Things to do in Rethymnon: The 13 Best Places to Visit and Highlights

So, you’re planning to visit Rethymnon during your next trip to Crete?

Great idea, this charming city ideally located between Chania and Heraklion is really worth a look!

In order to help you plan your stay, I have written this guide of the best things to do in Rethymnon, with all the must-see attractions and points of interest.

At the end of the article, you will also find itineraries to visit visit Rethymnon and its surroundings in 1, 2, or 3 days (or more!) as well as my suggestions of the best accommodations depending on your budget.

So, what are the best places to visit in Rethymnon? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

Visit Rethymnon: 13 Must-See Attractions

1. The old town of Rethymnon

On your trip to Crete, you will quickly see that each well-known city has a pretty historical centre.

So it’s no surprise that this is the best place to go for a walk in Rethymnon.

You can enjoy a pleasant walk through all the small alleys lined with shops and taverns.

The old town is also home to all the places of interest to see in Rethymnon, including:

• The Venetian fortress (see below for information)
• Museum of contemporary art in Crete, where there is a permanent collection featuring numerous works by Lefteris Kanakakis, an artist born in Rethymnon. The museum also has a temporary collection. Entrance costs €3.
• The Old Venetian Port (see article 3)
• The Rimondi fountain, built in the 17th century, is one of the most famous relics of the Venetian period.
• The old Venetian houses and their wooden loggia
• The Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon (see point 4)
• The Grand Gate of Rethymnon or “Porte Guora”: this ancient 16th century stone gate used to be the entrance to the venetian enclosure. Today, it opens on to the main shopping street of Rethymnon.

I won’t list the religious buildings here because I’ll go into it in detail later in my article.

2. Rethymnon fortress

Among the tourist sites to see in Rethymnon, go to the Venetian fortress.

It was built in the 16th century by the Venetians after the Ottomans destroyed the city in 1571.

Originally, the fortress was meant to house the entire population, but due to the lack of space and mainly because the inhabitants did not want to leave their houses, only the Venetian administration and guard settled there.

The fortress was then occupied by the Ottomans in the 17th century then by the Germans who turned part of it into a prison.

Now the city is undergoing renovations. The renovated buildings include:

• Ammunition and gunpowder depot
• The house of one of the city’s leaders
• The mosque of Sultan Ibrahim Khan built by the Ottomans in 1646 in the place of St. Nicholas Cathedral which was destroyed
• St. Catherine’s Church.

You can also take a short walk up the ramparts to admire the view of the city and the sea.

To visit the fortress during your stay in Rethymnon, the entrance ticket costs €4.

3. The Venetian port of Rethymnon

Another must-see spot in Rethymnon: a short walk along the Venetian port and the jetty that leads to the Egyptian lighthouse.

The place is very small, but you can also sit on one of the terraces of the restaurants bordering the port.

The Rethymnon tourist office is located at this port if you want to get a map of the city.

4. Rethymnon Archaeological Museum

You can also take the opportunity on your trip to Rethymnon to visit the city’s archaeological museum.

Located in the church of Saint Francis, you will discover a whole collection of objects ranging from the Neolithic to the Venetian period and also covering the Minoan period.

Although smaller than the famous archaeological museum of Heraklion (which you really must visit during your tour in Crete), the objects are well presented and there are even explanations in English.

Among the must-see objects that have all been discovered in the surroundings of Rethymnon are:

• An extremely well preserved sarcophagus
• Minoan pottery
• Beautiful statues
• The bronze lamp depicting Dionysus riding a panther.

Entrance to the Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon costs €4.

5. Religious monuments to see in Rethymnon

If you’re still wondering what to do in Rethymnon, I suggest you take a tour of the city’s religious buildings:

• The Saint Francis church that houses the archaeological museum
• The Agios Spyridon church, a Byzantine chapel located squarely on a cliff below the fortress
• The Church of Our Lady of the Angels, built during the Venetian period, was then converted into a mosque before becoming an Orthodox church
• Nerantzes mosque, an ancient church that became a mosque under Turkish occupation in 1657. After being desecrated, the venue is now a concert hall.
• The Four Martyrs Church, located next to the large Rethymnon gate and not far from the municipal park
• Kara Mussa mosque: originally a monastery, the building was transformed into a mosque by the Turks. You can’t visit the interior as the place has been abandoned.
• The Veli Pasha mosque and its 9 domes, where you will find the Paleontological Museum of Rethymnon, home to a very small collection of fossils. I don’t necessarily recommend the visit, but the mosque is worth a look.

6. The beaches of Rethymnon

Where to go to the beach in Rethymnon?

The beach of Rethymnon starts next to the Venetian port and extends over several hundred metres. This long sandy beach is the closest one to the old town and therefore the busiest in summer. Deckchairs and parasols can be rented. There are also restaurants.

