Without revealing too much and spoiling your exploration, we mention below some of Rethymno’s landmarks and sights:
Dazzled by Rethymno’s magnificent beaches but wondering what else this Cretan town has to offer? Rethymno’s beauty extends way further than its stunning landscapes, to its history, architecture and culture. Strolling around Rethymno’s Old Town you will immediately notice its cultural richness. In its unique way Rethymno tells its story to the curious traveler, who will experience an amalgamation of Greek tradition, Venetian architecture, Ottoman culture and even Egyptian influence. For those of you who are excited to explore Rethymno, we have curated the following guide with the best places to visit.
Without revealing too much and spoiling your exploration, we mention below some of Rethymno’s landmarks and sights:
Right in the centre of town, the Old Harbour, is an idyllic setting both for your morning walk and for your dinner. Today this small and romantic harbour is filled with restaurants and cafes right next to the sea, with a view of Rethymno’s beautiful Lighthouse and the city lights reflected on the sea at night.
This Venetian Lighthouse is one of the most well-known attractions of Rethymno, constructed by Egyptians in the early eighteen hundreds. You may enjoy it from afar or walk along the wall that leads to it and take great pictures of the town.
Another building that stands out from almost anywhere in the city, is of course the Venetian Fortress, Fortezza. This is a huge castle, considered one of the biggest of the era, built on top of a hill overlooking the sea, that served as Rehtymno’s ancient acropolis. Simple but stunning when it comes to its construction, with lots to reveal about Rethymno’s history, Fortezza is a must-visit. It is open for the public and it hosts the open amphitheater Erofili which holds various performances from the whole of Greece, from Cretan music to Ancient Greek Tragedy. The streets near Fortezza are also picturesque and worthy of your time, for a rejuvenating walk, shopping at ceramic stores or having lunch in hidden restaurants like ‘Vasilis’. Those of you who have visited Athens, will surely be reminded of the beautiful area ‘Plaka’ right below the Acropolis, when walking in these streets.
Going deeper into the heart of the old town, you will find cultural gems in the lanes, such as Rimondi Fountain. Rimondi fountain was built by Venetians amongst other fountains to serve as the town’s water supply. Preserved until today, it ignites one’s imaginations to visualize Rethymno during Venetian time. Legend has it, its water grants eternal youth!
In only a couple of minutes on foot you will find yourself surrounded now by Ottoman buildings, such as Neratze Mosque located in one of Rethymno’s biggest squares, Mikrasiaton Square. The mosque was built in the 17th century and is used today as a Concert Hall. Built right next to it are the House of Culture and the Historical and Folklore Rethymno Museum.
If you are a museum enthusiast, also make sure to visit the Museum of Cretan Lyra (lyra = traditional Cretan musical instrument) and the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno with magnificent exhibits from the Minoan, Byzantine, Venetian times and more. Rethymno additionally houses the Contemporary Art Museum of Crete which has a permanent exhibition of Greek artists, while collaborating with other esteemed cultural organisations to showcase temporary exhibitions of international interest.
Something you may not know about Rehtymno’s old town is that within its lanes it houses the workshop of Mr. Giorgos Hatziparaschos, Phyllo Pastry. This master of traditional phyllo pastry is the last of this art and you may have the chance to see him at work and witness his passion for his craft. The stunning door of the workshop is usually open for people to walk-in and find out how the thinnest phyllo pastry is made.
From there, you may choose to walk up the long lane we call Makry Steno, observing the colorful old houses and flower filled balconies, to arrive shortly after near Porta Guora, The Big Door in English, or Megali Porta in Greek. As indicated by the name this is a stunning big arch serving as a door. More specifically it is the entrance to the Old Town on ‘Ethnikis Antistaseos’ market street. The gate is also located on the outlines of another popular square of Rethymno, known for its Christian Church ‘Four Martyrs’.
Of course, we could not forget to include in our list, Rethymno’s Municipal Garden that is located right across the square of Four Martyrs. This is a serene garden, ideal for families that may enjoy the fresh air and green imagery, while the kids can play freely and safely in the playground. On the fence that surrounds the park, you will spot photographs by Cretan artists, exhibited for the public, while in the summer the garden may host events such as concerts, art and book festivals and fairs with traditional Greek products.
Make sure to read our other guides to find out our favourite beaches, restaurants and more…We are certain you will love Rethymno as much as we do and we wish you a wonderful vacation!
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Muses Travel Team
