Rethimnon a small Mediterranean city with its Renaissance architecture, Venetian fortress, museums, endless beaches, monasteries and churches, Venetian and Turkish monuments, areas of great natural beauty and local people, famous for their hospitality that may share a glass of ‘raki’ with you.
The town is literally built in front of the sea, the Aegean Sea, the influence of which is felt deeply by its people. Behind the town rises majestically a scenic backdrop of hills and mountain peaks, the highest being Vrissina, at 858 metres.
Get in
There is a daily ferry from Pireaus (Athens), which arrives early in the morning.
There are regular bus services from both Chania and Heraklion. All busses stop at the bus station, just west of the center of Rethimno. From the bus station it's a 15-minute walk or a 5-minute taxi-ride to the ferry.
By Ferry
Ferry services from Athens (Piraeus port) to Rethimno Crete island
By plane
The distance from Heraklion to Rethymno is 80 km and from Chania to Rethymno 45 km. Chania airport is much smaller and far less busy than Heraklion airport
Get around
Bus - as with most places in Greece, tickets must be purchased at a shop before boarding public buses.
Taxi/Cab - cabs can be hailed on the streets, but expect to share the cab with strangers who might also hail the cab on the way to where you're going.
See
Historic Buildings. Rethimno has many historic buildings remaining from the Venetian occupation of Crete (17th century) including the Fortessa and the lighthouse.
Beaches. The good sandy beach begins in the town and extends several miles to the east, backed by hotel developments. In the west, after a little industrial area, a rocky unspoilt coastline takes you towards another good beach 5 miles to the west of Rethimno, towards Georgiopoli.
Parks. There is a small park in the centre with a very small zoo containing some Cretan mountain goats.
Do
Boat Trips. Boat trips are available from the harbour.
Buy
During the main summer season, Rethimno is very touristic. Shops and visitors everywhere, the closer to the beach the more! They offer anything considered "souvenir". Recommend to ask your hotel receptionists for recommendations of local stores.
Olives, Raki, Ouzo and wines are common commodities of Crete origin. Cheapest at the locals supermarkets, away from the hotels/beaches (we got 1kg Olives at below 2 Euro). Aside Oranges/Orange juice, fruites and juices are rather expensive.
Eat
Pitta Gyros / Pitta Souvlaki
Very nice restaurants are located inside the city. The restaurants on the beach front are tourist oriented, though food quality is okay (though lower than in most of the small tavernas in the back streets). As the quality changes every season with new cooks/managements, your hotel receptionists will be able to give you quite good ideas.
Drink
Most of the bars close to the Rimondi Fountain are noisy and get very busy. but ok if you like to watch the crowd pass by. There are more relaxing places in the narrow streets nearby. Try the "PUNCH BOWL" just like a traditional Irish pub, it is full of curios and the landlady who is also Irish serves a great pint of Guinness. It' situated at number 42 Arabatzoglou.
For a late night drink try "EXTREME" a good venue for rock music, it's in the lane between the museum and the harbour. There are more disco style bars close by. The promenade has mostly coctail bars which are modern and brightly lit, with music going on to the early hours. Try "Metropolis" music club near Venetian harbour
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