Updated: May 22, 2026
Greece › Crete › Rethymno Hotels
By Santorini Dave • dave@santorinidave.com
My Favorite Hotels in Rethymno
• Best Hotel in Rethymno Old Town: Avli
• Best Rethymno Hotel for Couples: Rimondi
• Best Rethymno Hotel for Families: Grecotel Creta Palace
• Best Rethymno Hotel Near the Beach: Aquila Porto
• Best Value Hotel Near Rethymno Old Town: Hotel Ideon
The Old Town and Venetian Harbor area is the best place to stay in Rethymno for couples, first-timers, and visitors without a car.
Staying in Rethymno: My Tips
- Rethymno is Crete’s best all-rounder. It has a beautiful Venetian-Ottoman Old Town, a long sandy beach right in town, good restaurants, easier crowds than Chania, and a useful location between Chania and Heraklion. It is not quite as spectacular as Chania, but for many travelers it is easier and more practical.
- Stay in the Old Town for atmosphere. This is the best area for couples, first-timers, food, nightlife, boutique hotels, and evening wandering. The lanes are largely pedestrianized, the harbor and Fortezza are close, and you do not need a car. The downside is parking, which is usually in public lots outside the Old Town.
- Stay by the beach for pools, space, and families. Rethymno’s long town beach starts just east of the harbor and continues for kilometers along the coast. The closest beach hotels let you walk to both the sand and the Old Town. Farther east, around Perivolia, Missiria, and Adelianos Kampos, hotels become larger and more resort-like, but you will likely use taxis or buses for dinners in the Old Town.
- Old Town vs beach is the big decision. I prefer the Old Town for short stays, couples, food, and first-time visitors. I prefer the beach strip for families, pool time, and travelers who know they will swim every day. Rethymno is one of the few places in Crete where this choice is not painful because the beach and Old Town are close together.
- Rethymno has no airport. You will arrive through Chania or Heraklion, both usually about 75 to 90 minutes away by car, depending on traffic and your exact hotel. Buses from both cities are frequent and practical. The KTEL bus station is on the western edge of town, about a 10- to 15-minute walk from the Old Town, but take a taxi if you have luggage.
- The Rethymno to Santorini ferry is useful but seasonal. In 2026, the SeaJets high-speed ferry is scheduled seasonally from late May to mid-October, with twice-weekly service on Tuesdays and Saturdays and a crossing of about 2 hours 20 minutes. Schedules can change, so do not build a tight international flight connection around it without checking current ferry times.
- Rethymno is excellent without a car. The Old Town, harbor, Fortezza, restaurants, beach, and bus station are all walkable. Rent a car only if you want south-coast beaches, mountain villages, Arkadi Monastery, Preveli, wineries, or a more flexible Crete itinerary.
- Do not judge Rethymno by the harbor restaurants. The Venetian Harbor is beautiful, especially at night, but many waterfront restaurants are aimed at passing tourists. The better meals are usually in the backstreets of the Old Town, away from the water. This is one of the best food towns in Crete if you choose well.
Rethymno Beaches
- Rethymno Town Beach: The easiest beach in the region and one of Rethymno’s biggest advantages. It starts just east of the harbor and runs for kilometers, with sand, sunbeds, beach bars, shallow water, and hotels across the road. It is convenient rather than wild, and it works especially well for families.
- South Coast Beaches: The best scenery is south of Rethymno on the Libyan Sea, usually 45 to 75 minutes away by car. Preveli has the famous palm river setting, Plakias is a useful beach town with tavernas, and Triopetra and Agios Pavlos feel wilder and more dramatic. These are best with a rental car.
- Bali and Panormos: East of Rethymno, these smaller coastal villages are good for calmer water and a more compact beach stay. Bali has several sheltered coves and a more resort-like feel. Panormos is smaller, quieter, and more traditional.
Where to Stay in Rethymno
Rethymno Old Town is the best area for most visitors. Stay here for boutique hotels, restaurants, bars, historic lanes, the Fortezza, Rimondi Fountain, and the Venetian Harbor. It is the most atmospheric part of town and the best choice if you are staying 2 or 3 nights.
The Venetian Harbor is the prettiest part of Rethymno but not always the best place to eat or sleep. It is scenic, central, and romantic, but the busiest harbor-front spots can feel touristy. I prefer staying a few lanes back in the Old Town.
