Your Guide to Rethymno
Things to Do and See

A Journey Through Cretan Civilisation in Rethymno

Exploring Rethymno the Third Largest City in Crete

Exploring Rethymno, Crete: A Journey Through Time and Terrain
Beaches and Activities

Beaches in the North and South of Rethymno Crete

From Hiking to Diving: Outdoor Activities in Rethymno Crete
Gatronomy and Places to Stay

The wines of Greece – Rethymno: The climate, the wineries, the varieties, the labels

Rethymno’s Hotels: Creature Comforts in Delightful Settings
Shopping and Bars

Shop Handcrafted Authentic Creations in Rethymno Crete

Rooftop Views and Craft Cocktails: Best Bars in Rethymnon, Crete
Useful Information

Getting There and Around – Rethymno

Useful Telephone Numbers – Rethymno

Your Driving Tips for Rethymno

A journey into the past and present, an awakening discovery of pleasure, knowledge and taste. This is the essence of Rethymno’s gastronomy, which through its exceptional delights makes it impossible for you not to forge an immediate connection with its land and its people.

Rethymo’s cuisine reflects everything that transpires in the heart of the Cretan universe; every time a kitchen door opens in a Venetian–style village, somewhere on the slopes of Mt Ida, or when a visitor wanders through an estate or dances at a festival and hears vibrant local stories from bygone times.

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In a sea of vineyards and olive groves live people who, with true inspiration, passion and love for the Cretan land, follow and respect the laws of nature and embrace its uniqueness with all their might. And all of them together manifest a special personal experience that fills you with fresh knowledge and strong memories.

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Photo: Amalia Kovaiou
Photo: Amalia Kovaiou

In an orchard of fresh vegetables, you’ll discover the rhytmn of the seasons and the multiple potentials of organic farming. In aromatic herb gardens, your senses will be revived by the evocative scents of the Mediterranean. Somewhere in the countryside of Rethymno at a small olive press, you’ll discover the secrets of Crete’s “liquid gold” by tasting singular oil. In a wine press that is also an archaeological site, you’ll learn how grape must is turned into precious wine; in the area’s wineries, you can also observe modern winemaking methods and meet dedicated people with a true passion for the age-old product.

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Photo: Amalia Kovaiou
Photo: Amalia Kovaiou

Spend time in the area, take time to pick vine leaves, pluck tender, juicy vegetables and discover where the chickens hide their eggs. Milk the goats and make cheese as it was made in the time of Homer. Then, when you find yourself in a kitchen, roll up your sleeves and make herbaceous stuffing, wrap vine leaves, and cook Cretan cheese pies. Later, under the shade of a tree, taste what you’ve created as you sit engrossed in the candid splendour of Cretan nature.

Here, where simplicity coexists with rich tastes, when the table is set famous Cretan dishes always steal the show: popular dakos salad, with fresh tomatoes and sour mizithra cheese, strike a delicious balance with the stamangathi greens and ascolimbros (a root vegetable), which in Crete is usually served alongside koukia beans.

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Photo: Amalia Kovaiou
Photo: Amalia Kovaiou

Cockles (hochli), cooked in a pan with vinegar and rosemary or with a pungent red sauce and sausage, are two Rethymo classics, with a flavor-packed distinctiveness that has made them known around the world. Fresh meats will be cooked in a special way called “antikristo”, positioned around the fire, sometimes becoming the cause for a party. From the animals, delicious cheeses are produced, namely mizithra and gruyere. The tasty “staka” butter, traditional Cretan pilaf, tasty kalzounia pies, “anevata” bread cookies and so many other choices will make this tasty journey an unequaled experience.

Look forward to being welcomed with ice-cold raki (distilled grape firewater), which is an integral element of Cretan hospitality, accompanied by a humble yet surprisingly generous selection of traditional dishes: raw artichokes, nuts with olives, beans, anchovies, and all kinds of fruits and vegetables, depending on the season, will be on hand to boost your pleasure as you raise a glass to good health and exciting delicious adventures.

Read also:

One of Greece’s most impressive caves open to the public is located in Crete

Alekos Restaurant: A celebration of Cretan cuisine and excellent homemade food

The wines of Greece – Rethymno: The climate, the wineries, the varieties, the labels