Crete · Rethymno

Excursions from Rethymno

Relaxed days out from Rethymno. Premium catamaran cruises along the coast, the long sands of Georgioupoli, and wine and village tours into the Cretan hills.

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Coast near Rethymno, Crete ★ Loved by 50k+ travellers
Find your excursion

All excursions from Rethymno.

34 excursions
Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Chersonissos to Dia Island Crete

Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Chersonissos to Dia Island

6.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Hersonissos port.

from €145 View
Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Hersonissos Crete

Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Hersonissos

3.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Hersonissos port.

from €80 View
Afternoon Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island Crete

Afternoon Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Heraklion port.

from €125 View
Morning Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island Crete

Morning Luxury Catamaran Cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island

5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Heraklion port.

from €125 View
Premium Catamaran Cruise from Rethymno to Georgioupoli Bay Crete

Premium Catamaran Cruise from Rethymno to Georgioupoli Bay

6.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Rethymno port.

from €145 View
Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Skaleta from Rethymno Crete

Sunset Luxury Catamaran Cruise to Skaleta from Rethymno

3.5 hours · Sea tours

Our crew member will meet you in Rethymno port

from €85 View
Legends of Crete Crete

Legends of Crete

6+ hours

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel entrances or meeting points…

from €69 View
From Hersonissos: Half-Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch Crete

From Hersonissos: Half-Day Pirate Boat Trip with Lunch

6 hours · Outdoor

Please arrive at the port of Hersonissos 30 minutes…

from €59 View
Jeep Safari, Goat-Keeping & Cheese Making Crete

Jeep Safari, Goat-Keeping & Cheese Making

10+ hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel entrances or meeting points…

from €129 View
Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island Crete

Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa Island

10+ hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €67 View
Crete: WaterCity Waterpark Crete

Crete: WaterCity Waterpark

6 hours · Outdoor

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €42.5 View
Anopolis: Cretan Folklore Night Crete

Anopolis: Cretan Folklore Night

3+ hours · Historical

Pick-up and drop-off will be at the hotel entrance…

from €50 View
Not sure which to pick

Choosing your Rethymno trip.

Five different day trips start from Rethymno. Here is how our team helps you choose the one that fits your plans.

Sunset Catamaran to SkaletaShort on timeSunset Catamaran to SkaletaA three and a half hour evening sail off Skaleta, a swim stop and the sunset, back before dinner.See the trip Most popularCretan Wine and Food TourA taste of CreteCretan Wine & Food TourHill villages, a family winery and a long Cretan table, the inland half of the region on one plate.See the trip Premium Catamaran to GeorgioupoliBest on the waterPremium Catamaran to GeorgioupoliA full day cruising the coast down to Georgioupoli, the pick of Rethymno's sea trips.See the trip Georgioupoli Beach TripA family beach dayGeorgioupoli Beach TripThe long, shallow sands where the Almyros river meets the sea, calm and easy for younger children.See the trip
Book with the operator

Booking Rethymno direct.

The local team, not a reseller

You book with the local team behind the Rethymno catamarans and Arkadi trips, not a platform passing you to someone else.

Real people, quick to answer

Speak with real people on phone, WhatsApp and Viber every day from 08:00 to 22:00, before your trip and during your day out.

Flexible hotel pick-up

Pick-up is planned around where you stay, from Rethymno old town to Platanes, Adelianos Kampos and nearby resort areas.

Clear prices, no mark-up

The price shown is the trip price, with no extra booking-platform mark-up added on top.

If weather or sea conditions cancel a cruise or a gorge day, we move you to another date or refund you in full.

The destination

About Rethymno.

Rethymno keeps the best-preserved old town in Crete, a maze of Venetian and Ottoman lanes below a great hilltop fortress. Wooden Turkish balconies, arched doorways and a minaret rise over the little Venetian harbour.

Sitting on the north coast between Chania and Heraklion, Rethymno makes an easy, atmospheric base. A long sandy beach runs east from town, while the Amari valley and Mount Psiloritis rise inland behind the monastery of Arkadi. It also makes a base for exploring the rest of Crete, with Chania, Heraklion and Lasithi all within reach.

RegionNorth-central Crete
Known forIts Venetian old town & fortress
SettingBetween Chania and Heraklion
Weather

When to visit Rethymno.

The excursion season runs from April to late October, with warm seas that last into autumn. Summer is hot and busy, while May, June and September stay comfortable for wandering the old town.

MonthAir (day)SeaHow busy
May24°C20°CQuiet
June28°C22°CBuilding
July31°C24°CBusy
August31°C26°CBusy
September28°C25°CEasing
October24°C24°CQuiet
Fewest crowdsMay and October, with mild days and open beaches.
Warmest seaAugust into September, ideal for the boat trips.
Best for the old townSpring and autumn, before the peak summer heat.
Getting here

How to get to Rethymno.

Rethymno has no airport of its own, so most visitors arrive through Chania or Heraklion and drive along the coast.

Arriving by air

The nearest airport is Chania (CHQ), about 37 km west and roughly an hour away, with Heraklion (HER) around 80 km to the east. A transfer or rental car brings you straight into town.

Arriving by sea

Ferries from Piraeus dock at Souda near Chania or at Heraklion, each about an hour's drive from Rethymno, and in summer some overnight sailings also call at Rethymno's own port.

Where to stay

Where to stay for Rethymno.

Pick your base by the kind of trip you want: old-town atmosphere, a beach base or a quieter coast.

