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From the walls you look out to sea and across the rooftops. Come late in the afternoon, when the light is softest.",{"type":347,"attrs":394,"content":395},{"level":384,"textAlign":17},[396],{"text":397,"type":342},"The old town",{"type":337,"attrs":399,"content":400},{"textAlign":17},[401],{"text":402,"type":342},"The old town mixes Venetian houses with Turkish wooden balconies, with minarets between the roofs. The Rimondi Fountain sits in the middle of the lanes, surrounded by cafés and tavernas.",{"type":347,"attrs":404,"content":405},{"level":384,"textAlign":17},[406],{"text":407,"type":342},"The old harbour",{"type":337,"attrs":409,"content":410},{"textAlign":17},[411],{"text":412,"type":342},"The small harbour has a lighthouse on the breakwater and restaurants packed along the water. It is a fine spot for dinner, but the restaurants in the lanes are often cheaper.",{"type":347,"attrs":414,"content":415},{"level":384,"textAlign":17},[416],{"text":417,"type":342},"The beach",{"type":337,"attrs":419,"content":420},{"textAlign":17},[421],{"text":422,"type":342},"The sandy beach starts just east of the old town and runs for many kilometres along the coast. This is where most of the beach hotels are.",{"type":347,"attrs":424,"content":425},{"level":349,"textAlign":17},[426],{"text":427,"type":342},"Day trips from Rethymno",{"type":337,"attrs":429,"content":430},{"textAlign":17},[431],{"text":432,"type":342},"Arkadi Monastery sits in the hills southeast of town and is one of the most important memorials on Crete. Further south the road crosses the mountains to the beaches of the south coast. Chania is about an hour west of Rethymno by car.",{"type":337,"attrs":434,"content":435},{"textAlign":17},[436,440,441],{"text":437,"type":342,"marks":438},"Day trips from Rethymno:",[439],{"type":365},{"text":367,"type":342},{"text":442,"type":342,"marks":443},"See experiences and tickets in Rethymno",[444],{"type":372,"attrs":445},{"href":446,"uuid":17,"anchor":17,"target":375,"linktype":376},"https:\u002F\u002Fexpedia.com\u002Faffiliate\u002FKI6vEiP","BodyBlock",{"_uid":449,"image":450,"theme":16,"author":16,"component":460,"caption_text":461,"caption_title":452,"image_caption":16},"d109a03b-bfcc-47d1-8128-a9db90257411",{"id":16,"alt":451,"name":16,"focus":16,"title":452,"width":453,"height":454,"source":455,"filename":456,"copyright":455,"fieldtype":19,"meta_data":457,"public_id":458,"aspect_ratio":459,"is_external_url":85},"The pool at Kapsaliana Village Hotel in the hills near Rethymno","Kapsaliana Village",3124,2084,"Hotels.com (Expedia Group)","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsesong-og-trend\u002Fkreta-kapsaliana-village-basseng.jpg",{"alt":451,"title":452},"Picolo\u002FHotels\u002Fsesong-og-trend\u002Fkreta-kapsaliana-village-basseng",1.499,"FullImage","Kapsaliana Village sits in an old village among olive groves in the hills near Rethymno. Photo: Hotels.com (Expedia Group)",{"_uid":463,"body":464,"component":447},"760158c2-2b85-42f9-bfcf-fab0d22b8b00",{"type":334,"content":465},[466,471,476,481,490,499,511,516,521,529,537,550,555,560,568,576,589,594,599,607,615],{"type":347,"attrs":467,"content":468},{"level":349,"textAlign":17},[469],{"text":470,"type":342},"The hotels we pick in Rethymno",{"type":347,"attrs":472,"content":473},{"level":384,"textAlign":17},[474],{"text":475,"type":342},"Nautilux by Mage Hotels",{"type":337,"attrs":477,"content":478},{"textAlign":17},[479],{"text":480,"type":342},"Nautilux sits right on the sandy beach in Rethymno, with parasols and loungers in front of the hotel. An indoor pool, a spa and a pool bar keep the stay comfortable when the sea is cool. Guests especially praise the pool and the staff, and the old town is about ten minutes away by car.",{"type":337,"attrs":482,"content":483},{"textAlign":17},[484,488],{"text":485,"type":342,"marks":486},"Best for:",[487],{"type":365},{"text":489,"type":342}," travellers who want the beach by day and the old