Information about Rethymno Crete

http://www.rethymnon.gr/index.php?en Rethymno is one of the four prefectures of Crete. It is situated between the prefectures of Chania and Heraklion, abutting the Cretan Sea in the north and the Libyan Sea in the south.
Its capital, which has the same name as the prefecture, is situated 58 km from the town of Chania and 78 km from the town of Heraklion. The central part of the town of Rethymno is built on the cape of the northern shore of the prefecture.
The developing town stretches along the northern sandy beach, which has a total length of 13 km, whilst a range of low mountains of which the highest peak is Mount Vrysina (858 m), rises up south of the town centre.

The prefecture terrain is mainly mountainous with small but interesting morphological changes such as imposing gorges, a large number of caves, lush valleys and small rivers. Areas of flat land can be found primarily in the northern coastal region as well as between massifs. Equally restricted is the number of rivers. The Geropotamos, or Avlopotamos from the mountainous area of Mylopotamos flows into the sea west of Panormo, and the Megalo Potamos flows into the lagoon at Preveli. All the other rivers in the northern part of the prefecture are of minor importance and usually carry water during the winter period only.

Thus mountains and mountain ranges dominate the terrestrial morphology of the prefecture. In the east Mount Ida, or Psiloritis, rises up. With a height of 2456 m it is the highest peak of the island of Crete, its massif covering approximately 1/5 of the total territory of the prefecture. The mountain range of Kedros (1777 m) rises southwest of Psiloritis. Together the two massifs border the beautiful valley of Amari. On the northeasterly border of the prefecture is Mount Kouloukounas, also called Talaia Mountain (1083 m), and south of the town of Rethymno is Mount Vrysinas (858 m). Mount Kryoneritis (1312 m) lies south west of the town and is the most easterly peak in Crete's second large massif, the White Mountains.

Due to the hot summers and the long periods of rainfall, which lasts from autumn almost to April, the climate can be characterised as "temperate Mediterranean". Temperatures range around 14? C in winter and 29? C in summer. Furthermore, strong northerly and southerly winds play a significant role in this area with respect to meteorological phenomena.


Mount Psiloritis

 Code +30  Tourism Promotion Committee of Rethymnon Prefecture 28310 25571,2 Fax: 25064 Municipality of Rethymnon 28310 41301
-5 Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) 28310 29148, 56350 Police 100 Tourist Police 28310 53450, 28156 Traffic Police 28310 22589 Police Station 28310 88154 Fire Brigade 199 Port Authorithy 28310 22276 Post Office 28310 22303 Hospital 28310 87100 Dialisys Center (1) Hospital 28310 26093 Dialisys Center (2) General Clinic "Asklipios" 28310 24524-6 Spili Health Center 28320 22222 Anogia Health Center 28340 31208 Perama Health Center 28340 23075 Agia Fotini Health Center 28330 22750-2 Public Bus Station 28310 22212 Taxi 28310 25000, 71900, 22316 TAXI for Handicapped Persons
(G. Lagouvardos) 6947 602827,
28310 56678  Hotel Association of Rethymnon 28310 55873 Hotel Association of South Coast 28320 31280-2 Rent Rooms Association "Filoxenia" (Plakias) 28320 31152 Rent Rooms Association "Xenios Zeus" 28310 29503 Pan-Cretan Cooperative of Alternative Tourism 28340 61818, 61611 Mountaineering Club 28310 57766 Sailing Club 28310 50450 Cycling Club 28310 53197 Archaeological Museum of Rethymno 28310 54668 Municipal Gallery
"L. Kanakakis" 28310 52530, 52689 Historical and Folklore Museum of Rethymno 28310 23398 Cretan Popular Art Center 28310 51501 Paleontological Museum of Rethymnon 28310 23083 Catholic Church 28310 26416 Folklore Museum of History (Somatas) 28310 41315 Greek Traditional Costumes Museum (Roustika) 210 7661949, 6932750946 Monastery of Preveli 28320 41444 Monastery of Arkadi 28310 83076, 83126 Cave of Zoniana 28340 61734

Church Museum

28310 22731

The Museum of "Monastery of Arkadi"

28310 83076
28310 83135

The Museum of "Monastery of Preveli"

