Rethymnon holidays

Cretan food is famous worldwide, which is hardly surprising as it’s the largest island in Greece. Its cuisine is far from complicated with most of its produce grown locally. From salads swimming in olive oil to marinated vegetables and delicate pastries stuffed with the native cheese, Crete isn’t afraid to experiment with flavour. There are tons of dining and drinking options in the city, but Prima Plora should be high on your culinary bucket list. Not only can you enjoy the beautiful sea views with the city’s fortress centrepiece in the distance, but the food is first-class with its good choice of gourmet dishes. Avli is just as impressive with its enchanting garden setting. Perfect for romantic date nights, sit under orange trees and tuck into eye-catching plates as you sip high-quality wines. Looking for a post-dinner tipple? Then head for Rock Cafe, which is celebrated for its buzzing atmosphere and is popular among locals.

There’s also plenty of sand to go around when you’re not exploring Rethymnon’s city charms. Conveniently close to the Old Town, this lengthy strip stretches for 13 kilometres, making it the largest on the island. To the rear of the shore, there’s a backing of hotels, restaurants and shops when you want to take some time out of sunbathing. The water is shallow and deep in areas, so it offers perfect swimming conditions for both adults and little ones. As for amenities, the beach is extremely well-organised with sunloungers, watersports and even lifeguard supervision. The coastline is also home to a number of small rocky coves ideal for snorkelling expeditions.

You certainly won’t be bored in Rethymnon. Whether you choose to wander its pedestrianised Old Town taking in its fascinating mix of architectural designs, see its landscape from the top of its hilltop fortress, sample its many gastronomic highlights or discover its history through its museums and monasteries – one thing’s for sure, you’re in for an unforgettable time in Crete.

See the Venetian fortress in all its glory: As one of the largest fortresses of the Venetian era, you can’t miss this impressive stronghold standing high above Rethymnon harbour. Made up of three grand gates and six imposing bastions, gain an authentic look into the island’s past. Taking around two hours to explore its ruins, it may be a good idea to head here early morning when the sun isn’t too hot. Originally built to protect the city from pirates and the Turkish attackers, it played an important part in keeping the population safe. However, the Turks eventually invaded turning the Orthodox church into a mosque. When you’re not admiring the relics, which sit inside its towering walls, the surrounding panoramas are out-of-this-world.

Experience a night on the town: It may come as a surprise to many, but Rethymnon has quite the nightlife scene. With things livening up after dark, you can look forward to some late-night action. And there’s a real mix too, whether you’re seeking low-key cafes where a cosy dinner turns into a bottle of wine or pumping clubs featuring large dancefloors. From open-air venues close to the harbour to beach bars kicking things off early, this vibrant city has a little something to suit everyone. If you happen to travel here towards the end of February, the beginning of March, you may just catch its festivity-filled carnival, which is one of the biggest on the island. Find locals wearing quirky costumes, parades taking over the streets and a whole host of special events being added to its party calendar.