Rethymnon is a very interesting area of Crete, and we highly recommend you rent a car in order to explore all of its beauties. Traditional villages, virgin beaches, lush greenery, exotic sceneries and historical sites are only some of the things you can see around Rethymnon. Take your car, drive through amazing places and discover a whole new world, which is waiting for you during your vacation in Crete. If you have to see only 6 things around Rethymno, don’t miss the following points of interest.
Rethymno
The Old Town of Rethymno achieves something unique: it combines Ottoman elements with Venetian architecture, neoclassical houses and medieval churches. Its multicultural character impresses every visitor. The Venetian fortress of the town is called Fortezza and gives the town a romantic character. Elegant mansions, traditional local shops and restaurants with Cretan cuisine welcome you in this beautiful city, which is one of the best spots in Crete.
Preveli
Preveli is one of the most wonderful and exotic beaches of the island, located 40 km from Rethymno. A river flows into the sea, passes from a palm forest and forms a lake near the beach, totally unforgettable scenery! Although Preveli is one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, it has remained untouched by mass tourism.
Anogeia
Anogeia is a traditional mountainous village with a strong authentic Cretan character. During the visit in this settlement, you can see people wearing traditional costumes and speaking the Cretan dialect. The village has a great musical tradition with the Cretan instrument “lyra” and is also a major handicraft and cottage industry centre. Don’t miss buying local products as souvenirs from there!
Monastery of Arkadi
The Monastery of Arkadi is the symbol of the Cretan revolution against the Ottoman Empire during the 19th century. In 1866, when the Turkish soldiers violated the monastery after many days of siege, the besiegers put on fire a room with gunpowder in order to kill the Turkish soldiers. This monastery shows the bravery of the Cretan people, who chose death over slavery.
Ideon Cave
Ideon Cave is located near Anogeia. According to the mythology, this was the place, where Zeus was raised by a goat, hidden from his father, Cronus. Until the Roman times, this cave was considered as sacred and archaeological excavations unearthed many votive offerings. The route to the cave is imposing, with high mountains and wild rock formations. Inside the cave, you can see stalagmites and stalactites as well as snow even during summer!
Ancient Eleftherna
Ancient Eleftherna was built where the current village of Eleftherna is located today. It was one of the most prominent ancient city-states in Greece with a fortified hill that protected it from the enemies. The city reached its peak during the 7th century B.C., being one of the few ancient cities, which flourished in the Minoan as well as the classical times.
