Rethymno traditional town: top attractions & sights, island of Crete | exotic Greece
Welcome to the city of Rethymnon, a place blessed with beauty, embraced by breathtaking mountains and the deep blue of the Mediterranean, decorated with renaissance colors and inhabited by people known for their hospitality, honoring their ancestors and traditions.
It is a place one falls in love at first sight and visitors are able to feel the positive vibes of the city from the very first moment, making them feel at home.
Rethymno town is a rare combination of history and modern-day luxury, with its Venetian-era Fortezza and old town, tropical beaches and exquisite Cretan cuisine
The Fortezza (fortress) sits atop Rethymno’s magical old town like a crown. It’s like travelling back in time, to the period of the Venetians. You’ll climb to the fortress and hear the echoes of the sea. You’ll walk along the Venetian port with its old lighthouse and get lost in the maze of alleyways, admiring the ornate doorways and the Venetian crests that decorate them. You’ll visit the mosques and their minarets and hop between the dozens of shops, restaurants and cafes.
One of the most luxurious destinations in Greece, Rethymno will welcome you with its hospitality, high standards of service and Cretan cuisine. To the east, the longest beach in Crete (12km) awaits you. Here your dreams of a luxurious beach holiday will become a reality.
What to do in Rethymno
Landmarks from many eras
At the Neratzi Mosque (music conservatory), you’ll mark its sky-high minaret (built in 1890) as the meeting point. The New Square is ringed by grand homes, the Catholic Church of St Francis, an Ottoman mausoleum and an Ottoman school. At Platanos Square, you’ll pass bustling restaurants and cafes and arrive at the famous Rimondi Fountain, constructed in 1626. The renowned Makri Steno (long alley) that leads from the National Park to the Fortezza, with its Venetian homes and marble fountains, is one of the most beautiful streets in Rethymno.
The Venetian port and lighthouse
Along Nearchou Road you’ll get to the picturesque Venetian harbour with its restored lighthouse, which was built between 1830-40. Behind the port is the 16th-century Venetian Loggia. Rethymno will surprise you with the beauty, sights and attractions you’ll encounter along all of its streets.
Rethymno’s tropical beach
The largest beach on the island – 12km – stretches along the east side of the city, from Rethymno to Skaleta. You’ll take advantage of the water sports in the Adelianos Kampos and enjoy a quiet swim in the rocky coves of the Pegianos Kampos. All along the beach you’ll find beach bars with umbrellas and lounge chairs, shops and hotels.
A luxury stay in the Mediterranean
In Rethymno’s old town, Venetian buildings with sea views have been converted into elegant boutique hotels. Alternatively, you can opt for large and luxurious, all-inclusive resorts with pools, restaurants and bungalows in lush gardens outside the town.
Cretan cuisine: authentic flavours, accompanied by raki
In Rethymno, you’ll enjoy culinary treats inspired by Crete’s flavourful cuisine and traditions. Restaurants in Venetian buildings with beautiful gardens, rakadika where you’ll complement meze with the local schnapps-like drink raki, and quaint little tavernas. Rest assured that all Cretan dishes are prepared using fresh, local produce.
It was originally built during the Minoan civilization (ancient Rhithymna and Arsinoe) and was strong enough to mint its own coins and maintain urban growth. One of these coins is today depicted as the crest of the town: two dolphins in a circle.
The city's Venetian-era citadel, the Fortezza of Rethymno, is one of the best-preserved castles in Crete. Other monuments include the Neratze mosque (the Municipal Odeon arts centre), the Great Gate (Μεγάλη Πόρτα or Porta Guora), the Piazza Rimondi and the Loggia.
Το Ρέθυμνο είναι πρωτεύουσα του ομώνυμου νομού της Κρήτης και έδρα του μητροπολιτικού Δήμου. Εμφανίζει μεγάλη τουριστική κίνηση κατά τη διάρκεια του καλοκαιριού, ενώ οι 10.500 και πλέον ενεργοί φοιτητές καθιστούν την πόλη ιδιαίτερα ζωντανή κατά την υπόλοιπη περίοδο του χρόνου. Ο πληθυσμός του δήμου ανέρχεται σε 55.525 κατοίκους. και είναι η τρίτη μεγαλύτερη πόλη της Κρήτης.