Browse hotels near Rethymno
Rethymno Old Town

Inside the Venetian quarter you are steps from the harbour, the Fortezza and the tavernas. Best for atmosphere and walking everywhere.

Rethymno beach

The long sandy strip east of town, lined with hotels and handy for a beach base close to the old town.

Georgioupoli & Kavros

Green, family-friendly resorts on a long beach to the west, with a river mouth and calm shallows.

Panormo & Bali

Small seaside villages to the east built around pretty coves, calmer and scenic.

Sights & monuments

What to see in Rethymno.

Rethymno keeps the finest old town in Crete, most of it a short walk below the fortress.

The Fortezza

The huge Venetian fortress crowning the headland, with wide views over the old town and the sea.

Rimondi Fountain

The 1626 Venetian fountain where water still pours from three stone lions, deep in the lanes.

The Venetian harbour

The little arched port and its lighthouse, ringed by tavernas, the town's prettiest corner.

Neratze Mosque

A Venetian church turned Ottoman mosque, its slender minaret the tallest in Crete.

Arkadi Monastery

A thirty-minute drive inland, the fortified monastery at the heart of Crete's fight for freedom in 1866.

The Old Town

A living maze of Venetian doorways, wooden balconies and hidden squares below the fortress.

Food & drink

Taste of Rethymno.

Food in Rethymno moves between the old town, the Venetian harbour and the mountain villages of the Amari valley. Expect Cretan olive oil, wild greens, local cheese, honey and slow-cooked dishes shaped by both coast and countryside.

Try dakos with local graviera, lamb cooked low and slow, or xerotigana, the honey-soaked pastry often served at celebrations. Finish with a small glass of raki, the way many meals in Crete naturally end.

Local specialties to try
Dakos Xerotigana Kalitsounia Graviera cheese Raki Cretan honey
One trusted partner

Plan your whole Rethymno trip.

Book every part of your Rethymno trip with one local team: flights, ferries, transfers, a car and your hotel.

FlightsFly to Chania (CHQ) or Heraklion (HER) FerriesFerries to Souda or Heraklion TransfersAirport & port pick-up Car rentalRent a car in Crete HotelsStays in & around Rethymno
Practical info

Good to know for Rethymno.

CurrencyEuro (€)
LanguageGreek and English widely spoken
Emergency112 (all services)
Time zoneGMT+2 (GMT+3 in summer)
PaymentsCards accepted, cash for villages
Peak seasonJuly and August
ConnectivityEU roaming, free Wi-Fi common
SafetyVery safe, low crime
Beaches

Beaches near Rethymno.

Easy beach days and south-coast escapes from Rethymno, ready to plan around your trip.

Plan your days

How long for Rethymno?

Two days cover the old town and the fortress. A few more let you add Arkadi, the mountain villages and the beaches along the coast.

1Old Town & Fortezza
  • MorningThe Venetian lanes, the Rimondi fountain and the little harbour.
  • AfternoonThe Fortezza and the town's archaeological museum.
  • EveningDinner beside the arched Venetian port.
2Into the mountains
  • Full dayArkadi Monastery and the Amari valley villages below Mount Psiloritis.
  • Good to knowMountain roads wind, so allow a little more time.
3Coast & springs
  • Beach dayThe long sands of Georgioupoli to the west.
  • Or a villageThe shady springs and tavernas of Argyroupoli.
Before you book

Your Rethymno questions

Where in Rethymno is the pick-up?

Most excursions include pick-up from central Rethymno hotels and the nearby coast such as Adelianos Kampos, Skaleta and Georgioupoli. Times are confirmed after booking.

Is Georgioupoli suitable for children?

Yes, Georgioupoli has calm, shallow water and a long sandy beach, which makes it a favourite with families. Tell us your group's ages and we'll suggest the best day.

What's included on the wine & food tour?

Tastings and local food are included, with visits to family producers and villages. The exact stops are listed on the excursion.

Do the catamaran cruises include food and drinks?

Most include drinks and a light meal or snacks on board. Full details are listed on each cruise page.

What if the weather turns?

If we cancel a departure for weather or sea conditions, you're offered another date or a full refund, always explained up front.

How far is Rethymno from the airports?

Rethymno sits between Crete’s two main airports, about 37 km from Chania Airport and 80 km from Heraklion Airport, roughly one hour and fifteen minutes by road from either side.

Is Arkadi Monastery worth visiting?

Yes. Arkadi is one of the most significant monuments in Crete, at the heart of the 1866 uprising, set among vineyards in the hills south of the town.

Can children swim at Lake Kournas?

Yes. Kournas is a calm freshwater lake with shallow edges and pedal boats, an easy family stop that is often paired with the Georgioupoli beach day.

Do I need to book the catamaran cruises in advance?

In July and August they fill up, so a few days ahead is wise. In the quieter months you can usually book closer to the date.

A Time 4 Vacation guide with travellers in Greece
Simple & secure

Booking Rethymno, step by step.

1

Search & choose

Browse Rethymno excursions by date, style and budget, and pick the experience that suits your trip.

2

Secure your place

Book your Rethymno day out online quickly, with confirmation and your voucher sent straight to your email.

3

Enjoy the day

A licensed local guide meets you on the day and keeps everything moving, so you can relax and enjoy Rethymno.

Ready to explore Rethymno?

Tell us your dates and what you have in mind. A local expert will put together the excursions, transfers and stays that fit, usually within a day.