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Home / Beaches / Rethymno Town Beach

Rethymno Town Beach

Городской пляж Ретимно
Greece · Beach · Rethymno
Blue Flag high
Best month: July

Best for

Ideal for families with children and those who appreciate a convenient city location with well-developed infrastructure. Not suitable for lovers of secluded beaches and quiet.

Best month

July

Water
+23.0°C
Length
12 000 m
Rethymno Town Beach is one of the most convenient and charming urban beaches in Crete, a long sandy Blue Flag shoreline beginning within walking distance of the Venetian harbour and old town. You can swim with a backdrop of minarets and Venetian fortifications.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
Rethymno Town Beach is one of the most convenient and charming urban beaches in Crete, a long sandy Blue Flag shoreline beginning within walking distance of the Venetian harbour and old town. You can swim with a backdrop of minarets and Venetian fortifications.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • 12-kilometre sandy shoreline — Crete-s longest beach
  • Golden fine sand
  • Crystal-clear water
  • Well-developed infrastructure: cafes, restaurants, hotels, water sports
  • Lifeguards on the beach
  • Free entry
  • Convenient location in the city centre
  • Blue Flag for water quality

Cons

  • Crowded during high season
  • Paid sunbed and umbrella rental
  • Limited natural shade
  • Noisy due to proximity to urban development and the road
  • Water may be cool at the start of the season
  • Parking may be full
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for families with children and those who appreciate a convenient city location with well-developed infrastructure. Not suitable for lovers of secluded beaches and quiet.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Rethymno Beach is Crete-s longest sandy beach (12 km). It starts right by the Venetian port and the historic city centre, allowing you to combine beach holidays with sightseeing.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
golden
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
30 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
12 000 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
high
Underwater Visibility
12.0 m
Average Water Temp
+23.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+26.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.3 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
May
Season end
October
Best month
July
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
low
Water Quality
Water purity rating
excellent
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
1.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats. The beach is well monitored, with lifeguards on duty.
Dangerous creatures
sea urchins in rocky areas
Insurance & Connectivity
Get travel insurance and mobile internet before your trip
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
Yes
First Aid
Yes
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Kids Playground
Yes
Sports Ground
Yes
Restaurants Nearby
40 pcs
Best restaurants

Taverna Knossos

Cretan

Popular taverna in central Rethymno with traditional Cretan cuisine and fresh seafood.

Avli Restaurant

Cretan

Restaurant in the old town with refined Cretan cuisine and local wines.

Rethymno Beach Bars

Greek

Beach bars along the coast, offering snacks, cocktails and Greek dishes.

Nearby cuisines

Cretan

Traditional Cretan cuisine with olive oil, fresh vegetables and seafood.

Must try: Dakos, kalitsounia, fresh fish

Seafood

Fresh Mediterranean seafood grilled to perfection.

Must try: Grilled fish, calamari, prawns
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
active
Crowd Level
crowded
Silence Level
noisy
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
little
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
No
Surfing
Yes
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Flip-flops Cash Hat
Best Time to Swim
In the morning the water is calmer and there are fewer people. In the evening — beautiful sunsets and a cool breeze.
Local Rules
Alcohol consumption on the beach, smoking, dog walking and littering are prohibited.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Venetian Port

Picturesque historic port with a lighthouse and restaurants.

Rethymno Old Town

Historic district with Venetian and Ottoman architecture, narrow streets and shops.

Fortezza Fortress

16th-century Venetian fortress on a hill with panoramic views of the city and sea.

Arkadi Monastery

Historic monastery, a symbol of Crete-s struggle for independence.

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Rethymno Town Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity high, average temperature +23.0°C, warms up to +26.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Rethymno Town Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.3 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Rethymno Town Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 30 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Rethymno Town Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — golden. Texture — fine. Beach length — 12 000 metres.
Rethymno Town Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in May. It ends in October. The best month for a holiday is July. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Rethymno Town Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as excellent. Rip currents are unlikely. Jellyfish risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Rethymno Town Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: sea urchins in rocky areas. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Rethymno Town Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking, Wi-Fi, kids playground, sports ground. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Rethymno Town Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
Lifeguards are on duty on the beach — an important safety factor. A first aid station is available.
Rethymno Town Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Taverna Knossos, Avli Restaurant, Rethymno Beach Bars. Cuisines available: Cretan, Seafood. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Rethymno Town Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Cash, Hat.
Rethymno Town Beach: when is the best time to swim?
In the morning the water is calmer and there are fewer people. In the evening — beautiful sunsets and a cool breeze.
Rethymno Town Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Alcohol consumption on the beach, smoking, dog walking and littering are prohibited.
Rethymno Town Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling, surfing, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Rethymno Town Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for families with children and those who appreciate a convenient city location with well-developed infrastructure. Not suitable for lovers of secluded beaches and quiet.
Rethymno Town Beach: what makes this beach unique?
Rethymno Beach is Crete-s longest sandy beach (12 km). It starts right by the Venetian port and the historic city centre, allowing you to combine beach holidays with sightseeing.
Rethymno Town Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: 12-kilometre sandy shoreline — Crete-s longest beach, Golden fine sand, Crystal-clear water, Well-developed infrastructure: cafes, restaurants, hotels, water sports, Lifeguards on the beach, Free entry, Convenient location in the city centre, Blue Flag for water quality. Cons: Crowded during high season, Paid sunbed and umbrella rental, Limited natural shade, Noisy due to proximity to urban development and the road, Water may be cool at the start of the season, Parking may be full.
Rethymno Town Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Venetian Port, Rethymno Old Town, Fortezza Fortress, Arkadi Monastery. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Rethymno Town Beach: does the beach have a Blue Flag?
Yes, the beach holds the international "Blue Flag" certification. This means the beach meets high standards of water cleanliness, safety and infrastructure.
Rethymno Town Beach: how do I get to the city of Rethymno?
The beach is located near the city of Rethymno. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Rethymno.

City

Rethymno

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.