Guidebook for Rethymno

Christina
Guidebook for Rethymno

Drinks & Nightlife

Housed in a handsomely restored old building, Monitor Art Cafe attracts a slightly older, mostly local crowd and is great for socialising in an unpretentious setting. Regular live music performances make it even better.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monitor Art Café
23 Vernadou 21
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Housed in a handsomely restored old building, Monitor Art Cafe attracts a slightly older, mostly local crowd and is great for socialising in an unpretentious setting. Regular live music performances make it even better.
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cul de Sac
7 Plateia titou petichaki
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
No matter where the handles are on the clock, the comfy lounge sofas of this stylish hang-out are always packed with hip town folk. Mellow in the daytime, the vibe gets progressively more high-octane after dark. A good place to ease into the nightlife scene.
235 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
LIVINGROOM LOUNGE CAFE
5 Eleftheríou Venizélou
235 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
No matter where the handles are on the clock, the comfy lounge sofas of this stylish hang-out are always packed with hip town folk. Mellow in the daytime, the vibe gets progressively more high-octane after dark. A good place to ease into the nightlife scene.
In summer there are few locations more enchanting than the laid-back garden behind the pottery workshop of Natasha and Giorgos. Some of the artist-owners’ choice pieces are showcased in niches in the stone-vaulted front room and between the branches of the orange and lemon trees in the garden. Frequent live music performances draw big crowds who sip wine and cocktails.
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ali Vafi's garden
65 Tzane Bouniali
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
In summer there are few locations more enchanting than the laid-back garden behind the pottery workshop of Natasha and Giorgos. Some of the artist-owners’ choice pieces are showcased in niches in the stone-vaulted front room and between the branches of the orange and lemon trees in the garden. Frequent live music performances draw big crowds who sip wine and cocktails.
A classic Rethymno hang-out, this place has been renamed and revamped but continues to house two bars and a dance floor that gets filled nightly by tourists and local students.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Minibar
6 I. Petichaki
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
A classic Rethymno hang-out, this place has been renamed and revamped but continues to house two bars and a dance floor that gets filled nightly by tourists and local students.
Hobnob with hipsters at this hot-and-heavy party palace. In summer, DJs spin mostly international chart music for the tourist crowd, while Greek pop dominates in low season.
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Metropolis Society Bar
15 Nearchou
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hobnob with hipsters at this hot-and-heavy party palace. In summer, DJs spin mostly international chart music for the tourist crowd, while Greek pop dominates in low season.
96 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
CAVO Rethymnon Restaurant
13 Akrotiriou
96 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona

Food Scene

Sympligades is the great restaurant below The Downtown Pent! It serves original greek dishes and has a high quality taste and fast service. Giorgos and the staff are so nice and friendly, with good suggestions for dinner. The meat, the pasta, the salad, you can taste that it’s homemade and that there’s quality to it. The prices are really low. Greek dishes accompanied by greek sounds: perfect match. You'll return at Sympigades, because once won't be enough. A really good place to eat!! Strongly recommended!!!!
Συμπληγάδες Sympligades - Μεζεδοπωλείο Restaurant
25 Emmanoil Vernardoy
Sympligades is the great restaurant below The Downtown Pent! It serves original greek dishes and has a high quality taste and fast service. Giorgos and the staff are so nice and friendly, with good suggestions for dinner. The meat, the pasta, the salad, you can taste that it’s homemade and that there’s quality to it. The prices are really low. Greek dishes accompanied by greek sounds: perfect match. You'll return at Sympigades, because once won't be enough. A really good place to eat!! Strongly recommended!!!!
