Fantastic Hotels in the Rethymnon Region, Crete

The choice of hotels, all-inclusive resorts, villas, and other places to stay in Rethymnon is quite impressive. Being so popular among tourists, you can find any accommodation no matter your budget. Both on the northern and southern coast, the region is home to unique seaside resorts, some of them in small, relaxing villages.

Where to Stay in the Rethymnon Region

Rethymnon sees a lot of activity during the high season. It’s an area with beautiful beaches, especially in the south. There are unique mountain villages and a wonderful landscape in every corner. Besides, many people choose Rethymnon as a compromise region since it’s halfway between Chania and Heraklion.

💡 >> Check this post if you’re looking for hotels in Rethymnon town.

There are 5 municipalities in the Rethymnon region:

• Rethymno
• Mylopotamos
• Amari
• Anogia
• Agios Vasileios (South coast)

Map of the Rethymnon Region

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Where to Stay Near Rethymnon

If you want a quieter lifestyle and the more tranquil atmosphere of Crete’s small villages, there are several seaside resort towns in Rethymnon’s broader area. Those who seek a holiday filled with outdoor adventures and excursions might find it more comfortable to stay away from the city center but still close enough to reach the old Venetian harbor for a walk or to enjoy a dinner in one of the restaurants in Rethymnon town.

In this section, you will find my top favorite hotels surrounding the city of Rethymnon.

The Syntopia Hotel ~ Adults Only

📍 Adelianos Kampos, Northern coast
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
🏳️‍🌈 Proud-Certified property

The Syntopia Hotel is an excellent all-inclusive choice in the area. The fantastic swimming pool makes it one of the main reasons to choose this accommodation.

The suites and rooms are super modern and have every comfort you need. The restaurant has very good reviews as well. Check out the rooms with jacuzzis on their balconies! The hotel is about 6.5 km from Rethymnon Old Town, which can be reached by car or public transport.

>> BOOK HERE

ADELIANOS KAMPOS
Adelianos Kampos is one of my favorite little villages to stay in. It’s fairly close to the city center, but far enough to stay away from the hassle of the city center. The beach features small pebbles mixed with sand, and the sea is clean, but the bottom can descend abruptly. If you are traveling with toddlers or small kids, consider this and don’t leave them all alone by the sea. The village has a small center along the main road with shops, restaurants, and good tavernas.

OTHER HOTELS IN ADELIANOS KAMPOS:

• Adele Resort (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
• Aquila Rithymna Beach (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
• Matthias Hotel Apartments (⭐ ⭐) I stayed at this apartment-hotel while the kids were small, and it was perfect: central, great breakfast, good swimming pool, and good self-catering facilities.

Z Boutique Hotel

📍 Panormos, Northern coast
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
The hotel has suites with a distinctive Cretan character, with limestone walls and Venetian arches, and a beautiful garden with a pool. Breakfast is a gem in this venue, serving unique homemade cakes every morning.

🤓 Guests particularly love the comfortable beds and the unique personal touches of hospitality.

>> BOOK HERE

PANORMOS
Panormos is a picturesque town and one of the most frequented seaside villages in Rethymnon. Together with Bali, it is one of the towns chosen by those who come to Crete year after year. If you are still unsure where to stay in Rethymnon, maybe Panormos is a good idea.

OTHER HOTELS IN PANORMOS:

• Stella Beach Hotel (⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
• Panormo Beach Hotel (⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
• Grecotel Marine Palace & Aqua Park (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)

Mitsis Bali Paradise

📍 Bali, Northern coast
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

This property features every ingredient for you to have the perfect holiday in Crete. It’s only 100 meters from the beach and surrounded by a magnificent garden. The hotel features two swimming pools. There are also two restaurants where you can enjoy every meal of the day.

The rooms offer stunning sea views and a coffee machine (yeah!). There’s also a mini spa with a sauna and beauty treatments, a tennis court, and beach access.

🤓 For kids, there is a dedicated pool, water slides, and a playground, too.

>> BOOK HERE

BALI
The gorgeous bay of Balì is one of the top-rated beaches in Crete for those traveling with kids. Despite being on the northern coast of Rethymnon, the area is safe and well-protected from the winds. The bay has several small coves where snorkeling is possible. Balì is about 30 minutes east of Rethymnon along the National Highway toward Heraklion. If you want to read a review of the beaches of Balì, check these over 45 stunning Cretan beaches.

OTHER HOTELS IN BALI:

• Gorgona Hotel (⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
• Golden Luxury Suites (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
• Amalia Apartments (🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️)

Where to Stay in the Region

There are endless places to discover all over the Rethymnon region if you’re willing to travel inland and further away from the city center. The southern coast hosts a few of the most beautiful beaches on the island, including Preveli Palm Tree Beach, Plakias (perfect for scuba enthusiasts), and Triopetra. Also, you can explore the Kourtaliotiko Gorge or visit the nearby Preveli Monastery.

