Rethymnon, with Mount Psiloritis and the deep blue sea, with traces of 3,500
years of civilisation, numerous Byzantine churches and monasteries, magical Venetian monuments, the best-preserved Renaissance city of the country and its superb nature, is one of the most beautiful areas in Greece.
It is an area full of contradictions, where wild mountainous scenery alternates with fertile plains, and the imposing rocky coast alternates with endless sandy beaches.
At every step, one discovers exceptionally beautiful landscapes: impressive gorges, numerous caves, verdant valleys, small rivers. However, it is mountains that play the leading role in the morphology of Rethymnon, with Psiloritis dominating, the Kedros range, Kouloukonas or the Talaia Mountains.
Rethymnon's natural terrain, with its rich flora and fauna, offers possibilities for every kind of contact with nature; from simple walks and gorge-crossings to specialised ascents and difficult climbing routes. It is a paradise for nature- persons , hikers, cyclists and climbers.
Rethymnon and its villages are living postcards, characterised by the aromas of Cretan cuisine and the sound of the Cretan lyra. The inhabitants live in alliance with nature and sentiments, ungoverned by the codes of city life. Wherever you go, even to the most remote of villages, they will open their doors wide to welcome you, offer you "tsikoudia", and become your friends; because Rethymnon is the homeland of Zeus, god of hospitality. "It's not a place you visit, but a place you come back to", the poet Giorgos Stavrianos once said, and thousands of repeat visitors confirm his words.
This is the Rethymnon we propose as an alternative holiday destination, and we invite you to discover it.

Georgios Papadakis
Prefect of Rethymnon