The town beach area is best if you want sand and Old Town access. Hotels here are more practical than romantic, but the convenience is excellent: beach by day, Old Town by evening. This is a strong choice for families and longer stays.
Perivolia, Missiria, and Adelianos Kampos are the beach-resort areas east of the center. Stay here for bigger hotels, pools, family facilities, and easier swimming. Stay in the Old Town if restaurants, atmosphere, and walking matter more.
Panormos and Bali are better for quieter beach-village stays outside Rethymno. They are not as convenient for sightseeing without a car, but they work well for travelers who want a simpler beach holiday.
The 7 Best Hotels in Rethymno
1. Avli Lounge Apartments
The best hotel in Rethymno for food, atmosphere, and Old Town character. Avli is more than a hotel. It is one of Rethymno’s best restaurant addresses, with a courtyard fine-dining restaurant, the excellent Raki Ba Raki meze bar, Enoteca wine bar, and a small collection of beautifully designed suites spread across Venetian-era buildings.
Suites are individually decorated and full of character, with details such as stone walls, antique fireplaces, canopy beds, jacuzzi baths, and private balconies in select categories. Guests also have access to a rooftop jacuzzi with Fortezza views. This is my top choice for couples and food-focused travelers who want to be deep in the Old Town. It is not a beach hotel and not ideal if you want large resort facilities, but for a stylish Rethymno stay, Avli is the standout.
2. Rimondi Boutique Hotel
The best romantic boutique hotel in Rethymno Old Town. Rimondi sits in the heart of the historic center near Rimondi Fountain, the Neratze Mosque, the harbor, and the best Old Town lanes. It has the rare Old Town advantage of pools, courtyards, a spa, and a more resort-like feel than most boutique hotels in the center.
Rooms, maisonettes, and suites are spread between two buildings, the Palazzo and the more luxurious Estate. Some rooms add balconies, terraces, jetted tubs, or outdoor jacuzzis, and guests can use facilities in both buildings. Rimondi is a great fit for couples who want romance, location, and a pool without leaving the Old Town. Families needing more space should look at the Rimondi Residences or a beach hotel.
3. Veneto Boutique Hotel
The best historic boutique hotel in Rethymno. Veneto is set in a 16th-century building that once served as a Dominican monastery, giving it some of the strongest historic atmosphere of any hotel in town. It is close to Our Lady of the Angels Church, Neratze Mosque, the Archaeological Museum, and the main Old Town restaurants.
Suites are individually designed around the old architecture, with stone arches, wood beams, terracotta floors, spiral staircases, or private terraces depending on the room. The courtyard restaurant and wine cellar are real strengths, not afterthoughts. Veneto is best for travelers who want history, food, and Old Town atmosphere. It is not the place for beach access or big-hotel amenities.
4. Casa Vitae
The best quiet boutique stay in Rethymno Old Town. Casa Vitae is a small hotel in a 16th-century Venetian palazzo, set on a quieter lane within easy walking distance of Rimondi Fountain, restaurants, shops, and the harbor. It has only a handful of suites, which keeps the atmosphere calm and personal.
Suites feature traditional stone walls, wood ceilings, and a peaceful courtyard for breakfast. There are no pools or major facilities, so this is best for travelers who want Old Town charm, location, and quiet rather than luxury-resort features. It works especially well for couples who want a central stay without being in the busiest lanes.
5. Hotel Ideon
The best value hotel near Rethymno Old Town and harbor. Hotel Ideon is a reliable midrange choice at the edge of the Old Town, close to the Venetian Harbor, Fortezza, restaurants, and waterfront. It is not as romantic as the boutique hotels above, but it is practical, well located, and usually better value.
The swimming pool is a big plus for a hotel this close to the historic center, especially in summer. Rooms are straightforward rather than stylish, but the location makes sightseeing and evenings very easy. Choose Ideon if you want central Rethymno with a pool and sensible prices.
6. Aquila Porto
The best beach hotel close to Rethymno Old Town. Aquila Porto is a strong choice if you want a more traditional hotel with beach access, pools, and an easy walk to the historic center. It sits by the town beach, close enough to enjoy the Old Town without needing taxis every night.
This is a good fit for couples and families who want to swim often but do not want to be isolated in a resort zone. The atmosphere is relaxed rather than trendy, and the location is the real selling point: beach by day, Old Town by evening. If you want boutique character, stay in the Old Town. If you want beach convenience, Aquila Porto makes more sense.
