Rethymno (Rethimno) Tours and Tickets
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Rethymno (Rethimno)
Rethymno is a must for history buffs and the culturally curious.
If exploring in summer, bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat for protection.
Lots of artisan shops and tavernas can be found around town.
People Also Ask
There are plenty of ways to experience Rethymno. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:
As you’d expect, Rethymno is free to visit. However, many travelers opt to explore on a tour. Segway adventures start at around US$75, with arts and crafts classes from around US$85. Foodie walking tours start at around US$105, with private walking tours from around US$150 per group.
Yes, Rethymno is well worth visiting. The fortress, Venetian harbor, lighthouse, and medieval old town are atmospheric and photogenic, while the city is known for olive oil, making tastings a must. Whether you opt for a street food tour, a Segway adventure, or a multi-stop tour of western Crete, exploring with a guide lets you see more of the city in less of the time—and imbibe its culture, too.
Per one customer who booked the Rethymno Old Town Guided Segway Tour, "Really easy to use once you get confident with the Segway. Nick showed us the old town of [Rethymno] with a great sense of humor and his favorite golden spots. Ideal to take pictures, especially during sunsets. We explored several historical sites as well as the little streets of the old town with recommendations for eating and several shops where you can buy local stuff. We really enjoyed the three hours tour with lots of interesting historical as well as local information. Great to start your stay in Rethymno with some great tips [on] where to go and what to explore."
For many travelers, the top attractions in Rethymno are the Fortezza of Rethymno, a star-shaped Venetian citadel from the 16th century; the narrow streets of Old Town with its Ottoman architecture and cozy tavernas; and the city’s strollable Venetian harbor and the lovely beaches, like Rethymno Beach and Kamari Beach.
To get to Rethymno from Heraklion or Chania, you can drive, take the bus, or opt for a tour. If you have your own wheels, the drive takes roughly 90 minutes from Heraklion or 60 minutes from Chania; bus rides will be a similar duration or longer. Tours depart from both cities and include round-trip transportation.
The best time of year to visit Rethymno is during the spring (April to June) and fall (September to October). During those seasonal windows, the weather is pleasant, and the crowds are smaller than in summer. Just be aware of possible seasonal closures in April and October as tourist season winds up and back down.
Unbelievably, Rethymno’s human history dates back almost 4,000 years to the Minoan civilization. A vital trading town for centuries, it’s been ruled by the Romans, the Venetians, the Ottomans, and the Greeks. Like much of Crete, this hodge-podge of histories makes Rethymno’s architectural style, food, and culture particularly complex.
If you're short on time, you can see the main highlights of Rethymno in a long afternoon—enough to stroll around the Fortezza, Old Town, and the Venetian harbor. For a more in-depth experience, plan to spend 2–3 days touring those sites, plus the museums, local beaches, and nearby sites like the Monastery of Arkadi.
Rethymno is moderately accessible. Old Town’s bumpy cobblestone streets can be difficult for those with mobility issues, and historic sites like the Fortezza have some steep and uneven areas. But most restaurants, hotels, and shops are modern enough that they shouldn’t pose a problem—though do check individual businesses before making plans.
There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Rethymno. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in and around Heraklion:
View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Heraklion.