Coasts

The prefecture of Rethymno is offered primarily for summer holidays as it has numerous, very beautiful and crystal clear beaches. Excellent sandy beaches can be visited both on the north coast of the prefecture, in the Cretan Sea, and in the south, in the Libyan Sea. Indicatively, we mention some of the most characteristic:

Rethymnon beach: Organized sandy beach over 20 km long, extends from the city of Rethymno and east to the areas Perivolia, Platanes, Adelianos Kampos, Skaleta.

Episkopi beach: Long sandy beach west of the city of Rethymnon, organized in sections.

Panormo: At the beach of the seaside village of Panormo, at a distance of 20km. east of the city of Rethymnon, one can enjoy swimming on an organized beach near which there are several taverns, hotels and rooms to let.

Bali: In the bay of Bali, where the homonymous coastal settlement, at a distance of 34 km east of Rethymnon, the visitor has the opportunity to choose one of the small ports and swim enjoying the facilities of the organized beach. In the area there are many taverns, hotels and rooms for rent.

Plakias: The settlement of Plakias, 40 km south of Rethymnon, is a resort with a wonderful sandy beach and rich infrastructure in hotels rooms for rent, taverns and restaurants. On its organized beach, in addition to swimming, one can also do a variety of water sports.

Souda Plakia: Organized, sandy beach just west of Plakias village. Near the beach you can find rooms for rent and a few taverns.

Damnoni: Organized sandy beach just west of Plakias in the south of Rethymnon. It has rooms to let and a few taverns.

Sandy beach: Small sandy beach near Damnoni, unorganized and almost deserted.

Lake Preveli: At a distance of 38 km south of Rethymno, just before the historic Preveli Monastery, following a dirt road that reaches a point and then walk for about 15 minutes, you reach a magnificent sandy beach with palm trees, right at the mouth of the river Kourtalioti.

Triopetra: The beach of Triopetra, named after the three stones that characterize it, is located about 50 km south of the city of Rethymnon. You can visit it if you follow the road to Agia Galini and at the 40th km turn to the village of Akoumia and move on. It is a huge sandy beach, unorganized and almost deserted.

Saint Paul: At a distance of 58mm. south of Rethymnon is the stunning sandy beach of Agios Pavlos. To get there it is enough to follow the road to Agia Galini and at the 46th km, at the height of the village Krya Vrysi, turn right and continue to the sea. Swimming in one of the desert inns that form the rocks and dunes is a unique experience. In the homonymous village there are rooms for rent and taverns.

Saint Galini: The resort of Agia Galini is located 58 km south of Rethymnon. Apart from the plethora of tourist infrastructures, it also has wonderful, crystal clear beaches that are formed in the individual picturesque ports of the area.
Korakas: It is located south of Rethymno, just south of the village of Rodakino which is 42 km from Rethymno. Korakas beach is sandy and organized, while the area has hotels, many rooms for rent and taverns.

Activities

Mountaineering - Hiking

In Crete but also in Rethymno, apart from the sea and the infrastructure provided by the organized resorts, it is worth enjoying the beauties of the countryside and the mountain that in combination with the approach of the daily life of the people of the villages can ensure unique emotions in visitor. Enjoying the landscape with its constant alternations from rough and desert to green and tame, one can get to know the mountains and the gorges, get in touch with the inhabitants of isolated and often deserted villages, to discover the history and culture of the area through the Archaeological remains, historic monasteries, churches and settlements and feel the grandeur of Cretan nature through the aromas of herbs and wildflowers.

The European path E4 that starts from the Pyrenees, crosses Europe and Greece and runs through Crete along its entire length from Kastelli Kissamos to Zakros. The anxious visitor who is fascinated by mountaineering and hiking can follow it in the prefecture of Rethymno, gaining rich experiences and intense emotions. Some of the most typical routes are the following:

Kallikratis - Argyroupoli: The total length of the route is 16mm. and its duration is about 5 hours.

Argyroupoli - Agouseliana: This route, with a total length of 23km. lasts about 8 hours and is quite passable.

