Rethymnon on a Budget: Great Free Things to Do in Rethymnon, Crete!

An ideal post for those traveling to Crete with a limited budget, here you can find free and almost free things to do in Rethymnon.

When we are planning a trip, we want to keep our budget under control. There’s so much to pay for already that trying to keep our expenses to a minimum is one more thought to have in mind. But worry not! A trip to Crete does not need to be expensive! You can make the best out of your trip and discover both the city of Rethymnon city and the surrounding area without breaking the bank.

Inexpensive and Free Things to Do in Rethymnon

In this list, you’ll be able to find great things to do in Rethymnon without spending a fortune… Yes, because it’s always possible to spend a wonderful holiday in Crete no matter how much money you carry with you.

Visit the Old Town

The Old Town of Rethymnon is really beautiful, featuring old Venetian buildings, wooden Turkish balconies, hidden gardens, lovely fountains, and numerous shops to glimpse.

You can admire the beautiful architecture of the Neratze Mosque and the Venetian Loggia, or walk to the edge of the Venetian harbor to take unforgettable photos of the port and the lighthouse.

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Visit the Public Gardens

There’s an enchanting garden in the city’s center where you can find shelter from the hot summer sun under the shade of old trees. Stroll along the paths and take a look at the garden’s wonderful collection of Mediterranean flora.

It is also a nice opportunity to learn about the great men of Greece, as there are plenty of sculptures around the park. Unfortunately, the text under the sculptures is mostly Greek, but you can always Google the names to find some interesting facts about Greek history. 

The garden also has a cafeteria and small playground for children, so the whole family can spend some time having fun!

Discover Stagakis Cretan Lyre Workshop and Museum

Located at 45, Giannari street, you can visit this small workshop for free. The place offers visitors a great opportunity to discover how the famous Cretan Lyra is made.

The workshop owner can tell you stories about the local music and other Greek and Cretan instruments, show you how to use them, and even let you try and play the ones you like.

In the shop, you can also visit the small museum room where you can learn the history of this workshop where, during the last three to three generations, some of the best musical instruments in Crete have been crafted with passion and skill!

Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete

Every Thursday, you can visit the Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete for free. Over here, you can admire some of the best examples of Greek modern art from abstraction to digital art, including neo-expressionism, conceptual art, and geometry. The Museum also houses the works of the well-known Rethymnian artist Lefteris Kanakakis.

Get Inspired by the Panoramic City Views

There are a few great panoramic viewpoints where you can get a breathtaking picture of the city. The first of them is located next to Taverna Korfi, on top of the city. The view from here will take your breath away, especially if you come before sunset. There are beautiful oleander bushes with flowers and pine trees that create a nice frame for pictures.

Another great spot is at the seafront promenade next to the Fortezza castle. Not only do you get scenic pictures of the western part of the city but also a great opportunity to take pictures of the fortress itself.

Another magnificent place for photos is the Venetian Harbor. You can first take some pictures from the harborside and then walk to the Lighthouse where you will see for yourself how amazing this place is.

Finally, you can also check out the Marina of Rethymnon to capture views of the Old Harbor, the Fortezza, and the beach spreading to the east.

Discover the Church of Four Martyrs

This historical church plays a crucial role in the religious and spiritual life of Rethymnon. It’s dedicated to the four Cretans that lost their lives for not converting from Christianity to Islam (the Four Martyrs).

The church has an incredible interior with impressive frescos and murals, wonderful chandeliers, and beautiful icons from different Cretan religious painting schools.

The church is situated directly in the center of town. In front of the main entrance, you can see also a sculpture dedicated to Kostis Yiamboudakis, a hero of the Arkadi Monastery Battle.

Hike a Gorge in Rethymnon

Only a short drive from Rethymnon town, two gorges feature great hiking paths, fairly easy for people that has never tried hiking before and for families with kids. Going on a hike to discover one of these two gorges can be a great and inexpensive thing to do!

The first of them, Mili Gorge, is just a 15-minute drive from the city of Rethymnon. It has a relatively easy path for hiking and the natural landscape is magnificent!