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Vivliothiki Café
127 Kountouriotou
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bakalogatos
Titou
16 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Creperie Haris
8-10 Μεσολογγίου
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Asikiko
13 Emmanouil Vernardou
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hasika
11-13 Agias Varvaras
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rustic, colourful and lively, this is a fantastic place to while away the evening over mezedhes (appetisers) like sardines stuffed with herbs, sausage with grilled vegetables, or mussels steamed with sage. The fried feta with caramelised figs and mint is divine. Comfort food at its finest.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Raki Ba Raki
16 Ραδαμάνθυος
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rustic, colourful and lively, this is a fantastic place to while away the evening over mezedhes (appetisers) like sardines stuffed with herbs, sausage with grilled vegetables, or mussels steamed with sage. The fried feta with caramelised figs and mint is divine. Comfort food at its finest.
In the alt-flavoured quarter below the Fortezza, this cooperative-run cafe draws chatty locals keen on coffee from Mexican Zapatistas, sugar from landless workers in Brazil, and organic raki from Cretan producers. A selection of mezedhes (appetisers) and desserts provides sustenance.
το Χαλικούτι - κολεκτίβα εργασίας στο Ρέθυμνο
3 Κατεχάκη
In the alt-flavoured quarter below the Fortezza, this cooperative-run cafe draws chatty locals keen on coffee from Mexican Zapatistas, sugar from landless workers in Brazil, and organic raki from Cretan producers. A selection of mezedhes (appetisers) and desserts provides sustenance.
For loukoumadhes (doughnut-like concoctions drizzled with honey and cinnamon), follow your nose to Gaias Gefseis. This bakery creates some of the city’s best traditional cakes and biscuits, as well as homemade sheep’s-milk gelato. If your sweet tooth needs a break, there’s a mammoth supply of savoury breads; try one stuffed with feta and olives.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
earth flavors
15 Eth. Antistaseos
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
For loukoumadhes (doughnut-like concoctions drizzled with honey and cinnamon), follow your nose to Gaias Gefseis. This bakery creates some of the city’s best traditional cakes and biscuits, as well as homemade sheep’s-milk gelato. If your sweet tooth needs a break, there’s a mammoth supply of savoury breads; try one stuffed with feta and olives.
With cascading terraces from fortress to sea, this is where locals head for dinner. The eclectic Mediterranean menu offers up skillfully created dishes like stuffed mushrooms, Cretan cheese in filo with tomato and spearmint, and fish with a horseradish crust. It’s all best washed down with local Brink’s beer. If it’s windy, dress warmly.
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Θαλασσογραφία - Εστιατόριο Μεζεδοπωλείο Καφέ στο Ρέθυμνο
12 ΚΕΦΑΛΟΓΙΑΝΝΗΔΩΝ
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
With cascading terraces from fortress to sea, this is where locals head for dinner. The eclectic Mediterranean menu offers up skillfully created dishes like stuffed mushrooms, Cretan cheese in filo with tomato and spearmint, and fish with a horseradish crust. It’s all best washed down with local Brink’s beer. If it’s windy, dress warmly.
With an interior of tiles, wood and newsprint, this place has a cool, rustic vibe. The bar is well stocked, including a good selection of Greek beers and a decent cocktail menu. Come back the next day for healing Cretan mountain teas or a shot of Arabic or Guatemalan coffee.
Cafe Ηνωμένα Βουστάσια
20 Leof. Emmanouil Kefalogianni
With an interior of tiles, wood and newsprint, this place has a cool, rustic vibe. The bar is well stocked, including a good selection of Greek beers and a decent cocktail menu. Come back the next day for healing Cretan mountain teas or a shot of Arabic or Guatemalan coffee.
A good choice for lunch, this little taverna has a small but superb daily selection of traditional dishes. There’s no menu but they will take you downstairs to their kitchen and let you choose from simmering pots. It’s popular with locals and has a few tables outside.
74 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Taverna Alekos
Eparchiaki Odos Rethimou-Agias Galinis
74 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
A good choice for lunch, this little taverna has a small but superb daily selection of traditional dishes. There’s no menu but they will take you downstairs to their kitchen and let you choose from simmering pots. It’s popular with locals and has a few tables outside.
