I visited Crete for a week in June 2019, using public transport to get around. In my posts I focus on points of historical interest, as well as good places for food, costs, and travel.
Click through for posts on the other visits of the trip:
CHANIA; HERAKLION AND KNOSSOS; SAMARIA GORGE as well as ALTERNATE PLANS we made if we had more time.
RETHYMNO
The town of Rethymno is on the bus route between Chania and Heraklion, and roughly an hour to an hour and a half between both.
HISTORY:
The bus from Chania stops in the shadow of a large fortress on a hill, above the ocean. The Fortezza of Rethymo was built in the 16th century by the Venitians, on the site of the ancient acropolis, before being captured by the Ottomans in 1645.
Like Chania, Rethymno also has a Venitian harbour, Ottoman buildings, and small winding streets, but on a smaller scale.
THINGS TO SEE:
The Fortezza contains high walls and a scattering of buildings, including 2 churches, and a cellar converted into an art gallery for a very talented local artist. There is a lot to explore and offers beautiful views of the city and surrounding areas. ENTRY – €4
The Harbour, whilst smaller than the harbour in Chania, is equally as pretty and less busy and also from the same time period.
Small, brightly coloured streets of the Old Town are lovely to explore, holding beautiful Venitian structures such as the Rimondi Fountain and the Loggia as well as places for food and drink.
Trinket shops were cheaper than similar ones in Chania.
TO EAT:
Delicious gyros was to be had in Rethymno as our pit stop on the way to Heraklion.
COSTS:
Bus ticket Chania to Rethymno – €6.80
BUS to Heraklion- €8.30 and takes around an hour and a half
Archaeo-Zoë 