is second only to the one in Patras and is considered one of the main cultural events in Greece.

It's hard to find a better place for a vacation than Rethymno. In this region, ancient monuments coexist with beaches, Orthodox shrines, and modern resorts, making it an exciting destination even for experienced travelers.

Excursions and Active Leisure

Rethymno is a convenient starting point for excursions. Here is where adventurers can head to:

• In Chania and Heraklion. Two large and rich in attractions cities that can be visited as part of sightseeing tours.
• On the southern coast. To swim in the waters of the Libyan Sea and see Crete, which not everyone reaches. Of course, while visiting mountain villages along the way.
• For a Cretan evening. To learn to dance like real Cretans do and try the best dishes of the island cuisine.

Active travelers should choose excursions to visit the gorges Mili, Patsos, and Collita, caves Melidoni and Sfentoni. In Rethymnon, there is the Ideon Cave, which will be interesting to see for people with good physical fitness. It is located at a high altitude; for the ancient Minoans, the cave was considered a sacred place.

But you can actively relax without leaving the boundaries of your resort. In Rethymno, there are water sports centers and diving centers on the beaches. The hilly landscapes are perfect for trekking or going on a bike ride.

Pilgrimage

Crete is one of the important and oldest centers of Orthodoxy. In each region, there are monasteries that will impress with their history. Tourists in Rethymno are especially lucky: here are truly legendary abodes:

• Arkadi Monastery - one of the most significant monasteries in Greece. During the Turkish occupation, it experienced tragic events, but was restored. Architecturally, Arkadi resembles a fortress. Among the numerous buildings of the monastery complex, the baroque-style church stands out.
• Preveli Monastery - a revered monastery in Rethymnon. The monastery is divided into Lower and Upper Monasteries. The Lower Monastery is old, built back in Byzantine times. The Upper Monastery is located 3 km away and sits on a hill overlooking the Libyan Sea.
• Agia Irini Monastery - one of the oldest in Crete. It existed even in early Byzantine times. Restored almost from ruins, the St. Irini Monastery is interesting for its combination of modern architecture and the oldest, original buildings.

In Rethymno, pilgrim excursions are offered. They include tours of temples and monasteries, but there are also combined routes: for example, Preveli Monastery + the beach of the same name.

Beach vacation

Beach vacation is a strong point of Rethymno. The beach of the region's capital alone stretches for several kilometers with a sandy strip reaching the suburbs. Here are some other beaches considered the best in the region:

North Rethymno

• Skaleta — a secluded and wide sandy beach, well-equipped and suitable for a peaceful rest.
• Bali — several sandy coves immediately protected from the winds. The beaches are narrow, but the sea is shallow and suitable for children. Bali is located in a resort village of the same name.
• Platanias — a beach in one of the suburbs of Rethymno. It attracts with its wide sandy coastline, numerous cafes on the shore. Lifeguards are on duty at the beach, and water activities are available.
• Panormo — a narrow sandy coastline loved by families with children for its cleanliness and safety.

South Rethymno

• Agia Galini — a long sandy beach with beautiful views of the mountains. Fully equipped: there are cafes, sun loungers, and shower cabins.
• Preveli — one of the most famous beaches in Crete. Known for its palm grove and clear, waveless sea. The beach is not equipped, but there are always many visitors during the season.
• Plakias — a beach for a peaceful holiday in the village of the same name. The coast is covered with sand. Within walking distance are hotels, shops, cafes, and supermarkets.

Almost all beaches in Rethymno are equipped with everything you need. If you want to relax on wild secluded coves (of which there are plenty here), you can rent a car and drive along the region's coastline.

Family Vacation

In Rethymno, families with children of all ages are traveling. There are suitable hotels for families in the region, as well as dozens of entertainment options. Here is how to spend time if you have taken a child on a trip:

• Climbing to the top of Fortezza Fortress is one of the most memorable experiences for children in the city of Rethymno;
• Taking a ride on a double-decker tourist bus. It operates not only within the city but also ventures out to the mountainous regions;
• Visiting the mini-zoo Reptisland in Melidoni. Here, geckos, snakes, chameleons, frogs, lizards, and other reptiles reside. Many of the inhabitants can be fed and touched;
• Exploring the Wooden Sculpture Museum in Axos. The creator of impressive works often crafts pieces based on photographs of people;
• Taking a stroll in the natural park Biotopoi, located just 4 km from the center of Rethymno. The park is filled with endemic Cretan plants. Besides the flora, the park is home to chameleons, turtles, and rabbits.

Youth Recreation

Youth loves Rethymno for the abundance of entertainment. Along the coast, there are beach volleyball courts, bars serving refreshing cocktails, and parties are held.

The nightlife of the region (and this is quite obvious) is concentrated in the city of Rethymno. Near the port and in the city center after sunset, the doors of clubs, bars, and music cafes open. The most popular epicenters of Rethymno's nightlife are Lux Cafe, Beatnik Rock bar, and Fortezza Lighthouse bar.

If you are not a fan of noisy parties but still want to have an interesting evening, it's worth heading to the harbor of Rethymno. Here you can enjoy pleasant music, and the views of the old lighthouse are truly mesmerizing. Cozy taverns are hidden in the city streets, where performers of traditional Cretan music entertain.

Shopping

From Rethymno, it is impossible to return empty-handed. For centuries, the local population has been passing down the secrets of traditional crafts from generation to generation. Ceramics, olive wood products, weaving, jewelry - these are just a small part of what you can bring back from the region. There is a particularly wide selection of ceramics in the village Margarites, and textiles in Anoge and Zoniane.

