Rethymno Crete: Is It Worth Visiting?

If you’re dreaming of a trip to the Greek islands, Rethymno, Crete, should be high on your list. After a jam-packed holiday full of activities in Croatia, my partner and I were seeking something a little more relaxed for our next getaway. Enter Rethymno, a charming Venetian town on the island of Crete, which gave us the perfect opportunity to relax and enjoy some Greek hospitality. Located between the Mediterranean Sea and the foothills of the White Mountains, Rethymno offered exactly the kind of break we were looking for.

Is Rethymno Worth Visiting?

Without a doubt! Rethymno (or Rethymnon) is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Greece, and the old town in particular is remarkably pretty. Its narrow streets are filled with colourful Venetian buildings, Ottoman-era minarets, charming courtyards, and cosy Greek tavernas. It’s really a pleasure to wander through, whether you’re hunting for historical landmarks, simply soaking in the atmosphere or looking for a place to eat. Rethymno also has an impressive 13-kilometre stretch of beach, so it’s a perfect place for swimming, relaxing, or enjoying water sports. I’d say Rethymno is definitely a destination for a more relaxed and laid back holiday but there is plenty to see and do which I’ll get into later in this post. We also found Rethymno was great for delicious food and drink at very reasonable prices, I’ll drop some recommendations for some great restaurants that we enjoyed.

Where to Stay in Rethymno

During our visit, we stayed at Nautilux Suites, and it was an absolute dream. Located right on the beach and just a 15-minute bus ride or 45-minute walk to Rethymno old town, this luxurious super modern suite with a private pool was the perfect mix of comfort and convenience. Whether we fancied lounging by the pool, taking a dip in the sea, or strolling into town, everything was easily accessible. There were also some excellent restaurants within a few minutes walk. There was even an indoor pool and spa complete with a jacuzzi where I often enjoyed a refreshing morning swim after breakfast.

Nautilux Suites Rethymno is ideal for couples looking for a romantic break. The private heated pool just off our balcony allowed us to enjoy a dip at any time of day. We even watched the evening’s entertainment from there! If you’re searching for somewhere special to stay in Rethymno, Crete, I can’t recommend this spot highly enough.

Looking for other options? Check out more places to stay in Rethymno here.

Top Things to Do in Rethymno

Explore the Old Town

One of the absolute highlights of Rethymno is its beautifully preserved Old Town. As you wander through the narrow cobblestone streets, you’ll see beautiful Venetian architecture, colourful buildings, and charming courtyards. You’ll also come across Ottoman influences, like minarets peeking out from behind the 16th-century Venetian buildings. We spent several afternoons wandering the old town and stopping off at charming tavernas to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat. Rethymno old town is buzzing with a vibrant atmosphere making it the perfect place to pass some time.

Don’t miss a stroll through Souliou Street, which is packed with local artisan shops selling handmade crafts, jewellery, and Cretan products like olive oil and honey. It’s the perfect place to pick up some authentic souvenirs.

Tip: If you’re a history lover, make sure to visit the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno. It’s pretty small but filled with interesting artifacts from the area.

Visit The Fortezza

The Fortezza is Rethymno’s Venetian fortress, built in 1573 to protect the town from pirates and invaders. It’s perched atop Paleokastro Hill, and from the fortress you’ll find incredible panoramic views over the town and the sea, making it a must-visit when in Rethymno. It cost a small fee of €5 per person for us to enter and we spent around an hour exploring the bastions, ramparts, and underground vaults. It was definitely worth the visit and a great way to spend some time in the Old Town.

Rimondi Fountain

In Rethymno’s Old Town you will find the Rimondi Fountain, an ornate Venetian fountain built in 1626. With three lion heads spouting fresh drinking water, it was once an important source for the town. You can still fill your bottle here today! We stumbled upon the fountain by accident whilst wandering around. In all honesty, I don’t think it’s an impressive enough landmark to go to see specifically unless you’re particularly interested in Cretes Venetian history but it’s worth a look if you’re already in the Old Town!

Stroll Along the Venetian Harbour

The Venetian Harbour is lined with many restaurants, cafés, and bars. A sunset dinner overlooking the water is a nice touch, but be mindful you’ll pay a premium for the location. We enjoyed walking along the promenade and taking in the vibrant atmosphere of the harbour. The honey-coloured lighthouse that was built in the 1830s can be found here. It’s the second-largest Egyptian lighthouse in Crete so it’s an interesting and worthwhile landmark to take a look at!

Relax on Rethymno Beach

Just a stone’s throw from the Old Town lies Rethymno Beach, which is a massive 13-kilometre stretch of golden sand. The shallow waters make it perfect for swimming, and the beach has everything you need with sunbeds, parasols, nearby restaurants, and lifeguards. Our hotel had a private beach area with its own loungers. However, there are plenty of places where you can rent loungers for a small fee or even for free with the purchase of food or drink. We found it perfect for a lazy afternoon by the sea after a morning of exploring. There are also several beach clubs such as Baja Beach that have their own pool where you can hire gazebos or daybeds although these can be on the pricier side.

Mili Gorge Hike

If you’re up for a bit of light adventure, the Mili Gorge is only 7km from Rethymno and offers a scenic 4-kilometre hike. You’ll pass through olive groves, citrus trees, and the ruins of old flour mills that once supplied the whole region. The trail is fairly easy and can be completed in a couple of hours. The journey to Mili Gorge can be done as a five-hour round-trip hike to reach the Mili Gorge, or you can take a quick drive or catch a bus. Public buses depart from Rethymno every two hours (around €1.50 for a 30-minute ride) starting at 8:15 am and running until late afternoon. A taxi ride will cost about €10 one way.

Arkadi Monastery

Around 23 kilometres southeast of Rethymno lies the Arkadi Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with deep historical significance. This 14th-century monastery played a pivotal role in Cretan history, becoming a symbol of resistance against the Turks during the 1866 rebellion. The monastery is beautifully preserved, offering fascinating insights into Crete’s past so if you’re particularly interested in history this is a must-visit. It’s around a 30-minute drive by car and if you don’t have access to a vehicle a private transfer is around £67.

Eating Out – Best Restaurants in Rethymno

There are some excellent restaurants in Rethymno and we enjoyed all of the meals we had. We also found dining out in Rethymno to be really resonably priced! Here are a couple of our favourites that really stood out:

Castelo Rethymno

Castelo is located in the alleys of the Old Town. It’s rated as 4.5 on TripAdvisor and I would agree with this rating. We loved the location in the vibrant old town and the food was excellent. I opted for a pasta dish. The portions aren’t huge but it was the perfect amount for me, plus we were given bread after being seated. They also gave us complimentary dessert and shot after dinner. The only thing that could have been improved was the service as it did take them a long time to bring the bill which we asked for a couple of times as we were concerned about missing the last bus back to our hotel . But overall it was a great experience!

Thymari

This restaurant has a menu based on local Cretan food but with a creative modern twist. We had an excellent meal here and were surprised at the really reasonable price point as it felt quite upmarket. It’s rated 5 on trip advisor and once again, I have to agree. I had a delicious pork dish (pictured above) and my partner had a rice dish that I can’t quite remeber the name of but he loved it! (pictured below)

We found Rethymno to be the perfect laid-back Greek destination we were looking for. We loved the atmosphere of the old town, the warm Greek hospitality and of course the amazing weather! It’s a destination I could happily return to again and again!