Η οικονομία της στηρίζεται στον τουρισμό, καθόσον υπάρχουν πολλά αξιοθέατα, μεγάλη αμμώδης παραλία και ισχυρή ξενοδοχειακή υποδομή.
Η Φορτέτζα είναι το ενετικό οχυρό της πόλης, έργο του 16ου αιώνα, το οποίο στη συνέχεια χρησιμοποιήθηκε από τους Οθωμανούς. Το Οχυρό της Πύλης Φορτέτζας, γνωστό ως Ριβελίνο, είναι πενταγωνικό οχύρωμα στην ανατολική πύλη και χτίστηκε από τους Οθωμανούς μετά την κατάληψη της πόλης.
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Baja Beach Club Rethymno Crete
Baja is the Beach Club you should definitely visit.
It is comprised of a large seafront complex, featuring an outdoor beach club, restaurant, water slides and good vibes.
Find out more at
Baja Beach Club ©2016 - All rights reserved
Concept & production by QUALIS Digital Marketing Agency
Cinematography and editing by WideLens Productions
Aerial video by RethymnoAir
2 Grecotel Beach Resort - Club Marine Palace | Crete, Greece | Food options | Review Part 2
▶My Review of Grecotel Marine Palace, Crete Greece.
It is a good beach resort in Crete for family holidays.
We stayed here during our holiday and I must say it was quite a relaxing time. The resort had all inclusive on offer along with several pools and bars. The beach was clean with all the amenities and my son ( 2.5yrs) really loved it.
This is Second of 2 part series and the views are completely personal based only on our experience.
Please leave comments if you have any questions or thinking of going to Crete, I would be more than happy to help.
▶My Rating of Grecotel Marine Palace : 3.7
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????Food Options : 3/5
????Food Quality : 4/5
????Kids Entertainment : 3/5 ( 4/5 for over 4's)
????Room Size : 4/5
????Staff : 5/5 ( They spoke multiple languages)
????Beach & Pool : 5/5
????Bars & Drinks : 3/5
▶ Dadunikos Deda:
????Mom to a cheeky lil boy????♂️
????Early years educator
????Healthy lifestyle enthusiast
????Georgian with Ukrainian roots based in London
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This video is not intended as an endorsement of the product shown. I was not paid to show this product. Our stay at the Grecotel Marine Palace Resort was NOT Complimentary.
Grecotel presents Caramel Boutique
Dit splinternieuwe (2014) en luxueuze boetiekhotel vormt een heerlijk paradijs direct aan het lange strand van Rethymnon. Ideaal om tot rust te komen met z'n tweetjes of met het gezin.
Au bord de la large plage de Rethymnon, cet hôtel luxueux et flambant neuf (2014) est un havre de paix paradisiaque, idéal pour les couples et les familles désireux de se rassénérer.
Hotel Cretan Renaissance review. Greece.
My honest review: Hotel Cretan Renaissance, Akti Kountourioti 56, Chania Town, 73100, Greece. Stay in the heart of Chania Town–Excellent location - show mapOne of our top picks in Chania Town. This property is 12 minutes walk from the beach. Cretan Renaissance is hosted in a Venetian manor house, characterized by the Ephorate of Byzantium Antiquities and UNESCO as a historical monument to be preserved.The unique placement of Cretan Renaissance offers to visitors a panoramic view of the old port, of the breakwater and Lighthouse of Chania. It boasts uniquely decorated rooms and suites with free WiFi. Traditional Cretan breakfast is served.Fitted with well-chosen furnishings and Cocomat mattresses and pillows, all air-conditioned units include a flat-screen TV with cable channels. All units include a seating area where you can relax. Enjoy a cup of coffee or t