Spili - Gerakari: The total length of the route that crosses Mount Kedros and therefore presents several difficulties, is 18.5 mm. and its duration is around 8 hours.

Toumpotos Prinos Shelter - Nida Plateau: The route from the shelter Toumpotos Prinos which can be reached either on foot from the village of Fourfouras (about 4 hours) or by car from the village of Kouroutes, to the plateau of Nida has a length of 14 km. and presents several difficulties due to the high altitudes.

Mountain Bike

One of the most interesting possibilities that Rethymno provides to the visitor but also to the permanent resident is that in a short period of time and traveling very short distances he can be found in the countryside and enjoy the Cretan nature. The wonderful country roads, drowned in greenery and the aromas of herbs and flowers, are not only offered, but can provide amazing experiences for the mountain bike lover. Mountain Bike can be done either in an organized way, participating in a group with planned excursions, or individually renting a bicycle and following a route that you can map on your own.

Sea sports

The location of Rethymnon between two seas, the Cretan and the Libyan has played an important role in the development of a decisive relationship of the inhabitants with the sea. Islanders in fact, at least those who live on the beaches, loved the liquid element and put it into their lives either as a profession or as a hobby. They became acquainted with the secrets of the sea that are passed down from generation to generation and managed to identify their fun and relaxation with it. So they took advantage of the sea that was offered to them so generously and developed a variety of marine activities that can be enjoyed by the visitor who is fascinated by the liquid element. In most of the organized beaches of Rethymno the visitor has the opportunity to enjoy the thrills offered by water sports such as water skiing, windsurfing, parachuting etc. Also participating in a diving center can take part in diving or even attend classes gaining the unique experience of contact with the seabed of our seas.

Sights

Archaeological Museum of Rethymno: The Archaeological Museum of Rethymno, founded in 1887 by the Rethymnon Educational Association, is now housed in the pentagonal fort right in front of the central / eastern gate of the Fortress. The building is one of the defensive works of the Turks who placed it there in order to defensively cover the main entrance of the fortress. The exhibition of the museum where the archeological findings are placed in archeological order, includes the following collections: Late Neolithic and Early Minoan finds, objects of the Middle Minoan period from the archeological sites of Monastiraki, Apodoulou and Vrysina, findings of the Late Minoan period mainly from the cemetery of Armeni but also from other areas such as Mastamba, Stavromeno, Pangalochori, Syvritos, finds of geometric - archaic times mainly from the archaeological sites of Axos and Eleftherna, objects of classical, Hellenistic and Roman eras mainly from the areas of Stavromenos and Argyroupolis, collection of coins and Axos and vessels of unknown origin from classical and Hellenistic eras, inscriptions from the area of ​​Eleftherna and a collection of sculptures from the areas of Stavromenos, Eleftherna, Argyroupolis.

Historical and Folklore Museum: The Historical and Folklore Museum of Rethymno was founded in 1973 with the aim of collecting and researching the folklore material of Rethymnon. Since 1995 it is housed in a Venetian, preserved 17th century urban house at 28-30 Bernardou Street.

Folklore History Museum - Somatas Rethymno (private collection): Exhibited: war items, folklore items, photographic material, old coins, there is a large collection of stamps, ancient relics, old agricultural tools, old household items, etc.

Archaeological sites

Eleftherna: Excavations in the area of ​​Eleftherna began 16 years ago, in 1985, when the Department of Archeology and Art History of the University of Crete decided to research and bring to light the ancient city known from literary evidence. At the Orthi Petra site, the excavation team led by the archaeologist, Professor N. Stampolidis has brought to light a necropolis of geometric and archaic times as well as Hellenistic and Roman buildings and roads built on the former.

Late Minoan Cemetery of the Armenians: At a distance of 10 km south of the city of Rethymno, next to the homonymous village and in a magnificent oak forest, the famous cemetery of the Armenians dating back to the Late Minoan period (13th / 12th century BC) has been discovered. The tombs are chambered, carved into the soft natural rock, oriented from east to west and include an elongated carved corridor that leads inside. Only one of the tombs unearthed is a vaulted tomb. It contained, in addition to pottery and weapons, beads as well as a periap with an inscription in linear A writing.