7. Grecotel Creta Palace
The best luxury family resort near Rethymno. Grecotel Creta Palace is the top choice if you want a proper beach-resort holiday while staying within easy reach of Rethymno Old Town. It sits on Missiria Beach about 4 km east of the center, with a large pool, children’s pool with waterslides, kids’ clubs, teen activities, beach service, and extensive dining.
Rooms, bungalows, suites, and villas range from standard garden-view rooms to upgraded suites with private plunge pools or swimming pools. Meal plans include bed and breakfast, half-board, and all-inclusive options, which can be useful for families. A bus runs near the hotel entrance, and taxis into town are easy. The tradeoff is that you are not staying in Rethymno’s atmospheric Old Town, but for families who want beach, pools, and comfort, this is the best resort choice.
Beach Hotels near Old Town Rethymno
Rethymno is one of the easiest places in Crete to combine an Old Town stay with beach time. The closest beach hotels are not as atmospheric as the boutique hotels in the historic center, but they are very practical for families, longer stays, and travelers who want to swim every day.
Good hotels directly across from the beach:
• Aquila Porto
• Batis Beach Hotel
• Poseidon Hotel
• Palm Beach Hotel Apartments
Rethymno Hotel Advice
- Best area for most travelers: Rethymno Old Town, especially the lanes near Rimondi Fountain, the Fortezza, and the Venetian Harbor.
- Best area for couples: Old Town boutique hotels such as Avli, Rimondi, and Veneto.
- Best area for families: The town beach for beach-and-Old-Town convenience, or Missiria and Adelianos Kampos for larger resorts and pools.
- Best area without a car: Old Town or the closest part of the town beach. You can walk to restaurants, the harbor, the bus station, and the beach.
- Best area with a car: A hotel just outside the Old Town, along the beach road, or farther east in the resort areas. Parking inside the Old Town is limited.
- Best length of stay: Two or three nights is enough for the Old Town and beach. Four or five nights works well if you want south-coast beaches, Arkadi Monastery, villages, and slower evenings.
Rethymno Hotels FAQ
Is Rethymno a good base in Crete, or is Chania better?
Rethymno is one of the best bases in Crete, especially if you want Old Town charm, a long sandy beach in town, and a central location between Chania and Heraklion. Chania is more beautiful and better for a first trip, with stronger access to Falassarna, Balos, Elafonisi, and west Crete day trips. Rethymno is smaller, easier, usually less crowded, and often better for families, longer stays, and travelers who want a relaxed old-town-and-beach mix. Choose Heraklion for Knossos, the Archaeological Museum, ferries, and airport convenience. Choose Elounda for luxury resorts.
What is the best area to stay in Rethymno?
The best area to stay in Rethymno for most visitors is the Old Town. It has the best boutique hotels, restaurants, nightlife, historic lanes, Venetian Harbor, and easy sightseeing. Stay by the town beach instead if swimming, pools, and family convenience matter more than Old Town atmosphere.
What is the best hotel in Rethymno?
Avli Lounge Apartments is my favorite hotel in Rethymno for its Old Town location, characterful suites, excellent restaurant, wine bar, cooking classes, and strong sense of place. For romance and pools in the Old Town, choose Rimondi Boutique Hotel. For families, choose Grecotel Creta Palace.
Should I stay in Rethymno Old Town or by the beach?
Stay in Rethymno Old Town for atmosphere, restaurants, boutique hotels, bars, and sightseeing. Stay by the beach if you want sand, swimming, pools, and easier family logistics. The good news is that Rethymno makes this easier than most Crete towns because the beach starts very close to the Old Town.
Do I need a car in Rethymno?
You do not need a car if you stay in the Old Town or near the town beach and plan to use buses, taxis, or organized tours. Rent a car if you want Preveli, Plakias, Triopetra, Arkadi Monastery, mountain villages, or south-coast exploring. Do not book deep inside the Old Town if you plan to drive every day.
How many nights should I stay in Rethymno?
Stay 2 or 3 nights for the Old Town, harbor, Fortezza, restaurants, and town beach. Stay 4 or 5 nights if you want south-coast beaches, Arkadi Monastery, Panormos, Bali, and slower evenings. Rethymno also works well as a week-long base for travelers who do not want to change hotels.
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