You can also swim on Pervolia beach, Missiria beach and Platanes beach. They are all lined with taverns and also offer deckchairs on rent.

Don’t expect them to be the most beautiful beaches in Crete but they are perfect for cooling down between 2 visits during your trip to Crete.

If you have decided to go to Rethymnon in the summer, you should know that the beaches in the vicinity are known to behatching grounds for Loggerhead sea turtle. Between May and September, hundreds of them come to lay their eggs at night. So you need to be particularly careful not to walk on a nest.

7. The best activities to do in Rethymnon

After finishing your visit to Rethymnon, there’s nothing better than to leave for a nice little activity!

To help you choose, here is my selection of the best activities you absolutely must do during your stay in Rethymnon. As usual, you just have to click on the orange links or the green buttons to access all the details. And don’t forget to book in advance to make sure you have a spot.

But let’s start with one of my favourite activities that I was able to do during my road trip in Crete: quad biking!

Your guide will take you to discover places off the beaten track, in the Cretan mountains, in all-terrain driving mode. I thought it was a really nice experience.

Pick up is included from any hotel in Rethymnon, so it’s very convenient.

To book your quad bike trip from Rethymnon, click on the green button below:

For those who are not very comfortable on quad bikes, you can opt for the buggy version. It’s exactly the same trip, and you need to book it by clicking here!

Other activities you must do include:

• A canyoning trip in the Kourtaliotiko gorge – Pictures and videos of the activity included.
• A tasting of 11 different wines at the Cretan House of Wine + Local meal included (herb pork, stuffed vine leaves, cheese, pie)
• Hiking at the Gorge d’Imbros with a guide – Round-trip transport included from your hotel in Rethymnon + 1 2-hour break to swim at the end of the day
• Trip on an electric bicycle in the mountains around Rethymnon and in the Mili Gorge – Excellent lunch in a small local tavern included in the price.
• Trip on an electric bicycle in the Cretan countryside + Exploring the picturesque villages + Visit to the Arkadi Monastery + Lunch in a tavern.
• Exploration dives for certified divers. You can dive at the following sites: Elephant’s Cave, Empros Yialos, The Wall, Kalyvaki or Bali (night diving!).
• Motor boat trip with snorkelling stop – Transfer to port + lunch included.

What to do in Rethymnon with children?

For a stay in Rethymnon with your family, you must take them to Limnoupolis water park. With the lazy river, water slides, swimming pools, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

By booking with the button below, you also get pick-up from your hotel and the meal included:

What are the things to do around Rethymnon?

Now that you know what to do in Rethymnon, it’s time to take an interest in the trips to be done nearby.

So I’ve prepared my selection of the most beautiful places to see around Rethymnon.

8. Arkadi Monastery / Melidoni Cave / Margarites Village

If you have rented a car, you should go on a one-day road trip to discover 3 famous sites all located in the vicinity of Rethymnon.

Start with the Arkadi monastery, which is a 30-minute drive from the centre of Rethymnon. For €3, you can discover its 16th century Venetian church, a small museum with relics and the old wine cellar.

The monastery is of great historical importance to the island’s inhabitants, as it is here that hundreds of Cretan people took refuge during the Ottoman occupation.

Unfortunately, the place was besieged by 2,000 soldiers, and rather than surrender, the Cretans preferred to kill themselves by burning the barrels of powder stored in the wine cellar.

All were killed, soldiers included. This event is considered the beginning of the struggle and resistance of the island against the invaders.

After visiting the Arkadi Monastery, drive for 25 minutes to Margarites. The village is famous for its many pottery workshops. You can leave with a handmade bowl or colourful plates , and for a cheap price too.

Then head for the Melidoni cave (a 20-minute drive), which I found very pretty and where you can admire beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. For €4, it is really worth stopping by.

The cave was also the scene of a massacre under Turkish occupation: 400 residents were hiding there but the soldiers decided to set fire to it to suffocate them. All of them died.

To conclude this day near Rethymnon, you must go swimming at Karavostasi beach. This small cove with clear waters is great for snorkelling or kayaking.

9. Chania

Chania is the most famous city in the area around Rethymnon. It is about a 1-hour drive away.

Here are the unmissable places in Chania:

• The Old Venetian port and the lighthouse of Chania
• The old town and its traditional alleys
• The Fort Firkas that houses the maritime museum
• The covered market.

You will find all the details to visit Chania in one day in my dedicated article. Read here: The 15 best things to do in Chania

To get to Chania from Rethymnon without a car, you can choose (click on the orange link to book):

• Trip with pick-up from your hotel and the services of a guide during the trip + Free time of 5h to visit the city
• Trip in a small group: 3h free time in Chania + 3h at Falassarna beach – pick up from your hotel and guide.

