Best Things to Do in Rethymnon at Night

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Rethymno at Night – General Info About Rethymnon, Crete

Rethymnon (also known as Rethymno) is Crete’s third most important region. It’s home to magic landscapes and nature, beautiful churches and monasteries, traditional villages, and a wonderful coast with stunning beaches. 

The capital of the region, also called Rethymnon, is a popular summer destination on the island. However, the city is alive all year, as it’s home to one of the most important universities in Crete. This makes Rethymnon a perfect place to spend your nights when in Crete.

Best Time to Visit Rethymnon

Of course, summer is the best time to discover the region. The beaches are at their best in the north and on the magnificent Rethymninan southern coast. From February to March, you can also enjoy the famous Carnival of Rethymnon, which attracts thousands of visitors yearly with its romantic Venetian atmosphere.

If you visit Rethymno in spring or autumn, you will find mild, pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists. With a substantial number of young inhabitants, Rethymnon is a great destination for fun and entertaining days on Crete.

When the sun goes down, Rethymnon shines for you to fall in love with, no matter the time of year. So, are you ready for a midnight walk? Let’s see the top things to do in Rethymnon at night!

Top Things to Do in Rethymnon at Night

Check out some of the best things you can do in Rethymnon after a long day at the beach or exploring the region, these are some of my favorite activities when I spend an evening in Rethymnon…

Old Town After the Clock Strikes 12

Rethymnon’s Old Town has a few secrets to reveal at night. After 10 PM, the shops close, and slowly, the crowd disappears. Don’t rush to return to your hotel and stay longer. If you think you are done for the night, you will be surprised to discover that amazing things are waiting for you!

Enjoy delicious Cretan dishes at traditional tavernas accompanied by live music. You won’t regret it whether it is a jazz piano or folk Greek musical instrument band. 

Otherwise, find secret bars hidden in the gardens of the houses or old buildings and try some of the signature cocktails made with top local ingredients. 

If neither tempts you, just wander the streets and rediscover the narrow alleys under the stars. Don’t miss passing by the Rimondi Fountain, which is beautifully illuminated during the evenings.

Venetian Harbor Under the Moonlight

If you are still up for night walking, continue to the Venetian Harbor. After the quiet streets, the harbor dazzles with lights and music from numerous tavernas and bars. You can stop in one for a drink or a nice seafood dinner. But the most charming is the view over Rethymnon, which is covered with lights.

The silhouette of the Psiloritis mountain in the background finishes the breathtaking picture. Walk to the Egyptian Lighthouse and enjoy the view over the Venetian Harbor (be careful as the way is slightly bumpy and slippery).

The little fishing boats slowly rock on the quiet waters of the marina, creating an atmosphere of peace and calmness. Stay some time and feel the vibes of the Cretan night.

Rethymnon Beach Stroll

Keen to continue discovering Rethymnon at night? Then I suggest having a walk along the city beach.

The street is beautifully illuminated with the lights from the bars, while live music can be heard all around. Trolleys with sweets are here and there, and souvenir sellers are sending flying lights high in the sky, giving a feeling of shooting stars. Real summer vibes come from all around. 

During the winter, the bars continue to be open in this part of the beach. Even though traffic is allowed at this time of year at night, there are still great pedestrian passages from both sides of the road.

One is wooden along the seaside, the other is next to the entrances of the bars. Either way, summer or winter, it is worth a stroll during the night hours.

Make your final stop at the Rethymnon Marina, situated directly after the Square of the Unknown Soldier. It’s an amazing viewpoint over the Old Harbor and the Venetian fortress, the Fortezza, which is wonderfully lit all around.  

Nighty Night… Or Not?

If quiet nights are not for you, you should visit one of Rethymnon’s best nightclubs. Coffee shops that are calm during the day turn into lively night bars with great Greek and international music. It can be a live DJ, live musicians, or an awesome playlist for the night. Some of the bars offer a small dancing space.

But those few places that you can call a real nightclub are the best of the best. Great dance floors, famous DJs, and endless fun are waiting for you.

Some of the best nightclubs in Crete are in Rethymnon Old Town. For instance, you can check out Ice Club near the Rimondi fountain or visit Fortezza Light Bar & Club or Metropolis in the Old Venetian Harbor.

Pay attention to the signs when exploring Rethymnon, and you will be surprised at how many hidden places can turn your night into an unforgettable adventure!

Beach Parties in Rethymnon

Beach parties in Greece are a must-experience if you love partying. Even though Rethymnon is not as popular a party spot as Herssonisos or Malia, it still has a few great places to crash. 

First, the bars along the city beach of Rethymnon often organize beach parties with live DJs and different thematic. So choose yours and hit the dancefloor sandy beach! Some of the top-rated bars are situated on Ari Velouchioti Street.

For a bigger scale, make a little trip just outside Rethymnon city and get to Adelianos Kampos (you can easily get there by bus), which also has a great choice of beach bars.

Greek Nights

Many tavernas organize the so-called Greek nights. This is an evening event when the taverna offers especially regional dishes, including lamb and pork cooked on the open fire.

Even more interesting is that live Greek and Cretan music and traditional dances accompany the evening. Dancers in authentic costumes perform various traditional dances and engage customers to participate. This is an unforgettable experience when one dance can gather dozens of people!

Usually, such parties start around 9 p.m. and last until midnight. Many hotels also organize Greek nights, so don’t forget to ask at the reception about that. 

If you are searching for an even more exceptional experience, you can visit one of the nearest villages hosting such events.

For example, the lovely mountain village of Axos hosts a Cretan night in Axos Tavern. Axos is a 1-hour drive from Rethymnon, so hire a car or get there by organized tour.

Another great location for Greek night is the village of Argyroupoli, a 30-minute drive from Rethymnon. The place hosts many traditional tavernas surrounded by breathtaking nature and unique water springs. You will need a car to get there.

Annual Festivities in Rethymnon

These are some great things you can do at night in Rethymnon once a year…

Renaissance Festival of Rethymno

Rethymno runs a Renaissance Festival each summer during June dedicated to music, dance, theatre, poetry, and art. Each evening, the Fortezza fortress has something to surprise you with. Whether it’s a ballet performance, theatre plays, a comic show, or an orchestra performance, among many other activities, you’ll find your cup of tea!

Can you imagine a more beautiful amphitheater stage than the one inside the Venetian Fortress under the moonlight? Add also a stunning view over Rethymnon city illuminated by thousands of lights. Incredible!

So if you are lucky to be in Rethymno during June, don’t miss this unique and wonderful occasion.

Wine Tasting at the Fortezza

Once per year, the Wines of Crete organization and the Municipality of Rethymno organize exclusive wine-tasting sessions at night in the fabulous fortress. Usually, it’s held during one of the evenings in the last days of June.

The wine fair highlights the best wines from over 25 Cretan wineries. If you don’t know what to try first, a professional sommelier will always give you a hint.

The buffet with Cretan cheese and smoked meat will help intensify the wine taste. And, of course, live music created an even more pleasant and romantic atmosphere.

The event usually starts around 8 p.m. and lasts till 11.30 p.m. The entrance fee is about 10 Euros per person and includes one beautiful wine glass you can take home with you!

As you can see, Rethymnon City offers plenty of choices during your holidays, both day and night. To avoid missing anything amusing, don’t hesitate to ask locals about the latest events, as not all of them are well promoted.
Are you ready to experience nightlife in Rethymnon?

Don’t Leave Before You Pin!
Local’s Guide to Enjoy Rethymnon at Night