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Ancient Eleftherna Musuem

The " Museum of ancient Eleutherna - Homer in Crete" was created to accommodate the results of the excavations carried out for thirty years in the ancient city .

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It is a modern building approximately 1,800 sq.m., which together with the surrounding area occupies 13 acres, and remotely resembles an ark that emerges from the earth, gazing Ida (Psiloritis). It is divided into two wings with the right one on the ground floor for hosting the guards - ticketing area, and the Study Centre in the left area of ​​the exhibition halls of the museum. The architectural project was designed on a human scale, related to the natural environment, while at the same time as modern edifice is absolutely distinct and recognizable of the era in which it was created.

Panormos Beach

Panormos is a small fishing village and beach resort on the north coast of Crete some 22 kilometers east of Rethimnon.

Panormo is situated about 22km east of Rethymnon city, in the province of Milopotamos. It is a tranquil seaside village, which has met a fast development during the last decades, without however losing its traditional character. The wild beauty of the pure Cretan landscape, the picturesque village, the beautiful beaches and easy access have contributed to this development.

In Panormo there are actually two main beaches and a few smaller ones. As its Greek name implies (means place with natural port), Panormos is a natural harbor with calm water. The harbor (Limanaki) beach serves as the port of the area. It is sandy and the sea has clear water. It is ideal for families with small children, as it is shallow and it's cement pier protects it from waves. It is well organized with umbrellas, showers, water sports and many options for accommodation and food around. Adjacent, on the east, there is a smaller sandy unorganized beach, not preferred by swimmers.

Bali Beach

Bali is a picturesque coastal village nestled in the mountains around the natural bay and 30 km east of Rethymno Town.

The seaside resort of Bali is located in a large gulf, 30km east of Rethymno and 43km west of Heraklion. Next to the village passes the National Road linking Heraklion and Rethymno, making Bali accessible from any part of the island. It is ideal for family and romantic holidays. Bali has four beaches, which are formed in sandy coves with nice greenish waters. The beaches are almost always calm, since the bay of Bali faces to the west. They all are suitable for children and well organized. Moreover, water is cool because of the several springs around that carry fresh water into the sea from Psiloritis Range.

Rethymno Old Town

Tradition in the sense of "Preserving the Good" is lived here easily.

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In addition to a pleasant climate with sunshine throughout the year, a unique location and landscape with high mountains and blue sea next to each other, friendly and curious residents, Crete and especially the area around Rethymnon offers a vibrant tradition that that accompanies the traveler always and everywhere.

Arkadi Monastery

An Eastern Orthodox monastery, situated on a fertile plateau 23 km (14 mi) to the southeast of Rethymnon

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The Arkadi Monastery (in Greek: / Moní Arkadhíou) is an Eastern Orthodox monastery, situated on a fertile plateau 23 km (14 mi) to the southeast of Rethymnon on the island of Crete in Greece. The current catholicon (church) dates back to the 16th century and is marked by the influence of the Renaissance. This influence is visible in the architecture, which mixes both Roman and baroque elements. As early as the 16th century, the monastery was a place for science and art and had a school and a rich library. Situated on a plateau, the monastery is well fortified, being surrounded by a thick and high wall.

The monastery played an active role in the Cretan resistance of Ottoman rule during the Cretan revolt of 1866. 943 Greeks, mostly women and children,[1] sought refuge in the monastery. After three days of battle and under orders from the hegumen (abbot) of the monastery, the Cretans blew up barrels of gunpowder, choosing to sacrifice themselves rather than surrender. The monastery became a national sanctuary in honor of the Cretan resistance. 8 November is a day of commemorative parties in Arkadi and Rethymno. The explosion did not end the Cretan insurrection, but it attracted the attention of the rest of the world.

Melidoni Cave

The Cave of Melidoni is located approximately 1,800 meters northwest of the homonym village of Mylopotamos

The Cave of Melidoni is located approximately 1,800 meters northwest of the homonym village of Mylopotamos, at an altitude of 220m and on the south side of Kouloukonas Mountain. Gerontospilios, as also called, is very important due to the archaeological findings, some of which are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Rethymnon. Moreover, the cave has played a tragic role in the history of Cretan revolution against the Turks, in 1824.

Archaeological findings indicate that the cave had been inhabited continuously from the Late Neolithic Era till the Late Roman period. Although initially used as a place of residence (Neolithic tools were discovered in 1928), the cave became a place of worship during the Middle Minoan period (from 2100 to 1600 BC). This is proved by the copper ax that was found during illegal excavations in 1940.

It seems that during the Minoan era the cave hosted worshipers of the mythical bronze giant of Crete, Talos, who ensured the safety and the security of the island against enemies. The giant robot ran the round of Crete twice a day. The legend tells that Medea removed the tack that protected Talos’ only vein. Then, his vital fluid, ichor, was poured and Talos died.