Come here for pizzas piled with fresh ingredients and baked in a stone oven even the Italians would approve of. Or fill up with fresh pasta, complemented by a decent wine list. Sit outside with a view of the beach or in the small, classy interior.
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Peperoncino
45 Eleftheríou Venizélou
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Come here for pizzas piled with fresh ingredients and baked in a stone oven even the Italians would approve of. Or fill up with fresh pasta, complemented by a decent wine list. Sit outside with a view of the beach or in the small, classy interior.
On the beachfront west of the fortress, this stylish contender does top-notch seafood and grilled meats in a nicely subdued nautical setting near an old Venetian water pump.
325 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Prima Plora Οrganic Restaurant & Wine Bar
8 Akrotiriou
325 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
On the beachfront west of the fortress, this stylish contender does top-notch seafood and grilled meats in a nicely subdued nautical setting near an old Venetian water pump.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Meli Melo
38 Kon/nou Paleologou
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
One of the best tavernas around here, the ‘Garden of Arkoudenas’ turns superb organic produce into gorgeous dishes, many of them prepared in the wood oven.
49 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Garden Arkoudainas
49 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
One of the best tavernas around here, the ‘Garden of Arkoudenas’ turns superb organic produce into gorgeous dishes, many of them prepared in the wood oven.
Very nice place. No noise from the street. Cosy and traditional.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Arokaria Cafe Rethymno
7 Salaminos
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Very nice place. No noise from the street. Cosy and traditional.
24/7 snack bar 100 meter from The Downtown Pent! Great quality and taste! Cheap prices. It's a must in the old city of Rethymno! This sandwich place does an excellent job. You have a lot of ingrediences to chose from. Go for roasted pork and blue cheese!
Tyraki
5 Emmanoil Vernardoy
24/7 snack bar 100 meter from The Downtown Pent! Great quality and taste! Cheap prices. It's a must in the old city of Rethymno! This sandwich place does an excellent job. You have a lot of ingrediences to chose from. Go for roasted pork and blue cheese!
With a funky, graffitied interior and a size large menu, Mojo’s delivers some of the best burgers and hot dogs this side of the Atlantic. Try the Alabama Mama with crispy pork, coleslaw and pickles or the Boston dog…
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mojo Burgers
Damvergi
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
With a funky, graffitied interior and a size large menu, Mojo’s delivers some of the best burgers and hot dogs this side of the Atlantic. Try the Alabama Mama with crispy pork, coleslaw and pickles or the Boston dog…
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
ΠΑΡΑΔΟΣΙΑΚΗ ΤΑΒΕΡΝΑ ...ΓΟΥΛΕΣ...(GOULES)
Eparchiaki Odos Armenon-Mirthiou
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona

Sightseeing

The Venetian castle of Fortezza is a unique monument dominating on the hill of Palaiokastro, in the heart of the city and is regarded as a landmark of Rethymno. The construction of the castle started in 1571, when the need for protection against the pirates of the Aegean became urgent. It includes a number of well maintained buildings, a church, a hospital, shelters, as well as residencies. Fortezza hosts cultural events every summer that attract numerous locals and tourists.
541 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Castillo de Fortezza
541 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Venetian castle of Fortezza is a unique monument dominating on the hill of Palaiokastro, in the heart of the city and is regarded as a landmark of Rethymno. The construction of the castle started in 1571, when the need for protection against the pirates of the Aegean became urgent. It includes a number of well maintained buildings, a church, a hospital, shelters, as well as residencies. Fortezza hosts cultural events every summer that attract numerous locals and tourists.
Rethymno’s compact historic harbour is chock-a-block with tourist-geared fish tavernas and cafes. For a more atmospheric perspective, walk along the harbour walls, past the fishing boats to the prominent lighthouse, built in the 19th century by the Egyptians.
270 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Old venetian harbour
270 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rethymno’s compact historic harbour is chock-a-block with tourist-geared fish tavernas and cafes. For a more atmospheric perspective, walk along the harbour walls, past the fishing boats to the prominent lighthouse, built in the 19th century by the Egyptians.
