Axos Hotel

Rethymno


Those looking to stay a bit outside town can choose Axos in the small seaside community of Platanias, some 5km east of Rethymno. While the common areas are somewhat institutional, rooms are modern and well proportioned. There are no sea views, but the beach is only 300m away, plus there's a sparkling pool and an alluring terrace cafe. Minimum two-night stay.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Rethymno attractions

1. Mili Gorge

2.4 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…

2. Kara Musa Pasha Mosque

2.93 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…

3. Lighthouse

3 MILES

Punctuating the old pier in the Venetian Harbour, the 9m-high lighthouse was built in the 1830s, when Egypt ruled Crete. (Britain forced Egypt to give…

4. Paleontological Museum

3.02 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…

5. Venetian Harbour

3.08 MILES

Rethymno’s compact historic harbour is chock-a-block with tourist-geared fish tavernas and cafes. For a more atmospheric perspective, walk along the…

6. Loggia

3.11 MILES

This nicely restored 16th-century landmark originally served as a meeting house for Venetian nobility to discuss politics and money, and morphed into a…

7. Military Museum of Chromonastiri

3.12 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…

8. Rimondi Fountain

3.17 MILES

Another vestige of Venetian rule is this small fountain where water spouts from three lions’ heads into three basins flanked by Corinthian columns. Above…