Making the most of Rethymnon
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The port sits right in the centre, with the colossal Venetian Fortress on one side and fine beaches to the left.
A printable map is available to take with you.
Rethymnon retains an aristocratic old appearance through 16th century buildings, arched doorways, stone staircases, Byzantine and Hellenic-Roman remains, a small Venetian harbour and narrow streets. (map).
As you walk the narrow streets, look up at the splendid balconies: stone examples date from the Venetian era, while wooden ones reveal Turkish influence.
Getting around
Begin at Porta Guora, the Great Gate, at the entrance to Antistaseos Street. It is the sole surviving part of Rethymnon's ancient fortified wall. Continue along Antistaseos St., also called Mikri Agora (Small Market), to find the church of Aghios.
The Little Train tour leaves the harbor every hour from 10 am, costs 7 Euro and lasts 30 minutes. It travels through the old town's narrow streets.
Nearby places
For Chania and the Samaria Gorge, hikers typically travel by coach from Chania to Omalos before walking the gorge. From Agia Roumeli, they usually leave by ferry for Hora Sfakia, then take a coach back to Chania.
Rethymnon, capital of the Prefecture of the same name, lies between two other large Cretan cities: Iraklion (80 km) to the east and Hania (60 km) to the west. It is on the north coast, with one of Crete's largest sand beaches (12 km) to the east and a rocky coastline to the west that reaches another large sand beach after 10 km.
Food and shopping
Rethymnon has bountiful shopping over kilometres of enjoyable, upscale and more touristic options, all in a neat, clean atmosphere.
Restaurants and sidewalk cafes are plentiful, generally high quality and, because competition is fierce, good value with fine service.
Money
Currency: euro.
Staying connected
The language is Greek.
For Police, call 100.
For the Fire Brigade, call 199.
Call Taxi on 24316 - 25000.
For EOT (Greek Tourism Organization), phone 29148 - 56350.
Opening Hours and
Public Services open Monday to Friday, 8.00am – 2.00pm. Retail Stores & Specialty Shops trade Monday to Friday, 9am – 1.30pm, then 5pm – 9pm; Saturday hours are 9am – 2pm. Supermarkets open Monday to Friday, 9am – 9pm, and Saturdays, 9am – 6pm. Most Tourist Shops and Convenience Stores have no official opening hours and usually open from dawn until well after midnight during the summer months.