A travel lover insists that this beautiful and underrated spot in Greece is a must for your next holiday abroad – and it less crowded than the likes of Mykonos, Santorini, Athens and Rhodes.
It’s that time of year when European hotspots start getting warmer and filled with sunshine, which might be enticing you to get away from your daily commitments at home and take a trip abroad soon, or plan a summer trip.
While holidays can be very expensive, you can get some pretty good deals at this time of year.
Avoiding the most popular spots can help cut costs – and you may find hidden gems that are off the beaten track. Plus, this means that you can avoid busy areas and enjoy some peace.
London based travel vlogger Sandy, better known as @sandymakessense on TikTok, loves trying out unique experiences and travelling to hidden gem locations. Last summer she visited a “hidden gem” in Greece and as hailed it as “one of the best places” to visit.
Sandy visited Rethymno or Rethimno, in Crete and loved it. Sandy said: “The number one mistake people make in Greece is to only visit Santorini, Mykonos or Athens. Don’t get me wrong, they are beautiful, but if you want to escape the crowds this summer I recommend a trip to Crete and to a cute, secret city called Rethymno.”
She added: “This is the beautiful town of Rethymnon and to me it is one of the best places to visit in Greece, when trying to avoid the overly touristy spots.”
The city, which is Crete’s third largest, is home to a charming old town with plenty of history, including one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Greece. The Venetian Fortezza Castle dominates the city and makes Rethymno very photogenic. Much of the star-shaped fortress was destroyed during WWII, but the remaining ruins have been well-preserved.
Plus, there is an endless big beach hotel strip that stretches through costal villages. The Venetian Harbour is perfect for a day out, with plenty of eateries, hang out spots, boasts to hire, and of course the amazing views from the edge of the port.
For those looking to have fun in the evening, Rethymno Town offers a vibrant nightlife, and Baja Beach Club is perfect spot for a luxurious day out with friends.
Trip Advisor states: “Rethymnon is one of the most well-preserved Venetian old towns on the island of Crete. Its 16th-century buildings are stunning examples of ancient architecture, and the monolithic Fortezza reflects both European and Moorish influences.
“Explore the magical waterfalls, rock formations, and ‘cave church’ of Saint Anthony Gorge before taking a pleasant evening stroll along the colorful Venetian Harbor. Relax in a taverna over a plate of Cretan meze, like fresh feta drizzled with local olive oil.”
How to get to Rethymno
You cannot fly direct to Rethymno from the UK. Instead, you can fly to either Chania or Heraklion airports in Crete and then take a bus, taxi, or rent a car. Crete Chania Airport is 21.6 miles from Rethymno and Crete Heraklion Airport is 40.0 miles from Rethymno.
EasyJet, Jet2, Ryanair, TUI, British Airways, and Malta Air all offer direct flights to Crete Chania Airport from the UK. The average flight time is four hours and four minutes.
According to Skyscanner the best flights there and back are priced at £53. The current cheapest date to fly to Crete Chania Airport is April 22.
Would you visited this underrated city in Crete? Comment below…
