Rethymno (Rethimno) is a city of layers and contrasts, where Venetian elegance, Ottoman heritage, and modern Cretan life blend effortlessly. The Old Town is a living maze of stone arches, fountains, and hidden courtyards, opening suddenly to the sea at the Venetian harbour beneath the imposing Fortezza.
Lively but never overwhelming, Rethymno invites slow exploration — morning coffee in the lanes, a walk along the old port, an afternoon swim just outside town, and evenings filled with music, conversation, and food. It’s a place where history isn’t behind glass; it’s part of everyday life.
Our recommandations:
🏙️ Kara Musa Pasha Mosque (free access – exterior)
Originally a Renaissance church, this building was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest. Built in 1660 by Kara Musa Pasha, the Ottoman admiral who captured Rethymno, it stands near Heroes’ Square. Although the interior is not open to visitors, the exterior is elegant and well preserved. The small side dome is believed to be Kara Musa Pasha’s tomb (1692). Today, the site hosts cultural events and exhibitions.
🏙️ Rethymno Municipal Garden (free access)
Located in the heart of Rethymno, this beautiful public garden is a favourite retreat for locals and visitors of all ages. Lush, shaded, and peaceful, it’s ideal for families, relaxed walks, and escaping the city’s bustle. A highlight is the annual Cretan Wine Festival, held every summer for about three weeks, featuring free local wine, traditional music, and cultural events.
🏙️ Guora Gate (free access)
The Guora Gate was the main entrance to Venetian Rethymno, built between 1566–1568 under rector Giacomo Gouro. Today, it is the only surviving part of the Venetian fortification walls. Located at Four Martyrs’ Square, it marks the entrance to the old town’s main market street. The original relief of the Winged Lion of Saint Mark is now preserved at the Venetian Loggia.
🏙️ Archaeological Museum of Rethymno
Opening hours: 09:00–17:00 (closed Tuesdays)
Rethymno’s Archaeological Museum showcases finds from the surrounding area, highlighting the city’s Roman and Hellenistic past. Particularly notable are the bronze artifacts from the Roman era, offering insight into everyday life and craftsmanship in ancient Crete.
🏙️ Nerantze Mosque (free access – exterior & events)
Originally a Venetian church, the Nerantze Mosque was converted during the Ottoman period, creating a unique blend of Christian and Islamic architectural elements. From the outside, it is one of Rethymno’s most striking landmarks, while its large interior hall is used today for cultural and musical events, reflecting the city’s layered history.
🏙️ Hatziparaschos Phyllo Workshop (09:00–20:00)
A must-see stop for lovers of Greek cuisine and desserts. Housed in a Venetian mansion in the old town, this workshop belongs to Yiorgos Hatziparaschos, one of the last traditional makers of phyllo and kataifi (“angel hair” pastry) in Crete.
Phyllo is essential to Greek cooking, used in both savoury and sweet pies, with thickness varying by recipe. Yiorgos has run the workshop with his wife Katerina since 1958, and visitors are warmly encouraged to watch the craft in action and taste fresh baklava and kataifi sold on site.
🏙️ Rimondi Fountain (free access)
Located on Petychaki Square, the Rimondi Fountain was built in 1626 by the Venetian governor Rimondi to supply drinking water to the city. Water flows from three lion heads into three basins, and the fountain remains one of the finest surviving symbols of Rethymno’s Venetian past — still offering fresh water to passers-by today.
🏙️ Egyptian Lighthouse of Rethymno (free access)
The Egyptian Lighthouse is the second-largest of its kind in Greece and Rethymno’s most iconic landmark. Built in the 1830s, when Crete was under Egyptian administration during Ottoman rule, its design features oriental elements resembling a minaret.
Although no longer in operation, the lighthouse stands 9 metres tall and dominates the harbour. A Venetian lighthouse likely existed here earlier, and in 1864 the structure came under French supervision.
🏙️ Venetian Harbour of Rethymno (free access)
Once a key strategic harbour during the Venetian period, Rethymno’s port could only accommodate small vessels. Over centuries, it has undergone many changes. The eastern harbour wall (1618) has been restored, while the customs building at the southeast dates to 1931.
Today, colourful fishing boats and yachts create a calm, picturesque scene. In summer, waterfront tavernas come alive, boat trips depart daily to nearby beaches, and traditional wooden boats add to the harbour’s nostalgic atmosphere.
🏙️ Fortezza of Rethymno (08:00–19:45 | ticket ~4 €)
Built in the second half of the 16th century, the Fortezza was designed to protect Rethymno and its harbour. Despite its strength, the city eventually fell to the Ottomans, though the fortress famously resisted attacks by the pirate Barbarossa.
Inside, visitors can explore partially ruined buildings, a mosque, and enjoy panoramic views over the city and sea. Gates close in the late afternoon.
Local tip ⭐: Walk up to the Fortezza at sunset for sweeping views over the old town and sea, then head back down for dinner in the backstreets where locals eat.
Eco note 🌿
Rethymno thrives on balance — support it by walking the old town, choosing local shops and tavernas, avoiding peak-hour driving, and respecting the historic buildings that give the city its soul.
