Rethymno, the destination in the heart of Crete, Europe’s southernmost island, where the fortress overlooks the Venetian buildings of the old town, the beautiful sea floats into the endless horizon, while at the back the huge Psiloritis mountain lords over the island.
In its picturesque streets you will encounter contemporary buildings, traditional houses as well as mosques, byzantine churches and architectural structures of the Venetian and Turkish occupation periods.
Rethymno and its villages are living postcards which are pervaded by the aroma of Cretan cuisine and the sound of the Cretan lyre.
It is the capital city of the prefecture Rethymno, with endless beaches, caves, gorges and unique flora and fauna.
Blessed with scenic beaches and emerald blue seas combined with high mountains, deep gorges and caves, Rethymno offers plenty of adventure opportunities and a wide variety of sports ranging from scuba diving, sailing and surfing to biking and hiking.
Dining can mean anything from casual cafes and local taverns with native specialities to romantic gourmet restaurants, not to mention the exciting nightlife.
The great number of visitors who return repeatedly confirms the words of the poet: ”Rethymno is not a place where you go to, but a place where you return.”
Places to visit and experience using Rethymno as a starting point:
- Ida Mountain or ‘Psiloritis’
- Arkadi Monastery
- Amari Valley
- Margarites Village
- Kournas Lake
- Samaria Gorge
- Chania town
- Balos Lagoon, Falasarna
- Heraklion Archaeological museum
- Palace of Knossos
- Palace of Festos
- Creta Aquarium
…and many more
