'''Rethimno''' is a beautiful city on the island of Crete in Greece. It has picturesque small lanes of shops selling mostly tourist goods and a newer area of town with normal shops.
Get in
There is a daily ferry from Pireaus (Athens), which arrives early in the morning. [http://www.anek.gr/english/prices/rethimno.html]
There are regular bus services from both Chania and Heraklion. All busses stop at the bus station, just west of the center of Rethimno. From the bus station it's a 15-minute walk or a 5-minute taxi-ride to the ferry.
By Ferry
'''Ferry''' services from Athens (Piraeus port) to Rethimno Crete island
By plane
The distance from Heraklion to Rethymno is 80 km and from Chania to Rethymno 45 km. Chania airport is much smaller and far less busy than Heraklion airport.
[http://www.paleologos.gr: Crete flight schedules].
Get around
'''Bus''' - as with most places in Greece, tickets must be purchased at a shop before boarding public buses.
'''Taxi/Cab''' - cabs can be hailed on the streets, but expect to share the cab with strangers who might also hail the cab on the way to where you're going.
See
'''Historic Buildings'''. Rethimno has many historic buildings remaining from the Venetian occupation of Crete (17th century?) including the Fortessa and the lighthouse.
'''Beaches'''. The good sandy beach begins in the town and extends several miles to the east, backed by hotel developments. In the west, after a little industrial area, a rocky unspoilt coastline takes you towards another good beach 5 miles to the west of Rethimno, towards Georgiopoli.
'''Parks'''. There is a small park in the centre with a very small zoo containing some Cretan mountain goats.
Do
'''Boat Trips'''. Boat trips are available from the harbour.
Buy
During the main summer season, Rethimno is very touristic. Shops and visitors everywhere, the closer to the beach the more! They offer anything considered "souvenir". Recommend to ask your hotel receptionists for recommendations of local stores.
Olives, Raki, Ouzo and wines are common commodities of Crete origin. Cheapest at the locals supermarkets, away from the hotels/beaches (we got 1kg Olives at below 2 Euro). Aside Oranges/Orange juice, fruites and juices are rather expensive.
Eat
Pitta Gyros / Pitta Souvlaki
Very nice restaurants are located inside the city. The restaurants on the beach front are tourist oriented, though food quality is okay (though lower than in most of the small tavernas in the back streets). As the quality changes every season with new cooks/managements, your hotel receptionists will be able to give you quite good ideas.
Drink
Most of the bars close to the Rimondi Fountain are noisy and get very busy. but ok if you like to watch the crowd pass by. There are more relaxing places in the narrow streets nearby. Try the "PUNCH BOWL" just like a traditional Irish pub, it is full of curios and the landlady who is also Irish serves a great pint of Guinness. It' situated at number 42 Arabatzoglou.
For a late night drink try "EXTREME" a good venue for rock music, it's in the lane between the museum and the harbour. There are more disco style bars close by. The promenade has mostly coctail bars which are modern and brightly lit, with music going on to the early hours.
Try "Metropolis" music club near Venetian harbour
Sleep
'''Youth Hostel Rethymno''', 41 Tobazi Street, [http://www.yhrethymno.com/]. The price is 7,50 euros per person per night per bed (dorm). High season price (July-15 September) is 8 euros.
'''Adele Mare''', [http://www.adelemare.gr/]. Located in the Adele Beach suburb, about 10/15 min outside Rethimno, the 4-star-hotel is exceedingly friendly and hospitable. Rooms either in main-building (cheap rooms are towards street) or in Greek style bungalows (get the seaview!). Food is breakfast + dinner, much and with good variety (daily changing dinner buffet). During daytime, snacks can be taken at the pool or beach bar. Despite being rather rocky (foot protection recommended), the beach is wonderful, the sunsets awesome! Sun chairs are ?2,40/day (pool+beach). After dinner a "last drink" at the pool bar is recommended! Jet Ski, Banana Boat, etc. are available at Grecotel 100m down the beach.
<sleep name="Axos Hotel" alt="________________?__ ____?? " address="Maxis Kritis 167 Platanias"
directions="extra directions if necessary" phone="00302831054472" email="info@axos-hotel.gr" fax="00302831023513"
checkin="13:00" checkout="12:00" price="from 42 Euro to 110 Euro" url="http://www.axos-hotel.gr/">
Axos target is the friendly atmosphere since it is a family run hotel.
</sleep>
. ''Axos Hotel'' is in Platanias which is the most well known seaside village for the holidaymakers with restaurants, supermarkets, bars, stores with clothes or souvenirs and with a very good bus and taxi transport for your own service._eAXOS_f is a modern 3 star hotel within 100 meters distance from a sandy beach and 6 kilometers from the historic town of Rethymno. Its name comes from the village _eAXOS_f, works since 1989 and been fully renovated 2009. It_fs suitable for couples and for families. It has 44 rooms which 16 of them are apartments and can hold up to 4 persons and 28 studios which can hold up to 3 persons. All rooms have: TV, balcony, self controlled air-condition, satellite TV, extra long beds (2 meters), anatomic mattresses with ISO certifications , direct telephone line, radio, cooker with 2 rings, kitchen kettle, refrigerator, toaster, coffee maker, hair dryer, bath tabs, change towels & linen 2 times per week, baby cot (on request). Our reception is open 24 hours a day and our staff is there to help you on any request.