A Taste of Crete
Othonas
Traditional Cretan taverna, family run
Sofra
Mediterranean dishes in a vine-covered alleyway
Avli
Fine dining in a Venetian courtyard
Nikos Souvlaki
The best souvlaki in Rethymno
7 Thalasses
Seafood by the sea
Meli
Homemade gelato, old town
Taverna Yiannis
Traditional Greek, fresh daily — great moussaka and mixed grill
Finikas Taverna
Big menu, Greek and seafood, calm atmosphere, reasonable prices
Kellari Taverna
Family run, authentic Greek and Cretan, mid price
Bella Casita Taverna
Fresh seafood, friendly and authentic
Laki's Beach Bar
Beach bar, right on the shore
Marem
Beach strip cafe and bar
Roulis Beach Bar
Right on the beach, great cocktails and sunsets
Elena Taverna
Fresh fish on the beachfront
Mythos Taverna
Traditional Cretan, garden ingredients
Mitsos Gyros
Local institution, best gyros in the area
Cactus
European menu, more contemporary feel
Mistrali
Beachfront, traditional Cretan cuisine
Akrogiali
Live music Thursdays & Sundays, tables by the sea
Il Forno
Pizza and pasta, tables by the sea
Woodstock
Beachfront brunch spot, Nea Chora
Red Jane
Artisan bakery in a 1930s foundry, outstanding croissants
Wild Child
Bakery, popular for pastries and coffee
Faka
Family taverna, just off the harbour, traditional Cretan
Canale
Cretan cuisine with harbour views
Salis
Farm-to-table, waterfront, exceptional wine list
Pallas
Fine dining, Venetian harbour views
Boheme
Fairy-lit courtyard, cocktails and small plates
Synagogi
Cocktail bar in the ruins of an old synagogue
Sights Worth the Wander
Rethymno
Rethymno Fortress
A Venetian fortress on the headland above town. The walls are largely intact and the views over the old town and sea are worth the walk up.
Open daily · €4 entry · Allow 1 hr
Chania
Chania Venetian Harbour & Lighthouse
The old harbour is the most beautiful part of Chania — Venetian architecture, an Egyptian lighthouse and lots of places to eat right on the water.
60 min from Rethymno · 30 min from Kalyves · Free · Allow 2 hrs
Rethymno
Rethymno Old Town
Venetian archways, Ottoman fountains, and small streets with good cafes and independent shops tucked in.
Free · Allow 2–3 hrs · 10 mins from Casa Adele
Rethymno
Kournas Lake
Crete's only freshwater lake, set in a natural bowl in the hills. Calm, green, and a good change of pace from the coast.
40 min from Rethymno · Free · Allow 1–1.5 hrs
Kalyves
Almyrida
A small village with a pretty horseshoe harbour, calm sea, and good tavernas right on the water — popular with locals rather than tourists.
5 min from Kalyves · Free
Kalyves
St Nicholas Church, Georgioupoli
A whitewashed chapel on a rocky islet, reached by a stone causeway. Postcard-pretty and a lovely spot for photos — wear sturdy shoes.
Free · Especially beautiful at sunset
Kalyves
Georgioupoli
A small relaxed town where a river meets the sea. Long sandy beach, a shaded eucalyptus square, and a good spot for lunch.
30 min from Rethymno · Free · Allow 1–2 hrs
Kalyves
Souda Bay War Cemetery
A Commonwealth war cemetery from the Battle of Crete in 1941. Immaculately kept and very peaceful — a sobering contrast to the holiday surroundings.
20 min from Kalyves · Free · Allow 30 min
Rethymno
Rethymno Fortress
A Venetian fortress on the headland above town. The walls are largely intact and the views over the old town and sea are worth the walk up.
Open daily · €4 entry · Allow 1 hr
Rethymno
Rethymno Old Town
Venetian archways, Ottoman fountains, and small streets with good cafes and independent shops tucked in.
Free · Allow 2–3 hrs · 10 mins from Casa Adele
Rethymno
Kournas Lake
Crete's only freshwater lake, set in a natural bowl in the hills. Calm, green, and a good change of pace from the coast.
40 min from Rethymno · Free · Allow 1–1.5 hrs
Kalyves
Almyrida
A small village with a pretty horseshoe harbour, calm sea, and good tavernas right on the water — popular with locals rather than tourists.
5 min from Kalyves · Free
Kalyves
St Nicholas Church, Georgioupoli
A whitewashed chapel on a rocky islet, reached by a stone causeway. Postcard-pretty and a lovely spot for photos — wear sturdy shoes.
Free · Especially beautiful at sunset
Kalyves
Georgioupoli
A small relaxed town where a river meets the sea. Long sandy beach, a shaded eucalyptus square, and a good spot for lunch.