28320 41 444

Military Museum, Chromonastiri

28310 75 135 Woodcarving workshop & showroom,
Axos Mylopotamos. 6937691387 Wax Museum “Potamianos” 28340 61087
Fax: 28340 61827 Museum of the Olive, Kapsaliana 28310 83400
Fax: 2831083383 The mill of Prinari, Chromonastiri 210 9944757, FAX 210 9916339, Mob: 6977416305 Papageorgoulakeio Folk Museum, Asomatos 28320 31674 Spiritual - Cultural Center
Anestis and Manolis Anagnostakis 6977589932 The house of “Polios” 6979495098, 6974412534

Museum of Traditional Greek Costumes
“Kate & Andreas Fragkiadaki”

210 7661949, 6932750946

Transportation

To Rethymno
You can travel to Rethymno either by choosing one of the many flights, which are scheduled daily to Chania and Heraklio, or alternatively take the boat from Piraeus port directly to Rethymno port. Service is run on a daily basis. The distance from the airports of Chania and Heraklio to Rethymno is 50km and 60km respectively. The flight from Athens is 35 minutes. The journey by boat from Piraeus to Rethymno lasts 10 hours.

From Rethymno
For transportation within and beyond the border of the prefecture of Rethymno you may use the public transportation service. Buses (KTEL) run on a daily basis. Alternatively you can use a taxi or rent a car or motorbike.

The Prefecture of Rethymno is ideal for summer holidays since it boasts a large number of beautiful and clean beaches. Magnificent sandy beaches can be visited on the north coast, at the Cretan Sea as well as on the south coast of the island, at the Libyan Sea.
We would like to detail below some of the more characteristic beaches:

Rethymno Beach: Organised sandy beach more than 20 km long, stretching from the town of Rethymno in an easterly direction towards the areas of Perivolia, Platanes, Adelianos Kampos, Skaleta
Episkopi Beach: Large sandy beach west of Rethymno, partly organised

Panormo: This coastal village is situated 20 km east of Rethymno. It boasts an organised beach as well as a variety of tavernas, hotels and rooms right by the sea.

Bali: Nestling in the surrounding mountains of the bay of Bali you will find the coastal village of the same name 34 km east of Rethymno. Visitors may choose from which of the small inlets to enjoy bathing at organised beaches. The area offers a large number of tavernas, hotels and rooms.

Plakias: The village of Plakias is situated 40 km south of Rethymno. This resort boasts a superb sandy beach, and the well-organised infrastructure includes hotels, rooms, tavernas and restaurants. The organised beach offers both bathing and various water sports.

Souda Plakias: Organised, sandy beach west of the village of Plakias. A few tavernas are situated close to the beach, where rooms are also available.

Damnoni: Organised sandy beach west of the village of Plakias and south of the town of Rethymno. It offers a few tavernas and rooms are also available.

Ammoudi: Small sandy beach near Damnoni not organised and fairly isolated.
Preveli Lagoon: 38km south of Rethymno, shortly before you arrive at the historic Monastery of Preveli, a track on the left hand side leads downhill to a parking place. After approximately 15-minutes downhill walk you arrive at the beautiful sandy beach with palm trees, where the River Kourtaliotis empties into the sea.

Triopetra: The beach of Triopetra, which was named after the three distinctive rocks in the sea, is situated approximately 50 km south of Rethymno. Follow the road to Aghia Galini and turn left after 40 km in the direction of Akoumia. Continue until you arrive at the huge sandy beach, which is not organised and fairly isolated.

Aghios Pavlos: The magnificent sandy beach of Aghios Pavlos is found 58km south of Rethymno. Follow the road to Aghia Galini and after 46km turn right at the crossroads of the village of Kria Vrissi. Continue until you arrive at the seaside. Bathing in one of the isolated inlets, which have formed between the rocks, and seeing the sand dunes will be an unforgettable experience. In the village of the same name you will find rooms and tavernas.

Aghia Galini: This resort is situated 58km south of Rethymno. Apart from the plentiful tourist infrastructure the village also boasts beautiful and clean beaches, which are situated in various picturesque inlets in the area.

Korakas: This beach is also situated on the south coast, more precisely south of the village of Rodakino, 42km from Rethymno. The sandy beach of Korakas is organised and the area offers hotels, as well as a large variety of rooms and tavernas.