Souvenir shops and stores can be found in every, even the smallest, city. In the regional capital, you will find the widest selection of goods. In Old Rethymno, you can buy not only crafts but also cosmetics, local delicacies, olive oil, clothing, shoes, and leather accessories.

Hotels

In the region of Rethymno, there are all types of hotels: from large hotel complexes to apartments, from villas to budget hotels on the coast, and guesthouses in mountain villages. The best selection is on the northern coast. In the south (coast of the Libyan Sea), the options are more modest.

If you are looking for a hotel with first-class service, it's worth searching closer to the city of Rethymno. By the way, in the city itself, there are many boutique hotels located in 100-200-year-old buildings. If you want to relax in complete silence, you should head to the south of the region.

Where to go

Rethymno is famous for its resorts and villages. But first, you should visit the city of Rethymno with its picturesque Old Town, where Greek heritage intertwines closely with Turkish and Venetian influences. Climb up to the Fortezza fortress to touch history, get lost in the narrow streets of the city, try fresh seafood at one of the harbor restaurants overlooking the ancient lighthouse, and be sure to wait until evening to enjoy the nightlife of Rethymno.

The city is famous for its multi-kilometer coastline. Perhaps this is the largest beach in Crete. The Rethymno beach smoothly merges with the suburbs: Perivolia, Misiria, Platanias. The first two are attractive due to their proximity to Rethymno. You can walk to the city along the equipped promenade.

To the east of Rethymno are popular resort villages:

• Adelianos Kampos — a typical tourist town with well-developed infrastructure. There are plenty of bars, shops, and hotels to suit every budget. The beach in Adele is sandy, but there are slabs in the sea. It's better to choose the neighboring Platanias, where the seabed is completely sandy and safe, and the infrastructure is at the same level.
• Skaleta — a seaside village known for its large beach. Even too large for such a small town. There are restaurants, hotels, and shops here. But for those who love parties, they need to look for another direction. But for those who come to Crete for a peaceful rest away from the crowds, Skaleta is quite suitable.
• Panormo — a resort for those who want to relax on the beach and go on excursions. After all, Panormo is conveniently located between Heraklion and Rethymno. The beaches in Panormo are small, divided into coves. But you can swim here even on days when Crete is prone to storms.
• Bali — one of the most popular resorts in the Rethymno region. The village is located in a picturesque bay with clean and calm sea. It's worth noting: many hotels in Bali are located on a hill, so you need to climb steep slopes to reach them from the beach. Overall, the resort is well-equipped, but it is closed off and isolated from other towns. There is no promenade for evening walks in Bali.

Less popular resorts are located in Rethymno, situated on the coast of the Libyan Sea. Getting to them is not so easy, but you can relax in complete silence:

• Plakias — a fishing village with excellent infrastructure and a laid-back atmosphere. Plakias is known for its clean coves and almost complete lack of waves.
• Triopetra — a village with a wide sandy beach that is never crowded. Triopetra has excellent taverns and allows camping.
• Agia Galini — a cozy resort town with white houses, long beaches, and views of Mount Psiloritis. Agia Galini is the choice of those looking for a combination of infrastructure and traditional way of life.

Mountain villages of the region are a must-visit on your itinerary:

• Spili — a popular destination for excursions. The village is famous for the Venetian fountain with 25 lion heads, from which spring water flows.
• Anogia — a village where time seems to have stood still. The local population carefully preserves traditions and dresses in traditional clothing. In the streets of Anogia, handmade textiles are sold; the village's architecture reminds of the times when Anogia was isolated from other regions of Crete.
• Margarites — a famous village of potters. It is here that the best pottery on Crete is produced, decorating the streets and houses of Margarites. Besides pottery, the village captivates with its ancient architecture.

Although Crete was under the rule of the Turks and Venetians for centuries, the islanders carefully preserve traditions. Including culinary ones. Rethymno is a paradise for food lovers and a place to get to know the region through its cuisine. Here is what to look for on the menu of local taverns:

• traditional Cretan dakos appetizer made from barley rusk, tomatoes, feta cheese, and olive oil with added herbs;
• mountain goat meat cooked over fire;
• special smoked Apaki pork;
• hortokalitsounia – pies filled with mountain herbs;
• Graviera Amari cheese, named after its place of origin;
• seafood and fish mezze – for when you don't want to choose just one dish.

It is worth giving preference to the traditional Cretan raki and wines from Rethymno (and they are excellent here) made from the Roméiko and Vidiano grape varieties.

• Several times a week, there is an outdoor market in the city of Rethymno. Only the locals know exactly when it takes place, as the schedule often changes. One of the trading places is the square near the Municipal Park. At the outdoor market, you can buy cheeses, vegetables, fruits, olive oil, honey, drinks directly from farmers, without markups.
• If you wish to visit any of the gorges in the region, it is worth finding out in advance what level of difficulty other travelers assess them at. And, of course, you need to prepare: wear comfortable shoes and a hat, take water and sunscreen.
• For those who want to relax on the beaches of the Libyan coast, it is worth knowing: the sea here is always a couple of degrees cooler than on the northern coast of the Rethymno region.
• When traveling around the region, it is essential to have cash with you. For example, there may be problems with non-cash payments in shops and taverns in mountain villages. Especially when this village is not touristy at all.
• For traveling around the city of Rethymno, a car is not the best means of transportation. There is simply nowhere to park on the narrow streets. But for those who want to move freely around the entire region, the situation is different: a car will be the best helper. Make sure to read the insurance conditions when renting. Find out if it covers damage accidentally obtained on the dirt roads, of which there are many in the region. Otherwise, you will have to cover the costs out of your own pocket.