Episkopi: Hilltop Ridge, Church and Sea Views

Episkopi combines a long, narrow settlement along a hilltop ridge with views of the plain, olive grove and sea. The village also features two distinct cultural landmarks: the Prophet Elias Church in the central square and a Venetian fountain on the edge of the old quarter. The landscape, church architecture and fountain offer different points of reference for assessing the character of the village for your trip.

A Village Along the Hilltop Ridge

Episkopi is a continuously built-up, elongated village that stretches along a hilltop ridge and the old national road. From there, it offers remarkable views of the plain, the olive grove and the sea. The location thus brings three distinct landscape features into view: open countryside, an olive grove and the coast. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider whether this combination of a hilltop village and landscape views suits the kind of stay you want. Its elongated shape is as much a part of the village’s character as the views; Episkopi can be discovered not only through its individual buildings, but also through its overall form.

The Church and Fountain as Cultural Landmarks

The Prophet Elias Church, a three-aisled basilica, stands in the central square. Its furnishings include icons, books, liturgical objects and textiles from the 19th century. The architecture and furnishings each stand out in their own way: the three-aisled basilica provides a specific architectural point of reference, while the objects mentioned reflect a particular historical period in the church’s furnishings.

A Venetian fountain is located on the edge of the old quarter. Together with the church, it represents two distinct cultural landmarks in the village: sacred architecture and a Venetian-style fountain. For those who enjoy exploring architecture and local history while travelling, these details offer a different perspective from the views of the plain, olive grove and sea. The two landmarks are also located in different parts of the village: the church in the central square and the fountain on the edge of the old quarter.

Culture and Coast in the Wider Destination of Rethymno

In the wider destination of Rethymno, the old town adds an urban dimension. It is designated as a protected historic monument and a traditional settlement. Its urban layout took shape during the Venetian period and was later altered during Ottoman rule. The historic city centre lies below the Venetian Fortezza. These features create a distinct picture of Rethymno, different from Episkopi’s hilltop ridge and landscape views.

Rethymno’s museums also offer different ways to explore history. Since 1991, the Archaeological Museum has been housed in a pentagonal building in front of the Fortezza’s main entrance. Its exhibitions trace 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 presents traditional crafts and folk art in five rooms. The region’s cultural offerings thus range from a long archaeological timeline to traditional craftsmanship.

Rethymno’s coastal landscape includes a 12-kilometre-long beach: it begins at the historic city centre and extends eastwards to Scaleta. Its sand is fine-grained and light brown. Another seasonal cultural highlight is the Rethymno Renaissance Festival, held every summer, with music, theatre and dance performances, as well as art exhibitions. If the festival is important to your travel plans, check the specific event dates in advance.

When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to weigh up what matters most to you: should Episkopi’s character as a hilltop village, with its church and Venetian fountain, be the deciding factor, or are you more interested in the old town, museums, beach and summer festival in the wider destination of Rethymno? These different places and cultural landmarks can help you shape your travel plans around what you most want to discover.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Arkadi, Agios Vasilios, Choumeri, Anógeia, Mariou, Margarites, Roústika, Melidoni.

Return to the wider travel guide: Rethymno.