Rethymno is a town located on the island of Crete in Greece. It is the capital of the Rethymno regional unit and is located on the north coast of the island, about halfway between the cities of Chania and Heraklion. The town has a rich history, with roots dating back to ancient Greece and the Minoan civilization. It was an important port and trade center during the Venetian period, and its old town still retains much of its Venetian architecture. Today, Rethymno is a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful beaches, charming old town, and cultural attractions such as the Fortezza castle and the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno. The town is also home to a number of festivals and events, including the Rethymno Carnival and the Rethymno Beach Marathon.
Rethymno is a charming town with a vibrant cafe and shopping scene. The old town, in particular, is home to a number of charming cafes and small shops, many of which are housed in historic buildings and have a traditional Cretan feel. Some popular cafes and coffee shops in Rethymno include:
Kafe Avli: Located in the heart of the old town, this popular cafe is known for its cozy atmosphere and delicious pastries.
To Steki tou Stavrou: Located in the old town, this cafe is popular for its traditional Cretan food and drink.
To Steki tou Ilia: Located in the old town, this cozy cafe is known for its delicious coffee and pastries.
To Koutouki tou Kosti: Located in the old town, this traditional Cretan taverna is popular for its delicious food and drink.
In addition to cafes, Rethymno has a number of small shops selling souvenirs, handmade crafts, and other items. Some popular shopping areas in Rethymno include the old town and the pedestrianized street of Agiou Markou.
There are many tourist attractions and places to visit in Rethymno, including:
Fortezza Castle: This castle, which dates back to the 16th century, is a must-see for history buffs. It offers panoramic views of the town and the surrounding area.
Archaeological Museum of Rethymno: This museum is home to a collection of artifacts from ancient Crete, including ceramics, sculptures, and coins.
Rethymno Old Town: The old town is a charming area with narrow streets, historic buildings, and a number of cafes and small shops. It is a great place to wander and explore.
Rethymno Beach: The town has a number of beautiful beaches, including Rethymno Beach, which is popular for swimming and sunbathing.
Venetian Port: This historic port, which dates back to the Venetian period, is a popular place to take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the views.
Rimondi Fountain: This beautiful fountain, located in the old town, is a popular photo spot.
Ideon Cave: This cave, located in the Lassithi Mountains, is believed to be the birthplace of Zeus in Greek mythology. It is a popular day trip from Rethymno.
Preveli Beach: This beach, located south of Rethymno, is known for its crystal clear waters and palm trees. It is a popular destination for swimming and sunbathing.
About Rethymnon
Rethymnon is situated on the North Coast of Crete, approximately halfway between the modern day capital of the island, Heraklion, and the ancient capital of Chania. Rethymnon is the third largest city of the island and is a fascinating combination of old and new: In the old quarter, evidence of Rethymnon's Venetian and Ottoman past is all around one. The visitor may spend many happy hours meandering through the narrow maze of streets that seem a world apart from the hustle and bustle of modern-day life. On the other hand, the new town provides resident and visitor alike with all the amenities and facilities one could wish for in the 21st century. Rethymnon is claimed by many to be the artistic and intellectual capital of Crete and is rich in culture and history. The people of Rethymnon take great pride in all aspects of their heritage. The municipal archaeological department plays an extremely important role in helping to maintain Rethymnon's archaeological legacy. Local arts and crafts are vigorously promoted throughout the region; folk music and dance are actively encouraged amongst the young - helping to ensure that traditional customs are passed down to future generations. Rethymnon is also the seat of the University of Crete. Due in part to the thriving student population, the town has a diverse year-round programme of live entertainment and cultural activities. Rethymnon is graced by a long sandy beach that stretches for miles towards the east.
Rethymnon History
Rethymnon has a rich and varied history that spans thousands of years. Findings from caves in the region provide evidence of human habitation that dates back to Neolithic times. Findings from within the town indicate that Rethymnon itself has been inhabited since the late Minoan Era. During the 3rd and 4th Centuries BC the autonomous state of Rithymna was of sufficient importance to issue its own coinage. The Venetian rule saw Rethymnon flourishing as a commercial, artistic and administrative centre. The Venetians created a harbour, built extensive fortifications - including the impressive Fortezza which still dominates the town today - and constructed distinctive monuments such as the Rimondi Fountain and the Loggia. During the Turkish occupation Rethymnon fell somewhat into decline. However the town did become an important centre for local resistance in Crete's battle for independence. The Turks also left their mark architecturally, most notably in the modifications they made to Venetian buildings and in the construction of minarets and mosques. In 1913, Rethymnon, along with the rest of Crete became unified with Greece. During the Second World War local inhabitants played an extremely active role in resisting the Nazi occupation; townspeople and villagers frequently risking their own lives in the process.
Rethymnon
The diverse range of Bars and Cafes in Rethymnon caters for all tastes and for all ages. One can find relaxing traditional bars, stylish night-clubs, old-styled kafenions and luxurious contemporary cafes.
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Rethymnon Eating Out
The main areas to look for bars and cafes are in the old town, the sea front by the beach and stretching along the seafront from the Venetian harbour to the Fortezza. Choose from fantastic range sea food from local restaurants.
Show MoreRethmnon Culture
As befits the cultural capital of Crete, Rethymnon and its surrounding region offers a wide range of opportunities for those wishing to engage in cultural pursuits. There are many notable archaeological sites in the prefecture, along with monasteries of international renown. In Rethymnon itself there are several distinctive monuments - some dating back to the Venetian Period - that have been painstakingly restored. Archaeology, art and traditional folklore are all represented in Rethymnon's various museums. The displays in the museums have been thoughtfully arranged and are well curated. Rethymnon also plays host to several festivals throughout the year - some of which are rooted in ancient tradition.