town in the evening.",{"type":337,"attrs":491,"content":492},{"textAlign":17},[493,497],{"text":494,"type":342,"marks":495},"Good to know:",[496],{"type":365},{"text":498,"type":342}," With an indoor pool, the hotel also suits spring and autumn.",{"type":337,"attrs":500,"content":501},{"textAlign":17},[502,506,507],{"text":503,"type":342,"marks":504},"Book your stay:",[505],{"type":365},{"text":367,"type":342},{"text":369,"type":342,"marks":508},[509],{"type":372,"attrs":510},{"href":374,"uuid":17,"anchor":17,"target":375,"linktype":376},{"type":347,"attrs":512,"content":513},{"level":384,"textAlign":17},[514],{"text":515,"type":342},"Casa Vitae",{"type":337,"attrs":517,"content":518},{"textAlign":17},[519],{"text":520,"type":342},"Casa Vitae is a hotel with a historic feel in Rethymno, with two outdoor pools, a hot tub, a terrace and a garden. Several units have a kitchen, a living room and two bedrooms, which suits families and friends travelling together. The hotel can also arrange transfers from the airport and the ferry.",{"type":337,"attrs":522,"content":523},{"textAlign":17},[524,527],{"text":485,"type":342,"marks":525},[526],{"type":365},{"text":528,"type":342}," couples who want to stay in the old town and still have a pool.",{"type":337,"attrs":530,"content":531},{"textAlign":17},[532,535],{"text":494,"type":342,"marks":533},[534],{"type":365},{"text":536,"type":342}," The old town is cramped, so ask about parking if you have a hire car.",{"type":337,"attrs":538,"content":539},{"textAlign":17},[540,543,544],{"text":503,"type":342,"marks":541},[542],{"type":365},{"text":367,"type":342},{"text":545,"type":342,"marks":546},"Check availability and prices at Casa Vitae",[547],{"type":372,"attrs":548},{"href":549,"uuid":17,"anchor":17,"target":375,"linktype":376},"https:\u002F\u002Fno.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fcasa-vitae-rethymno-hellas.saUM1Ts",{"type":347,"attrs":551,"content":552},{"level":384,"textAlign":17},[553],{"text":554,"type":342},"Rimondi Boutique Hotels",{"type":337,"attrs":556,"content":557},{"textAlign":17},[558],{"text":559,"type":342},"Rimondi is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and sits in the old town of Rethymno. From the roof terrace you look out over the town, and the hotel has two outdoor pools, a pool bar and a spa with a steam room. The 33 units come with bathrobes and slippers, and guests praise the staff.",{"type":337,"attrs":561,"content":562},{"textAlign":17},[563,566],{"text":485,"type":342,"marks":564},[565],{"type":365},{"text":567,"type":342}," couples who want luxury inside old walls.",{"type":337,"attrs":569,"content":570},{"textAlign":17},[571,574],{"text":494,"type":342,"marks":572},[573],{"type":365},{"text":575,"type":342}," The rooms are in old buildings, so they vary in size.",{"type":337,"attrs":577,"content":578},{"textAlign":17},[579,582,583],{"text":503,"type":342,"marks":580},[581],{"type":365},{"text":367,"type":342},{"text":584,"type":342,"marks":585},"Check availability and prices at Rimondi Boutique Hotels",[586],{"type":372,"attrs":587},{"href":588,"uuid":17,"anchor":17,"target":375,"linktype":376},"https:\u002F\u002Fno.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Frimondi-boutique-hotels-rethymno-hellas.r0rRvlQ",{"type":347,"attrs":590,"content":591},{"level":384,"textAlign":17},[592],{"text":593,"type":342},"Kapsaliana Village Hotel",{"type":337,"attrs":595,"content":596},{"textAlign":17},[597],{"text":598,"type":342},"Kapsaliana Village is a luxury hotel in a restored village among olive groves in the hills near Rethymno. There is a restaurant, a spa with deep tissue massage, a pool bar and a terrace. It is quiet in the evening, and you stay close to rural Crete.",{"type":337,"attrs":600,"content":601},{"textAlign":17},[602,605],{"text":485,"type":342,"marks":603},[604],{"type":365},{"text":606,"type":342}," couples who want peace and a village feel.",{"type":337,"attrs":608,"content":609},{"textAlign":17},[610,613],{"text":494,"type":342,"marks":611},[612],{"type":365},{"text":614,"type":342}," You