On the southern edge of the old quarter, this arched stone gate is the only remnant of the Venetian city wall. It was built in the late 16th century and originally topped with the Venetian emblem – the Lion of St Mark.
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Guora Gate
Antistaseos ke Dimakopoulou
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
On the southern edge of the old quarter, this arched stone gate is the only remnant of the Venetian city wall. It was built in the late 16th century and originally topped with the Venetian emblem – the Lion of St Mark.
This building actually began life as a monastery but was turned into a mosque by the Turks who added the domes and a minaret, of which only bits remain. It is named after the Ottoman admiral instrumental in the capture of Rethymno. It is not open to the public.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Kara-Mousa-Pasha Mosque
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This building actually began life as a monastery but was turned into a mosque by the Turks who added the domes and a minaret, of which only bits remain. It is named after the Ottoman admiral instrumental in the capture of Rethymno. It is not open to the public.
Pride of place among the many vestiges of Venetian rule goes to this fountain with its spouting lion heads and Corinthian capitals, built in 1626 by city rector Alvise Rimondi. Water spouts from three lions’ heads into three basins flanked by Corinthian columns. Above the central basin you can make out the Rimondi family crest.
181 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Rimondi Fountain
181 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pride of place among the many vestiges of Venetian rule goes to this fountain with its spouting lion heads and Corinthian capitals, built in 1626 by city rector Alvise Rimondi. Water spouts from three lions’ heads into three basins flanked by Corinthian columns. Above the central basin you can make out the Rimondi family crest.
This nicely restored 16th-century landmark originally served as a meeting house for Venetian nobility to discuss politics and money, and morphed into a mosque during the Turkish era. Arcaded on three sides, it now houses a shop selling replicas of ancient statuary.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Venetian Loggia
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This nicely restored 16th-century landmark originally served as a meeting house for Venetian nobility to discuss politics and money, and morphed into a mosque during the Turkish era. Arcaded on three sides, it now houses a shop selling replicas of ancient statuary.
Punctuating the old pier in the Venetian Harbour, the 9m-high lighthouse was built in the 1830s when Egypt ruled Crete until forced by the British to give it back to the Turks in 1840.
31 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lighthouse
31 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Punctuating the old pier in the Venetian Harbour, the 9m-high lighthouse was built in the 1830s when Egypt ruled Crete until forced by the British to give it back to the Turks in 1840.

Arts & Culture

This nicely restored 16th-century landmark originally served as a meeting house for Venetian nobility to discuss politics and money, and morphed into a mosque during the Turkish era. Arcaded on three sides, it now houses a shop selling replicas of ancient statuary.
124 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ιστορικό Και Λαογραφικό Μουσείο Ρεθύμνου
124 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
This nicely restored 16th-century landmark originally served as a meeting house for Venetian nobility to discuss politics and money, and morphed into a mosque during the Turkish era. Arcaded on three sides, it now houses a shop selling replicas of ancient statuary.
83 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Neratze Mosque
2 Emmanoil Vernardoy
83 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
House of Culture
The Holy Monastery of Arkadi is one of the most important and historic monasteries of Greece’s largest island, Crete. It is located 23 km away from the city of Rethymno, on a strategic point northwest of the mount Idi. It was established during the 5th century and became world widely known due to its participation in the struggle against the Turkish occupation, with the sacrifice of its defendants on the 8th of November 1866 considered a highlight of the war. UNESCO has recognized the monastery as a European Monument of Freedom because of this event.
178 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Monasterio de Arkadi
178 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Holy Monastery of Arkadi is one of the most important and historic monasteries of Greece’s largest island, Crete. It is located 23 km away from the city of Rethymno, on a strategic point northwest of the mount Idi. It was established during the 5th century and became world widely known due to its participation in the struggle against the Turkish occupation, with the sacrifice of its defendants on the 8th of November 1866 considered a highlight of the war. UNESCO has recognized the monastery as a European Monument of Freedom because of this event.
