Old Town

With its characteristics alternating between Venetian and Ottoman, but always remaining authentically Cretan, the Old Town of Rethymno has many secrets to reveal. Come and explore them, reviving its past through buildings, open-air markets, picturesque streets and historical monuments.

Old Harbor

The Venetian Port of Rethymno, next to the modern port, is one of the most picturesque spots in the Old Town of Rethymno, with its trademark Egyptian Lighthouse. It existed since the Byzantine Period (after 961 AD), but it flourished during the Venetian rule. The Venetians in the 14th century began major projects to address the problem of sanding, a problem that still exists today.

Fortezza Of Rethymno

To the north of the city of Rethymno stands the Venetian fortress known as Fortezza, a breakwater through the centuries of attacks from the sea and a refuge for the residents in case of siege.

Eleftherna

In the northwestern foothills of Ida, at an altitude of approximately 380 m., and at a distance of 30 km. south of Rethymno is the ancient city of Eleftherna. Today, ruins from various historical periods of the life of ancient Eleftherna are preserved. According to tradition, it was named after Elefthereas, one of the Kouretes or from the epithet of Demeter Elefthous. On the hill of Nisi, which constitutes one of the main nuclei of the ancient city, together with the hill of Pyrgi, there is a district that flourished during the Hellenistic times.