need a car to reach the town and the beaches.",{"type":337,"attrs":616,"content":617},{"textAlign":17},[618,621,622],{"text":503,"type":342,"marks":619},[620],{"type":365},{"text":367,"type":342},{"text":623,"type":342,"marks":624},"Check availability and prices at Kapsaliana Village Hotel",[625],{"type":372,"attrs":626},{"href":627,"uuid":17,"anchor":17,"target":375,"linktype":376},"https:\u002F\u002Fno.hotels.com\u002Faffiliates\u002Fkapsaliana-village-hotel-rethymno-hellas.eF6Fl4V",{"_uid":629,"theme":308,"title":475,"people":630,"cta_link":660,"overline":661,"body_copy":662,"component":663,"cta_label":664},"fa60462d-6583-4dde-abb2-1766e9da68f6",[631,646],{"_uid":632,"name":633,"text":634,"image":635,"cta_link":644,"component":645,"job_title":16},"b5cd57ea-b10e-4537-b9ef-2141e7860459","A pool by the beach","The pool is what guests praise most, and the sand is right outside. The indoor pool and the spa keep the stay comfortable outside summer.",{"id":16,"alt":636,"name":16,"focus":16,"title":637,"width":638,"height":639,"source":455,"filename":640,"copyright":455,"fieldtype":19,"meta_data":641,"public_id":642,"aspect_ratio":643,"is_external_url":85},"The pool at Nautilux in Rethymno","The pool",1500,2000,"https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fkreta\u002Fpool-nautilux-rethymno-crete.jpg",{"alt":636,"title":637},"Picolo\u002FHotels\u002Fkreta\u002Fpool-nautilux-rethymno-crete",0.75,{"id":16,"url":374,"target":375,"linktype":376,"fieldtype":30,"cached_url":374},"person",{"_uid":647,"name":648,"text":649,"image":650,"cta_link":659,"component":645,"job_title":16},"9098cea8-ceed-4c2b-9d7c-ca3718132d92","Rooms on the sandy beach","The rooms sit on the beach in Rethymno, a short way from both loungers and the pool. The old town is about ten minutes away by car.",{"id":16,"alt":651,"name":16,"focus":16,"title":652,"width":653,"height":654,"source":455,"filename":655,"copyright":455,"fieldtype":19,"meta_data":656,"public_id":657,"aspect_ratio":658,"is_external_url":85},"Room at Nautilux in Rethymno","The rooms",1920,1281,"https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Fkreta\u002Froom-nautilux-rethymno-crete.jpg",{"alt":651,"title":652},"Picolo\u002FHotels\u002Fkreta\u002Froom-nautilux-rethymno-crete",1.4988,{"id":16,"url":374,"target":375,"linktype":376,"fieldtype":30,"cached_url":374},{"id":16,"url":374,"target":375,"linktype":376,"fieldtype":30,"cached_url":374},"Our first choice in Rethymno","Nautilux sits on the sandy beach in Rethymno, with an indoor pool and a spa. By day you swim in the sea right outside, and in the evening you walk into the old town and the harbour. The indoor pool makes it a good choice outside high season too.","HalfAndHalfBlock","Check availability and prices",{"_uid":666,"body":667,"component":447},"decb784d-d49f-43a8-8314-c27bf2aab919",{"type":334,"content":668},[669,674,679,684,689,694,699,704,709],{"type":347,"attrs":670,"content":671},{"level":349,"textAlign":17},[672],{"text":673,"type":342},"Frequently asked questions about Rethymno",{"type":347,"attrs":675,"content":676},{"level":384,"textAlign":17},[677],{"text":678,"type":342},"Is Rethymno or Chania better?",{"type":337,"attrs":680,"content":681},{"textAlign":17},[682],{"text":683,"type":342},"Chania has the largest and loveliest old town, but it is also the busiest. Rethymno is smaller and calmer, with a long sandy beach right by town. If you want a town and a beach in one place, Rethymno suits you well. The two towns are about an hour apart, so you can see both.",{"type":347,"attrs":685,"content":686},{"level":384,"textAlign":17},[687],{"text":688,"type":342},"Which airport is closest to Rethymno?",{"type":337,"attrs":690,"content":691},{"textAlign":17},[692],{"text":693,"type":342},"Rethymno lies roughly halfway between the airports at Chania and Heraklion. From Chania it takes about an hour by car, and from Heraklion a little longer. Choose the airport with the flight times