John Simpson:
the old town was wonderful, we ate there every night. avoid the bar/restuarants around the harbour as they are a rip off and go further back into the old town.'to pigadi' and 'the garden'[if you can find it] are worth a visit, even the ubiquitous irish pub is good [ive
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Overview Anyone could be forgiven for mistaking the hugely popular
package tour holiday resort town of Rethymnon for a sort of
Cretan-inspired theme resort, but the best thing about the town is
that its picturesque historic heart is actually genuine. The old
town is just that: old, its winding alleys overhung with pretty
wooden flower-bedecked balconies flaunt historic Venetian and
Turkish architectural influences. Fortunately a recent mad spate of
tourist development has left the old town untouched, so it can now
delight the many photo-happy visitors and serve as a bustling venue
for tavernas, restaurants and souvenir shops. To the east is one of
Crete's longest sandy beaches, which has become the target of
developers and is lined with apartment blocks and hotels.
Excursions are easily made to Heraklion, Chania or the monastery of
Arkadhi.
Shopping There is an overwhelming amount of gift shops geared towards
holidaymakers offering tourist souvenirs, as well as a variety of
handicrafts such as pottery, baskets, woodcarving and woven goods.
Cretan embroidery can be found at Haroula Spridaki, while various
items carved from olive wood are at Olive Tree Wood. Palaiopoleiou
offers genuine antiques and old textiles and those interested in
modern ceramics and Greek pottery should stop at Omodamos.
Self-caterers will find numerous general stores and mini
supermarkets scattered about, and there is a daily market below the
Porta Guora, as well as a bakery just behind the Rimóndi
fountain.
- I bought tons of souvenirs from Olive Tree Wood - great little shop and perfect gifts for friends at home. : Elloise...See More Tips | Add Tip
Restaurants The inner harbour of Rethymnon sports an array of restaurants
perfect for holidaymakers and fish tavernas, many of which are
expensive for what they are; the Samaria taverna is more reasonably
priced and among the best here, while Famagusta offers a range of
food from Greek cuisine to western and Chinese. Better value can be
found in the streets around the Rimóndi fountain where there
are some old-fashioned cafes serving local fare including delicious
helpings of traditional yoghurt and honey. These include Kyria
Maria, Agrimia and Othonos, all overlooking the fountain.
- For the best Greek food in Rethymnon go to Pigadi. We had a great meal, good service, delicious food. : Colleen...See More Tips | Add Tip
Nightlife Nightlife in Rethymnon ranges from noisy pubs and bars around
the inner harbour or inside the old town, to more relaxed bars on
the beach where holidaymakers can enjoy the sounds of the sea while
sipping on the favourite drink. Fortezza Disco is the flashiest in
town, along with other dance clubs like the Metropolis, New York
Club and the Opera Club. A new younger bar scene has appeared above
the inner harbour around the Platía Plastira, with music
bars sporting outdoor terraces.
- We were there in 2009 and loved the Juke Box in Agia Galini. Cactus Beach Bar is also great. Enjoy your holiday! : Fiona and Toby...See More Tips | Add Tip
Activities Daily boat excursions are the latest activity in Rethymnon,
taking holidaymakers to the beautiful beaches at Bali or Marathi,
and include lunch at a local taverna with unlimited wine. Evening
cruises are also a popular activity, and there are opportunities
for hiking and horseback riding. Sights within the city include the
mosque of Sultan Ibrahim Han and the Venetian fortress as well as
an archeaological museum.
Negatives Rethymnon doesn't have the ruins and archaeological sites that
many Greek holidaymakers expect for such an old city.
Nearby Attractions
Monastery of Arkádhi
Situated about 14 miles (23km) south of Rethymnon, the Monastery
of Arkádhi is something of a national Cretan shrine. During
the 1866 rebellion against the Turks the monastery became a refuge
for Cretan insurgents and their families. They were surrounded by
the Turks and...
see full detailsThe Samaria Gorge
It is an arduous trip but well worth it to see one of the great
natural wonders of Europe, the Samaria Gorge in the White Mountains
in western Crete. From the top of the gorge it is a 10-mile (16km)
hike through the...
see full details