Rethimno[1] is a beautiful city on the island of Crete in Greece. It has picturesque small lanes of shops selling mostly tourist goods and a newer area of town with normal shops.
There is a daily ferry from Pireaus (Athens), which arrives early in the morning. Most of the boats arrive in either Chania or Heraklion. Ferry tickets may be acquired through minoan lines or anek lines. [2]
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.
The distance from Heraklion to Rethymno is 80 km and from Chania to Rethymno 56 km. Chania airport is much smaller and far less busy than Heraklion airport.
Crete flight schedules.
You can get to Rethymno by regular bus lines from Chania or Heraklion (both have an airport). The coaches are operated by two KTEL companies [3], [4]. To get to Rethymno from Heraklion it takes approximately 90 minutes and costs slightly over 6 €.
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.
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 (1kg olives at below €2). Aside Oranges/Orange juice, fruits and juices are rather expensive.
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.
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
For authentic Cretan wine with No preservatives added, (no headache) Bazaar Wine Shop is the spot, find it at 18 Sofokli Venizelou, in the center of the Old Town. FREE tasting and best prices, fill up your own jug from their wine barrels. Enjoy Cretan white wine, retsina, red wine, rose, and of course ouzo and Metaxa Brandy. Fanis will treat you right! find Bazaar on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BazaarWines
Idili Guesthouse (ΞενώναςΗδύλη), Panormos, Rethymno, 74057 (extra directions if necessary), ☎ +30 28340 20240, +30 28340 20241 (info@idili.gr, fax: 28340 20241), [6]. checkin: 14:00; checkout: 12:00. Guesthouse Idili is located in Panormos, a very elegant seaside resort, with careful development of tourism between Rethymnon and Heraklion. The building was recently restored to a B class guesthouse, while keeping intact the architectural features of the building and the effects of the Venetian-Cretan architecture. €60-105. edit
Faros Beach Hotel enjoys a prime location in the Venetian harbour, right by the sea. It offers free Wi-Fi and a panoramic view of the town and bay.
This hotel is an ideal solution for those who want well-priced accommodation in a central location.
The old Venetian harbour, Rethymno Bay and the Venetian fortress can be admired from Faros Beach Hotel's rooftop terrace. Free sun loungers are available here for your relaxation.
Faros Beach Hotel offers plenty of character, as one of the oldest buildings in Rethymnon. The hotel combines history with modern facilities, to provide a simple yet charming setting.
Jo An Beach Hotel (Hotel in Rethymnon), Adelianos Kambos, Rethymno Crete, Greece, 74100, ☎ +30 28310 71487 (beach@joan-hotels.gr, fax: +30 28310 71110), [7]. Hotel Jo-An Beach is build near Adele village at a distance of 3 kilometres from the beach. Enjoy a comfortable accommodation in Rethymnon at Jo-An Beach hotel.edit
Youth Hostel Rethymno, 41 Tobazi Street, [8]. The price is €10 per person per night per bed (dorm). High season price (July-15 September) is €12.
Adele Mare, [9]. Located in the Adele Beach suburb, about 10/15 min outside Rethimno, the 4-star-hotel is exceedingly friendly and hospitable. Rooms either in main-building (cheap rooms are towards street) or in Greek style bungalows (get the seaview!). Food is breakfast + dinner, much and with good variety (daily changing dinner buffet). During daytime, snacks can be taken at the pool or beach bar. Despite being rather rocky (foot protection recommended), the beach is wonderful, the sunsets awesome! Sun chairs are €2,40/day (pool+beach). After dinner a "last drink" at the pool bar is recommended! Jet Ski, Banana Boat, etc. are available at Grecotel 100m down the beach.
Axos Hotel (ΞενοδοχείοΑξός), Maxis Kritis 167 Platanias (extra directions if necessary), ☎ 00302831054472 (info@axos-hotel.gr, fax: 00302831023513), [10]. checkin: 13:00; checkout: 12:00. Axos target is the friendly atmosphere since it is a family run hotel. €42-110. edit
Aquila Rithymna Beach, ☎ +30 28310 71002 (info@aquilahotels.com, fax: +30 28310 71668), [11]. Accommodation types from main building rooms, bungalows suites and villas to royal pavilions with private pools.edit
Aquila Porto Rethymno Hotel, Sikelianou & Venizelou 52A, ☎ +30 28310 50432 (info@aquilahotels.com, fax: +30 28310 50432), [12]. Overlooking the sandy beach and the city of Rethymno the hotel is six minutes walk from the old town.edit
Axos Hotel is in Platanias which is the most well known seaside village for the holidaymakers with restaurants, supermarkets, bars, stores with clothes or souvenirs and with a very good bus and taxi transport for your own service.‘AXOS’ is a modern 3 star hotel within 100 meters distance from a sandy beach and 6 kilometers from the historic town of Rethymno. Its name comes from the village ‘AXOS’, works since 1989 and been fully renovated 2009. It’s suitable for couples and for families. It has 44 rooms which 16 of them are apartments and can hold up to 4 persons and 28 studios which can hold up to 3 persons. All rooms have: TV, balcony, self controlled air-condition, satellite TV, extra long beds (2 meters), anatomic mattresses with ISO certifications , direct telephone line, radio, cooker with 2 rings, kitchen kettle, refrigerator, toaster, coffee maker, hair dryer, bath tabs, change towels & linen 2 times per week, baby cot (on request). Our reception is open 24 hours a day and our staff is there to help you on any request.