that suit you best. Buses also run from both towns.",{"type":347,"attrs":695,"content":696},{"level":384,"textAlign":17},[697],{"text":698,"type":342},"Does Rethymno have a good beach?",{"type":337,"attrs":700,"content":701},{"textAlign":17},[702],{"text":703,"type":342},"Yes, a long sandy beach starts just east of the old town and runs for many kilometres. It is busiest close to town and quieter further east. When the wind blows from the north, the waves can get big, so follow the flags.",{"type":347,"attrs":705,"content":706},{"level":384,"textAlign":17},[707],{"text":708,"type":342},"How long should you stay in Rethymno?",{"type":337,"attrs":710,"content":711},{"textAlign":17},[712],{"text":713,"type":342},"Two or three nights are enough to see the old town and the fortress and take a day trip to Arkadi. Many people use Rethymno as a base for the whole holiday, as it sits in the middle of the island. From here you reach Chania, Heraklion and the south coast on day trips.",{"_uid":715,"body":716,"component":447},"436498d1-d86c-48cd-90c8-27732e82f76c",{"type":334,"content":717},[718,723],{"type":347,"attrs":719,"content":720},{"level":349,"textAlign":17},[721],{"text":722,"type":342},"Read more",{"type":724,"content":725},"bullet_list",[726,740,752],{"type":727,"content":728},"list_item",[729],{"type":337,"attrs":730,"content":731},{"textAlign":17},[732],{"text":733,"type":342,"marks":734},"Where to stay in Crete: six areas and the hotels we pick",[735],{"type":372,"attrs":736},{"href":737,"uuid":738,"anchor":17,"target":739,"linktype":29},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fgreece\u002Fcrete\u002Fwhere-to-stay-in-crete","04a426dc-9b1a-4174-b7da-995e02a8176b","_self",{"type":727,"content":741},[742],{"type":337,"attrs":743,"content":744},{"textAlign":17},[745],{"text":746,"type":342,"marks":747},"Chania old town",[748],{"type":372,"attrs":749},{"href":750,"uuid":751,"anchor":17,"target":739,"linktype":29},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fgreece\u002Fcrete\u002Fchania-old-town","fbeb8e52-43f9-43d5-84d0-9cd1b5b76811",{"type":727,"content":753},[754],{"type":337,"attrs":755,"content":756},{"textAlign":17},[757],{"text":758,"type":342,"marks":759},"Car hire in Crete",[760],{"type":372,"attrs":761},{"href":762,"uuid":763,"anchor":17,"target":739,"linktype":29},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fgreece\u002Fcrete\u002Fcar-hire-crete","a3f7b5d9-58e5-49b2-bd31-4ef545a72a72",{"_uid":765,"theme":16,"author":16,"component":766,"author_name":767,"author_text":16,"author_image":768,"section_overline":769,"facebook_share_link":770,"instagram_share_link":771},"c0e59270-3fcc-4e2a-83be-ae63f448d25c","ArticleFooter","Picolo editorial team",{"id":17,"alt":17,"name":16,"focus":17,"title":17,"filename":16,"copyright":17,"fieldtype":19},"Enjoy Bilbao",{"id":16,"url":16,"linktype":29,"fieldtype":30,"cached_url":16},{"id":16,"url":16,"linktype":29,"fieldtype":30,"cached_url":16},{"_uid":773,"card_type":774,"component":775,"filter_by":776},"0880abdd-b408-49ae-ad72-528abd6b4ff7","stories to inspire your next trip","PaginatedArticles",{"_uid":777,"plugin":778,"values":779},"b5732c0f-c88d-4581-bd45-1a80b293ee32","storyblok-tags-select",[780,781,782],"Hotel","Beach Hotel","Sun","6",[785,786,787],"Crete","Greece","Travel tips","Article",{"id":16,"alt":317,"name":16,"focus":16,"title":286,"width":318,"height":319,"source":320,"filename":297,"copyright":320,"fieldtype":19,"meta_data":790,"public_id":322,"aspect_ratio":323,"is_external_url":85},{"alt":317,"title":286},"rethymno-crete","en-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Fgreece\u002Fcrete\u002Frethymno-crete",-430,[],228765013445563,"0d6ea18f-d4fc-4058-b205-4c1930f75b7c","2026-11-01T14:40:40.900Z",[799],{"id":800,"name":286,"slug":801,"published":93,"full_slug":802,"is_folder":85,"parent_id":803},236971788537736,"rethymno","nb-no\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinasjoner\u002Feuropa\u002Fhellas\u002Fkreta\u002Frethymno",228765011536825]