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.
- 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 centre with a very small zoo containing some Cretan mountain goats.
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 centre with a very small zoo containing some Cretan mountain goats.
- Boat trips are available from the harbour.
Boat trips are available from the harbour.
During the main summer season, Rethymno is very touristic. Shops and visitors 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. Cheapest at the locals supermarkets, away from the hotels/beaches. Aside Oranges/Orange juice, fruits and juices are rather expensive.
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/managements, your hotel receptionists will be able to suggest good ideas.
- Stella's Kitchen, Souliou 55. 9h-18h. A small food-place in the old town not mentioned in guidebooks nor in the free town maps. It's one of those places where local people go to eat and chat, where travelers can get advice and meet people, where food is not only local but also good and affordable. They offer breakfast, lunch and an early dinner.
Stella's Kitchen, Souliou 55. 9h-18h. A small food-place in the old town not mentioned in guidebooks nor in the free town maps. It's one of those places where local people go to eat and chat, where travelers can get advice and meet people, where food is not only local but also good and affordable. They offer breakfast, lunch and an early dinner.
Most of the bars close to the Rimondi Fountain are noisy and get very busy. but Ok if you like to watch the crowd pass by. There are more relaxing places in the narrow streets nearby. Try the "Punch Bowl" just like a traditional Irish pub, it is full of curios and the landlady who is also Irish serves a great pint of Guinness. It' situated at number 42 Arabatzoglou.
For a late night drink try "Extreme" a good venue for rock music, it's in the lane between the museum and the harbour. There are more disco style bars close by. The promenade has mostly cocktail bars which are modern and brightly lit, with music going on to the early hours.
There is "Metropolis" music club near the Venetian harbour.
- From the bus station there are regular services to coastal towns on the Cretan south-coast, like Plakias, Preveli and Agia Galini.
- The daily ferry to Pireaus (Athens) leaves at 20:00.