Monastiraki: In the village of Monastiraki located in the valley of Amari and at a distance of 38 km from Rethymno, a building complex has been discovered that should have been built around 2000 BC and destroyed by violent destruction, earthquake or fire around 1700 BC..

Lappa: In the current village of Argyroupoli, rescue excavations have been carried out in recent years by the Central Ephorate of Classical and Prehistoric Antiquities. Parts of ancient Lappa dating from the Geometric to Roman periods have been unearthed in scattered places..

Syvritos: In the present village of Thronos, at a distance of 33 kilometers SE of Rethymno, in the place of Kefala, the archeological research has revealed remains of the ancient city of Sivritos.

Axos: In the area of ​​today's village Axos, was located the ancient city of Oaxos, one of the most important cities of ancient Crete. The archeological dig has brought to light rich remains of the ancient city, including the Temple of Aphrodite, the Rector's Office, tombs and various architectural remains. Impressive should have been the wall of the citadel, parts of which are still visible today at the top of the hill.

Apodoulou: Near the current village of Apodoulou, which is located at a distance of 54 km from Rethymno, in the place of Tournes, the remains of an old palace center have been revealed.

Stavromeno: A very important archeological site extends in the wider area of ​​Hamalevrio - Pangalochori - Stavromenos and Sfakaki. The highest density of buildings is located on the two hills Tsikouriana and Kakavella, just south of Stavromenos. At the model information center in the Sfakaki area the visitor gets a complete picture of the excavations and findings.

Idea Andron: On the plateau of Nida, at an altitude of 1538 m. Is the "Cave of the Shepherd", the cave where according to mythology grew, or was born, the father of the gods, Zeus.

Churches

Early Christian Basilica of Panormos: In 1948, the largest early Christian church in Crete was excavated in the SW of the village of Panormo, located 30 km east of Rethymnon. It is a wooden-roofed basilica of the 5th century AD that was dedicated to Hagia Sophia.

Early Christian Basilica of Gouledians: In Onythe, in the SE of the village of Goulediana, located at a distance of 18 km from Rethymno, a three-aisled early Christian basilica with rich mosaic decoration has been unveiled. It dates back to the 6th or 7th AD. century.

Early Christian Basilica of Ancient Eleftherna: It is located in the archeological site of Ancient Eleftherna, at Katsivelos. It is a three-aisled basilica with rich mosaic decoration dating to the 6th or 7th AD. century.

Agios Ioannis in Gerakari, Amari: Outside the village of Gerakari which is 41km away. from Rethymno, is the church of Agios Ioannis the Theologian which dates back to the 13th AD. century. It is a one-room church with a tiled roof, with a later narthex after the dome. The fresco decoration of the church is extremely interesting

Agios Dimitrios in the homonymous village: In the village of Agios Dimitrios, at a distance of 10 km east of Rethymno, on the road Rethymno-Arkadi, is the cruciform, dome-inscribed church of Agios Dimitrios that dates back to the 11th AD. century.

Virgin Mary in Rustika: In the village of Rustika, which is 21 km from Rethymno, in the place of Livadi, there is a two-aisled church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the Savior Christ. The church is recorded with frescoes dating to 1381. In the bell tower there is the date 1627.

Kera Panagia in Nefs Amari: In the wider area of ​​the village of Nefs Amari, there is the three-aisled basilica of Kera Panagia which was built on the site of an older cruciform with a church dome of the 13th AD. century. The southern aisle with the impressive door and the coats of arms of the Kallergides family is obviously later and dates back to the 15th AD. ai.

Panagia in Lampini: In the village of Lampini, at a distance of 27 km on the road from Rethymno to Spili, is the cruciform, domed church of Panagia, with frescoes of the 12th and 14th AD. century. It is an episcopal church since Lampini was the seat of the famous diocese of Lampi that existed as early as 431 AD.

Bali Monastery: It is located on a hill with panoramic views, above the bay and the seaside settlement of Bali which is 37 km from Rethymnon. It is also called Atali Monastery from the Venetian name of the seaside village that had come from a change of the name of the ancient city of Astali.

