Panormo Archives - Suite Leon

July 17, 2025July 17, 2025

Excursion to Rethymno

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.

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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.

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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.

July 16, 2025July 17, 2025

Tour to the west

Western Crete: A journey to turquoise dreams and Venetian charm

Crete is an island that invites you to dream, and my recent trip to the west definitely made those dreams come true. It was a trip full of unforgettable moments, breathtaking landscapes, wild goats and the sheer joy of exploring.

A morning in pink: Elafonisi at dawn

My adventure started early – very early. At 7 a.m., I set off from Suite Leon in Panormos in a south-westerly direction. The destination: Elafonisi. I had heard so much about the pink beach and I wanted to experience it in its full glory before the crowds arrived. The drive through the awakening landscape was an experience in itself. I stopped off at 2 cafés and enjoyed my Fredo cappuccino.

When I arrived, it was exactly as I had hoped: the light was soft, the water glowed in countless shades of turquoise and the beach actually shimmered a delicate pink. Incidentally, the pink hue comes from the countless tiny fragments of shells mixed in with the white sand.

The tranquillity in the morning was magical. I spent two wonderful hours exploring the unique lagoon, wading through the ankle-high, warm water and simply soaking up the peaceful atmosphere. It was the perfect start to the day and a memory I won’t soon forget.

Pure relaxation: Falasarna in the afternoon

After enjoying the beauty of Elafonisi to the full, I moved on to the west coast, more precisely to Falasarna. This vast sandy beach is known for its size, clear water and spectacular sunsets. I arrived at lunchtime and spent a relaxing three hours on the beach. The sea was refreshing, the sand soft and warm – ideal for relaxing and enjoying the Greek sun. The wind was also playing tricks on me, it felt like my parasol flew off 5 times 🙂

In the evening I checked into the Hotel Balos Beach in Falasarna. A cozy place that was perfect for reviewing the day’s experiences and preparing for the next adventures.

The jewel of the west: Balos Lagoon

The next day was dedicated to one of the absolute highlights of Crete: the Balos Lagoon. It was only a stone’s throw from the hotel in Falasarna to the starting point. The journey there and the subsequent descent to the lagoon are an adventure in themselves, but every step is worth it.

As the lagoon spread out beneath me, my breath caught in my throat. The panorama is simply indescribable: a symphony of turquoise, azure blue and emerald green hues, surrounded by wild nature and a small island. It’s like stepping into a postcard. I spent 2 hours splashing in the shallow, warm water, admiring the unique landscape and taking photos that can never capture the true beauty of this place. Also check out the goat photos below this paragraph:). Balos is definitely a must for every visitor to Crete!

Venetian charm at the end: Chania

Before heading back to Panormos, a visit to Chania was on the agenda, where I have spent time with Leon, Sabrina and my parents-in-law on several occasions. This charming town in the west of Crete is a real gem. The Venetian harbor with its striking lighthouse is simply picturesque and invites you to take long walks. I got lost (in a good way!) in the narrow streets of the old town, discovering hidden squares, small boutiques and cozy tavernas. Chania exudes a very special atmosphere, a mixture of history, culture and lively Greek everyday life. It was the perfect end to a trip full of unforgettable impressions.

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After so many new impressions and experiences, I started my journey home to Suite Leon in Panormos, filled with the beauty and hospitality of western Crete. It was a trip that exceeded my expectations and left me with many wonderful memories.

December 21, 2022June 19, 2025

About Panormo

Panormo is a very nice location in the North of Crete where Suite Leon is located

You may be contemplating booking a Crete holiday soon. Perhaps you’re also looking for one of the quieter Crete resorts, somewhere to unwind, relax. A vacation to take things slowly for a while. If so, this is a perfect place to do exactly this! Here you can take advantage of the sunny Crete weather and spend some time chilling out on some beautiful Crete beaches. You also may want some place where you can venture out and explore more of the island. Then please Step forward to Panormo, Crete.

The village’s location where Suite Leon is located is easy to find. Just stay on the highway from Heraklion (Greek National Road 90) until the highway-sign with Panormo on it shows up. You can also use public transport which is very well organized on Crete. If you’re travelling from Heraklion the regular buses which heading to Rethymno and Chania stop at Panormo on request. If you’re travelling from Rethymno (occasionally referred to as Rethymnon in guidebooks), the number 20 runs every 30 minutes during the season from May to October.

