Rethymno City
Coastal city in Crete, Greece
Rethymno’s Venetian harbor and narrow old-town lanes reward slow walking: the Fortezza fortress, sea-facing tavernas, Ottoman fountains and a long municipal beach make it a compact blend of history, food and sun.
82°F
Why Visit Rethymno?#
A compelling blend of Venetian architecture and Cretan traditions, the town’s Old Venetian Harbor and imposing Fortezza set a historic scene for wandering. Taste dakos and sip raki in tavernas tucked into the maze of narrow alleys, and soak up lively local music and dance during summer festivals. Rethymno’s mix of seaside beaches and preserved Renaissance streets makes it a favorite for travelers looking for culture alongside sun and sea.
Best Things to Do in Rethymno#
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Rethymno Bucket List#
Rethymno Fortezza - Explore Rethymno’s Fortezza and winding Old Town streets lined with cafés.
Rimondi Fountain and Old Harbor - See the Rimondi Fountain beside the Old Harbor and waterfront tavernas.
Archaeological Museum of Rethymno - Visit Archaeological Museum of Rethymno for Minoan artifacts and regional finds.
Margarites pottery village - Visit Margarites village for pottery workshops, traditional crafts and quiet streets.
Local olive‑oil presses - Drop into small olive‑oil presses nearby to sample fresh oil and learn production.
Secluded beaches near Rethymno - Find smaller coves west and east of town for quieter swimming and sunbathing.
Samaria Gorge - Hike Samaria Gorge for one of Europe’s longest gorges, coastal exit at Agia Roumeli.
Arkadi Monastery - Drive to Arkadi Monastery to learn about Cretan resistance and historic architecture.
Best Time to Visit Rethymno#
Rethymno shines from late spring through early autumn when warm, sunny Mediterranean weather invites beach days and island exploration. Winters are mild and quieter, good for relaxed sightseeing without the crowds.
December - February
9°C to 16°C (48°F to 61°F)
Mild and occasionally rainy-strollable and calm, with quieter tavernas and off-season prices, though sea swimming is cooler.
March - May
13°C to 24°C (55°F to 75°F)
Perfect weather: warm sun, few crowds, and flowering hills-great for exploring old town streets and nearby beaches comfortably.
June - August
24°C to 32°C (75°F to 90°F)
Hot, sunny, and beach-focused-crowds peak but nightlife and seaside tavernas buzz; bring sunscreen and expect lively tourist atmosphere.
Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 9°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (568 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 14°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (114 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 15°C and lows of 9°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 16°C. Light rainfall.
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June
June is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 1 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Rethymno#
Rethymno has no airport or rail service; visitors arrive via Chania (CHQ) or Heraklion (HER) airports and continue by KTEL intercity bus. The KTEL network provides frequent, inexpensive connections and is the most practical public transport option on Crete.
Chania International Airport (CHQ): Chania is the closest airport to Rethymno on Crete’s northwest coast. From Chania Airport to Rethymno the bus (KTEL Chania-Rethymno) takes about 1-1.5 hours and fares are typically around €6-€10.
Heraklion International Airport (HER): Heraklion on the island’s north-central coast is another option; KTEL buses from Heraklion to Rethymno take roughly 1-1.5 hours and fares are generally about €6-€9.
Train: Crete has no passenger rail network.
Bus: Intercity KTEL buses are the principal public transport on Crete. Rethymno is served regularly from both Heraklion and Chania; buses are comfortable, cheap and the recommended way to travel between the island’s main towns (typical journey ~1-1.5 hours, fares ~€6-€10). Local buses and taxis cover shorter trips within the region.
How to Get Around Rethymno#
Rethymno is best navigated by bus for intercity travel and on foot within the old town. For wider exploration of Crete’s beaches and mountains, rent a car or scooter; KTEL buses remain the reliable public option between major centres.
- KTEL intercity bus (€6-€10) - KTEL buses are the main public transport for intercity travel on Crete. Buses between Rethymno, Chania and Heraklion run several times daily, are generally punctual and comfortable, and are the best choice for most visitors. Buy tickets at the station or onboard and allow extra time in high season.
- Local bus (€1.50-€5) - Local buses serve surrounding villages and beaches; timetables are less frequent outside summer months. Use local bus services for shorter journeys from the town to nearby beaches and archaeological sites; cash payment is standard.
- Taxi (€10-€60) - Taxis are available in Rethymno for airport transfers and short excursions. They are convenient for early/late travel when buses are infrequent, but fares are higher than buses - confirm the price or insist on the meter for city trips.
- Car rental (€25/day-€60/day) - Renting a car is recommended if you want to explore Crete’s interior, beaches and mountain villages at your own pace. Roads are mostly good but can be narrow in rural areas; parking in Rethymno town centre is limited during high season.
- Scooter / motorbike rental (€10-€35/day) - Scooters are a popular and economical way to explore coastal roads and nearby villages. Helmets are required; assess road and weather conditions before setting out and check insurance coverage on the rental agreement.
- Walking - Rethymno’s old town is compact and highly walkable, with pedestrian lanes, shops and the Venetian harbour within easy reach. Exploring on foot is the best way to enjoy the historic centre.
Where to Stay in Rethymno#
Old Town / Harbor - €15-45/night
Affordable hostels and small guesthouses near the old town and beach; options are limited outside peak season.
Homerun Hostel - Simple hostel near the bus station.
Fózenia Hostel - Basic budget rooms near the harbor.
Old Town - €60-120/night
Comfortable boutique hotels inside the old town-good balance of location and price.
Avli Lounge Apartments - Boutique apartments in the Venetian quarter.
Rimondi Boutique Hotel - Historic building in the old town.
Hotel Ideon - Comfortable hotel near the historic center.
Beachfront - €120+/night
Few true luxury resorts; the main upscale options sit along the Rethymno beachfront.
Rethymno Mare Royal & Waterpark - Beachfront resort with waterpark.
Theartemis Palace (near Rethymno) - Upscale beachfront facilities.
Where to Eat in Rethymno#
Rethymno’s dining centers on Cretan meze, grilled seafood and slow-cooked local recipes in family-run tavernas and courtyard restaurants.
- Avli - Cretan dishes in a leafy courtyard
- To Pigadi - Traditional taverna with home-style cooking
- Othonas - Seafood and island specialties by the sea
Bakeries, harbour tavernas and small wine bars make Rethymno great for fresh seafood, pastries and local wines with seaside views.
- Town bakeries - Koulouri, cheese pies and sweet pastries
- Harbour fish taverns - Fresh-caught fish served seaside
- Local wine bars - Cretan wines paired with small plates
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Rethymno’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Shopping in Rethymno#
Shopping focuses on the old-town lanes: artisan shops, leather goods, ceramics and local food products. Small supermarkets and souvenir shops fill the centre; for department-store shopping you’ll need to go to larger Cretan cities.
Nightlife in Rethymno#
Nightlife ramps up in summer with beach bars and old-town tavernas staying open late. Outside the high season the scene quiets considerably, with mainly local bars and tavernas remaining.