If you want to discover the region’s south and still don’t know where to stay in South Rethymnon, this section will help you make up your mind. The Libyan Sea is pristine, intensely deep blue, and the water is sometimes cooler than on the island’s northern coast.

High mountains, spectacular gorges, and a more relaxed lifestyle far from the city center make the south one of Crete’s most privileged areas for a relaxing stay. If you feel this is the style of holiday you’re looking for, rent a car and explore the south.

Rethymnon by the Sea: Where to Stay

Are you dreaming of waking up to the sound of the waves on a tranquil beach? Check these areas in Rethymnon

Plakias

I’ve often talked about Plakias in different beach guides I’ve published over the years. It remains one of the most beautiful beaches in the region of Rethymnon and one of my favorite places on the island for subaquatic sports.

Different beaches, such as Ammoudi and Ammoudaki, are near the main Plakias Beach. This last one has gained a position among the top naturist beaches on the island.

There’s not much to do in the village, and that’s precisely what makes it a charming place for holidays. There are a few restaurants, traditional tavernas, and souvenir shops.

SUGGESTED HOTELS IN PLAKIAS, RETHYMNON

• Sofia Hotel (⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
• Lamon Hotel (⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
• Apollo Plakias (🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️) – This is a super modern property, perfect if you prefer a vacation home rather than a hotel.

Agia Galini

Agia Galini is a relaxing seaside resort on the southern coast, facing Messara Bay. It’s located about 60 km from the city of Rethymnon, and it attracts tourists from April to October.

Despite being extremely popular among European tourists, the village has kept its authentic atmosphere almost intact. There are plenty of things to do in Agia Galini. The village is perfect for a short stay (2-6 days).

WHERE TO STAY IN AGIA GALINI

• Palazzo Greco (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐) – I stayed at this boutique hotel and loved its pool and beachfront location. Their breakfast is very good as well! This is one of those places where I’d return without second thoughts.
• The Maxine Hotel Adults Only (⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
• Stella Luxury Apartments (⭐ ⭐ ⭐)

Where to Stay in Rethymnon in the Mountains

Check these alternatives for a stay in the mountain villages of the region.

Margarites

One of the most charming villages in Crete, Margarites is close to some of the most important places to visit in the region, including Arkadi Monastery and the Ancient Site of Eleftherna.

This quaint settlement is better-known as Rethymnon’s pottery village since it hosts dozens of ceramic factories and pottery artisans. Beside, the streets and its houses are decorated with unique pottery works, including vases, pithoi, jars, and other amazing local creations. Even if you don;t stay in Margerites, it is a great place to visit as a day trip from Rethymnon.

SUGGESTED PLACES TO STAY IN MARGARITES, RETHYMNON

• Kouriton House (🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️)
• Sweet Home Margarites Rethymnon (🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️)
• H&M Prive Home Margarites (🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️)

Anogia (Anogeia)

A few villages on the island have gained fame for being typically Cretan and for treasuring the most authentic traditions of the island. Among them, we count Chora Sfakion and Therisos in Chania, Archanes and Viannos in Heraklion, Zaros and Kritsa in Lasithi, and indeed, Zoniana, Axos, and Anogia when it comes to Rethymnon.

Suppose you’re willing to live and discover how life is in a traditional Cretan mountain village. In that case, you should try to book a stay in Anogia, which has grown its fame under the shade of the imposing Mount Psiloritis. Unique Cretan customs are still pretty much alive in this village, visible in how locals dress, cook, play music, and gather in the village’s main square.

SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION IN ANOGIA, RETHYMNON

• Delina Mountain Resort (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐) — I visited this place last winter, and I recommend considering a stay there if you want a taste of authentic Crete!
• Prasini Folia – Traditional Residence (🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️)
• Perachori Boutique Studios (🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️)

Spili

Another of my favorite villages in the mountains of Rethymnon is the picturesque Spili, an important town on the road connecting the northern capital of the region with the southern beaches of Agios Pavlos, Triopetra, Ligres, and Preveli.

The village is famous for the beautiful lion heads that line up in the central square, forming a unique fountain. From each of the 25 lion heads, a constant flow of water comes directly from the Psiloritis, which always keeps the same temperature.

SUGGESTED PLACES TO STAY IN SPILI, RETHYMNON

• Costas Inn (🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️)
• Domus Polymnia (🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️)
• Panorama Luxury Rooms (🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️)

I hope this guide will help you when it’s time to choose where to stay in Rethymnon. You can choose a beach resort or a quiet retreat in the mountains. In any case, you can be sure there’s much to do in the region to have a great time in Crete.

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Guide to the Best Hotels in Rethymnon, Crete

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