Located in front of Fortezza’s central gate, the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno was established in 1887. It hosts a rich collection of findings, from vessels, tools, weapons and ceramics to idols, coins, sculptures and jewelry, which date back to the Minoan, the Classical, the Hellenistic and the Roman period. The museum is open from 8.30 am until 3 pm, every day except for Mondays. Archaeological Museum of Rethymno, Chimarras, Rethymno, Greece, +30 2831 029975
78 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Archeological Museum
Αγ. Φραγκίσκου
78 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Located in front of Fortezza’s central gate, the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno was established in 1887. It hosts a rich collection of findings, from vessels, tools, weapons and ceramics to idols, coins, sculptures and jewelry, which date back to the Minoan, the Classical, the Hellenistic and the Roman period. The museum is open from 8.30 am until 3 pm, every day except for Mondays. Archaeological Museum of Rethymno, Chimarras, Rethymno, Greece, +30 2831 029975
The historic Moni Preveli cuts an imposing silhouette high above the Libyan sea. Like most Cretan monasteries, it was a centre of resistance during the Turkish occupation and also played a key role in WWII when hiding trapped Allied soldiers from the Nazis until they could escape to Egypt by submarine. A small museum features exquisite icons, richly embroidered vestments and two silver candelabra presented by grateful soldiers after the war. On the road to the monastery, a memorial showing a gun-toting abbot and an Allied British soldier also commemorates the site's wartime role as does a fountain on the right as you enter the monastery complex.
47 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Moni Piso Preveli
Επαρχία Αγίου Βασιλείου
47 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The historic Moni Preveli cuts an imposing silhouette high above the Libyan sea. Like most Cretan monasteries, it was a centre of resistance during the Turkish occupation and also played a key role in WWII when hiding trapped Allied soldiers from the Nazis until they could escape to Egypt by submarine. A small museum features exquisite icons, richly embroidered vestments and two silver candelabra presented by grateful soldiers after the war. On the road to the monastery, a memorial showing a gun-toting abbot and an Allied British soldier also commemorates the site's wartime role as does a fountain on the right as you enter the monastery complex.
The cornerstone of the permanent collection of this art museum, founded in 1992, is the oils, drawings and watercolours of local lad Lefteris Kanakakis, but over time it has amassed enough works to present the arc of creative endeavour in Greece since the 1950s. Temporary exhibits further keep things dynamic. Entrance is off Mesologhiou.
224 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Contemporary Art Museum of Crete
32 Μεσολογγίου
224 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The cornerstone of the permanent collection of this art museum, founded in 1992, is the oils, drawings and watercolours of local lad Lefteris Kanakakis, but over time it has amassed enough works to present the arc of creative endeavour in Greece since the 1950s. Temporary exhibits further keep things dynamic. Entrance is off Mesologhiou.
In the Fortezza, this modern amphitheatre surrounded by pine trees kicks into action every summer during Rethymno's Renaissance Festival. The name Erofili, by the way, references a famous tragedy written in Rethymno around 1600 by Georgios Chortatzis.
67 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Erofili Theatre
15 Χαιρώνειας
67 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
In the Fortezza, this modern amphitheatre surrounded by pine trees kicks into action every summer during Rethymno's Renaissance Festival. The name Erofili, by the way, references a famous tragedy written in Rethymno around 1600 by Georgios Chortatzis.
Continuing 7km east from Moni Arkadiou takes you to the archaeological site of Ancient Eleftherna. This Dorian-built settlement was among the most important in the 8th and 7th centuries BC and also experienced heydays in Hellenistic and Roman times. Excavations have been ongoing since 1985 and archaeologists continue to make new finds all the time. The 2010 discovery of the gold-adorned remains of a woman in a 2700-year-old double tomb made international news. The excavation of the tomb of a high priestess and three acolytes a year earlier even prompted the Archaeological Institute of America to include Eleftherna in its Top 10 Discoveries of 2009.