The path develops under the shade of oak trees, and as you go down, you will find a lovely mountain river. The rock formations are amazing, besides, you can also visit the small church of Agios Patapios along the path.

As you continue, you will walk through an abandoned village too, and later on, find the remains of old windmills and a stone bridge. There is also a small café that offers a great view of the gorge.

The second gorge close to Rethymnon is Patsos or Agios Antonios. It is a little bit further, around 30 minutes drive from Rethymnon city. The canyon is impressive and it has easy access too.

Directly inside the cave, there’s the small church of Agios Antonios, the saint that also gives the name to the gorge. The place is so lush and green and the air is crisp and clear. There’s a small mountain river that runs through the gorge and creates a very peaceful atmosphere. 

Spili Mountain Village

A true mountain gem, the village of Spili is a perfect gateway from Rethymnon City. It’s a bit more than half an hour’s drive by car to get yourself into the atmosphere of an authentic and traditional Cretan village.

Spili is famous for the Lions Fountain. A long Venetian fountain that is powered by the mountain springs with a constant flow of water coming out of 25 stone lion heads. >> You can read more about the village here.

The water is so pure and clean that you can drink it in complete safety, so take an empty bottle with you (as a matter of fact, all the surrounding cafes take water from that fountain). Another thing to see in Spili is the Folk Museum, a place where you can learn about the rustic Cretan life and past local traditions. By the way, the entrance is free.

Reach the Ruins of Ancient Eleftherna

Ancient Eleftherna is an archeological site approximately 40 minutes from Rethymnon by car. This extensive territory was once part of the Minoan city of Eleftherna, one of the most important cities of Ancient Crete.

Here, there is a path starting not far away from the modern village of Eleftherna. As you follow the path you will find on your way remains of ancient buildings, like the old Tower and water reservoirs. The path is not very easy, so you will need to have comfortable shoes.

Visiting this place is a great adventure through which you can visit archeological remains while hiking a beautiful natural area. Access to the hiking area is free.

Margarites Village

Margarites is another traditional village that’s worth a visit. It is famous for its outstanding pottery and the artisan ceramic shops scattered all over the area.

Each house is decorated with hundreds of pottery items, from plates and cups to pots and vases as well as different kinds of memorabilia. Of course, it is very difficult to resist buying some of these cute things, but even just a stroll along the narrow streets decorated with colorful pottery will make it an unforgettable trip.

If you want to keep exploring, take some time to discover the Gorge of Margarites, which is part of a group of parallel gorges in the Psiloritis Natural Park, close to the villages of Orthe, Eleftherna, and Margarites.

The area is populated by small streams that spring out from Mount Psiloritis to join the Geropotamos River, creating a magical landscape. Paying a visit to Margarites is one of the best free things to do in Rethymnon! >> You can read more about Margarites and the nearby area here.

Attend the Renaissance Festival of Rethymnon

Each summer in July and August, the municipality of Rethymnon organizes this unique and colorful festival to celebrate art in all its shapes.

There are plenty of events going on that are free, for instance, open-air concerts, fairs, workshops, and performances of different artists all around the city.

The program is available on the official website where you can find out about free events, and check dates, and schedules. 

Have Fun at the Carnival of Rethymnon

If you happen to visit Rethymnon in winter (late in February or at the beginning of March), then don’t miss to visit the Grand Parade of the famous Carnival of Rethymnon.

Hundreds of people in bright and colorful costumes flood the streets while live music and cheerful laughing can be heard from all corners.

It’s a feast of confetti, horns, and whistles that easily put you in this amazing carnival mood. Access to the Grand Parade is free and you can enjoy this party all day long.

Last But Not Least… 

If you were to add to all these activities amazing the most amazing beaches in the region, it’s easy to spend an unforgettable holiday in Rethymnon without spending lots of money. You should also ask at your hotel about events taking place in town or in nearby villages.

Very often the villages have some interesting but not well-known one-time events, like local fairs, panigiria (celebrations) or small festivals, usually for free. You never know what amazing things Cretan villages can offer you!

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Guide to the Best Free Things to Do in Rethymnon

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