Rethymno is served by both Heraklion Airport (HER) to the east and Chania Airport (CHQ) to the west — roughly equidistant at around 75–80 kilometres from each. Transfer times are approximately 60–70 minutes from either airport depending on traffic. The choice of airport can be made on the basis of flight availability and price rather than proximity, which is a practical advantage that Rethymno’s central position on the island provides.
The old town of Rethymno is one of the finest Venetian settlements in the eastern Mediterranean — a compact tangle of narrow streets, stone archways, minarets from the Ottoman period, flower-covered balconies and the imposing Fortezza fortress on the headland overlooking the harbour. Eleni considers it more intimate and more authentic than Chania’s old town, which has become more tourist-oriented in recent years. The harbour area, with its lighthouse and traditional fishing boats, retains a genuinely local atmosphere even in high summer — something that is increasingly rare in popular Cretan resort towns.
What sets Rethymno apart from Chania as a holiday base is its beach. The sandy beach runs for several kilometres directly in front of the resort hotels — a long, broad, gently shelving beach with calm, clear water that is ideal for families and confident swimmers alike. The combination of this beach, directly accessible from the hotel strip, with the old town a short walk away, gives Rethymno a completeness that neither Chania nor Heraklion can quite match. You do not have to choose between the beach and the history — both are within easy reach of the same hotel.
The all inclusive hotel offer in Rethymno is good and improving. Properties along the beach strip to the east of the old town include some of the most consistently well-reviewed all inclusive resorts on the island. Eleni’s tip: choose a hotel east of the old town rather than west — the beach is longer, the water is slightly calmer and the transfer from Heraklion Airport is more straightforward.
One honest note: Rethymno’s transfer time from both airports is longer than guests sometimes expect — 60–70 minutes is standard, and in peak season when the coast road is busy, it can be longer. For guests who specifically want the shortest possible airport transfer, Hersonissos (25–30 minutes from Heraklion) or the coastal resorts immediately around Heraklion are more practical. But for guests who can accept a longer transfer in exchange for a more beautiful and more complete base, Rethymno consistently rewards the extra journey time.
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