10. Trip to Balos beach from Rethymnon

If you want to see one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete, you should really spend a day at Balos beach, also called Balos lagoon!

It’s not quite near Rethymnon, you will need to drive for 2 hours to get there, but I can assure you that once you get there, you won’t regret having driven a little.

Walking down from the car park, you will arrive directly at the most beautiful view point on Balos that will allow you to admire this magnificent lagoon with turquoise and shallow waters. You will then be captivated by only one idea: swim!

To get to Balos, you can take a superb boat trip from Kissamos (1 hour and 25 minute drive from Rethymnon). Reservations must be made in advance by clicking here:

All information about Balos Beach can be read directly here: Logoon of Balos: the definitive guide!

11. Day at Elafonissi beach from Rethymnon

From Rethymnon, you should also visit one of the island’s other most beautiful beaches: Elafonissi beach.

What really makes it so charming is the particular colour of its sand, which is slightly pink. Combined with turquoise waters and white sands, you have a postcard-worthy landscape par excellence.

Elafonissi is obviously quite touristy but if you don’t like being in a crowd, here’s a tip: cross to the island on the other side and you will find plenty of quieter places to lay down your towel. And I assure you it’s just as beautiful!

Without a car, you can book your bus ride to Elafonissi from Rethymnon directly by clicking on the green button below:

More info about the pink sand beach are available in my dedicated article. Read here: How to visit Elafonissi beach?

12. Hiking in the Samaria Gorge from Rethymnon

So, there are some beautiful beaches to see around Rethymnon, but if you feel like doing a bit of a workout, you must go on a hike.

And not just any hike, this is the Samaria Gorge hike, the most famous one in Crete!

Bring good shoes to walk along the 16 km path that will take you down to the bottom of the Gorge. The difficulty does not necessarily lie in the length of the path but in the fact that for the first 4 km, it’s a steep descent and that the path is very rocky all along + slippery in places.

The hike ends at the village of Agia Roumeli, from where you will have to take the boat and then a bus that will take you back to the car park where you left your car in the morning.

To go to Samaria from Rethymnon, you can also opt for one all inclusive day with transport and an English-speaking guide:

All the practical information about hiking in Samaria Gorge can be found in my dedicated article: Samaria Gorge: The Definitive Guide.

13. Other day trips to visit the surroundings of Rethymnon

If you have decided to visit Rethymnon for a few days, you can also choose from several other day trips:

• Visit to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion + the Palace of Knossos + free time in Heraklion – The best choice if you haven’t rented a car and wish to visit 2 unmissable sites near Rethymnon!
• Day at the Preveli beach, another well-known beach in Crete, bordered by a luxuriant palm grove
• Jeep excursion to the Cretan slopes with an English-speaking guide + lunch included
• Visit to 3 traditional Cretan villages + lunch including delicious local specialities
• Visit to the villages of Agia Galini and Spili + discovery of the Matala caves
• Day in Santorini from Rethymnon – Transfer by catamaran + guided bus tour of Santorini with stop in Oia and Fira to walk in the 2 most picturesque villages of the island!

How many days to visit Rethymnon?

To visit the main sites of interest in Rethymnon, it will take you no more than a day.

However, you can plan to spend more time there if you also intend to explore the surroundings. Even if you have not opted for car rental, you can easily go everywhere and explore West and South Crete through organised trips.

There is plenty to keep you occupied for 4 or 5 days or even a full week if you have decided to spend your holiday in Crete only by staying at a hotel in Rethymnon.

Visit Rethymnon in 1 day

Here is my suggested itinerary to visit Rethymnon in 1 day:

• Visit to the Venetian fortress
• Visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art – Optional visit if you are interested in this type of exhibition
• Stroll to the Old Venetian Port
• Visit the Rimondi fountain, the Neratze mosque and the workshop of the last artisanal filo pastry maker
• Exploring the Rethymnon Archaeological Museum
• Go through the Grand gate to reach the Four Martyrs Church, the Veli Pasha Mosque and the Kara Mussa Mosque
• Relaxation on one of the beaches of Rethymnon
• Cruise at sunset for a romantic stay in Rethymnon.

Visit Rethymnon and its surroundings in 2 days

For 2 days at Rethymnon, you can continue from the schedule for the first day and you can add:

• 5 hour cruise with swimming and lunch stop
• Quad bike trip or buggy ride in the mountains
• Visit to the Arkadi Monastery + Pottery Village of Margarites + Melidoni Cave + Beach – Also available through organised trips!

