Rethymno maintains its long cultural tradition with events such as the Renaissance Festival that is held there every summer. Also, the Rethymno Carnival has witnessed great developments in recent years drawing in lots of visitors every spring.

When taking a walking tour around the city, one realizes the main attractions are all concentrated in the old town which is worth exploring without any preconceived route. By just walking along the narrow alleys of Rethymno you can discover the picturesque spots and the architectural treasures of the Venetian times.

However, the most relaxing and laid-back part of the city is the water – front esplanade with its numerous cafés and bustling restaurants scattered over the sandy shore.

The picturesque village of Anogia is a 55km drive from Rethymno. Its history reaches the end of centuries as indicated by the Doric expressions used in the local dialect. The people of Anogia helped significantly in the fight against all conquerors. The village was destroyed twice, the first time in 1822 by the Turks and the second on August 15th, 1944, by the Germans. The people of Anogia are very different from the other Cretans. They keep the tradition alive as far as clothing, food, dialect, and social gatherings are concerned. The local costume is very famous here. From Anogia, one should visit Mount Psiloritis and Idaion Andron. Do not miss the chance to eat at a local tavern and experience impeccable Cretan hospitality.

Rethymno is not directly connected to the rest of Greece. However, one can use the airports and ports of the cities of Heraklion and Chania from anywhere there are daily scheduled flights and ferries between Athens and many other major European capitals. The drive from either Chania or Heraklion takes about an hour and 15 minutes.