100 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo de la Antigua Eleutherna
123 Epar.Od. Aggelianon-Elefthernas
100 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Continuing 7km east from Moni Arkadiou takes you to the archaeological site of Ancient Eleftherna. This Dorian-built settlement was among the most important in the 8th and 7th centuries BC and also experienced heydays in Hellenistic and Roman times. Excavations have been ongoing since 1985 and archaeologists continue to make new finds all the time. The 2010 discovery of the gold-adorned remains of a woman in a 2700-year-old double tomb made international news. The excavation of the tomb of a high priestess and three acolytes a year earlier even prompted the Archaeological Institute of America to include Eleftherna in its Top 10 Discoveries of 2009.

Parks & Nature

Πλατεία Μικρασιατών
Mikrasiaton
Although just a huge and fairly featureless hole in the ground, Ideon has sacred importance in mythology as the place where Zeus was reared by his mother Rhea to save him from the clutches of his child-devouring father Cronos. (Incidentally, the Diktaeon Cave in the Lasithi Plateau makes the same claim.) Ideon is on Mt Psiloritis about 15km from Anogia; it's a 1km uphill walk from the parking lot to the entrance. Ideon was a place of worship from the late 4th millennium BC onward and many artefacts, including gold jewellery and bronze shields, statuettes and other offerings to Zeus, have been unearthed here.
87 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ideon Andron
87 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Although just a huge and fairly featureless hole in the ground, Ideon has sacred importance in mythology as the place where Zeus was reared by his mother Rhea to save him from the clutches of his child-devouring father Cronos. (Incidentally, the Diktaeon Cave in the Lasithi Plateau makes the same claim.) Ideon is on Mt Psiloritis about 15km from Anogia; it's a 1km uphill walk from the parking lot to the entrance. Ideon was a place of worship from the late 4th millennium BC onward and many artefacts, including gold jewellery and bronze shields, statuettes and other offerings to Zeus, have been unearthed here.
Located between Iliakaki and Dimitrakaki, the trails and tree-shaded benches found here offer a respite from the heat and crowds. Old men doze and chat while children romp around the playground.
156 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Jardín Municipal
Igoumenou Gavriil
156 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Located between Iliakaki and Dimitrakaki, the trails and tree-shaded benches found here offer a respite from the heat and crowds. Old men doze and chat while children romp around the playground.
Melidoni Cave, about 2km outside the village of Melidoni, has an eerie beauty and carries heavy, historical significance. A place of worship since neolithic times, it became the site of a nasty massacre in 1824 under the Turkish occupation when 370 villagers and 30 soldiers sought refuge here from the Ottoman army. After a three-month siege, the Turks lit a fire and asphyxiated them inside, including 340 women and children. Pay your respects in the Hall of Heroes before exploring this evocative underworld of stalactites and stalagmites.
192 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Melidoni Cave
Melidoni
192 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Melidoni Cave, about 2km outside the village of Melidoni, has an eerie beauty and carries heavy, historical significance. A place of worship since neolithic times, it became the site of a nasty massacre in 1824 under the Turkish occupation when 370 villagers and 30 soldiers sought refuge here from the Ottoman army. After a three-month siege, the Turks lit a fire and asphyxiated them inside, including 340 women and children. Pay your respects in the Hall of Heroes before exploring this evocative underworld of stalactites and stalagmites.
It is certainly the most famous beach in south Crete, accepting thousands of visitors every summer. During the 60s and 70s, it was a favorite destination for the hippies. On the banks of the Grand River there is a large colony of Theophrastus palm trees, which give the region a sense of a tropical landscape. The river, forming a small lake, 500m long, before emptying into the sea, has water all year round. You can walk along the river, under the shade of palm trees, and start ascending in the beautiful canyon. You can swim in the cold ponds formed in the gorge. A big fire in 2010 burnt almost everything of this paradise, but paradoxically the palmgrove recovered most of its damage.
