Rethymno Tourism Information
Rethymno , Crete.

Prefecture of Rethymno

The Prefecture of Rethymno is the most mountainous region in Crete with Lefka Ori in the west and Psiloritis in the east and the city of Rethymno is the capital. There are four provinces in the Prefecture: Rethymno, Agios Vasilios, Amari and Mylopotamos. Rethymno Pr. is full of magnificent beaches, beautiful resorts and villages, archaeological sites and the historical city of Rethymno.

Rethymno is the capital of the Prefecture of Rethymno and the third largest city in Crete situated 60km east of Chania and 80km west of Heraklion. Rethymno city maintains the aristocratic appearance with the old buildings dated back the 16th century and the Venetian castle. During the Venetian occupation the Fortress Fortezza and the defending walls were built to protect the city from all invaders. The old part of the city has a combination of Venetian and Turkish architecture with narrow stoned paved streets, fountains, minarets and the beautiful port. The town offers all the tourist facilities and accommodations of all categories, many shops, bars and cafes open all day as Rethymno is a University City and the University is a very well known establishment nationally and internationally for its research activity and graduate programmes. The municipal gardens offer peacefulness and for the museum lovers the archaeological museum and the Marine museum can be found. Rethymno’s beach is a huge sandy beach of about 20 km long fully organised.
Adele is a nice sandy beach located 2km east of Rethymno and near Adele traditional village.
Stavromenos is a sandy pebble beach 10km east of Rethymno fully organised.
Scaleta situated on the north coast just 11km east of Rethymno has a long sandy beach with many hotels that provide watersports and the village has many taverns, shops and bars.
Bali beach resort is located on the north coast 30km east of Rethymno. It used to be a fishing village but today is one of the most picturesque settings in Crete situated on a small hill fully protected by the mountains. The village offers all the facilities and the beach has crystal clear waters and is organised. From Bali there are daily excursions to Rethymno by boat and excursions up to the mountains to Ideon Caves where Zeus was born.
Panormos is a traditional village on the north coast with many things to explore from the historical port to the lovely streets and the nice beaches. The Monastery of Arkadi can be visited from here.
Geropotamos is a sandy pebble beach fully organised with plenty of accommodation situated on the way between Rethymno and Heraklion.
Amari is a traditional mountainous village 40km southeast of Rethymno with stunning views of Psiloritis Mountain. Nearby there are other villages to be visited like Monastiraki where the ruins of a palace from 1700BC can be explored.
Anogia is a picturesque mountainous village on Psiloritis 50km east of Rethymno. Because of the village’s position the people kept their local customs and their dialect and are famous for their courage. The village was burned by the Turks and the Germans killed all the men and destroyed every building except the church. From Anogia many daily excursions are possible to Psiloritis and the cave where Zeus grew up.
Spili is a beautiful village of 420m altitude 26km southeast of Rethymno. During WWII the village was destroyed by Germans and the battle of Messara against the Turks took place here. The village is surrounded by vegetation and offers stunning views because of its altitude. There are sites of archaeological interest to visit around and a nice beach near the village.
Argiroupolis is one of the most beautiful villages in Crete 27km southwest of Rethymno with an altitude of 270m. The surrounding area with verdant vegetation of big trees and waterfalls is of an outstanding natural beauty.
Rodakino is a small village surrounded by lots of green with beautiful beaches 40 km from Rethymno. It was totally destroyed by the Venetians with only one resident surviving and escaping to Peloponnese and then coming back and rebuilt the village from the beginning.
Plakias used to be a small fishing village located in a beautiful bay that is becoming a tourist resort but without loosing its traditional characteristics. It is located 40 km south of Rethymno and the road is good and winding as it passes through a Gorge where the view is stunning. Everything can be found on Plakias from accommodation, restaurants, discos and a beautiful half sand half pebble beach that makes it the perfect holiday spot.
Damnioni beach is considered one of the best beaches in Crete, is situated on the south coast west of Plakias. It is a paradise for those who own a boat as the surrounding area is full of coves and bays with mirror like waters waiting to be explored.
Agia Galini is a picturesque village on the southern coast of Crete, 60km from Rethymno lying on the bay of Messara on the Libyan sea. The village has all the tourist facilities and any type of accommodation. It has a wonderful long pebble beach and a smaller nudist beach. From the port there are daily excursions to the south of Crete and to the nearby caves.