About Rethymnon
During WWII Rethymnon was one of the major theatres of war in the Battle of Crete (1941). After 10 days of intense fighting the German troops managed to capture the airfield of Maleme (16 km West of Chania), effectively ending the battle. Despite fierce resistance the German occupying forces managed to settle in Rethymnon, taking control of all aspects of daily life. During the German occupation Rethymnon became a centre for local partisan activity. Many townspeople and villagers risked their lives by hiding and helping allied soldiers who had been stranded on the island after the Battle of Crete. The local monasteries also played an important role in the resistance, in particular Preveli Monastery on the South coast. Resistance activities resulted in savage reprisals by the occupying forces; in a number of villages the entire male population was massacred by the Germans and buildings were razed to the ground. After WWII it took some time for Rethymnon to recover its former prosperity. The first tourists started to arrive in the late '50s and early '60s; this industry has continued to grow year on year. Over recent decades Rethymnon's importance as a commercial and agricultural centre has also increased: agricultural products providing valuable revenue for the region include olives, wine, oranges and avocados. Intellectual activity in Rethymnon has continued to develop: in 1973 the University of Crete was established with a campus in Rethymnon; other campuses were built in Heraklion and Chania. In 1998 a completely new campus was built in the village of Gallou, 3 km South-West of Rethymnon. This campus brought together the schools of Philosophy, Education and Social Sciences. The Rethymnon campus is now the main seat of the University of Crete. Modern-day Rethymnon is a fascinating mix of old and new. It is a thriving intellectual and commercial centre, inhabitants being extremely receptive to all the latest technological advances. Nevertheless, local people retain a deep sense of pride in their history, thus ensuring that Rethymnon's unique heritage is preserved for generations to come.
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Rethymnon Museums
The Centre for Cretan Popular Art is a 'living' museum. When visiting the Centre, you can watch craftsmen busy at work and talk to them about their art. At the moment there are areas for weaving/embroidery, ceramics, bookbinding, wood turning and sculptures. Classes can be arranged for all the crafts in the Centre. In the permanent exhibition area on the first floor, the visitor sees the result of their labour. In principle all the exhibits are for sale. The Centre for Cretan Popular Art was established in Rethymnon in June 2000 with the ambition to support by any means (i.e. by creation of laboratories, training and further education of craftsmen and tradesmen, promotion through internet, permanent showroom, sales shop etc.) our local folklore art. The diversity of forms and great variety of handicrafts of this tradition give evidence of a high aesthetics value and special beauty which has survived throughout time. The achievement of this ambition will be sustained with the cooperation of various state and private organisations which have common fields of occupation with the Centre concerning mainly joint action and activation of producers of Folk Art works for the benefit of whom the Centre was created.
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Rethymnon Town Bars & Pubs
Rethymno is a lively town with a number of pubs and bars to choose from. Some popular options no matter what your preferences are, you are sure to find a pub or bar in Rethymno that suits your tastes.
Rethymnon Restaurants
Rethymnon has a huge range of restaurants and tavernas, offering dishes from both local and international cuisine. During the winter months, many restaurants and tavernas have live music at weekends.
Rethymno is a lively town with a number of pubs and bars to choose from. Some popular options include:
The London Bar: This popular bar, located in the old town, is known for its extensive selection of beers and cocktails.
The Irish Pub: Located in the old town, this pub is popular for its friendly atmosphere and live music.
The Corner Bar: Located in the old town, this bar is known for its cozy atmosphere and selection of drinks.
The Brewery: Located in the old town, this bar is known for its craft beers and live music.
The Velvet Bar: Located in the old town, this bar is known for its cozy atmosphere and selection of cocktails.
The Gin Bar: Located in the old town, this bar is known for its selection of gin and tonics.
The Red Lion Pub: Located in the old town, this pub is popular for its friendly atmosphere and live music.
The Cocktail Bar: Located in the old town, this bar is known for its creative cocktails and cozy atmosphere.
Renaissance Festival
In 2008 the Renaissance Festival Rethymnon is at its 22nd edition. From this year however, the festival will be presented in a new format. For some time, certain people where questioning the 'Renaissance' aspect of the summer festival. The local council has reviewed the situation and for the year 2008 has come up with a new identity for the Renaissance Festival. It is generally accepted that Rethymnon had a unique position during the Renaissance period; hence a 'rebirth' of the Renaissance Festival, one could say. Everybody is invited to participate in a cultural dialogue between the past and the present, as well as between Northern European, Balkan and Mediterranean people - with the theme of our common historical and culture, past and present. In this dialogue nobody is just a spectator - everybody is to take part and be creative.
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Carnival Festival
In the winter time Rethymnon plays host to the grandest carnival celebrations in Crete. During the three week period leading up to the start of Lent several events are organised. These include treasure hunts for children and adults and fancy dress parties hosted by the different carnival teams. The festivities culminate with a grand parade through the main streets of Rethymnon on Shrove Sunday. and the whole of Rethymnon became one giant street party.ve Monday (Clean Monday) is traditionally a day for kite-flying, and this custom is practised throughout the region, resulting in many colourful aerial displays. In addition to kite-flying, many villages organise their own unique festivities on this day. These festivities are accompanied by plenty of wine, music and dancing. Everyone, be they visitor or local is invited to participate in the celebrations.
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