Creta studios (Calergi Crete apartments), Atsipopoulo Rethymnon, ☎ +30 2831 031021, [13]. Welcome to CALERGI RESIDENCE hotel apartments. Let us take your hand and show you the authentic Crete! We believe that a small warm hotel located in a small cretan village near Rethymnon, offering comfortable living and careful personal service, is the best way to feel in deep what really Crete meansedit
Enagron Traditional Houses, Axos Mylopotamou, ☎ +30 28340 61611, [14]. In a ranch, which covers an area of more than 50.000 m2 with cultivations such as olive groves, vineyards, vegetable gardens and fruit trees but also with the wild vegetation of Crete, lies the ENAGRON. It is located at an altitude of approximately 500 m, near gorges and caves, just above the springs of Mylopotamos, the river that gave its name to the region. You will find us in the village of Axos at the foothills of Mount Psiloritis. Our 32 apartments (35 - 80 m2), which are distributed over 12 independent buildings, can accommodate 2 to 6 people. The apartments are fully furnished and stylishly decorated, equipped with all amenities (central heating, air-conditioner and fireplace) to make your stay comfortable and pleasant all year through.(35.312884,24.897766)edit
Faros Beach Hotel (Faros Beach Hotel), El. Benizeloy, 88 (Faros Beach Family Budget Hotel is situated on the beachfront of the old town of Rethymno,Crete, Greece), ☎ +302831022351, [15]. checkin: 12.00; checkout: 12.00. Faros Beach Family Budget Hotel is situated on the beachfront of the old town of Rethymno,Crete, Greece. Faros Beach Hotel offers a PRIME and UNIQUE location It is situated right by the ocean in the venetian harbour,close to the Marina. It offers a panoramic view of the whole town, the old Venetian Harbour, the bay of Rethymno and the Venetian fortress that has stood guard above the town for centuries. It offers free wireless Internet access The Budget Hotel is ideal for people looking for a modern, clean and friendly accommodation to stay in a central location but with all the character of one of the oldest buildings in town. Travellers and backpackers are also made very welcome.45. (35.3701201901387,24.4768363237381)edit
Evli Apartments (Evli Apartments), Ag Ioannou 10 (Directions to Evli Apartments On the end of Moatsou Street find the Police Academys main entrance (Kaztanztakis Street), turn up this street and continue up this road until you see Evli Apartments.), ☎ +302831022351, [16]. checkin: 12.00; checkout: 12.00. Evli Apartments are in a perfect area of Rethymno , 800 m from the center of town and about 1 kilometer from the central beach and away from the main noisy tourist areas in a quite uptown residential suburb,with panoramic view & cool green surroundings just 2 minutes by car. Real cheap & budget prices IDEAL for people traveling with a car or bike FREE PRIVATE PARKING If you are looking for a peaceful stay with splendid views this is the place. After a long day of driving, either to out of the way beaches or site seeing at the many places Crete has to offer it is always nice to arrive back at your apartment to sit on the balcony with a cool drink and relax in the quite evening atmosphere.38. (35.35842,24.48011)edit
Faros Beach Hotel (Faros Beach Hotel), El. Benizeloy, 88 (Faros Beach Family Budget Hotel is situated on the beachfront of the old town of Rethymno,Crete, Greece.), ☎ +302831022351, [17]. checkin: 12.00; checkout: 12.00. Faros Beach Family Budget Hotel is situated on the beachfront of the old town of Rethymno,Crete, Greece. Faros Beach Hotel offers a PRIME and UNIQUE location It is situated right by the ocean in the venetian harbour,close to the Marina. It offers a panoramic view of the whole town, the old Venetian Harbour, the bay of Rethymno and the Venetian fortress that has stood guard above the town for centuries. It offers free wireless Internet access The Budget Hotel is ideal for people looking for a modern, clean and friendly accommodation to stay in a central location but with all the character of one of the oldest buildings in town. Travellers and backpackers are also made very welcome.45. (35.370087,24.476600)edit
Faros Beach Hotel (Faros Beach Hotel), El. Benizeloy, 88 (Faros Beach Family Budget Hotel is situated on the beachfront of the old town of Rethymno,Crete, Greece.), ☎ +302831022351, [18]. checkin: 12.00; checkout: 12.00. Faros Beach Family Budget Hotel is situated on the beachfront of the old town of Rethymno,Crete, Greece. Faros Beach Hotel offers a PRIME and UNIQUE location It is situated right by the ocean in the venetian harbour,close to the Marina. It offers a panoramic view of the whole town, the old Venetian Harbour, the bay of Rethymno and the Venetian fortress that has stood guard above the town for centuries. It offers free wireless Internet access The Budget Hotel is ideal for people looking for a modern, clean and friendly accommodation to stay in a central location but with all the character of one of the oldest buildings in town. Travellers and backpackers are also made very welcome.45. (35.370087,24.476600)edit
Hotel Ideon (Ideon hotel Rethymnon town), 10 Nikolaou Plastira Sq., ☎ +30 28310 28667-9 (info@hotelideon.gr), [19]. checkin: 14:00; checkout: 12.00. Hotel Ideon is located in Rethymnon town, close to important historical sights and to the Rethymnon market. Prices from 48€.(35.371808,24.47452)edit