Mountaineering - WalkingCrete and particularly the prefecture of Rethymno invites the visitor to not only enjoy the sea and the infrastructure of organised tourist resorts, but also to explore the multifarious beauties of the countryside and the mountains, where he can come into closer contact with the every-day-life of the locals in the villages.
While you enjoy the landscape, which includes harsh and remote areas as well as lush green, cultivated areas, you will also come to know the mountains and gorges and the inhabitants of isolated and often almost deserted villages. You will be given the opportunity to follow the trail of the history and the civilisation of the area at archaeological sites, historical monasteries, churches and settlements.
Furthermore, the grandeur of nature becomes obvious through the aromatic herbs and wild flowers, which grow prolifically on Crete.

The European Path E4, which starts at the Pyrenees and continues through Europe and Greece, runs through Crete from the village of Kasteli /Kisamos to the village of Zakros. The adventurous visitor, who is attracted by mountaineering and walking, has the opportunity to follow this path through the Prefecture of Rethymno. We would like to describe a few of the most distinctive and sensational walking tours below:

Kallikratis - Argyroupoli: It will take you approximately 5 hours to cover the distance of 16 km.
Argyroupoli - Angouseliana: The distance of 23km can be covered in approximately 8 hours and is easy to walk.
Spili - Gerakari: The total length of this tour, which will lead you across Mount Kedros and therefore includes a few difficulties, is 18,5km, a distance which can be covered in approximately 8 hours.
Refuge of Toumpotos Prinos - Nida Plateau: The Refuge of Toumpotos Prinos can be reached either on foot starting from the village of Fourfouras (4 hours walk approximately) or by car starting from the village of Kouroutes. The route to the Nida Plateau covers a distance of 14km and is fairly difficult due to the height.

Mountain Bike
Rethymno provides one of the more interesting opportunities for tourists and locals to enjoy Cretan nature due to the fact that the countryside is only a small distance from the town and can be reached within a very short time. Beautiful provincial roads leading through lush vegetation with aromatic herbs and wild flowers invite the aficionado of mountain biking to experience this unique landscape. You can either participate in organised biking tours, where the routes are decided on, or you can rent a bike and choose an individual route of your own preference simply by following the map.

Kreta Bike: Tel. (+30) 28310 72431, Mobile: (+30) 6946770668
Odyseas the cyclist: Tel. (+30) 2831058178, Mobile: (+30) 694829506
Olympic Bike Travel Tel. (+30) 28310 72 38 3, Mob: +30 6944 22 05 13

Water sportsRethymno is situated between two seas, the Cretan and the Libyan Sea. This position has played an important role with regard to the development of a strong relationship between the locals and the sea. Genuine islanders that they are, the people living in coastal villages at least, love the wet element, which has become part of their lives either professionally or as a hobby. They became familiar with the secrets of the sea, which have been passed on from generation to generation, and have managed to combine entertainment and relaxation in this relationship. The most obvious was to take advantage of the abundant possibilities of the sea and to develop various activities, which both the locals and the visitors, who also enjoy the sea, to take pleasure in. Most of the organised beaches of Rethymno offer the opportunity of enjoying sensational activities such as water skiing, wind surfing, sea parachuting and many others.
One can also take part in diving excursions, which various diving centres offer, or take diving lessons and experience the unique underwater world of our seas.

Diving centres (+30)
Plakias: Vogiatzis Vasilis, Tel. 6977713838
Dive Together B.V, Tel. 28320 32313
Papadaki Zabia, Tel. 6932336525
Petres: Magelaki Despina, Tel. 6936830428
Bali: Tsiritas Agelis, Tel. 6977073153
Adelianos Kambos: Gioubakis Giorgos, Tel. 6977506093

Watersports Centers (+30):
Beach of Rethymno:Theodorakis Dimitrios, Tel. 28310 25451, 51650
Tsountanis Gavriil, Tel. 28310 52803
Theodorakis George, Tel. 6944582170
Bali: Chelidoni – Tsaglioti Maria, Tel. 28340 94101-2
Pikrakis Vaggelis, Tel. 6936341033
Afoi Sopasoudaki AXTE, Tel. 6948502294
Davis Jim, Tel: 2834094505
Tsagliotis Eleftherios, Tel: 283409410
Adelianos Kabos: Varouxas Antonis, Tel. 2831056522
Panormo: Zebilisi Antonis, Tel. 6972074847
Agia Galini: Minadakis Ioannis, Tel. 28320 91147
Damnoni: Bakeris Stilianos, Happymark Hellas AETYE,
Tel. 28320 31991
Kefalas George, Tel: 2832051507

http://www.rethymnon.gr/index.php?activitiesen