Rethymno is the third largest city in Crete and, without the merest doubt, it constitutes a holiday heaven of the Mediterranean basin boasting a varied tourist infrastructure, numerous attractions, plentiful sandy beaches. It is right here that you will experience the long Greek summer, counting the most days of sunshine in comparison to other parts of Greece.

A blessed place of our world, embraced by the endless blue of the Mediterranean Sea and the imposing slopes of the mountains Psiloritis and Lefka Ori (White Mountains) which generously provide a variety of routes across the county. Visit as many locations within the county as you can. Come into contact with the locals. Feel their cordial hospitality. Within Rethymno Town, you will come to meet one of the best preserved Renaissance cities of the Mediterranean basin. The plethora of cultures that have been coexisting here for centuries, endow it with unique elements of the Renaissance, the Venetian era and the Ottoman rule which altogether render it with colors and scents bound to enchant you and make you fall in love with it at first sight.  

 photograph: flickr_art dara  

A walk in the Old quarter of Rethymno

The city has justifiably earned the title "City of Arts and Letters" and displays cultural traces of at least 4.500 years. Apparently, its multiple conquerors over the centuries had consecutively fallen in love with its ambience and this is why they all dedicated to it elaborate monuments, buildings, temples and other admirable specimens of unique beauty that will convey you to a past epoch. Visit the Fortezza Fortress bearing unique Venetian architecture, the Loggia, the Church of St. Francesco and the numerous mosques (Neratze, Kara Musa Pasha), as well as, a set of important museums exhibiting remarkable findings from a range of cultures and civilisations.

photograph: Upphotos.net  

Make a wish at each and every of the countless fountains, meander nostalgically within the dense network of narrow streets and alleys, adore the basil and geranium pots beautifying front yards. Nothing compares to the images you are going to acquire here…Capture with your cameras the children as they play 'hide and seek' with history, smell the delicacies of the famous Cretan cuisine as they come out of the oven and accept a shot -or two- of “raki” before you reach the Venetian port where the lighthouse - the Rethymno trademark -.awaits your admiration. 

photograph: Venetian port_Flickr_hapulcu

The town of Rethymno presents its visitors with an organized, sandy beach stretching across 18 km and boasting inviting crystal-clear waters. Head northeast of Rethymno Town and spend your day swimming and sunbathing with views to the stunning Cretan Sea. There you will also find ample places to eat and have a cooling drink. 

photograph: Sunset by vortex mind

As you are driving further away from Rethymno Town you will get across the interior of the county and reach the very different south coast. On your way to the other side of the county, lush vegetation and unique species of fauna will attract your attention. Gorges (Kourtaliotiko, Kotsifos, Patsou, Arkadiotiko, Prassano), caves, countless monasteries and picturesque villages will cause you to make multiple stops in order to admire the nature, to taste the Cretan cuisine, to enjoy the sounds of the Cretan lyre and to experience the wonderful cultural heritage through customs and festivals the locals share freely with visitors. Arkadi, Panormos, Agia Galini, Margarites, Anoyia, Episkopi, Plakias, Spili, Agios Pavlos…Plan your tours and discover those picturesque villages.

Enrich your holiday in Rethymno and acquire even more heavenly images by visiting the south coast of the county. The beaches of Rodakino, Korakas, Preveli, Agios Georgios and Agia Galini are only a few of the ones you will be thankful you approached...  

Crete absolutely worships Mount Psiloritis...The sacred mountain forms a natural border between the sky and the earth and readily charms visitors with its magic. Mount Psiloritis has an altitude of 2.456 meters and boasts five peaks above 2.000 meters each. The E4 path will lead you to one of the peaks. Simply follow the trails of the northern branch of the path if you wish to pass though Venetian settlements or the alternative south branch if you prefer to focus on the Byzantine period. Either way, you will come across numerous sub-branches which are well signed but with dirt road, therefore, a pair of sneakers will be indispensable. The Alpine Club of Rethymnon has a wide range of routes to suggest at all seasons. For further information call 0030 28310 57766 or pay them a visit at 12, Dimokratias street, Rethymnon.

photograph: NAP photograghy