Discover Adele

The Church of Agios Panteleimon and the house of Konstantinos Giamboudakis are among the attractions in Adele. Outside the village, nearby in Sarakina, there is a memorial to 18 residents of Adele who were executed by German forces. This brings together named attractions in the village and a place of remembrance outside it.

Rethymno as the broader destination

In the broader destination of Rethymno, the Old Town is designated a protected historic monument and traditional settlement. Its urban layout took shape during the Venetian period and was later altered under Turkish rule. The historic city centre lies below the Venetian Fortezza fortress. Since 1991, the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno has been housed in a pentagonal building in front of the Fortezza’s main entrance. Its exhibitions present the history of the prefecture from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The Historical and Folklore Museum is housed in a 17th-century Venetian mansion; its permanent exhibition, displayed across five rooms, features traditional crafts and folk art.

The archaeological history of the broader Rethymno area also reaches far back. The Museum of the Archaeological Site of Eleftherna is the first archaeological-site museum in Crete. Its exhibitions show life in ancient Eleftherna from the late millennia of the 4th millennium BC through to the Byzantine period. The Armeni Necropolis is an extensive Late Minoan cemetery where more than 220 tombs have been excavated. These were family tombs containing several deceased people; the grave goods offer insight into the art, religion and social organisation of the time.

Another major historical site is Arkadi Monastery. The two-aisled Church of Saint Constantine and the Transfiguration of the Saviour was built in 1587. As a building from the period of Venetian rule, it features elements of Renaissance architecture. After the Revolution of 1866–1869, the monastery became an enduring symbol of freedom. The Military Museum of Chromonastiri is housed in a Venetian villa built in 1610 for the Clodio family. It displays weapons from the Greek Revolution of 1821 through to the Second World War and includes a room dedicated to the historic Battle of Crete.

Coast, gorges and experiences in Rethymno

The coastline of the Municipality of Rethymno is characterised by a sandy beach. Rethymno Beach is 12 km long, starting at the historic city centre and stretching east to Scaleta. Its sand is fine-grained and light brown; the Venetian harbour is also part of the coastline. Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta-caretta) nest on the sandy beach in the Municipal District of Arkadi. Systematic measures are taken to protect them.

The gorges offer a different perspective on the landscape of the broader Rethymno area. The Mylos Gorge includes a small river and the abandoned traditional village of Mylos, where visitors can see traditional architecture, old churches and caves. It begins at Chromonastiri and ends at the village of Xiro Chorio. The Arkadi Gorge begins at Arkadi Monastery and winds through an impressive landscape to the village of Pikri, which features significant elements of Venetian architecture.

Events can also shape your travel plans: the Rethymno Renaissance Festival takes place every summer, with music, theatre and dance performances as well as art exhibitions. The Rethymno Carnival is a traditional event featuring a parade organised by volunteers each year. Rethymno City Theatre presents performances annually. Traditional coffee houses serve local specialities, and Rethymno also offers opportunities for diving. If specific event dates matter for your trip, check them in advance. When choosing your holiday apartment, a helpful first question is whether Adele itself or Rethymno as the broader destination should be the focus of your trip.

Discover more destinations

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Back to the broader travel guide: Rethymno.