Rethymno

Rethymno is located between Lefka Ori and Mount Psiloritis (also known as "Idi") and is known for its beautiful mountain views, fantastic beaches, Cretan lyre tunes, "tsikoudia", famous caves, ancient monasteries, traditional villages and tourist luxury resorts.

The Venetian fortress blends seamlessly with Orthodox and Catholic churches, mosques, huge Venetian villas and cobbled alleyways to create an enchanting atmosphere in Rethymno, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Greece.

A sandy beach stretching more than 20 kilometers from the city of Rethymno to the eastern side of the region would be an option for a quick dip when visiting the city.

Palm trees & beaches

Panormos is a coastal town located to the east of Rethymno. It has a well organized beach with several bars and hotels. Bali, also east of Rethymno, lies amidst the mountains surrounding the bay.

Preveli Lake, a sandy cove with a palm grove, is located where the “Kourtaliotis” canyon ends and the “Megalos Potamos” flows. An almost tropical setting with lush flora, blue-green waterways, and a sandy beach. The palm grove and the small lagoon make this soft sand beach a truly one-of-a-kind exotic spot.

A place to be discovered

The island's ecclesiastical monuments, including stone chapels atop Mount Psiloritis, medieval monasteries and early Christian basilicas, enhance your stay. The Arkadi Monastery, towering over the homonymous canyon and Preveli, is a monastery of immense historical importance.

The Nida Plateau is located on Mount Psiloritis, 79 kilometers from Rethymno. The "Mitata", vaulted stone houses where the shepherds reside, are the biggest attraction. During the winter, it is a great place to ski.

Argyroupoli, a settlement built on the ruins of the ancient city of Lappas, is located 27 kilometers from Rethymno. It is worth exploring the various springs, caves and the church of the same name.

The Kourtaliotis ravine, 3 km long, flows into the famous Preveli Lake; the Kotsifou Gorge, which starts at Kanevos and ends near Selia; the Patsos Gorge, in the Amari district; the Prasses ravine, which ends in the village of Platanias on the north-east coast of the city of Rethymno; and finally, the Arkadi Gorge and a series of other small mountains.

Spectacular landscape

The Rethymno mountains are particularly heavily fortified with caves. The best known caverns are those of Gerani, Simonelli to the west of Rethymno, Saint Antony in the Amari area, Melidoni, Moygri Sisson and Sfendoni near Zoniana. According to legend, Zeus was conceived in the grotto of Ideon Andron, which served as an important center of devotion during both the Minoan and Roman times.

Archaeological discoveries show that the region thrived from the Stone Age to the Roman and early Christian periods. There have been discoveries of Minoan treasures, cemeteries, Roman settlements and Hellenistic ruins, the most notable of which is Eleftherna, an ancient village inhabited until the 7th century, as well as the Armenian cemetery, which has more than 350 underground tombs.

Travel back in time visiting ancient villages like Adele, Anoyia, Rustika, Garazo and Chromonastiri to experience the authentic Cretan atmosphere. Here you can find delicious local dishes such as roast goat with tomato, hilopites (homemade pasta) and snails with vegetables, usually accompanied by a shot of tsikoudia!