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Rethymnon in Crete

Rethymnon county is the smallest county in Crete and has an area of 1,496 km2. Crete's largest county, Heraklion, has an area of 2,641 km2. There are about 55,000 people living in the entire county, and about 32,500 in Rethymnon town. That the county is small is a big advantage because the distances are so short.

 

Venetian harbour in Rethymnon in Crete.

Venetian harbour in Rethymnon.

 

Good restaurants and tavernas in the Venetian port of Rethymnon.

The Venetian harbour of Rethymnon from the other side.

 

If you live in Rethymnon, it's easy to spend a day on the south coast. For example, it is only 35 kilometres to the pleasant tourist resort of Plakias in southern Crete. (It is only 60 kilometres to Chania.) Apart from the fine Rethymnon, the county offers many interesting sights, lots of nice beaches, cosy little villages and very beautiful nature.

 

Kyra Maria Restaurant is one of the best taverns in Rethymnon, Crete.

Kyria Maria is one of many cosy restaurants in Rethymnon.




Rethymnon is a popular charter resort, tourists from all over Europe come here, thanks in large part to the long, fine sandy beach that begins in Rethymnon. Platanes, as the beach is called (it changes its name in several places, but it is the same beach) stretches 20 km east of Rethymnon. The beach, which is lined with hotel facilities of all shapes and sizes, is often packed with people, the sunbeds are packed, packed, packed.

 

The sandy beach of Platanes in Rethymnon.

Platanes beach in Rethymnon.

 

There are of course all kinds of facilities in Rethymnon and water sports activities available. Many charter operators have hotels along Platanes, during the day you lie on the beaches or go on some excursion, the evenings are usually spent in Rethymnon itself where there are a multitude of taverns and bars, mainly along the Elefterios Venizelos promenade, in the small alleys or in the Venetian harbour.


The long sandy beach of Perivolia in Rethymnon in Crete.

The beach in Rethymnon town.

 

In Rethymnon county there are lots of nice beaches, nice villages and interesting sights. Among the villages, I think Anogia, Spili, Argiroupolis and Plakias are the most interesting.

 

Don't miss an excursion to the beautiful Amari Valley when you travel to Rethymnon in Crete.

Don't miss an excursion to the beautiful Amari valley when you are in Rethymnon.

 

Read about Amari valley here »

 


As for the tourist resorts near Rethymnon, I like Bali, Panormos, Agia Galini, Agios Pavlos and Triopetra the best. There are many interesting caves here, including Sendoni cave, Ida cave and Melidhoni. Some of the sights are the Minoan cemetery of Armeni, Moni Arkadi, the Platani Gorge and the entire Amari Valley.

 

Don't miss an excursion to the palm beach Preveli south of Rethymnon.

Don't miss an excursion to the palm beach Preveli south of Rethymnon either.

 

Read about palm beach Preveli here »

 

My favorite beaches near Rethymnon are the palm beach Preveli, Koraka as well as Skhinaria, Damnoni, Amoudaki, Amoudia and Souda beaches which are all close to Plakias.

 

The Venetian harbour of Rethymnon is cozy and full of good restaurants.

Venetian harbour in Rethymnon. There is also a Venetian harbour in Chania.

 

TRAVEL TO RETHYMNON

Most people who travel to Rethymnon here go on charter. All major charter companies offer trips to Rethymnon town and the surroundings. In other words, the range is not nearly as large as in Chania county. If you are travelling on your own, it is as easy as going on charter.

There are three international airports in Crete: Chania, Heraklion and Sitia. The easiest is to fly to Chania, partly because it is closer, partly because there are the most departures there. The easiest way is to buy a flight seat with one of the charter companies, alternatively with Aegean. Chania Airport is located on the Akrotiri Peninsula just east of Chania.

 

If you like shopping in exciting shops, you will love Crete and Rethymnon.

One of the car-free shopping streets in Rethymnon.

 

If you find no flights to Chania, you can fly to Heraklion. Another option is to fly to Athens, and onward by domestic flight or boat. Other options are to fly to Santorini, Rhodes or Karpathos and take a ferry to Heraklion.


TRAVEL AROUND FROM RETHYMNON


Renting a car is a must in Crete if you want to see around. The easiest way is to rent a car at the airport. If you book from home, the car will be waiting for you when you land. All major car rental companies have offices at the airports. If you want, you can book a rental car from home and pick it up at the airport, or in another location on Crete.

Bus timetable: http://www.e-ktel.com/en/

 

The magnificent Megali Panagia church in Rethymnon.

The magnificent Megali Panagia church in Rethymnon.

 

TO SEE AND DO IN RETHYMNON

Rethymnon is a town that in many ways resembles Chania: an old quarter with narrow streets lined with taverns, cafes and shops, many historical monuments such as minarets and fountains, and a Venetian port. Rethymnon can also boast a long sandy beach and a real fort: Fortezza.

 

The impressive and imposing Fortezza is not to be missed when traveling to Rethymnon.

The impressive and imposing Fortezza in Rethymnon.

 

If you only come to Rethymnon for the day, you won't have time to see much of the town. Then it is necessary to stay longer. If you only have a short day, you should at least visit the Fortezza, have lunch in the Venetian harbour, stroll around the alleys and look at beautiful houses and monuments from the past, visit the city park and maybe, if there is time to spare, take a cooling dip.

 

Platia Petihaki square in Rethymnon's old town where the Rimondi fountain is located.

Platia Petihaki square in Rethymnon's old town where the Rimondi fountain is located.


One of many nice alleys with good tavernas and restaurants in Rethymnon.

En av många mysiga gränder i Rethymnon.

 

ACCOMMODATION IN RETHYMNON

There are plenty of good accommodation options in Rethymnon. We always live in the old districts, it's as cozy as it gets. Below are tips on good hotels.

Book Afroditi here »

Book Aristea Hotel here »

Book Menta City Boutique Hotel here »

Book Palazzino Di Corina here »

Book Palm Beach Hotel Apartments here »

Book other hotels in Rethymnon here »

 

Learn more about Crete here »






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