Unparalleled Location

Discover the Charm of Rethymno

Rethymno Town

Rethymno combines rarely united features: the old town's charm and history, with proximity to a long sandy beach. Explore one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Greece, and search for your fairy-tale romance in Rethymno. Venetian fortification works mingle harmoniously with orthodox and catholic churches, mosques, majestic mansions of Venetian architecture, arches, and cobbled paths which create a magical atmosphere, a reminiscence of the city's turbulent - yet glorious - past.

Fortezza Castle

The Fortezza Castle was built in 1573 on the hill of Palekastro atop ancient Rithimna, is one of the largest Venetian fortresses, featuring a 1,300m perimeter and four strategic bastions. Designed to shelter the entire population of Rethymnon, its interior houses a mix of historical structures, including the Sultan Ibrahim Mosque, water reservoirs, barracks, and the remains of the governor's house.

Today, this massive pentagonal fort serves as a cultural hub, with the former armory and the "Erofili" theater hosting exhibitions and summer festivals, blending its rich military history with the city's modern artistic life.

Arkadi Monastery

Located 23km from Rethymno, Arkadi Monastery is a world-renowned symbol of Cretan resistance and a UNESCO European Freedom Monument. Perched on a fertile plateau at an altitude of 500m, this historic fortress-monastery dates back as far as the 12th century and is famously known for its unique privilege of ringing its bells during the Ottoman era.

Beyond its architectural beauty and natural surroundings, Arkadi is most revered for the tragic battle of 1866, where the self-sacrifice of its defenders became a pivotal catalyst for Crete's eventual liberation.

Rethymnon Beach

The sandy beach of Rethymno city is located just 500m east of the city centre, next to the Venetian Port. It's a lovely beach with golden sand and crystal clear shallow water, very well organized and close to all amenities of the city. It is actually the westernmost end of the 13km long beachfront of Rethymno Bay, which stretches east all the way to Skaleta. The vast beach is always busy, but never seems too crowded. Along the beach runs the city's seafront road, Eleftheriou Venizelou Str., which is also ideal for evening walking.

It is needless to say that on the beach you will find services such as umbrellas, lifeguard, beach bars, showers, changing rooms, water sports, etc. But what you really should know is that the loggerhead sea turtle (Carretta, Carretta) lays its eggs on the beach. Thus, do not get surprised if you meet some places that have been marked with ropes, eggs have been found there and are protected by swimmers. The Rethymno Gulf is one of the three most important places for the loggerhead sea turtle in Greece with more than 400 nests every year.

Destinations

11 min walk to Koumbes Beach
13 min walk to the Old Town of Rethymno
15 min walk to Fortezza Castle
18 min walk to the Port of Rethymno