Preveli Monastery: The Preveli Monastery, located at a distance of 37 km from Rethymno, includes two monasteries that are 3 km apart: the "Kato Moni" which is abandoned and the "Piso Monastiri" which operates and can be visited. According to tradition, the name of the monastery that was established after the 17th century comes either from a resident of the village of Preveliana, Heraklion, who after a murder committed in this area or should have been the name of a renovator of the Monastery.

Arsani Monastery: Arsaniou Monastery is located 12 km east of Rethymnon. It must have been founded during the years of Venetian rule by a monk Arsenios who gave his name to the monastery.

Monastery of Agia Irini: It is located near the homonymous settlement, a few kilometers south of the city of Rethymnon, on the road to Roussospiti. This is a very old monastery, which must have existed since the 14th century. Today, the monastery functions as a nucleus for the protection and preservation of the folk tradition in the field of handicrafts and especially of textiles and embroidery, since in it operates an exhibition of handicrafts produced by the nuns themselves..

Halevi Monastery: It is located near the village of Chromonastiri which is about 12 km from Rethymnon. The monastery must have existed since the 16th or 17th century. Apart from the temple, the other buildings of the monastery are ruined and of course the monastery is deserted. Since 1991 it has been attached to the Monastery of Agia Irini.

Vosakos Monastery: It is located about 50 km east of Rethymno, from the old national road Rethymno - Heraklion with a bypass north of the village Doxaro. The monastery is dedicated to the Holy Cross. In recent years the Monastery has begun to revive with the presence of monks and the serious efforts made for its restoration and restoration..

Arkadi Monastery: At the northwestern foothills of Psiloritis, at an altitude of almost 500 meters and at a distance of about 23 kilometers from the city of Rethymnon, is the Holy Monastery of Arkadi. To get there you can follow various routes, each of which is of special nature and historical interest..

Venetian monuments

The fortification of Rethymnon: When the Venetians came to Rethymno they settled in Castel Vecchio, in the first residential core of the city. Castel Vecchio occupied a very small area and was surrounded by a fortified enclosure. Later, the expansion of the settlement outside the walls of castel vecchio, imposed the construction of a new wall that would enclose a larger area..

The Fortress of Rethymnon: Two years after the destruction of 1571, on September 13, 1573, Rector Alvise Lando laid the foundations of the castle that would be built according to the plans made by Sforza Palavicini. After many modifications the works in the fortress were completed in 1590. The main buildings included inside the fortress are: the ammunition depot, where the cannons and weapons were kept, the Councilors' residence where one of the two Venetian Councilors of the city lived, the Rector's residence, a luxurious and majestic building in the central square of the fortress, where the rector resided. To the west of the central square of Fortezza, opposite the cathedral, the building complex of the Rector's residence was constructed, part of which is preserved to this day. Unfortunately, nothing survives today from this complex except for part of the prison that Barocci built east of the main residence, and the cathedral, which was located opposite the imposing complex of the rector's residence and was dedicated to St. Nicholas..

Public Buildings

The public buildings of Rethymno, as well as of the whole of Crete, which were built after the consolidation of the Venetian rule, were as a rule and to the extent that they were saved, majestic works that on the one hand ensured the good defense of the area and on the other with their splendor they exuded the air of western architecture, thus blowing the message of the undisputed power of Venice. In parallel with the fortifications, the Venetians took care to build brilliant public buildings similar to those that adorned the metropolis such as loggies, fountains, customs, ports, warehouses, etc.

The Loggia of Rethymnon: The Loggia, the place where the meetings of the nobles took place to discuss political and economic issues economically and politically. The building is maintained in very good condition.

The Rimondi fountain: the famous Rimondi fountain, located in the present square of Platanos and in the former center of the Venetian city.

Saint Francis: It was the church of a Franciscan monk monastery. In addition to the temple, two chapels are preserved just east of it.

The Neratzes Mosque: The Neratzes mosque, which is now used as a Conservatory, was in the years of Venetian rule the church of Panagia of the Augustinians. The Turks turned it into a mosque in 1657, the Gazi Hussein or Neratze mosque, and in 1890 they added a large minaret with two balconies made of the famous stones from the village of Alfa.

