I will admit it. On my first trip to Crete, I skipped over Rethymnon. Luckily, on my most recent trip to Heraklion, I set aside time to explore Rethymnon, the beautiful seaside town in northern Crete.
There’s just so much to do and see here that it deserves a few days on its own. From the lighthouse to the mosques to the stunning panoramic views, Rethymnon is a complete delight. Here are the best Rethymnon hotels and hostels in every budget so you can plan your own Rethymnon adventure.
Pro Tip: Rethymnon Hotels & Hostels can sell out months in advance. Don’t wait until the last minute to book your Rethymnon accomodations, especially if you’re looking for a good deal in the high season!
Rethymnon Hotel Guide: How to Use this List
For ease of use, we’ve broken up this guide into three general price ranges. As of the time of writing this post, the hotels all fit into these categories. However, as demand fluctuates, peak travel times come and go, and hotels adjust their prices. You may find that the hostel, hotel, or guesthouse you’ve clicked on may not quite fall into that range. So let this be a general guide and always check prices before booking.
For starters, here is a general range of what we mean by each budget category, converted to USD for ease of understanding.
- Budget: A room in a hostel, usually $15-25 USD per night for a dorm bed or about $50 for a room that sleeps two.
- Mid-range: Around $60-90
- Luxury: Around $100 per night or more
A quick note about naming. The town of Rethymnon goes by many different names (Rethimno, Rethymno, Réthymnon, and Rhíthymnos). This is due to the transliteration of the town name from the Greek alphabet. We use Rethymnon in most places in this article for clarity, but you may find companies or other websites use Rethymno, etc.
Where to Stay in Rethymnon: Budget Travelers
Crete is a surprisingly affordable Greek island to visit, with prices much lower than on nearby Santorini. However, you still might find that getting the best deal on budget accommodations in Rethymnon requires planning.
Best Budget Hotels in Rethymnon
Pick #1 Camping Elizabeth
For an adventurous take on budget accommodations, we recommend Camping Elizabeth. Located just three kilometers outside of Rethymnon, this camping ground has caravans, tents, and bungalows to rent! Each includes outdoor furniture and access to a fridge, which means you can keep your costs even more in check. There is an onsite taverna serving local dishes, and a bus stop is just three hundred meters away. A great way to stay close to nature and the beach while enjoying Rethymnon during the day. Check rates and availability here.
Pick #2 Faros Beach
One of the most popular budget hotels in Rethymnon for its combination of price and location, Faros Beach is located right on the Venetian Harbor. You can head up to their rooftop terrace to enjoy the views (especially appealing during the gorgeous Rethymnon sunsets), and you can utilize the shared kitchen to help keep your trip costs down. Check rates and availability here.
Read Next: Where to Stay in Heraklion: Hotels & Accommodations for Every Budget!
Best Rethymnon Hostel
The hostel scene in Rethymnon is not as advanced as in Heraklion, but there are still a few to pick from.
Pick #1 Rethymno Youth Hostel
Just a ten-minute walk from the Rethymnon bus station, you can quickly start your time Rethymnon at this social hostel which prides itself on giving travelers a warm welcome. The rooms are airy and bright, and there is a bar and cafe on site. Check rates and availability here.
Pick #2 Rethymno Hostel
Located in the old city near the archaeological museum, Rethymno Hostel is a great location to base yourself to get out and explore the city. With modern shared spaces and a large balcony, you can get out of your dorm and enjoy the hostel. There is a shared kitchen to help curb your food costs while in Rethymnon. Check rates and availability here.
Where to Stay in Rethymnon (Mid-Range): Best Affordable Hotels
Pick #1 Sea Front Old Town
For a seafront hotel that is surprisingly affordable, we recommend Sea Front Old Town. The location is in the middle of the old town and right on the sea, with most rooms having scenic balconies showing off either the seafront or the old town. Since Rethymnon is so beautiful, you really can’t go wrong with either view. It’s a great bargain, too – check rates, reviews, photos, and availability here.
Pick #2 Casa Dei Delifini
For a bit of Old Town Rethymno charm, we recommend Casa Dei Delfini. This Venetian mansion hotel has stone walls and wooden beam ceilings, so you get a real feel for the history of the city as you relax in style. The furnishings are chic and guests rave about the showers. – check rates, reviews, photos, and availability here.
Where to Stay in Rethymnon (Luxury): Top 5 Star Hotels in Rethymnon
Want to discover Rethymnon on your own? Check this alternative Self-Guided Mobile Tour at a very convenient price!
Our Favorite: Rimondi Boutique Hotel
For a true luxury experience in Rethymnon, we recommend the five-star Rimondi Boutique Hotel. The rooms are stunning (think Instagram-worthy), and the location can’t be beaten since the Venetian Harbor is only a four-minute walk away. If you want an extra dose of relaxation, you can use the onsite Turkish bath and massage services. Check rates, reviews, photos, and availability here.
Runner-Up #1 Kyma Suites Beach Hotel
If you want the relaxation and peace of being on a beach resort but still be able to enjoy the beautiful town, we recommend the Kyma Suites Beach Hotel. This five-star hotel is located close to Rethymnon’s Old Town, but you get to enjoy the beach views from your room. The furnishings and decor are modern and beautiful, and the pool is picture-perfect. Check rates, reviews, photos, and availability here.
