An excellent choice for lunch, this little taverna has a small but superb daily selection of traditional mayirefta (ready-cooked meals). There’s no menu, but staff will take you downstairs to the kitchen and let you choose from simmering pots of mountain snails, slow-cooked meat, octopus and vegetable stews. The homemade sheep's-milk cheese and ice cream alone are worth visiting for.
Alekos Kafeneio
Rethymno Province
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
26.55 MILES
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Nearby Rethymno Province attractions
1. Late Minoan Cemetery of Armeni
1.14 MILES
Wandering around this leafy cemetery created by the Minoans between 1600 and 1150 BC, you can practically sense the presence of uncounted souls once…
2. Military Museum of Chromonastiri
3.34 MILES
Offering a sobering account of the Battle of Crete – one of WWII's most infamous battles, which was waged in 1941 in this very area – is this small war…
3.65 MILES
A popular hike from Rethymno is through this lush, leafy gorge that spans 4km along a scenic stream. Along the route you'll encounter stone houses from…
4.27 MILES
The highlight of this dusty old museum are the displays of fossilised tusks and bones from the dwarf Cretan elephant and pygmy hippopotamus. Both were…
4.43 MILES
Located between Iliakaki and Dimitrakaki, the trails and tree-shaded benches found here offer respite from the heat and crowds. Old men doze and chat…
4.46 MILES
At the southern edge of the old quarter, this arched stone gate is the only remnant of the Venetian city wall. It was built in the late 16th century and…
4.48 MILES
This building began life as a monastery but was turned into a mosque by the Turks, who added the domes and a minaret, of which only bits remain. It is…
8. Archaeological Museum of Rethymno
4.54 MILES
Set inside the atmospheric Venetian-built Church of St Francis, this well-curated museum features a stunning collection of well-preserved relics unearthed…