Best Things to Do

Rethymnon Old Town

The old town of Rethymnon is one of the best-preserved towns of the Renaissance. Lying in the heart of modern Rethymnon, it combines the oriental features of the Turkish period with Renaissance-style Venetian architecture.

The layout of Rethymnon is directly linked to the sea, with the main Venetian street, the Ruga Maistra (today's coastal Venizelou Avenue) running parallel to the sea. The opposite is true of Heraklion and Hania, where the town is closed to the sea for reasons of defence and the main street is at right angles to the coast.

Spilies beach

Spilies or “Tou Maliou to Riaki” (i.e. Maliou stream) is located 15km east of Rethymnon city, in a quiet area, just a few kilometers east of Skaleta and west of Geropotamos. It is quite unknown to most visitors, though it is very close to the highway that connects Heraklion and Rethymno. 

It is formed in a small rocky bay with a pebbly beach and crystal clear deep waters, protected by vertical cliffs. 

The venetian fortezza

The Fortezza (in this case pronounced "Fortedza" rather than "Fortetsa") is the Venetian fortress of Rethymnon, Crete almost in the center of the old town. The castle is visible from every corner of the town and offers panoramic views of Rethymnon and the coast to the west.

The Fortezza was built according to the bastion fortification system, with bastions joined by straight sections of thick curtain wall, inclined outwards to make enemy missiles bounce off without damaging the fortress.

Baja beach club

Baja Beach Club in Rethymnon, has a 12.000m2 private organised beach with unique services, comfort and facilities and an one of a kind 1.000m2 pool as well as a kid’s pool. 

Numerous activities may take place at Baja beach, varying from beach volley and rackets, to jet ski and parasailing. Baja hosts DJs from all over the world and offers the best summer parties experience. 

Baja Beach Club is working every day 9:00-21:00 and the entrance is free.

Symbol of Rethymnon city

Rethymno was originally built during the Minoan civilization (ancient Rhithymna and Arsinoe). The city was prominent enough to mint its own coins and maintain urban growth. One of these coins is today depicted as the crest of the town: two dolphins in a circle.

The two leaping Dolphins are the logo of modern day Rethymno. It is the motif of the ancient Rithymna coinage (480-330 BC). Been to Symbol of Rethymnon City? Share your experience!