Rethymnon is the capital of Rethymnon prefecture and the third largest city in Crete. In summer Rethymnon is flooded with tourists and in winter it has over 2500 students, thus giving the city a vibrant year round.
The most important attraction of Rethymnon city is the castle of Fortezza. The castle was built by the Venetians to protect the maritime side of the city.
Underneath the Venetian castle unfolds the Old Town of Rethymno with its picturesque alleys and beautifully restored houses making the atmosphere particularly romantic. The Rimondi Fountain, the Loggia, the mosques, the minarets and the marina of Rethymnon are just some of the sights worth seeing in Rethymnon.
The museums of the city of Rethymnon are noteworthy. Some of them are the Rethymnon Archaeological Museum, the Rethymnon Historical and Folklore Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete, the Rethymnon Paleontological Museum and the Rethymnon Metropolitan Museum.
The heart of the city is in the Old Town of Rethymnon and along the coastline. “Ouzeri“, taverns, cafés and bars are available day and night to welcome guests of all ages.
Churches and Monasteries are real ornaments in the city of Rethymnon thanks to their architecture but what one should not miss is the Monastery of Arkadi and the Monastery of Preveli, symbols of patriotism, self-sacrifice and valor.
In the prefecture of Rethymnon belongs the largest part of Psiloritis, the highest mountain of Crete with the highest peak reaching 2456 meters. The mountain is ideal for hiking. Here is the cave and archaeological site, the Ideon Andron where Zeus was raised in Greek mythology.
In the prefecture of Rethymno, there are numerous traditional villages offering generously to each visitor as Crete is famous for it. Some of them are Anogeia (perhaps the most traditional village of Crete), Axos and Spili while tourist areas such as Agia Galini, Plakias, Argyroupoli with beautiful waterfalls and Bali are worth visiting and enjoying the crystal clear waters of their beaches. The beach of Preveli, with the homonym monastery, is the one that stands out for its crystal clear waters and the palm forest along the river crosses the beach.
