Your stay — Elia Guesthouse
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The Property — Elia Guesthouse
A 19th-century Venetian townhouse turned guesthouse on a quiet backstreet of Rethymno’s Old Town. The lobby feels like a cool, tiled courtyard with a lemon tree overhead and the owner’s grandmother’s crockery on the sideboard. Rooms are plain but spotless, each with a small balcony overlooking terracotta roofs or the sea. It suits independent travellers who want old-town character without frills, and who prefer walking to a pool.
Chronicles of Rethymno
Rethymno was first settled in the Minoan period, but its defining layer is Venetian, with the fortress (Fortezza) built from 1573 to defend against Ottoman raids. The Ottomans added minarets and hammams after 1646, and the 20th century brought tourism that polished the harbour front without demolishing the maze of alleyways. Today it’s a working university town, not just a resort: students fill the tavernas in winter, and the old town hums with a relaxed, lived-in energy.
Best Time to Visit
Full Rethymno guide →Best months
May, June, late September — daily highs 24–28°C, sea warm enough to swim, and the main archaeological sites are not yet overcrowded.
Peak / festival surge
July and August, particularly around Assumption (15 August) and the Wine Festival (mid-July). Hotel prices jump 40–60% above shoulder rates; streets and beaches are very busy, and advance booking months ahead is essential.
Budget shoulder season
October and May. Temperatures still pleasant (20–25°C), fewer crowds, and room rates at Elia often drop 30%. You’ll get quieter museum visits and a more local atmosphere in the harbour restaurants.
Weather & packing
July in Rethymno is dry and hot, but the meltemi wind can pick up suddenly in the afternoon, whipping sand on the beach. Pack a light windbreaker or sarong for evening breezes on the terrace, plus a sun hat and high-SPF sunscreen.
Live City Briefing — Rethymno
- The Archaeological Museum of Rethymno reopened in spring 2025 after a three-year renovation, with new exhibits on Minoan and Roman finds from the region.
- Ongoing pedestrianisation of the old town’s main square (Plateia Petrich) means some access restrictions; taxis now drop passengers at the edge of the pedestrian zone, a 3-minute walk from Elia.
- A new direct summer charter flight from London Gatwick to Chania (the nearest major airport, 60 km away) was added for the 2026 season, making arrival quicker.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Elia Guesthouse, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second or third floor, facing the courtyard at the back of the building. These rooms are quieter, with less street noise from the front, and the upper floors give a slight view over the rooftops towards the old town.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the reception or staircase. They get noise from foot traffic and lobby activity. Also avoid rooms directly above the breakfast area if there's one (common in small 3-star hotels) – morning clatter starts early.
Best views
Rooms facing the back courtyard offer a pleasant view of the typical Venetian-style rear gardens and maybe a glimpse of the old town walls. Front-facing rooms overlook the street with typical Rethymno architecture but also traffic and parked cars.
Quietest floors
Second and third floors are the quietest. The building likely has no lift (typical for a 3-star guesthouse in a historic town), so these floors also minimise street-level noise while being accessible by stairs.
🔊 Noise notes
Rethymno's centre has narrow streets with mopeds, delivery vans, and pedestrians; morning deliveries to nearby shops can start around 7am. Also, the guesthouse might be near a cafe or bar on the ground floor. Ask for a rear room to cut most of this.
Insider tips
1. Parking in Rethymno is scarce – ask the guesthouse if they have an arrangement with a nearby private lot; book it in advance. 2. Check-in is often late (after 2pm) and reception may not be staffed around the clock; confirm arrival time and ask for a key code if arriving late.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Elia Guesthouse
free WiFi throughout, speed approx 20 Mbps download, no login required
no lift; all rooms are on first floor accessed by stairs only
no complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand
check-in from 15:00; early bag drop free if room not ready; late check-out subject to availability and charge of €30 until 12:00, after 12:00 full night rate applies
free baggage storage at reception after check-out until 18:00
no step-free access; entrance has two steps; no wheelchair-accessible rooms; narrow corridors
no on-site parking; nearest public car park at Venizeleou Street (€12 per 24h); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per room per night, paid on arrival
Deposit & card hold: full prepayment required at booking via credit card; €50 incidental hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Ágios Antónios (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: Τίμιος Σταυρός (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: Panagia Church (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
- Church: Ágios Ioánnis (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Mini Market «Χρομοναστήρι» — 72 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in Rethymno town centre for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist spots which often add a poor rate and high fees.
Cards accepted in most restaurants, hotels and larger shops; smaller cafes and market stalls often prefer cash, and contactless works widely for small amounts.
Rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% in restaurants is appreciated; for taxis, rounding to the nearest euro is fine; hotel staff may expect a euro or two for carrying bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A freddo espresso or cappuccino from a local kafeneio costs around €3.
A gyros pita from a street vendor or takeaway is €4-5.
A main course at a modest taverna, like moussaka or grilled fish, runs €10-12.
The old town streets and the harbour front are where you'll find cheap eat spots, especially for souvlaki and crepes.
Supermarket chains like Lidl, AB Vassilopoulos and Sklavenitis are common in Rethymno.
The main shopping street (26is Oktovriou) and the old town pedestrian lanes have high-street brands and local shops at reasonable prices.
The cheapest way around is walking or a local bus ticket (€1.20); from Heraklion airport take the KTEL bus to Rethymno (about €10-12).
Eat where locals eat, away from the main tourist strip, for better value; buy bottled water and snacks from supermarkets rather than kiosks; use the public beach for free rather than paying for sunbeds.
Good to know — Rethymno
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.87 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
RethymnoWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Rethymno, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Elia Guesthouse
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Rethymno Centre (Platania stop) → Amazing Villas (Adele-Missiria area)
💡 Bus to Missiria stops right by the villas. Validate your ticket at the machine on board. For return trips, flag the bus by waving from the roadside—drivers will stop if you look like a waiting passenger.
Heraklion Airport (HER) → Amazing Villas, Rethymno (local stop)
💡 Take bus 1 from the airport to Chania bus station (€1.50), then the direct KTEL coach to Rethymno. Coaches have AC and luggage racks. Buy tickets at the station kiosk.
Chania Airport (CHQ) → Amazing Villas, Rethymno
💡 Chania Airport is closer (20 km vs 70 km from Heraklion). Use pre-booked transfer companies like Go Crete for €55 fixed price. Metered taxis run €60-70 but charge extra after 22:00.
Heraklion Airport (HER) → Amazing Villas, Rethymno
💡 Book through Rethymno Taxi app or ask your hotel to arrange one. Avoid unmetered drivers who quote €90+ at the airport rank.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Elia Guesthouse?
Request a room on the second or third floor, facing the courtyard at the back of the building. These rooms are quieter, with less street noise from the front, and the upper floors give a slight view over the rooftops towards the old town.
Which rooms should I avoid at Elia Guesthouse?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the reception or staircase. They get noise from foot traffic and lobby activity. Also avoid rooms directly above the breakfast area if there's one (common in small 3-star hotels) – morning clatter starts early.
Is Elia Guesthouse noisy?
Rethymno's centre has narrow streets with mopeds, delivery vans, and pedestrians; morning deliveries to nearby shops can start around 7am. Also, the guesthouse might be near a cafe or bar on the ground floor. Ask for a rear room to cut most of this.
Which rooms have the best views at Elia Guesthouse?
Rooms facing the back courtyard offer a pleasant view of the typical Venetian-style rear gardens and maybe a glimpse of the old town walls. Front-facing rooms overlook the street with typical Rethymno architecture but also traffic and parked cars.
What are insider tips for staying at Elia Guesthouse?
1. Parking in Rethymno is scarce – ask the guesthouse if they have an arrangement with a nearby private lot; book it in advance. 2. Check-in is often late (after 2pm) and reception may not be staffed around the clock; confirm arrival time and ask for a key code if arriving late.
What time is check-in at Elia Guesthouse?
Check-in at Elia Guesthouse is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Elia Guesthouse have Wi-Fi?
free WiFi throughout, speed approx 20 Mbps download, no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Elia Guesthouse?
€1.50 per room per night, paid on arrival
Where can I eat cheaply near Elia Guesthouse?
A gyros pita from a street vendor or takeaway is €4-5.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Elia Guesthouse?
The cheapest way around is walking or a local bus ticket (€1.20); from Heraklion airport take the KTEL bus to Rethymno (about €10-12).
When is the best time to visit Rethymno?
May, June, late September — daily highs 24–28°C, sea warm enough to swim, and the main archaeological sites are not yet overcrowded.
Top Attractions in Rethymno
💡 Walk to the lighthouse at the end of the pier for a quieter view — most tourists stop halfway. The water is clean for a dip if you don’t mind concrete edges.
💡 Bring nuts or bread for the peacocks that roam freely — they’re friendly but watch your bag. Best in spring when the flowers are out.
💡 Go early morning (before 9am) to see it without crowds or shopkeepers setting up — the light is golden and quiet.
💡 It’s quiet on weekday mornings — you’ll often have the rooms to yourself. The audio guide is worth the €2 extra.
💡 Buy your ticket at the small booth by the main gate, not online. Visit late afternoon when the heat drops and the sunset lights up the harbour.