Last updated: September 2026
Rethymnon holidays combine the appeal of a historic city, one of the best beaches on the island, and a base from which the finest scenery in western Crete is within easy reach. The old town of Rethymnon — with its Venetian harbour, Ottoman minaret, and labyrinthine alleyways — is one of the most atmospheric in all of Greece, and a Rethymnon holiday gives you this extraordinary setting as the backdrop to your daily life rather than a day-trip destination. If you want a Crete holiday that delivers both beach and culture in equal measure, Rethymnon is the destination to choose.
A Rethymnon holiday attracts an unusually diverse range of travellers. The old town is a draw for culture lovers and romantics, the long sandy beach serves families and sun-seekers, the mountains south of the city appeal to walkers and hikers, and the excellent restaurant and café scene gives food lovers plenty to enjoy. Rethymnon holiday deals are well varied, from boutique old-town hotels to large beachfront resorts.
The heart of every Rethymnon holiday is the old town. This remarkably preserved Venetian and Ottoman neighbourhood covers the headland between the fortress and the sea, and its narrow winding streets, overhanging balconies, and splashing fountains feel genuinely ancient. The architecture is a layered history of the city’s past — Venetian churches converted to mosques, Ottoman minarets rising above Venetian facades, and Minoan artefacts incorporated into later walls.
The Fortezza — Rethymnon’s great Venetian fortress — dominates the headland above the old town and is the most important single site on a Rethymnon holiday. Built in the 16th century to defend the city against Ottoman attack (it ultimately failed in 1646), the fortress is remarkably well preserved and offers panoramic views across the city, the coast, and the sea. Walking the entire circuit of the walls during a Rethymnon holiday takes about an hour and reveals both the scale of the fortification and the beauty of the surrounding landscape.
The Archaeological Museum inside the fortress and the Municipal Gallery in the old town are both worth visiting on a Rethymnon holiday. The museum houses finds from across the Rethymnon region, from Minoan pottery to Byzantine icons, and the gallery presents changing exhibitions of Cretan art. Together they add context to the streets and buildings around them, deepening your Rethymnon holiday experience considerably.
The Venetian harbour is the social centrepiece of a Rethymnon holiday. The small harbour is still used by fishing boats, and the lighthouse at the harbour entrance is one of the oldest in Crete. The quayside restaurants and cafés are the most atmospheric dining spots in the city, and the evening promenade along the harbour wall is one of the defining rituals of a Rethymnon holiday in Crete.
The harbour area is at its most beautiful in the early morning, when the fishing boats are setting out and the light is soft across the water. Rethymnon holiday visitors who take time to sit with a coffee at one of the harbour cafés at 7 or 8am consistently describe it as one of their most memorable experiences in Crete — a moment of genuine connection with the working life of a Cretan fishing community.
The alleyways immediately behind the harbour are lined with excellent restaurants serving fresh fish, Cretan mezedes, and local wines. The quality here tends to be higher and the prices more reasonable than on the most prominent waterfront tables — locals know which streets to seek out during a Rethymnon holiday, and following their lead is consistently rewarding.
The beach at Rethymnon is one of the longest in Crete, extending for several kilometres east of the old town along the curved shoreline of the bay. This broad sandy beach has excellent facilities including sunbeds, beach bars, and water sports, and its proximity to the old town makes it perfectly positioned for a Rethymnon holiday that combines morning sightseeing with afternoon swimming. The sea here is calm and clear, shelving gently and making it suitable for all ages.
The section of the beach immediately east of the old town is the most accessible and most popular during a Rethymnon holiday. Further east, the beach becomes quieter and the large beachfront hotels begin. Rethymnon holiday packages at the eastern beach hotels give access to both the beach and the city by an easy 10 to 20-minute walk or local bus ride.
The water sports facilities on a Rethymnon holiday are good, with windsurfing particularly popular due to the reliable afternoon sea breeze that rolls in across the bay. Lessons are available for beginners, and the conditions in Rethymnon bay are considered some of the best for learner windsurfers on the north coast of Crete.
Rethymnon holidays give outstanding access to the most diverse range of landscapes in Crete. The south coast, just 60 kilometres over the mountains, takes around 45 minutes to reach by car and opens up a completely different world of dramatic gorges, Byzantine monasteries, and small fishing villages on the Libyan Sea. The Preveli Monastery, perched above the south coast, is one of the most beautiful and historically significant religious sites in Crete and is easily visited on a day trip from a Rethymnon holiday base.
The Arkadi Monastery, 25 kilometres east of Rethymnon, is one of the most important national monuments in Crete. In 1866, rather than surrender to Ottoman forces, the defenders and refugees sheltering here blew up the monastery’s gunpowder store.
The tragedy became a rallying call for Cretan independence and the monastery today is a place of pilgrimage and national pride. A visit to Arkadi is an essential part of any Rethymnon holiday for those interested in Cretan history.
Chania is just 60 kilometres west of Rethymnon and makes an excellent day trip from a Rethymnon holiday base. The drive along the national road takes about 45 minutes and passes through some spectacular north coastal scenery. Combining a morning in Chania’s Venetian harbour with an afternoon exploring the villages of the Apokoronas peninsula gives one of the most rewarding days possible on a Rethymnon holiday in western Crete.
Rethymnon holidays offer accommodation to suit every taste and budget. Boutique hotels in converted Venetian mansions in the old town are among the most characterful places to stay in Crete, though note that the narrow streets require carrying luggage on foot. These old town properties put you at the heart of the historic city — the ideal Rethymnon holiday experience for those who prioritise atmosphere over convenience.
