Rethymno Sights & Attractions

The Fortezza of Rethymno was constructed between 1540 and 1570 by the Venetians to protect the town from enemy invasions. Today, it is an impressive construction and constitutes the trademark of the town.

The historic Monastery of Preveli stands by a bridge over the Kourtaliotis River and is surrounded by lush vegetation. The monastery has two building complexes that stand 3 km from each other. It was originally built in the 17th century and played an important role in all the Cretan fights for freedom.

The Venetian Loggia is a 16th-century building in the heart of the Old Town of Rethymno. It used to be the meeting point for the Venetian noblemen in the Medieval times and now it hosts the gift shop of the Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon.

The Archaeological Museum of Rethymno is temporarily housed in the Venetian church of Saint Francis, in the heart of the Old Town. It displays exhibits from excavation sites in the prefecture of Rethymno, presenting the history of the area from the paleolithic till the Roman times.

Kourtaliotiko Gorge is located in the region of Rethymno and it is 3 kilometers long. It is one of the most impressive hiking destinations in Crete to go hiking, with dense vegetation, caves, enormous rock formations, ponds and a breathtaking waterfall.

The Monastery of Arkadi is a symbol of the Cretan struggles for liberation. In 1866, Crete revolted against the Ottoman Turks who ruled the island. Many fighters were trapped inside the monastery and the Turkish army was besieging it. To avoid capture, they blew up the monastery and killed themselves as well as the Turks outside it.

This mosque is located in the center of the Fortezza. At first, it was a church dedicated to Saint Nicolas but then, when the town was conquered by the Ottomans, it was turned into a mosque. Today it is closed to the public and opens only to host musical events.

This building was originally a Christian church, but the Turks turned it into a mosque during the Ottoman Occupation. Nowadays, it houses the Municipal Odeon of Rethymno. Its minaret is the highest in the town.

A small but elegantly classical structure stands at Petichaki square, in the heart of the old town of Rethymno, close to Loggia. This is the Rimondi fountain built in 1626.

The Museum of Cretan Lyra is strongly connected with the tradition and music of Crete. This is a workshop of Cretan lyras and one of its rooms hosts a large collection of lyras and other traditional musical instruments.

Porta Guora is the main entrance of the Venetian fortifications in Rethymno Town. Nowadays, people can admire its arch only.

Ideon Cave is located about 20 km south of Anogia village. According to mythology, this is the cave where Zeus was raised, hidden from his father Cronus. 

In the remote village of Zoniana, 45 km from Rethymno, there is an interesting wax museum with figures from all over the Cretan history. Established in 1998, this Wax Museum is housed in a space of 1,000 sq.m.

The Municipal Garden of Rethymno is a lush green area located in the center of the city. This is a favorite promenade for locals and visitors. It also hosts a small zoo with species of the Cretan animals.

Ancient Eleftherna, one of the most important archaeological sites in Crete, is located about 30 km southeast of Rethymno Town, on a narrow spur of Mount Psiloritis. Excavations have brought to light a necropolis that has yielded unique findings, while a high-standard archaeological museum has been constructed nearby.

Situated near the archaeological site of ancient Eleutherna, this museum unveils the history of Archaic Crete. Indeed, it is the only museum that boasts funerary findings illustrating a series of customs described in Homer's Iliad, confirming their veracity.

The Historical and Folklore Museum of Rethymno was established in 1973 and it is housed in an elegant Venetian building. The exhibits of the museum come from private collections and donations and include traditional clothing, tools, ceramics, jewelry, coins, and other items.

Sfendoni Cave is among the most stunning ones not only in Crete but in the whole country as well. It stands out for the breathtaking natural sculptures created by countless stalactites and stalagmites, which take on marvelous shapes and colors.

A lovely mansion of Venetian architecture has been restored to house the Military Museum of Rethymno. The museum was inaugurated in 2010 and hosts military uniforms, weapons of various ages, and army vehicles.

The Church of the Four Martyrs is the largest church in Rethymno. The three-aisled church has been built on the site of older ones, east of the namesake square and near the place of the four's martyrdom.

Melidoni Cave has a long history dating back to prehistoric times. The cave comprises many captivating rooms adorned with beautiful stalagmites, stalactites, and fascinating rock formations.