30 min from Rethymno · Free · Allow 1–2 hrs
Kalyves
Souda Bay War Cemetery
A Commonwealth war cemetery from the Battle of Crete in 1941. Immaculately kept and very peaceful — a sobering contrast to the holiday surroundings.
20 min from Kalyves · Free · Allow 30 min
Chania
Chania Venetian Harbour & Lighthouse
The old harbour is the most beautiful part of Chania — Venetian architecture, an Egyptian lighthouse and lots of places to eat right on the water.
60 min from Rethymno · 30 min from Kalyves · Free · Allow 2 hrs
Ways to Fill a Day
Kalyves
Boat trip from Kalyves harbour
Small boats run trips along the coast — swimming stops, sea caves, and a good way to see the coastline from the water.
Leaves from Kalyves · €20–30pp approx · Allow half a day · Book the day before in peak season
Rethymno
Margarites
A small hill village known for its pottery workshops — family-run, you can watch things being made. Good for a browse and something to bring home.
25 min from Rethymno · Free · Allow 1–2 hrs · Most workshops open in the morning
Chania
Balos Lagoon
One of the most spectacular beaches in Greece — a long sand spit, vivid turquoise water, and a small island beyond. Hike down or take the boat from Kissamos harbour.
1.5 hrs from Rethymno · Boat or hike · Allow a full day · Bring everything you need
Chania
Imbros Gorge
A manageable gorge walk — shorter and far less crowded than Samaria, takes about 2–3 hours. Narrow at points, good scenery, and you can get a taxi back from the bottom.
1 hr from Rethymno · Small entry fee · Allow half a day · Start early to avoid the heat
Chania
Elafonissi Beach
A shallow pink-tinged lagoon at the far southwestern tip of Crete. You can wade across to the small island. One of the best beaches on the island but gets very busy in high season.
1.5 hrs from Rethymno · Free · Allow a full day · Go early or late in the day
Chania
Loutro
A tiny whitewashed village on the south coast with no road access — get there by ferry or on foot. Unusually quiet as a result, with clear water and good tavernas right on the sea.
1.5 hrs drive + ferry · Allow a full day · Ferry from Chora Sfakion takes 20 min
Chania
Chania Old Town
Good independent shops, the markets, plenty of places for lunch, and the harbour to end up at. Worth a proper half-day.
25 min from Kalyves · Free · Allow half a day · Markets good for local produce and gifts
Rethymno
Rethymno Market
A street market running through the town on Thursdays — local produce, olive oil, honey, herbs, and fresh fruit. Good for stocking up or just having a look around.
On your doorstep · Free · Allow 1 hr · Bring cash and a bag
Rethymno
Margarites
A small hill village known for its pottery workshops — family-run, you can watch things being made. Good for a browse and something to bring home.
25 min from Rethymno · Free · Allow 1–2 hrs · Most workshops open in the morning
Rethymno
Rethymno Market
A street market running through the town on Thursdays — local produce, olive oil, honey, herbs, and fresh fruit. Good for stocking up or just having a look around.
On your doorstep · Free · Allow 1 hr · Bring cash and a bag
Kalyves
Boat trip from Kalyves harbour
Small boats run trips along the coast — swimming stops, sea caves, and a good way to see the coastline from the water.
Leaves from Kalyves · €20–30pp approx · Allow half a day · Book the day before in peak season
Chania
Balos Lagoon
One of the most spectacular beaches in Greece — a long sand spit, vivid turquoise water, and a small island beyond. Hike down or take the boat from Kissamos harbour.
1.5 hrs from Rethymno · Boat or hike · Allow a full day · Bring everything you need
Chania
Imbros Gorge
A manageable gorge walk — shorter and far less crowded than Samaria, takes about 2–3 hours. Narrow at points, good scenery, and you can get a taxi back from the bottom.
1 hr from Rethymno · Small entry fee · Allow half a day · Start early to avoid the heat
Chania
Elafonissi Beach
A shallow pink-tinged lagoon at the far southwestern tip of Crete. You can wade across to the small island. One of the best beaches on the island but gets very busy in high season.
1.5 hrs from Rethymno · Free · Allow a full day · Go early or late in the day
Chania
Loutro
A tiny whitewashed village on the south coast with no road access — get there by ferry or on foot. Unusually quiet, with clear water and good tavernas right on the sea.
1.5 hrs drive + ferry · Allow a full day · Ferry from Chora Sfakion takes 20 min
Chania
Chania Old Town
Good independent shops, the markets, plenty of places for lunch, and the harbour to end up at. Worth a proper half-day.
25 min from Kalyves · Free · Allow half a day · Markets good for local produce and gifts