Character of the village

I visited Panormo in 2022 alone six times. Sometimes all by myself and sometimes with my family. I did notice that for example the beaches in Panormo were only moderately busy, never mind the Saison. There are also several cafes around the beaches, all serving a range of Greek and Cretan cuisine. The Restaurants and cafes mostly also have great sea views. These are ideal spots to stop by for a while. In comparison with other resorts on the north Crete coast, Panormo struck me as more relaxed and laid-back. Tourism has obviously taken over on some spots. Nevertheless, the place has maintained its beautiful character and isn’t anything like as busy as larger villages such as nearby Bali Crete and, beyond Rethymno, Georgioupolis.

I have referred to the village as Panormo Crete on this webpage to avoid confusion. There are two other destinations in Greece which have the almost same name. Panormo in Crete is not to be confused with Panormos Mykonos or Panormos, Skopelos. At the time of writing my Google Maps destinations it refers to ‘Panormos in Rethymno’. You may also see it called Panormo Rethymno.

Exact GPS Location Suite Leon

What can we see and do in Panormo?

The main things to do in Panormo Crete revolve around the Panormo beaches and eating out. I do it all the time. There are three beaches in Panormo with others further along the coast. The beaches we have been explained are explained in the Menu “Beaches”. There is also an Beaches on Crete Link to explore the nicest beaches on Crete and an internal Link written by myself to explain the beaches nearby Suite Leon. In the two main streets in this 680 residents village you also can enjoy nice cafes and many incredible taverns. Here you can particularly and specifically find traditional cuisine – really worth its money. Furthermore I tried out a variety of watersports like taking take boat trips or snorkeling trips. We could carry out this from the beach in the east of Panormo. Or just have a great scuba diving experience. You also might visit the ruins of the Genoese fort, as well as those of the famous Christian basilica Agia Sophia. Any many other things…

HD Video about Panormo

Activities Around Panormo?

Panormo, as mentioned in the beach section, has fantastic beaches. Thisis just the right mix of a modern convenience and traditional atmosphere. Its natural port is the center of three lovely bays around which the town is situated. This means that there are three convenient beaches to choose from. The central harbor, thanks to the long breakwater protecting the harbor, is the calmest. But all three are reasonably sheltered from the famous Meltemi winds that can toss up the sea along the north coast of Crete.

As stunning as the beaches of Crete are, you’ll also want to set aside some time to get to know the mountains. Crete is one of the best destinations for hiking in Greece. There are hikes for every level of skill and stamina.

Also explore Rethymno at Panormo

Please explore the south of the Rethymno – for instance on your way to the Preveli beach. At Preveli Beach we have already been twice and it is incredible there. On its way you can easily visit one of Crete’s most charming mountain villages at an elevation of 430 meters. It has cooler temperatures and sweet-smelling air. The town is most famous for its fountain where cool and crisp waters gush from the mouths of 25 stone lions. This is a 45 minute drive from Panormo.

Another lovely village to get a true taste of traditional Crete is a nice village just a 20 minute from Panormo. In addition to the traditional architecture and the charming classic taverns and cafes where you can have wonderful true Cretan food. This village is famous for its pottery. There are many pottery studios to visit. There you can explore fine hand-crafted and hand-painted wares. They also make many ingenious designs from the ancient world.

Some history of Panormo

Panormo is situated in a historic place and is believed to be on the site of the ancient city Panormus. The existence of an ancient city is confirmed by the discovery of the basilica of St. Sophia (6th ADCentury) 500m southwest of the village. The basilica is considered as one of the greatest Christian churches in Greece. It is also the largest in Crete. Moreover, Panormos is called Kastelli of Milopotamos (i.e. Castle of Milopotamos). This is because it was fortified by the Genoese, who conquered it in 1206. The fort, however, fell a few years later at the hands of Venetians. Traces of the fort are still visible next to the harbor.

Modern history

In the modern history, Panormo was a center for the transportation of goods produced in the wider region. The area produced large quantities of olive and carob. You can still visit the renovated carobmill, which is nowadays used as a cultural center. After the German Occupation, when it was bombed, the small fishing village and port transformed into a tourist resort on many spots. The new national road that was constructed next to the village and the construction of the marina in 1980. This contributed to the touristic development of Panormo. Three festivals take place here every year: Ascension, St. John on June 24 and St. Nicholas on December 6.

Link: Panormos (Kreta) – WIKIPEDIA (German)