The large beach hotels east of the old town are the most popular choice for family Rethymnon holidays and all-inclusive packages. These modern resort hotels have excellent pool facilities, multiple restaurants, and entertainment programmes, and the beach is on the doorstep. Regular local buses connect the beach hotels to the old town throughout the day and evening.
A Rethymnon holiday should involve as much eating as sightseeing. The restaurant scene in the old town is exceptional — diverse, well-priced, and rooted in Cretan culinary tradition. The lamb dishes, fresh-caught fish, and wild herb-flavoured cheeses from the surrounding mountains set the standard, and the local raki served at the end of a meal is among the most authentic experiences of Cretan hospitality on a Rethymnon holiday.
The covered market in the old town sells local produce including honey, olive oil, herbs, and Cretan cheeses that make excellent purchases during your Rethymnon holiday. Many visitors buy these as gifts to take home, but eating them during your stay — with fresh bread from the market bakeries — is a pleasure that needs no further elaboration. A Rethymnon holiday that includes a market morning is a richer one for it.
Rethymnon holidays require a transfer from either Chania airport (60 kilometres west, around 60 minutes) or Heraklion airport (80 kilometres east, around 75 minutes). Chania receives direct UK flights throughout the summer season and is the preferred arrival point for Rethymnon holiday packages, though both airports are served by coach transfers. The coastal road between the airports and Rethymnon passes through spectacular scenery that provides a memorable introduction to a Rethymnon holiday.
Getting around Rethymnon during your Rethymnon holiday is straightforward. The old town is pedestrianised in its core and best explored on foot.
Local buses connect the old town with the beach hotels to the east, and the main KTEL bus station runs regular services to Heraklion, Chania, and Aghios Galini on the south coast. A hire car gives access to the most rewarding Rethymnon holiday excursions — the Samaria Gorge, the Preveli Monastery, the south coast beaches, and the mountain villages of the Amari Valley.
The Fortezza of Rethymnon hosts a summer arts festival with theatrical performances, concerts, and events staged within the fortress walls during July and August. The setting is extraordinary — the stage backed by Venetian stonework, the sea visible beyond the walls, and the evening light turning everything golden.
Attending a performance during a Rethymnon holiday is one of the most atmospheric cultural experiences in Crete, and tickets should be booked in advance as the best events sell out quickly. The festival programme is published each spring and covers classical music, dance, and contemporary theatre.
The Rethymnon Wine Route connects the city with the winemaking villages of the Amari Valley and the monasteries of the interior, creating a rewarding self-drive day on a Rethymnon holiday. The valley is considered one of the most beautiful in Crete, with Byzantine chapels, carved gorges, and traditional villages preserving a way of life that the coastal resorts have largely left behind.
Several small wineries welcome visitors for tastings during a Rethymnon holiday with advance notice.
Many visitors combine a stay in Rethymnon with a trip to Stalis and Sissi, all easily reached within the island.
| Resort type | Historic city with long sandy beach |
|---|---|
| Best for | Culture lovers, couples, families, foodies |
| Nearest airport | Chania (60 min) or Heraklion (75 min) |
| Beach type | Long sandy beach, gentle shelving |
| Water sports | Good — windsurfing especially popular |
| Nightlife | Lively — bars, restaurants, live music |
| Family friendly | Excellent — beach hotels and good restaurants |
| Typical season | April to November |
Rethymnon holidays are best reached via Chania airport (60 kilometres west, 60-minute transfer) or Heraklion airport (80 kilometres east, around 75 minutes). Both airports receive direct flights from most UK airports throughout the summer season.
The transfer time can be used to enjoy the coastal scenery, which is particularly beautiful between Chania and Rethymnon. Rethymnon holiday deals are competitive across the full range of accommodation types.
The season runs from April through November, with Rethymnon remaining lively and attractive well beyond the beach season. October and November Rethymnon holidays give access to the full cultural programme of the old town, mild walking weather in the mountains, and a quieter, more local atmosphere than the summer peak. The best Rethymnon holiday prices are in May and October, with June and September offering the ideal balance of warmth and value.
Search4Sun works with leading UK tour operators to find the best value Rethymnon holidays for UK travellers. Browse departures from local airports across the UK. For peace of mind when booking, always check your holiday is ABTA protected.
For last-minute Rethymnon deals, check LastMinute.com for the latest availability and rates.
Yes — Rethymnon beach is one of the longest and best-maintained sandy beaches in Crete, extending several kilometres east of the old town. A Rethymnon holiday gives you excellent beach access combined with one of the most historically interesting cities in the Aegean.
The old town is the defining attraction of a Rethymnon holiday. The Venetian fortress, the Ottoman minaret, the harbour lighthouse, and the labyrinthine alleys combine to create one of the most atmospheric historic districts in Greece. Most Rethymnon holiday visitors wish they had scheduled more time to explore it.
Rethymnon does not have its own airport. Most Rethymnon holidays use Chania airport (60 km west) or Heraklion airport (80 km east). Transfers are straightforward from both airports, and many Rethymnon holiday packages include the coach or private transfer.
Yes — Rethymnon holidays suit families with children of all ages. The long sandy beach is excellent for young children, the old town has fascinating sights for older ones, and the variety of restaurants ensures everyone is fed. The beach hotels east of the old town are particularly well set up for family Rethymnon holidays.
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