DK Travel : Crete

Although it could not be more Greek, Crete is really a country within a country, with its own history, folklore and traditions. It was the birthplace of Europe’s oldest civilization, the enigmatic Minoan culture which flourished over 4,000 years ago. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, Venetians and Turks also left their mark. This rich human heritage is set against the backdrop of magnificent mountain scenery and beaches lapped by a deep blue sea.

Rethymniotiko Spiti, Rethymno

Five-centuries-old Venetian town house, which became a hotel in the mid-1980s. It has 12 twin and double rooms (all with en suite shower and WC).
Rethymno

Most of the liveliest music-bars are in the streets inland from the harbour. Later on, the nightlife scene shifts to the openair discos and clubs in the resort area, along the seafront east of the centre (see Rethymno).
Rethymno

Rethymno is Crete’s third largest town (after Irakleio and Chania) and its most attractive, with an inner harbour overlooked by a huge, brooding Venetian fortress (the Fortetsa), streets of old-fashioned Venetian mansions, and a palm-fringed esplanade along a sandy beach. Thanks to its nearby beaches, Rethymno has become a fully fledged resort town, with holiday hotels east of the city centre, lots of shops, and plenty of good restaurants, lively bars and cafés. It also has a colourful early morning street market (see Rethymno & A Morning in Rethymno).

Market stall, Rethymno

Nerandzes Mosque, Rethymno
Rethymno

The massive fortress that dominates Rethymno’s harbour was built by the Venetians with sloping walls to better deflect the Ottoman Empire’s gigantic cannon. But it proved no match for the military ingenuity of the Turks, and fell after a short siege. Ironically, it became a far more successful stronghold for the Turkish Ottomans (see Rethymno).
Rethymno

Crete’s third largest city is packed with reminders of a multi-layered history. A huge castle, Turkish mosques, Venetian town-houses and bustling markets are part of the charm, along with a beach esplanade (see Rethymno).
Rethymno Archaeological Museum

From the square, bear left past the fountain, along Mesolongiou and Himaras, to the Rethymno Archaeological Museum, which displays Minoan coffins and burial goods, as well as Neolithic and Roman finds (see Rethymno Archaeological Museum).
Rethymno Archaeological Museum

In a converted bastion built by the Turks, the collection extends from the Stone Age to the Minoan and Hellenistic eras, with finds from archaeological sites, caves and cemeteries in the Rethymno region. Among the highlights are late Minoan burial caskets, or larnakes , and burial goods found in Minoan cemetery sites.
Rethymno Mare Royal

Opened in 2001 at Scaleta, 11 km (7 miles) east of Rethymno, the Rethymno Mare Royal has landscaped gardens and a pool, a restaurant, three bars and its own nightclub. It also offers a wide range of water sports, including a diving school.
Retsina

Retsina is a white wine flavoured with pine resin. The flavour was originally imparted by the pine storage barrels, but today the resin is added before bottling. It is often served chilled, though locally made retsina may be available from the barrel (apo to bareli ), traditionally being served in copper jugs.
Rimondi Fountain

Turn right again on Arabatzoglou, which leads down to Petihaki, a small square crammed with cafés. Stop for a drink and snack at Zanafoti, an old-fashioned café close to the 17th-century Rimondi Fountain, built in 1627 to supply part of the old town with fresh drinking water.

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under €30
- €30–€40
- €40–€80
- €80–€120
- over €120