The district of Rethymno is located between the Lefka Ori (White Mountains) and Psiloreitis (Mount Ida), the highest mountain in Crete (8,060ft). The city of Rethymno is the capital of the district. The old city is built around the impressive Venetian Fortetsa. The heart of the old city is the graphic Venetian Harbor The modern city embraces the old and extends along the length of the beach.

The Venetian Port and the 13th-century restored Lighthouse , the Modern Marina, The Fortetsa, The Great Door, the elegant 16th-century Venetian Lotzia(Loggia), The Rimondi Fountain, the churches of Agios Franciscos, Kiras Aggelou, Agios Andonios, the Temples, the Ottoman Loutra, the Ravine of Milon are just a few of the sites which the visitor will enjoy here. Tourist boats sail daily from the popular tourist resort, Agia Galini, for trips to the neighboring beaches of Agios Georgios, Agios Pavlos, and the beach at Moni Preveli as well as the small islands, Paximadia.

Exceptionally fine villages which are located inland are Agia Fotini and Apostoli, Akoumia, Adele, Amari, Avogia, Axos, Argyroupoli, historic Arkadi, Garazo, Gerakari, Gerani, Eletherna, Zoniana, Livadia, Kerames, Koxare, Margarites, Patsos, Prasies, Rodakino, Perama, Spili, Fourfouras, and Xronomonastiri. Agios Pavlos is one of the most graphic coastal communities on the island. Make sure to visit the sea caves in the area.

Bali is a tourist resort built in an imposing area with charming bays lining the coast. There are numerous beaches to choose from. Panormos, which used to be called Kasteli, is a graphic seaside village near the summer resort, Kaleta, with sea caves to the east. A major tourist resort is Plakias with the ravine of Kotsifou nearby with its wild natural beauty.

If you visit Rethymno, buy folk art, embroidery, ceramics and try Kaltsounia (cheese pies), Kreas kofto (veal in red wine sauce/macaroni), Mizithra and Anthoturo (fresh traditional cheeses).