Deep Crete · Where to stay

Where to stay in Rethymno

Rethymno pulls off Crete's rarest feat: a characterful old town AND a long sandy beach, one right beside the other. It's the island's most balanced base — you just need to pick the right side.

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In a word

Crete's most balanced base: charm and beach together. Sleep in the old town to have it all on foot. Between the two airports (Chania ~60 km, Heraklion ~80 km).

The right area, sector by sector

Old town

The best of everything · on foot

A remarkably preserved Venetian and Ottoman maze, crowned by the Fortezza — and, a unique asset, the long sandy beach starts at the end of the alleys. You stay in a charming guesthouse and have tavernas, minarets, sea and sunsets on foot. The default choice, and the best.

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Seafront & town beach

Beach at the door · families

The avenue running along the sandy beach, just east of the old town. Bigger, more modern hotels, sea-view rooms, and you step straight onto the sand. A little less soul than the alleys, but unbeatable for swimming without walking, with children.

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Adelianos Kampos · Platanes (east)

All-inclusive resorts · quiet

5-8 km east, the zone of big beach hotels and all-inclusives, quieter and greener. Ideal if you want a resort with pools and entertainment while keeping the town reachable by bus or taxi. In return, you're no longer in the heart of the action.

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✓ Ideal for

Those who want it all at once — old-town charm, a sandy beach and good tavernas — without compromise. Excellent for a first trip, families and couples, and as a central base to range from west to east.

✗ Avoid if…

Five-star luxury hunters (the offer is more modest than in Elounda) and those who absolutely want to be next to the airport on arrival — Rethymno is about an hour from both airports.

Access & position

An ideal central position: about 1 h from Chania airport (~60 km) as from Heraklion's (~80 km). It's the best single base for seeing the most of the island without too much driving: southern beaches (Preveli), Arkadi Monastery, and easy runs both west and to Knossos in the east.

Frequently asked questions

What's the best area to stay in Rethymno?

The old town, without hesitation: it's the only place in Crete with the charm of Venetian alleys AND a long sandy beach within walking distance. To be at the water's edge with a family, the seafront just east; for an all-inclusive resort, the Adelianos Kampos zone.

Does Rethymno have a beach in town?

Yes, and it's its great asset: a long sandy beach starts at the edge of the old town and stretches east for several kilometres. You can stay in a characterful guesthouse and be on the sand in five minutes — a very rare combination in Crete.

Is Rethymno a good base for touring Crete?

It's arguably the island's best single base thanks to its central position: about 1 h from each airport, and within reasonable reach of the west (gorges, beaches) and of Knossos and Heraklion in the east. Ideal for those who don't want to change hotels.

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Other bases on the island

Chania Heraklion Agios Nikolaos & Elounda

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