Rethymno

Rethymno or Rethimno (Greek: Ρέθυμνο) 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.

By ferry
Ferry services go daily from Pireaus (Athens) to either Chania or Heraklion, which leave at night and arrive early in the morning (Note: there are also day ferries during summer.). Ferry tickets may be acquired through the companies that serve them. ANEK Lines is a traditional ferry provider in Crete; its service is mediocre to good. The partially Italian-owned Minoan Lines is also a traditional local company, whose service quality is better than ANEK's, though not as sophisticated. Blue Star Ferries, though non-Cretan, has a joint service with ANEK and is expected to merge with them. Their service is excellent and good value for time, although some delays can be expected occasionally. Please note that some companies tend to claim their travel experience as "unique"; please make your own research and choose wisely. During the high season, there are also ferries to Santorini (not daily), directly from Rethymno which take around 2.5 hours. These ferry routes, usually done by a high speed catamaran ferry, are operated by Sea Jets, who claim to have the fasted fleet in Cyclades and even a ship of them has a Guiness record, but the service altogether is average. If you want to take your car with you, opting for the ships from Piraeus to Chania or Heraklion is a better and more reliable option than going from Santorini, even during summertime and though its directly to Rethymno.

By plane
The distance from Heraklion to Rethymno is 80 km, and from Chania to Rethymno — 56 km. Chania airport is larger, but far less busy than Heraklion airport.

By bus
You can get to Rethymno by regular bus lines from Chania or Heraklion (both have an airport). All buses stop at the bus station, just west of the centre of Rethimno. From the bus station it's a 15-minute walk or a 5-minute taxi-ride to the ferry. On weekdays, buses typically leave every hour, though times may vary by day or season. The coaches are operated by two KTEL services. KTEL Chanion - Rethymnou serves West Crete and their service is good, though they tend to be disorganized occationally, while KTEL Irakleiou - Lasithiou serves the eastern half and they're not really that reliable. To get to Rethymno from Heraklion it takes approximately one hour and twenty minutes and costs slightly over €6.

By car
Rethymno is connected to the bigger cities of Chania and Heraklion by the 'New Highway' that runs along the north coast of Crete. Please drive carefully, as the road is steep and twisty, with very few sections to be motorway-like and speed limits going as low as 40 km/h at some parts. Parking for old town is available just north of the lighthouse for €2/hour.

By bus
As with most places in Greece, tickets must be purchased at a shop before boarding public buses.

By taxi
Taxis can be hailed on the streets, but expect to share with strangers who might also hail the taxi on the way to where you're going. Three taxi companies are servicing Rethymno, mostly of good quality but sometimes too-advertized and/or disorganized.

See
Most important attractions below:
 * Historic buildings. Rethimno has many historic buildings remaining from the Venetian occupation of Crete, including the Fortessa and the lighthouse.
 * Old Town. Narrow pedestrian streets full of shops and restaurants.
 * Boardwalk. Walk around the very well-kept boardwalk by the sea. Plenty of bars and restaurants with great views of the sea.
 * 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 8 km to the west of Rethimno, towards Georgiopoli.
 * Parks. There is a small park in the center, with a playground and café

Do
There are many options for day trips from Rethymnon, many of which can be organized through travel companies:
 * Boat trips from the port to the pirate caves near Panormos are available. A pirate ship replica is used
 * There are also bus tours to other places, such as the Arkadi Monastery, where the battle of the same name took place in 1866.
 * Also, there's a trackless train that goes to the area's sights.
 * Caretta Caretta, an endangered sea turtle species is known to nest on the beach. If you know a thing or two about them, or are interested in species conservation, you can volunteer on the Archelon NGO. More here.
 * A carnival is also held before the Clean Monday (Καθαρή Δευτέρα).

Buy
During the main summer season, Rethymno is very touristic. Shops and visitors are everywhere, the closer to the beach the more. They offer anything considered "souvenir". Ask your hotel receptionists for recommendations of local shops.

Olives, Raki, Ouzo and wines are common commodities of Crete origin. They are cheapest at the locals supermarkets, away from the hotels and beaches. Aside from oranges and orange juice, fruits and juices are rather expensive.

Eat
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 and management, your hotel receptionists will be able to suggest good ideas. There are local dishes such as snails, antikristo, pilaf, dakos and cheeses such as gruyere, anthotyro and mizithra. Also, the olive oil that is produced is very good.

