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Harbour · Rethymno, Creta
Porto veneziano de Rethymno
The small Venetian port of Rethymno, in a crescent shape, with tavernas on the waterfront and the stone lighthouse from the Egyptian period at the end of the breakwater; from there the city's long beach begins.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Porto veneziano de Rethymno
Rethymno's Venetian port is small, almost like a lake, shaped like a crescent closed off by a breakwater. The Venetians had trouble with it from the start because sand would clog it, and the modern port ended up being built alongside it, to the east. That preserved the old one, which today is a quay for fishing and pleasure boats, surrounded by fish tavernas with tables on the waterfront.
At the end of the breakwater stands the stone lighthouse, built in the 19th century when Crete was under Egyptian administration; it's the smaller sibling of Chania's lighthouse. The walk along the breakwater is short and gives views of the port with the Fortezza in the background.
Just east of the port the city beach begins, a stretch of sand that runs for several kilometers with umbrellas and hotels, up to the neighborhoods of Platanias and Adelianos Kampos. The waterfront between the port and the beach is where locals take their evening strolls.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 30 minutes to an hour.
Best time
In the late afternoon and at night, when the tavernas light up and the port fills up. Early in the morning, with the fishing boats, it's empty and good for photos.
How to get there
It's at the end of the old town, on the east side, about a 5-minute walk from the Rimondi fountain. The KTEL station is about a 15-minute walk to the west.
Tip
The tavernas at the port are the most expensive in town and have waiters calling from the street; for dining, the alleys of the old town are usually better. The breakwater is the spot for the photo of the Fortezza at sunset.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Porto veneziano de Rethymno
Does the Venetian port of Rethymno receive excursion boats?
Yes, small fishing and pleasure boats. Ferries and ships use the modern port next to it, to the east.
Can you go inside the Rethymno lighthouse?
No. The lighthouse is closed; the visit is the walk along the breakwater to its base.
Where does the Rethymno beach start?
Just east of the port, along the waterfront, and it stretches for several kilometres to the hotel districts east of the town.