416 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa de Preveli
416 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
It is certainly the most famous beach in south Crete, accepting thousands of visitors every summer. During the 60s and 70s, it was a favorite destination for the hippies. On the banks of the Grand River there is a large colony of Theophrastus palm trees, which give the region a sense of a tropical landscape. The river, forming a small lake, 500m long, before emptying into the sea, has water all year round. You can walk along the river, under the shade of palm trees, and start ascending in the beautiful canyon. You can swim in the cold ponds formed in the gorge. A big fire in 2010 burnt almost everything of this paradise, but paradoxically the palmgrove recovered most of its damage.
Cradled by cliffs, Agios Pavlos is little more than a couple of small tavernas with rooms and a beach bar set around a picture-perfect crescent with dark, course sand with the distinctive silhouette of Paximadia Islands looming offshore. A steep staircase on the bay's western end leads up Cape Melissa to some intricately pleated and colourful rock formations. The bay gets busy in summer when excursion boats arrive from Agia Galini, but it's possible to escape the crowds by heading to the beaches behind the headland to the west. Beware that getting there involves a scramble down (and up) a steep sand dune. Bring water and snacks.
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Agios Pavlos Beach
24 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cradled by cliffs, Agios Pavlos is little more than a couple of small tavernas with rooms and a beach bar set around a picture-perfect crescent with dark, course sand with the distinctive silhouette of Paximadia Islands looming offshore. A steep staircase on the bay's western end leads up Cape Melissa to some intricately pleated and colourful rock formations. The bay gets busy in summer when excursion boats arrive from Agia Galini, but it's possible to escape the crowds by heading to the beaches behind the headland to the west. Beware that getting there involves a scramble down (and up) a steep sand dune. Bring water and snacks.
Triopetra is a big beach named after three giant rocks jutting out of the sea. A headland divides the sandy strip into ‘Little Triopetra’ and ‘Big Triopetra’. The former is home to Pension & Taverna Pavlos, which has fabulously fresh fish caught by the owner himself as well as inspired salads and vegetable sides prepared with home-grown organic produce. There are also a few simple but comfortable rooms that are often booked up by yoga workshop participants. Because of submerged sand shelves, Little Triopetra is not ideal for swimming, so head to the ‘big’ beach for that. There are two more tavernas with rooms along here.
107 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Triopetra
107 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Triopetra is a big beach named after three giant rocks jutting out of the sea. A headland divides the sandy strip into ‘Little Triopetra’ and ‘Big Triopetra’. The former is home to Pension & Taverna Pavlos, which has fabulously fresh fish caught by the owner himself as well as inspired salads and vegetable sides prepared with home-grown organic produce. There are also a few simple but comfortable rooms that are often booked up by yoga workshop participants. Because of submerged sand shelves, Little Triopetra is not ideal for swimming, so head to the ‘big’ beach for that. There are two more tavernas with rooms along here.
Plakias is a popular tourist resort, located 36km south of Rethymno city, at the exit of a fertile valley south of the range Kouroupa. Next to it empties the river Kotsifos. One of the major growth drivers of the region is the long beachfront, known as Gialia. The main beach starts near the town and extends to the east for 1.3km, up to Cape Mouri. It is a well organized beach, with cool green waters. Along the beach there is a road, ideal for walking or cycling. Along this road there are several restaurants and hotels, while on the beach there are tamarisk trees, umbrellas, water sports, beach volley courts, snack bars, changing rooms, showers, etc.
108 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Plakias
108 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Plakias is a popular tourist resort, located 36km south of Rethymno city, at the exit of a fertile valley south of the range Kouroupa. Next to it empties the river Kotsifos. One of the major growth drivers of the region is the long beachfront, known as Gialia. The main beach starts near the town and extends to the east for 1.3km, up to Cape Mouri. It is a well organized beach, with cool green waters. Along the beach there is a road, ideal for walking or cycling. Along this road there are several restaurants and hotels, while on the beach there are tamarisk trees, umbrellas, water sports, beach volley courts, snack bars, changing rooms, showers, etc.

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