Holidays to Rethymnon are a blend of historic architecture, waterfront restaurants, and lively nightlife.

Historic city

Rethymnon is Crete's third-largest city, sitting between Chania and Heraklion on the north coast. Its Old Town boasts Ottoman mosques and Venetian buildings that include a huge fortress. You can spend a fun day here wandering through the narrow streets and alleys. Look for arched doorways outdoor stone staircases and minaret towers, alongside many small churches and mosques. The Venetian conquerors who once settled here liked to live in mansions, and there are many remaining. They also built the notable Rimondi Fountain.

Rethymnon is also a university town, so there's a lively buzz around the many bars and cafés. It has a typical Venetian harbour, with long stone walls and a lighthouse. This is where you'll find the marina and most of the fish restaurants which serve up locally caught shrimp and sardines.

Beaches

There's a city beach in Rethymnon, right in the middle of the town. There are also miles of sandy beaches on either side of the city, and boat trips on offer from the harbour. If you feel particularly adventurous, you could even pay a visit to the island of Santorini and its active volcano.

Arkadi Monastery

The Sacred Monastery of Arkadi, where there was a famous Turkish siege, is a 30-minute drive away. Completely blown up in 1866, the rebuilt monastery is a peaceful haven with a bloody history. Golden stone buildings surround a courtyard full of flowers and trees, and there's an on-site shop and café. Arkadi stands at the head of its own gorge, where you can hike and admire the waterfalls and dense vegetation.