Planning a Trip

Getting There

Rethymnon lacks an airport but is only about 1 hour from the Chania airport and 1 1/2 hours from the Iraklion airport.

By Boat -- Rethymnon does have its own ship line, which offers direct daily trips to and from Piraeus (about 10 hr.).

By Car -- Many people visit Rethymnon by car, taking the highway from either Iraklion (about 79km/49 miles) or Chania (72km/45 miles). The public parking lot at Plateia Plastira, at the far western edge, just outside the old harbor, is best approached via the main east-west road along the south edge of the town.

By Bus -- If you don't have your own vehicle, the bus offers frequent service to and from Iraklion and Chania -- virtually every half-hour from early in the morning until mid-evening. In high season, buses depart Rethymnon as late as 10pm. The fare has been about 14€ ($18) round-trip. The KTEL bus line (tel. 28310/22-212) that provides service to and from Chania and Iraklion is located at Akti Kefaloyianithon, at the city's western edge (so allow an extra 10 min. to get there).

Visitor Information

The National Tourism Office (tel. 28310/29-148) is on Venizelou, the main avenue that runs along the town beach. In high season, it's open Monday through Friday from 8am to 2:30pm; off season, its hours are unpredictable. But there are numerous private travel agencies in town that can arrange trips to virtually anywhere on the island. I recommend Ellotia Tours at 155 Arkadhiou (www.rethymnoatcrete.com).

Getting Around

Rethymnon is a walker's town. Bringing a car into the maze of streets and alleys is more trouble than it's worth -- in fact, it's virtually impossible. The sights you'll want to see are never more than a 20-minute walk from wherever you are.

To see the countryside of this part of Crete, unless you have unlimited time to use the buses, you'll need to rent a car. Among the many agencies with offices in Rethymnon are Motor Club (tel. 283l0/54-253), Budget (tel. 28310/56-910), Europeo (tel. 28310/51-940), and Hertz (tel. 28310/26-286).

Fast Facts

Several banks in both the old town and the new city have ATMs and currency-exchange machines. The hospital is at 7-9 Trantallidou in the new town (tel. 28310/27-491). For Internet access, try Caribbean Bar Cafe (behind Rimondi Fountain) or Alana Taverna (on Salaminas near Hotel Fortezza). The most convenient place to do laundry is next to the Youth Hostel, 45 Tombazi; its hours are Monday through Saturday from 8am to 8pm. The tourist police (tel. 28310/28-156) share the same building with the tourist office along the beach. The post office is east of the public gardens at 37 Moatsu (tel. 28310/22-571); its hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 8pm, Saturday from 8am to noon. The telephone office (OTE) is at 40 Kountourioti; it's open daily from 7:30am to midnight.