Drink
Most of the bars close to the Rimondi Fountain are noisy and get very busy, but may be enjoyable if you like to watch the crowds pass. There are more relaxing places in the narrow streets nearby. Various cafes such as Chaplin's Rock Café, Living Room, Exo and Inomena Voustasia are very interesting choices. For a drink you can go either to the first three, which turn into bars at night for a drink or to clubs like Ice.

Sleep

 * Sentido Pearl Beach Hotel 4-star hotel 2 km outside Rethymno. The hotel is on the Rethymnon beach. It has 2 swimming pools with free lounge chairs, and a fitness centre with indoor pool and hot tub. The private beach is in front of the hotel. All rooms are air-conditioned and comfortably furnished. Each has satellite TV, furnished balcony/patio and double glazed windows. Breakfast and dinner are served as buffets at the main restaurant. Menu options are available at Loukoulos brasserie, overlooking the pool and the sea.
 * Sentido Pearl Beach Hotel 4-star hotel 2 km outside Rethymno. The hotel is on the Rethymnon beach. It has 2 swimming pools with free lounge chairs, and a fitness centre with indoor pool and hot tub. The private beach is in front of the hotel. All rooms are air-conditioned and comfortably furnished. Each has satellite TV, furnished balcony/patio and double glazed windows. Breakfast and dinner are served as buffets at the main restaurant. Menu options are available at Loukoulos brasserie, overlooking the pool and the sea.
 * Sentido Pearl Beach Hotel 4-star hotel 2 km outside Rethymno. The hotel is on the Rethymnon beach. It has 2 swimming pools with free lounge chairs, and a fitness centre with indoor pool and hot tub. The private beach is in front of the hotel. All rooms are air-conditioned and comfortably furnished. Each has satellite TV, furnished balcony/patio and double glazed windows. Breakfast and dinner are served as buffets at the main restaurant. Menu options are available at Loukoulos brasserie, overlooking the pool and the sea.
 * Sentido Pearl Beach Hotel 4-star hotel 2 km outside Rethymno. The hotel is on the Rethymnon beach. It has 2 swimming pools with free lounge chairs, and a fitness centre with indoor pool and hot tub. The private beach is in front of the hotel. All rooms are air-conditioned and comfortably furnished. Each has satellite TV, furnished balcony/patio and double glazed windows. Breakfast and dinner are served as buffets at the main restaurant. Menu options are available at Loukoulos brasserie, overlooking the pool and the sea.
 * Sentido Pearl Beach Hotel 4-star hotel 2 km outside Rethymno. The hotel is on the Rethymnon beach. It has 2 swimming pools with free lounge chairs, and a fitness centre with indoor pool and hot tub. The private beach is in front of the hotel. All rooms are air-conditioned and comfortably furnished. Each has satellite TV, furnished balcony/patio and double glazed windows. Breakfast and dinner are served as buffets at the main restaurant. Menu options are available at Loukoulos brasserie, overlooking the pool and the sea.
 * Sentido Pearl Beach Hotel 4-star hotel 2 km outside Rethymno. The hotel is on the Rethymnon beach. It has 2 swimming pools with free lounge chairs, and a fitness centre with indoor pool and hot tub. The private beach is in front of the hotel. All rooms are air-conditioned and comfortably furnished. Each has satellite TV, furnished balcony/patio and double glazed windows. Breakfast and dinner are served as buffets at the main restaurant. Menu options are available at Loukoulos brasserie, overlooking the pool and the sea.
 * Sentido Pearl Beach Hotel 4-star hotel 2 km outside Rethymno. The hotel is on the Rethymnon beach. It has 2 swimming pools with free lounge chairs, and a fitness centre with indoor pool and hot tub. The private beach is in front of the hotel. All rooms are air-conditioned and comfortably furnished. Each has satellite TV, furnished balcony/patio and double glazed windows. Breakfast and dinner are served as buffets at the main restaurant. Menu options are available at Loukoulos brasserie, overlooking the pool and the sea.
 * Sentido Pearl Beach Hotel 4-star hotel 2 km outside Rethymno. The hotel is on the Rethymnon beach. It has 2 swimming pools with free lounge chairs, and a fitness centre with indoor pool and hot tub. The private beach is in front of the hotel. All rooms are air-conditioned and comfortably furnished. Each has satellite TV, furnished balcony/patio and double glazed windows. Breakfast and dinner are served as buffets at the main restaurant. Menu options are available at Loukoulos brasserie, overlooking the pool and the sea.

Go next

 * From the bus station there are regular services to coastal towns on the Cretan south-coast, like Plakias, Preveli and Agia Galini.