Runner-Up #2 Kriti Beach Hotel
If you’re looking to relax with beautiful pool-side views, we recommend the Kriti Beach Hotel. This five-star Rethymnon resort hotel is located right on the beach and is just a five-minute walk to the Venetian harbor. It’s the pool that has us hooked. You can enjoy a swim while appreciating the gorgeous Mediterranean views. Check rates, reviews, photos, and availability here.
Read Next: The Perfect 2 Days in Rethymnon Itinerary (Plus Bonus Day Trips!)
Rethymnon Travel Resources
While in town, I’m sure you’ll want to soak up the sun on some of the local beaches and explore the city on foot. Here are our travel resources to help you plan your trip to Rethymnon:
- If this will be your first trip to Greece, check out our Greece Trip Planning Checklist.
- For information about the city, check out our list of fabulous things to do in Rethymnon.
- If you’re an avid photographer, we have listed our ten favorite Rethymnon photography spots.
- If you want to explore some of the island’s beaches, here are our favorite beaches in Crete.
- For more about visiting the rest of the country, check out our Greece travel page.
How to Get to Rethymnon
We have guides coming on how to get to Rethymnon from Chania and Heraklion utilizing the island’s great intercity bus system.
If you choose to take a taxi, the rate is set and posted. Reconfirm the rate before you leave. If you are staying outside of the city, they may have you use the metered rate. Taxi drivers in Crete aren’t too scrupulous, but I have heard of tourists being charged double or triple during the very high season. Note what the rate should be on the rate list before you leave the airport, reconfirm with your driver, and you will need to pay in cash unless otherwise arranged.
You can also prearrange a private transfer. This is a great option for groups and families, especially families traveling with children.
Check prices & reviews for private transfers from Chania.
Check prices & reviews for private transfers from Heraklion.
What to Pack for a Crete Beach Vacation
If you’re planning a trip to Crete, you’ll want to pack all the normal essentials, but here are a few things we strongly recommend bringing that may not have crossed your mind. For more, check out our Essential Crete Packing List.
– A Physical Guidebook – While travel blogs are great, we also definitely see the benefit of having a good paper guidebook in hand to refer to in your on-the-ground travel. We own and recommend the Lonely Planet Greece book as a starter, but you may also want to pick up the Lonely Planet Crete which covers the island more in-depth.
– A water bottle with a filter. While generally, the tap water in big cities on Crete is drinkable, we generally recommend using a water bottle with a purifying filter to reduce your plastic consumption and ensure you won’t drink any funny-tasting water on your stomach that could make your trip unpleasant! We recommend the GRAYL water bottle – it filters water perfectly in an instant so that you can even drink from lakes, bad taps, etc.
– Motion sickness pills. Crete bus rides can cause motion sickness! If you have a weak stomach as we do, save yourself and bring some non-drowsy motion sickness pills.
– Wet wipes, hand sanitizer, TP & other Balkan transit needs. Bathrooms in the Balkans on trains and buses tend to be… how can we say it?… not so well-stocked. Save yourself the disappointment and bring a mini-rescue pack of wet wipes & hand sanitizer.
– Travel safety items. We think Crete is very safe to travel to, but at the same time, it never hurts to be prepared! Some people like to carry money belts, but neither Allison nor I use these.
Instead, we both carry the same PacSafe anti-theft backpack. It has locking zippers, slash-proof construction with metal mesh hidden in the fabric, and tons of other smart security features — all while being cute and stylish enough to be our everyday bag. We recommend it highly for both male and female travelers, as it’s neutral enough to be unisex. We also strongly recommend travel insurance! Our recommendation is at the bottom of the post.
Read more: Essential Crete Packing List: What to Wear & Pack for Crete
Final Word: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
Make sure you always travel to Crete with a valid travel insurance policy. While the island is a very safe place to travel, you want to make sure you have your possessions covered if they’re stolen and your medical bills covered if you get sick or injured. This is especially true if you plan on enjoying Crete’s nature, water activities, or nightlife! If your phone gets wet or your camera breaks, it’s so much better if you know you can get it replaced!
For travel insurance, I use World Nomads. I’ve been a happy customer of theirs for almost three years, and I’ve never had an issue when making a claim. I’m happy to refer them to anyone I meet.
Do you have any hostels or hotels in Rethymnon to recommend? What do you think is the answer to the question, where is the best place to stay in Rethymnon? Let us know in the comments!
Pin This Rethymno Hotel Guide for Your Trip to Crete
![Wondering where to stay in Rethymnon? Whether you stay in Old Town, near the Venetian harbor, or by the beach, here are the best places to stay in Rethymnon, Crete [also written Rethymno and Rethimnon]](https://sofiaadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/My-Post-Copy-2-52-682x1024.jpg)
Stephanie has been living in and traveling around the Balkans for the past three years. She’s written for National Geographic Online, appeared on CNN Arabic and in the New York Times, and ridden more Balkan buses than is good for a person.
