Youth Hostel Rethymno | About Rethymno

Weather Forecast

About Rethymno

Venetian harbour, Rethymno.

Visitors return every year to this small mediterranean town with its renaissance architecture, Venetian fortress, museums, and sandy beaches. The gorges, mountain ranges, hidden villages, and historical sites offer plenty of new impressions even to the most experienced travellers. Welcome to Rethymno. We are sure you will enjoy your stay and come back again!

Geography and Climate

Rethymno is one of the four prefectures of Crete stretching from the White Mountains to Mount Psiloritis - bordered by the prefectures Chania and Heraklion. Rethymno with its 25,000 inhabitants is the capital of the prefecture. Rethymno today counts 263 villages with an average number of 200 residents.
The climate is mild Mediterranean and particularly dry and warm. There is sunshine on 245 days of the year and temperatures range from 12° to 27° C. The prevailing winds are northerly and north-westerly with occasional strong hot southerlies from the African continent.

Market produce, Rethymno.

Getting There and Away

Anek Lines operates daily boat departures to and from Piraeus, Athens at 7.30PM. Boats also operate from the ports of Kissamos, Hania, Iraklion, Ag. Nikolaos and Sitia to many of the Greek islands.
Aegean Airlines operate direct domestic flights to the airports at Hania and Iraklion about an hours distance from Rethymno. Direct charter and scheduled flights during the summer season operate to many European cities.
Buses to Iraklion, Hania, and villages of the south coast of the prefecture depart from the bus station, 15 minutes walk west from the centre of town.
Taxis are cheap with fixed prices for the most common of the destinations and should be confirmed before setting off. Many agencies rent cars, motorcycles, and bicycles.

Festivals and Celebrations

The Renaissance Festival: the highlight of the city's cultural activities. During June, July, August, and September a variety of theatre, music, and dance performances are held as well as architectural and multi-media spectacles.
The Rethymno Carnival: considered the best in Crete with organised dances, masked balls, and marvellous treasure hunt.
The Cretan Wine Festival: this celebration in the public park of Rethymno is organised every July and offers free wine to its thousands of visitors.
The Raki Festival: the traditional way of distilling raki gives rise to a revival of the customs linked to it.
The Feast of Klidonas: 21st June - the traditional feast of the beginning of the summer.
Religious celebrations: November 21st - Presentation of the Virgin Mary. December 4th - Saint Barbara's day.
National holidays: March 25th - liberation from the Turkish yoke. October 28th - declaration of the Greek-Italian war in 1940. May 21st - Battle of Crete. November 8th - blowing-up of Arkadi Monastery.

Street architecture, Rethymno.

Monuments and Museums

Old Town: Medieval and renaissance streets and alleys with well preserved public and private monuments of the Venetian, Turkish, and later periods.
Fortezza: the fortress was built after 1573. The most significant of the surviving buildings is the Ibrahim Han Mosque, originally built by the Venetians as a cathedral.
Venetian Harbour: has retained its picturesque character up to today.
Loggia: the most important architectural reminder of the Venetian occupation.
Rimondi Fountain: rebuilt in 1626 the fountain is architecturally and sculpturally ornate.
Saint Franciscus Church: was the church of a Franciscan monastery.
Nertazes, Kara Mousa, and Great Door Mosques: reminders of the years of Turkish occupation.
Prefecture Building (Nomarchia): Neoclassicistic monument built in 1845.
Archaeological Museum: relics from the Neolithic to Roman years including coins.
History and Folklore Museum: traditional national and regional costumes, ceramic art, farming and harvesting tools.
Center of Contemporary Art: representative works of modern Greek painting and exhibitions of modern art.
Marine Museum: shells, vertebrates, sponges, and fish are on display.
Eleni Franzeskaki Collection: traditional textiles, embroidery, lace, and jewellery.
Ecclesiastical Museum: sacred utensils, garments, and objects of worship of the past 150 years.

Communications

Internet: The best value internet service is available at the Youth Hostel Rethymno during reception hours 08:00–12:00 and 17:00–21:00.
Telephone: OTE, 28 Kountouriotou Av. Area code is 2831 0. Phone calls can be made from phone stands (phone cards only), OTE's office, and many kiosks. Telegrams can be sent from OTE's office and faxes from OTE, travel agencies, and hotels. Tourist Information: 29148 or 56350; Emergency: 100; Tourist Police: 28156 or 29148; Police department: 25247; Hospital: 27491.
Post Office: 21 Moatsou St. Postcode is 741 00. Yellow letter boxes can be found in most central locations. Stamps can be bought from the post office or from kiosks and shops selling postcards and foreign newspapers for a small premium.

Currency

The official currency now in Greece is the euro. For conversion of the euro to your own local currency you can visit The Universal Currency Converter.

Any questions?
Contact us at info@yhrethymno.com