Rethymnoin Crete

Information about villages, beaches, sightseeing, restaurants, activities and more...All the information is this guide is sorted by popularity. For more information please visit our

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Map of Rethymno

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Rethymno Guide

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About RethymnoRethymno is located in central Crete and lies between the towns of Chania and Heraklion. It isconsidered as the third largest town in Crete and portrays itself as a quaint region with delightfulmedieval architecture.

The harbour front is the busiest neighborhood of the town. Rethymno has been developed a lotover the years by the tourism industry to provide travelers and guests with various importantamenities. Historically, the earliest settlers of the region belonged to the Minoan period. Theregion enjoyed a sovereign status to such an extent that it had its own coinage.

However, its lack of mention during the Roman and Byzantine period shows that it had lost itsimportance to the then rulers. But with the advent of the Venetian and later the Turkish rule, theregion slowly started to regain its original prominence. Culture developed a lot in the Venetiantimes and the town was built with impressive public buildings and private mansions that survivetill today. Trade brought economical power to the inhabitants and the harbor of Rethymno wasenlarged to welcome ships from all Mediterranean.

The Turkish occupation in the 16th century held back the development of the area. Although theCretans made several attempts to set themselves free, this was accomplished only in the early20th century. Today what has remained from these two occupations is the influence in thearchitecture of the town.

In every part of the Old Town of Rethymnon, you will see Venetian and Ottoman structures, suchas mosques, public baths, catholic churches and fountains. Apart from the town, the region ofRethymnon is also wonderful. There you will meet the typical Cretan landscape, sometimes wildand other times fertile, with many mountainous villages, lakes, gorges and Byzantine monasteriesaround.

The beaches of Rethymnon, golden sandy and crystal, also dot the landscape and attractthousands of visitors every summer. Most popular beaches are Platanias and Panormos.

Rethymno Guide

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Best Villages in RethymnoTown (Rating: by Greeka members)Location: On the northern side of Crete

Description: Rethymnon is a lovely town with vivid Venetian and traditionalarchitecture. The most characteristic sight of Rethymnon is the Fortezza, astrong castle built in the Medieval times. The region of Rethymnon is probablythe most unspoilt tourist area in Crete.Sightseeing: Archaeological Museum, Contemporary Art Gallery,Ecclesiastical Museum, Fortrezza, Historical and Folklore Museum, IbrahimHan Mosque, Marine Museum, Museum of Cretan Lyra, Neratze Mosque,Public Park, Venetian Loggia

Anogia (Rating: by Greeka members)Location: 55 km south east of Rethymnon Town

Description: This is a lovely village built on the slopes of a mountainside. Itsmen fought for in all the important battles of Crete and Anogia is consideredamong the most authentic villages on the island.Sightseeing: Ideon Cave

Rethymno Guide

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Spili (Rating: by Greeka members)Location: 30 km south east of Rethymnon Crete

Description: Spili is a beautiful village built on the slopes of a greenmountainside. Authentic and traditional, Spili gives a nice view of daily life inCrete.

Best Beaches in RethymnoBali (Rating: by Greeka members)Location: 32 km east of Rethymnon Town

Description: Bali is a sandy beach that gets quite popular in summer due tothe wild landscape that surrounds it and its calm atmosphere. A couple ofmonasteries are located in the area.

Rethymno Guide

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Panormos (Rating: by Greeka members)Location: 22 km east of Rethymnon Town

Description: Fully organised and with crystal water, Panormos has plenty oftaverns and accommodation with an amazing view over the sea.

Agios PavlosLocation: 58 km south east of Rethymnon Town

Description: One of the most picturesque locations in southern Crete, AgiosPavlos is actually a small bay with sandy coast. Partly organized, this beach isgreat to relax.

Plakias BeachLocation: 40 km south of Rethymnon Town

Description: Some parts of Plakias beach are organized, while others aresecluded. In any case, the atmsophere is relaxing and calm.

Rethymno Guide

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Preveli (Rating: by Greeka members)Location: 40 km south of Rethymnon Town

Description: The beach is located right at the outfall of a river, amidst lushgreenery and palm trees.Sightseeing: Preveli Monastery

RodakinoLocation: 43 km south of Rethymno

Description: Rodakino is a lovely beach close to the beach resort of Plakias.Some parts of it are organized, while others are secluded.

Best Sightseeing in RethymnoFortrezzaLocation: TownThe Fortezza of Rethymno was constructed in 1573 by the Turks to protectthe town from enemy invasions. Today it is an impressive construction andconstitutes the trademark of the town.

Rethymno Guide

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Preveli MonasteryLocation: PreveliThe historic Monastery of Preveli is located about 40 km south of RethymnonTown. It stands by a bridge over Kourtaliotikis River and it is surrounded bylush vegetation. The monastery has two buildings with a distance of 3 kmbetween each other. It was originally built in the 17th century and it playedan important role in all the Cretan fights for freedom.

Ideon CaveLocation: AnogiaIdeon Cave is located abut 20 km south of Anogia village, Rethymnon.According to mythology, this is the cave where god Zeus was raised, hiddenfrom his father Cronus. Cretan men named Kourites was guarding him and anymph goat was feeding him with milk.

CreditsGreeka.com would like to thank the following members for their valuable contribution, as some ofthe photos included in this guide belong to them.

Rethymno Guide

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CRETANMOONRIVER, adibm, anchor, antistath, atle, bowls12, cottamboy, crigolo, demie,dreamofgreece, esselle, evitta, ewalina, georet, hchcyoon, jenike, krilis, kyralino,marian49, martinebakker, melis, milos58, nen876, redpipe74, simonyte, sirugo,traveller1, verica

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