Virginia's travel guide!
Where to eat
Cretan diet is world-renowned for its quality raw-materials, combinations and balance, based on vegetables, fruit and fish, while meat is usually reserved for special occasions! Look back to the Minoan Civilization to trace its roots!
Taverna Zisis, one of the favourite of locals and visitors in Rethymno since 1972 is located just 4 kilometres from The Old Windmill (towards the town centre). Well-known for the great raw material quality and generous portions, it offers 35 to 40 different dishes of meat, fish, fresh vegetables, which you can also enjoy at home with takeaway from the taverna!
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Taverna Zisis
63 Leof. Machis KritisTaverna Zisis, one of the favourite of locals and visitors in Rethymno since 1972 is located just 4 kilometres from The Old Windmill (towards the town centre). Well-known for the great raw material quality and generous portions, it offers 35 to 40 different dishes of meat, fish, fresh vegetables, which you can also enjoy at home with takeaway from the taverna!
The elegant Lemonokipos is a restaurant set in a gorgeous lemon garden located in the middle of the picturesque old town of Rethymno, amidst historic buildings and monuments. Its menu is full of flavorful, sensibly priced dishes and meze, as well as a good selection of Cretan and Greek wines.
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Lemonokipos Restaurant
100 Eth. AntistaseosThe elegant Lemonokipos is a restaurant set in a gorgeous lemon garden located in the middle of the picturesque old town of Rethymno, amidst historic buildings and monuments. Its menu is full of flavorful, sensibly priced dishes and meze, as well as a good selection of Cretan and Greek wines.
CAVO Rethymnon Restaurant
13 AkrotiriouRaki Ba Raki
16 ΡαδαμάνθυοςTaverna Galera
93 StamathioudakiWhile visiting Heraklion and the ruins of the ancient Minoan civilization in the palace of Knossos and the Archaeological Museum, we recommend that you stop by at Peskesi: their menu is entirely based on traditional Cretan recipes, using local ingredients. check their website for more!
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Peskesi
6-8 Kapetan CharalampiWhile visiting Heraklion and the ruins of the ancient Minoan civilization in the palace of Knossos and the Archaeological Museum, we recommend that you stop by at Peskesi: their menu is entirely based on traditional Cretan recipes, using local ingredients. check their website for more!
Bakalogatos
TitouHasika
11-13 Agias VarvarasWhere to drink
Cretan wine has a long history and its origins can be traced back to the Minoan civilization of the Bronze Age. Its varieties have been praised during the ancient roman and the medieval times, and have been exported mainly to Italy and the surrounding Mediterranean areas (you can check them here: http://www.winesofcrete.gr/cretewines/en/Article/TheWines/Varieties_687.html). Nowdays, wine as well as any other drink, is about socializing and, here in Rethymno, we love to have a good time with our friends, at the end of the day!
Rewine bar has managed to concentrate a great number of the best local wines, as well as wines from all over the world! Its staff will guide you through its selection, which you will most certainly enjoy in this wonderful location near the town cathedral. Recommended for the evening, as well as throughout the day for quality coffee!
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Rewine
25 TsagriRewine bar has managed to concentrate a great number of the best local wines, as well as wines from all over the world! Its staff will guide you through its selection, which you will most certainly enjoy in this wonderful location near the town cathedral. Recommended for the evening, as well as throughout the day for quality coffee!
Monitor Art Café
23 Vernadou 21Bonobo Bar
47 Eleftheríou VenizélouFraoules
62 Eleftheríou VenizélouWhere to go
Crete is not just about the wonderful beaches: it offers a great variety of hiking paths, mountain views and historic places (dating since the times of the ancient gods!), which mingle within its unique nature!
How about crossing a wild cretan gorge? Check here for info: https://creti.co/blog/top-10-crete-gorges/
Kourtaliotiko, located towards the south of Rethymno, is easily accessible by car (approximately 35 minutes). It starts from the village Koxare, follows the river Kourtaliotis and ends in the beautiful beach of Preveli. The gorge has incredible beauty and the scenery is wild. It has rich flora and fauna and the river is divided into five streams which then are united and form small lakes and a huge waterfall!
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Kourtaliotiko Gorge
Kourtaliotiko, located towards the south of Rethymno, is easily accessible by car (approximately 35 minutes). It starts from the village Koxare, follows the river Kourtaliotis and ends in the beautiful beach of Preveli. The gorge has incredible beauty and the scenery is wild. It has rich flora and fauna and the river is divided into five streams which then are united and form small lakes and a huge waterfall!