The fountain in Roussospiti: In the village of Roussospiti, which is 10 km from Rethymno, along with many other Venetian buildings, there is a famous fountain dating back to the 17th century. Gerola describes her as "cute" and it is not wrong to observe her carefully. It consists of a semicircular niche on either side of which pairs of colonnades develop that support the epistle. The tap has the shape of a lion's head.

Private Buildings

Apart from the public buildings that were built according to the architectural standards of Venice, a similar effort was made in the field of private buildings. Of course, the houses and mansions of the cities and the countryside of Crete, despite the efforts, never managed to become small Venetian palaces mainly for financial reasons but also because of the strong tradition of Cretan architecture..

The houses of the city of Rethymnon: The private residences of the Venetian Rethymnon, sometimes simpler and sometimes more luxurious, still adorn the alleys and streets of the old city.

The mansion at 154 Arkadiou Street: This luxurious building was built in the last years of Venetian rule. It bears an inscription written in Greek and Turkish script and the date 1844 which obviously corresponds to the date of renovation of the building. In the mansion impresses the door with the Doric type columns and the triangular gable.

Door to a house at 13 Klidi Street: Doors with a semicircular lintel are often decorated with the empty space of the side triangles, as in this case where a very interesting theme has been placed depicting naked children hunting birds. On the crown of the door with the Corinthian capitals we read the inscription: QUI SPERAT IN DEO SUBLEVABITUR (= whoever hopes in God will be relieved).

Door to a house at 48 Arkadiou Street: One of the most impressive porters of the city of Rethymno with Corinthian capitals on its pilasters and Gothic influences on its capitals. The semicircular lintel on its side triangles is decorated with cupids. Impressive is the embossed thorn in the key of the bow.

Door to a house at 30 Bernardou Street: This impressive doorway bears a Latin inscription dating to 1607 and the coat of arms of the Clodio family.

Caves

The mountains of Rethymnon are extremely rich in caves that reach 850 and depending on their use in the past or even today are of special archaeological, historical and folklore interest, without of course overlooking the special natural beauty of many of them. The most famous caves of the prefecture are Geraniou and Simonelli cave in the west of the city, Agios Antonios in Patsos Amari, Melidoni, Ideon Andron, the cave in Mougri Sison, the cave S (f) intense in Zoniana etc.

Gorges

Gorges of special beauty cross the mountains and mountain ranges of the prefecture: Kourtaliotiko which has a length of 3 km and ends at the famous Lake of Preveli, the gorge of Kotsifos which starts from the village Kannevos and ends in the village Sellia, the gorge of Pats, of Prassa that ends in Platanias on the north beach east of the city of Rethymno, Arkadiotiko, Vedero ton Mylos and others smaller.

Areas of Natural Beauty

Rethymno, an area full of contrasts where the wild mountain landscape alternates with fertile plains and the imposing rocky shores with endless sandy beaches, in each place reveals a landscape of special beauty. In addition to the gorges and caves that are presented separately, we chose some areas of special natural beauty that would be an omission for the visitor not to enjoy them..

Lake of Preveli: At the mouth of the Mega River, where the famous Kourtaliotiko gorge ends, the famous lake of Preveli or the beach of Finikas is formed. To get there it is enough to follow the road to the Monastery of Preveli and just before reaching the monastery to turn left on a dirt road, to follow it to the end and park. Then he has to walk to the sandy beach that really compensates him as it looks like a tropical landscape full of palm trees. The torrent that flows into the sea and the wild vegetation are a wonderful spectacle that everyone should enjoy.

The Nida Plateau: In the area of ​​Psiloritis, at a distance of 79 km from Rethymno is the famous plateau of Nida, where the Ideon Andron, the cave that hosted the newborn Zeus.

Argyroupoli: At a distance of 27 km from Rethymno, following the old national road Rethymno - Chania, one reaches Argyroupoli. The village is built on the site of ancient Lappa and it is worth visiting the rich springs at Agia Dynami where in the cave there is the homonymous church.