Visit Rethymnon in 3, 4, 5 days or 1 week

If you’re planning to stay in Rethymnon for 3 days or more, you can do other day trips, such as (simply click on the orange links for more info and to book):

• Chania
• Balos lagoon
• Elafonissi beach
• The Samaria Gorge.

Where to stay in Rethymnon

• Elina Hotel Apartments: Located next to the port and close to the beach of Rethymnon. Apartments with lounge and kitchenette from 50€ per night. Strong points: location, cleanliness, friendly staff.
• Omiros Boutique Hotel: Located 50 metres from the beach. Modern and tastefully decorated double room from 75€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: jacuzzi, swimming pool, comfortable rooms. It’s my favorite hotel for its excellent value for money in Rethymnon!
• Bellagio Luxury Boutique Hotel: Located next to the archaeological museum. Warm and comfortable double room, mix of modern and ancient from 75€, breakfast at 8€. Strong points: perfect location to visit Rethymnon, generous breakfast, quality of the bedding.
• Menta City Boutique Hotel: Located 10 minutes walk from the old town. Bright and spacious double room with balcony from 125€, breakfast included. Strong points: swimming pool, excellent homemade breakfast, the rooftop and its view over Rethymnon.
• Atlantis Beach Hotel: 5* hotel located 1.5 km from the historical centre and just next to the beach. The hotel offers elegant rooms with a balcony and sea views from 150€, breakfast included. Strong points: private beach, swimming pool, great staff. This is my recommendation for a luxury stay in Rethymnon!

Where to eat in Rethymnon

• Othonas Taverna: Located in an old town alley, not far from the Neratze Mosque, this traditional-style inn offers delicious Cretan dishes at excellent value. The waiters are really nice (just like the owner!). For me, this is a must-visit place in Rethymnon!
• SOFRA: another small tavern in the old town, in a small, quiet and shaded alley. Here too, you will enjoy high quality traditional Cretan cuisine, all served with a big smile. You must try the moussaka and the shrimp risotto.
• Notes: Restaurant located on the beach of Rethymnon which offers excellent local dishes at very reasonable prices. Everything is fresh, delicious and served in generous amounts. Add to this the super welcome and the welcome drink + liqueur + 1 scoop of ice-cream!

How to get to Rethymnon

Rethymnon does not have an airport and does not have ferry connections to Athens, for example. There are only a few ferry connections to some of the islands in the Cyclades, such as: Santorini, Naxos and Mykonos.

The most practical and quickest way is to arrive either:

• At the airport or port of Chania, which is an hour’s drive away from Rethymnon
• At the airport or port of Heraklion, which is around one hour and fifteen minutes by car from Rethymnon

Since flight prices for Chania or Heraklion vary greatly, it is a good idea to compare them as soon as possible. To do this, you can use our flight comparison tool, in partnership with Skyscanner. You can rest assured that you will get the best rates.

Rent a car in Rethymnon

Once you arrive in Chania or Heraklion, to get to Rethymnon, it’s best to rent a car.

You must book your rental car for your stay in Crete on the Booking.com Cars website.

It’s very practical, you can directly compare the rates of the rental agencies present at the airport or at the port and get the best rate.

Click on the button below to compare car rental rates for your trip to Rethymnon:

Rent a boat in Rethymnon

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day at sea during your stay in Crete, you should book it with Samboat.

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental!

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip in Crete? 😊

Tourist map of Rethymnon

To help you visualise the city a bit better, I have created this tourist map of Rethymnon, with all the best places to visit and things to do in Rethymnon and its surroundings.

You can display the map legend by clicking on the top left button, the one with a small arrow on it.

If you need help planning your visit to Rethymnon, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section below.

You’re traveling to Crete? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Crete: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Crete are listed there.

• 27 Best things to do in Crete: All the best places to visit and activities

• Itinerary: 4-5 days in Crete – Itinerary to prepare a short stay in East or West Crete
• Itinerary: One week in Crete – The perfect itinerary to visit Western Crete
• Itinerary: 7 days in Crete – The best itinerary to visit East Crete in 1 week
• Itinerary: 10 days in Crete – How to visit Crete in 10 days
• Itinerary: 2 weeks in Crete – The perfect itinerary for 14-15 days in Crete

• Road trip to Crete: The best itineraries for 5, 7, 10 and 15 days

• Chania: The 15 best places to discover
• Heraklion: TOP 13 places to visit
• Rethymnon: The 13 best things to do

• Balos Beach: All my best tips to visit Balos Lagoon!
• Elafonissi Beach: The definitive guide to discover Crete’s famous pink sand beach
• Palace of Knossos: The definitive guide to visit the most famous archaeological site of Crete
• Samaria Gorge: How to plan the best hike in Crete

• Where to stay in Crete? The guide to the best hotels, ordered by city and budget

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