Our Experience- Staying in Rethymnon

We stayed in Rethymnon for 4 nights ourselves. Check out our itinerary (Crete itinerary: 12-day road trip along the highlights of Crete) to see what we did. We found it to be a lively town with plenty to do and a great base for exploring various beautiful locations in the central part of Crete, both north and south. All in all, we would definitely recommend Rethymnon.

Rethymnon or Chania?

We chose to stay in both (see Crete itinerary: 12-day road trip along the highlights of Crete). The cities are quite similar, both with a charming old town and a beach nearby. Rethymnon’s large sandy beach is within walking distance of the center, while Chania has two city beaches. From Chania, it’s easy to visit Crete’s most famous beaches, Elafonissi Beach and Balos Beach, whereas from Rethymnon, it’s more convenient to drive to Preveli Beach and Matala Beach. Both cities are great options, but if we had to choose, we’d go for Rethymnon because it is more centrally located, has a slightly cozier center, and a wide, sandy beach.

Accommodation in Rethymnon

We stayed at Ilios Beach Hotel Apartments, located by the beach and just a short distance (about 10 minutes) from the old town. The hotel had a lovely pool and private beach, which was perfect for moments when we just wanted to relax. The walk to the old town was along the promenade, which was quite enjoyable. The location was perfect, close to the center yet peaceful enough to unwind after a day full of adventures.

Parking in Rethymnon

Around Rethymnon’s old town, there are some parking spots, but finding one can be challenging, especially in the summer. Driving around the area was also quite stressful. That’s why it’s definitely recommended to choose a hotel with private parking. Luna Hotel had a few private parking spaces available.

Food & Drinks

In Rethymnon, you’ll find a wide range of restaurants and tavernas, offering everything from local Cretan dishes to international cuisine. The restaurants in the narrow streets of the old town have a lot of charm, and the Venetian harbor is a fantastic spot to enjoy dinner with a view. Our favorites were:

• Avli Rustic Fine Dining Restaurant: Located in a 16th-century Venetian mansion, Avli offers a refined culinary experience with traditional Cretan dishes and an excellent wine selection.
• Lemonokipos Restaurant: Set in a beautiful garden under lemon and pomegranate trees, this restaurant serves both traditional and modern Greek and Cretan cuisine.

Beach of Rethymnon

The beach of Rethymnon is a long, expansive sandy beach that stretches over 12 kilometers along the coast. It features fine sand and clear, shallow water, making it ideal for families and swimmers. Along the beach, you’ll find plenty of lively beach bars, tavernas, and watersports facilities. Many sections are private and belong to various hotels. For the ultimate relaxing experience with service on the beach, staying at a hotel with a private beach is a great choice!

Daytrips from Rethymnon

• Preveli Beach & Monastery
• Matala Beach
• Reptisland
• Melidoni Cave
• Palace of Knossos

Check out our Crete itinerary: 12-day road trip along the highlights of Crete to learn more about the different trips we took from Rethymnon and what we thought of them!

Don’t have a rental car? Or do you prefer exploring with a guide? Check out these activities on GetYourGuide: