It is the third largest city on the beautiful island of Crete, a happy union between history, luxury, tourism and modernity, elegant, lively and colorful: here it is Rethymno, halfway between Heraklion and Chania, on the northern coast, a gem waiting to be discovered and experienced shaped by the ancient city of Venetian times, a symbolic fortress and tropical beaches.
This is where the dream of a beach vacation in a beauty paradise and poetry becomes reality.
Rethymno, an impressive dive into the past
The best way to get to know the authentic soul of Rethymno is a walk through its heart. Old City where you can discover, corner after corner, all its treasures, wrapped in an atmosphere that is sometimes Venetian or Ottoman but, ultimately, truly Cretan.
The strait and suggestive alleys scented by jasmine, they contain characteristic buildings, typical markets, cafes, taverns in which to taste the delicious Cretan cuisine to the sound of traditional music, as well as mosques, doors decorated with Venetian shields and old buildings with wooden facades.
Among the points of certain interest, for example, the Rimondi Font with the three lion heads, built by the Venetians in 1626 where an ancient Roman fountain once stood, the venetian lodge, meeting place of the Venetian nobility and officials, whose walls, added in 1625, present magnificent arches, the Iglesia de Agio Frangiskos (Basilica of San Francisco) which today houses the Archaeological Museum, the Neratzes Mosque (or Gazi Hussein) from the majestic minaret, the ancient Venetian church of Saint Mary converted in the 17th century by the Ottomans with the addition of three domes, today the seat of the municipal Odeon, and the Museum of History and Folklore, a Venetian residence dating back to the 17th century and housing an important collection of popular art and local crafts.
But the surprises, obviously, do not end there.
What happens with the venetian port, flagship not only of the old town but of Rethymno as a whole? It is the perfect destination to enjoy fresh fish dishes and be enchanted by the view of the famous strength from the 17th century, which still preserves within its walls some of the numerous buildings that made up the citadel and offers a view of the city and the blue that looks like a postcard.
Finally, from the Fortress, the tour ends with a pleasant walk through the pulmón de Eleftheriou Venizelou, in the shade of palm trees and with a bike path that leads to the modern tourist port: a table with sea views is the best option for an aperitif or a delicious dinner, perhaps right at sunset for an even more attractive experience . Additionally, the nightlife here is lively and offers many entertainment opportunities.
The charm of the beaches, among the most beautiful in Greece
The undisputed charm of Crete's beaches is known internationally and the prefecture of Rethymno is no exception: in fact, it has some of the most beautiful beaches of Greece among which it is worth mentioning Playa Translated, a fabulous lagoon adorned with oleanders and palm trees and a beach where the Kourtaliotis River flows.
The north coast is immense beaches, very popular and equipped, while the southern coast, overlooking the Libyan Sea, is designed by a the landscape remains intact and "wild", dotted with sheltered bays, secluded coves and characteristic villages.
For a seaside holiday, Rethymno has its own city beach, 10 kilometers long and equipped with all services: it starts from the center and extends through the area of large hotels, to the town of Scaletta.
To the west, however, is the beach of the bishops, extensive, sandy and, like all the other beaches in this corner of earthly paradise, caressed by crystal clear waters.
