The third largest city in Crete, Rethymno delights with history at every turn. Elegant Venetian homes neighbour later Ottoman residences with lattice-fronted balconies, stone doorways lead to enticing courtyards and minarets soar into the blue Cretan skies. However the city is very much a part of the present; the honeycomb of cobbled streets dappled with shade from bougainvillea and jasmine harbour cutting edge restaurants, trendy bars, contemporary art, an acclaimed university, and boutique accommodation. Most visitors are content to wander the pretty streets and to spend time on the endless beaches of the northern shore.

Old Harbour and Lighthouse
The small inner harbour of Rethymno is a busy and charismatic sight with fishing boats and yachts crammed in. Tavernas and restaurants set out tables on the quayside fronted by Venetian and Ottoman mansions, and the high walled breakwater leads down to the 9 m tall lighthouse, built during the Egyptian occupation of Crete in the 1830’s.

Fortezza
Dominating the west side of the peninsula on which Rethymno sits, the Fortezza was built by the Venetians to act as an intermediate base between Heraklion and Chania. Orchestrated by Veronese architect Michele Sanmicheli, construction on fortified city walls started in 1540 and was completed in 1569. Attacked by a 40 strong fleet of pirates in 1571, it was easily overrun and the Turkish corsair Ulu Ali Reis razed the city.

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