Rethymno is the ideal place to stay while visiting Crete Island. Not only for the very interesting sightseeing, beaches and tastes that you can find in the town and the countryside but also for the central spot that is located that will allow you to organize excursions all over Crete.
You can easily access Rethymno via the ferry port (with daily link with Piraeus port) or via the two airports of Chania (50 km) and Heraklion (70 km). Car or bike rental is strongly recommended as they will offer you the opportunity to visit the countryside where many elements of Cretan tradition still exist. You have to be extremely careful while driving during high season period (July-September) when the urban and country road network is overloaded.
A common question is about the best period for visiting Rethymno (and Crete in general). The majority obviously prefer the summer period which is the longest among the Greek islands and lasts from early April to late October. During these 7 months all big hotels are open and the daily charter flights provide the opportunity to visit Crete from all over world. But I’m quite sure that for many of you, traveling abroad is not only vacation but also a way to meet different people and cultures. If you really want to be in touch with local people and local way of life, I personally recommend visiting Rethymno from October to May when the local life is at the normal rhythms and the town is not just a “tourist playground”. Just have in mind that the winter in Crete is not very heavy not even in January and that low cost airways (easyjet etc) have recently included Heraklion and Athens airports at their network all year long.
The old town of Rethymno is a place where beside the picturesque old buildings and streets (coming from the Venetian and Ottoman period) you can also find a big variety of dinning and entertainment facilities. Take into consideration that during summer period the old town of Rethymno is a pedestrian district so you have to leave your vehicle in a parking nearby (just beside the ferry port is a convenient one) and enjoy walking around. Another recommended way of gadding about is to use one of the municipal bicycles that you can have for free from one of the specific municipal spaces (behind the Town Hall and in the parking place beside the municipal garden are the more central ones).
Do not hesitate to contact me (at www.nakli.gr you can find my complete contact details) wherever you stay, in order to provide any kind of information about where to eat, drink and have fun. I will be back soon with more information about some villages in the countryside around Rethymno that you have to visit.
Regards
Andreas