Take a day to drive to the small, historic villages of Amari area, to admire the mountainous landscape of Psiloritis, and the cretan countryside in all its glory. A road trip highly recommended especially during springtime, as you can discover the local varieties of wild orchids and the fountains with crystal clear running water from the melting snow on the peaks! Do not hesitate to ask some local to show you around. Here is a wonderful website, with all information you may need, regarding history, routes, points of interest, etc: https://www.visitfourfouras.gr/en/
Fourfouras
Take a day to drive to the small, historic villages of Amari area, to admire the mountainous landscape of Psiloritis, and the cretan countryside in all its glory. A road trip highly recommended especially during springtime, as you can discover the local varieties of wild orchids and the fountains with crystal clear running water from the melting snow on the peaks! Do not hesitate to ask some local to show you around. Here is a wonderful website, with all information you may need, regarding history, routes, points of interest, etc: https://www.visitfourfouras.gr/en/
Park your vehicle and go down the small gorge, all the way to the church of Agios Antonios. A place of rejuvenation and spiritual uplift, within the rocky landscape of Crete!
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Gorge Agios Antonios
Park your vehicle and go down the small gorge, all the way to the church of Agios Antonios. A place of rejuvenation and spiritual uplift, within the rocky landscape of Crete!
Where to swim
Crete is a top holiday destination, because it has it all: a big summer, good food, great hospitality, wildlife and mountains, and of course... the beaches!! Rethymno has been blessed with some of the most beautiful ones, and you should take your time to explore them!! This guide will help you: https://www.cretanbeaches.com/en/beaches-of-crete
Triopetra Beach
Επαρ.Οδ. Δρυμίσκου-ΑσώματωνDamoni Beach
Preveli Beach
Plakias Beach
Ethnarchou Eleftheriou VenizelouOf all south beaches closer to Rethymno, this is our favorite one! Not only for its crystal clear waters, but also for the cool atmosphere of the snack bar, where you can spend all day: relax, swim, have some iced coffee, eat fresh fish, take a nap... and enjoy life!
Παραλία Άγιος Γεώργιος
Of all south beaches closer to Rethymno, this is our favorite one! Not only for its crystal clear waters, but also for the cool atmosphere of the snack bar, where you can spend all day: relax, swim, have some iced coffee, eat fresh fish, take a nap... and enjoy life!
What to see
Fortezza Castle
Take a break and enjoy the views from the artificial dam of Potamoi, while exploring the cretan mountainous landscapes! How about a cup of greek coffee at Gidospito? Or maybe a sip of raki! You may ask to try the local soft drinks "Gazoza" or "Biral" (made with carob sweeteners), all containing crystal clear water from the mount Psiloritis!
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Amari Dam Reservoir
Take a break and enjoy the views from the artificial dam of Potamoi, while exploring the cretan mountainous landscapes! How about a cup of greek coffee at Gidospito? Or maybe a sip of raki! You may ask to try the local soft drinks "Gazoza" or "Biral" (made with carob sweeteners), all containing crystal clear water from the mount Psiloritis!
An unmissable historic place for Crete: a venetian monastery of unique italian renaissance architecture, later to become a base for the Cretan revolution, sanctuary and place of sacrifice for the locals who fought against the conqueror. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkadi_Monastery
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Monastery of Arkadi
An unmissable historic place for Crete: a venetian monastery of unique italian renaissance architecture, later to become a base for the Cretan revolution, sanctuary and place of sacrifice for the locals who fought against the conqueror. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arkadi_Monastery
A must-see museum and archaeological site, opened in 2016, focussing on the previously underrated importance of the area for an impressive timespan of 3500 years! (3000 BC έως το 1300 AD). This visit can be combined with a walk in the nearby village of Eleutherna as well as the impressive village Margarites, well known for its pottery workshops, venetian houses and good food!!! https://mae.uoc.gr/
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Eleutherna Archaeological Museum
123 Epar.Od. Aggelianon-ElefthernasA must-see museum and archaeological site, opened in 2016, focussing on the previously underrated importance of the area for an impressive timespan of 3500 years! (3000 BC έως το 1300 AD). This visit can be combined with a walk in the nearby village of Eleutherna as well as the impressive village Margarites, well known for its pottery workshops, venetian houses and good food!!! https://mae.uoc.gr/