Rethymno: A day trip full of charm and lost alleyways
Crete is an island that inspires with its diversity, and sometimes it’s the spontaneous day trips that create the best memories. Last week, my wife Sabrina, our 11-year-old son Leon and I decided to turn our backs on our cozy little house “Suite Leon” in Panormos for a day and head to Rethymno – a decision that we have not regretted for a second, even though we have visited the city many times before. Rethymno simply reveals a special magic to us every time.
We set off from Panormos in our rental car at 8:30 a.m. on the dot, looking forward to a familiar but always new place. The drive along the coast was a pleasure in itself, but Rethymno itself exceeded our expectations once again. And it’s always a highlight, my wife’s favorite place to cruise when we leave Rethymno :).
The character of a city that enchants
Rethymno is different. It is not the spick and span tourist center that you sometimes find. Instead, it welcomes you with a wonderful mix of Venetian elegance and Ottoman heritage, which is reflected in every alley and building. The city has an unmistakable, authentic character & there are plenty of ice cream parlors for Leon:). You can even feel the history in the old stones, hear the lively bustle of the locals and smell the aromas of Cretan cuisine. It’s this familiar, yet always new atmosphere that keeps us coming back here every time we visit Suite Leon
What makes Rethymno so special is its liveliness paired with a pleasant deceleration. It is a city that invites you to stroll around, discover small details and linger in charming cafés, even if my wife doesn’t drink coffee, the freshly squeezed orange juice is also great;). You come across historical elements everywhere, be it an old fountain, an ornate wooden window or a small inner courtyard that invites you to linger.
Getting lost as part of the adventure
And yes, we actually got lost. Not once, but several times, which is typical for us! The small, winding streets of the old town are a labyrinth of cobblestones, colorful stores and small taverns. But this “getting lost” was not a nuisance, but part of the attraction. It led us to hidden places, unexpected views and the feeling of really immersing ourselves in local life. Every time we thought we’d got our bearings, a new alleyway would pop up, luring us in a different direction – and we were only too happy to take it. For Leon in particular, it was a bit of an adventure to explore the next corner, including lots of ice cream! And even after so many visits, there is always something new to discover in Rethymno’s old town.
Historical highlights: Harbor, lighthouse and Fortezza
One of the absolute highlights that we always like to visit is the Venetian harbor with its striking lighthouse. The panorama there is simply breathtaking and invites you to linger. Another must-see for us is the Fortezza, the impressive fortress above the city. From the Kastro there is an incomparable panorama of the city, which is fascinating every time you visit and provides a wonderful overview of Rethymno.
Lunch and afternoon relaxation
After wandering through the alleyways and exploring the historic sites, we were hungry. We found a small, unassuming restaurant that immediately captivated us with its authentic atmosphere and delicious dishes. A simple but irresistible Greek salad, fresh fish, chips for Leon and the obligatory raki – this is what Crete tastes like! Lunch was the perfect time to observe the hustle and bustle of the city from the outside.
The afternoon then belonged to the large public beach in Rethymno. After the many steps through the old town, cooling off in the sea and relaxing in the sun was just what we needed. The beach is extensive and well-maintained, and we enjoyed the opportunity to simply drift along and relax before slowly making our way home.
Farewell and anticipation of a reunion
We set off on our return journey to Panormos at around 5 p.m., filled with the impressions of this wonderful day. And of course we couldn’t miss out on the perfect souvenirs: We took delicious raki and the fantastic Cretan olive oil back home for our families. As always, Rethymno completely won us over with its unique character, charming alleyways and relaxed atmosphere. It’s a city that you don’t just visit once, but want to discover again and again. And although it wasn’t new territory for us, this trip confirmed once again why Rethymno is a real Cretan gem for us that we love to visit again and again.
