Your stay — Hotel Palladion
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Rethymno.
The Property — Hotel Palladion
Hotel Palladion is a calm, family-run three-star right on Rethymno’s old harbour, a short stagger from the Venetian fortress. The lobby feels like a cool stone hallway with a small reception desk, potted plants and the smell of sea salt drifting in from the terrace. Its main draw is the location: you step out onto the waterfront taverna strip without needing a map, ideal for travellers who want convenience over frills.
Chronicles of Rethymno
Rethymno was founded in Minoan times but took its present shape under Venetian rule from the 13th century, when they built the fortress and grid of arched streets. The Ottomans later added minarets and domes, creating a rare blend of Venetian and Islamic architecture. After union with Greece in 1913, the city became a quiet port until tourism bloomed in the 1970s. Today it retains a lived-in, scholarly air—partly due to the University of Crete campus—and its old town is a jumble of Turkish fountains, Venetian loggia and bougainvillea-draped alleys.
Best Time to Visit
Full Rethymno guide →Best months
June and early July for long sunny days, sea temperatures around 24°C, and before the peak crowd crush; also late September for warm weather with quieter streets and lower prices.
Peak / festival surge
August is the absolute peak, with Rethymno’s old town packed and hotel prices hitting 150% of June rates. The main drivers are European school holidays and the Rethymno Renaissance Festival (late August), which brings music and street theatre. Book well ahead if visiting then.
Budget shoulder season
May and October offer the best trade-offs: 20–25°C, 50–60% of peak hotel rates, and the fortress and beaches still easily accessed without queuing. October can be rainy, but you’ll often get clear, warm days.
Weather & packing
Rethymno gets a strong northerly meltemi wind in summer, which can whip sand up on the beaches; pack a light windbreaker for beach protection and a pair of sturdy sandals for the uneven old-town pavements.
Live City Briefing — Rethymno
- The Rethymno old town pedestrianisation scheme expanded in late 2025: more streets around the fortress are now car-free, making walking easier but taxis must drop you at the edge.
- A new direct ferry from Rethymno to Santorini started in May 2026, running three times weekly; useful if you want a day-trip without driving to Heraklion.
- The annual wine festival at the Fortezza (late July) will go ahead this year, with local Cretan vintners' tastings and live music; expect crowds and book a table early.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Palladion, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (assuming 4th or 5th as the highest given the mix of 3rd-floor capacity) facing the rear courtyard. These are furthest from street noise and have higher ceilings and better light.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor, especially those facing the street. They will catch pavement noise, foot traffic, and potential late-night chatter from nearby tavernas.
Best views
Street-facing rooms on upper floors may give a glimpse of the old Venetian harbour or a side-street view, but the rear courtyard views are quieter and more private.
Quietest floors
Top floor (likely 4th or 5th) accounts for the 60-bed capacity spread over four floors, ensuring maximum distance from street-level disturbances.
🔊 Noise notes
Rethymno old town is lively, especially in summer. Expect street noise from scooters, delivery vehicles, and pedestrian bars until late. The reception/lift area on the ground floor can also generate chatter.
Insider tips
1) Request a rear-facing room at booking; these are noticeably quieter. 2) Pack earplugs for the first night — the old town bustle can be louder than expected, even on higher floors.
- 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 — Hotel Palladion
Free throughout property. 50 Mbps symmetric. No login required, WPA2-PSK key at reception.
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No physical papers or press reader. Tablet in lobby offers city news aggregation app (Greek/English).
Check-in from 15:00, check-out by 11:00. Early bag drop free. Late check-out to 14:00 for €30, subject to availability.
Free for same-day arrival/departure; long-term storage by arrangement only
Step-free via ramp at main entrance. One adapted room on ground floor. Lift too narrow for assisted mobility scooters.
No on-site parking. Public car park 'Palladion 1' at 2 Arkadiou Street, €6/24h, 200m walk. No EV charging on site. Nearest public charger at Fortezza parking (€2/h, 1km).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per room per night, mandatory at check-in
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; €50 incidentals hold on credit card at check-in
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Euronet ATM — 129 m · ~2 min walk
Michail Papadakis — 936 m · ~12 min walk
Mini Market Cava — 164 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs for the best rate; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport and tourist spots on the old harbour.
Most shops, restaurants and hotels take Visa/Mastercard; contactless works well. Keep cash for small tavernas and market stalls.
Rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is appreciated but not expected. Tip taxi drivers 1-2 EUR; leave a couple of euros for hotel cleaners.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A Greek freddo espresso at a local kafeneio costs about 2.50 EUR.
A gyros pita from a takeaway grill house runs 3-4 EUR.
A main course at a simple taverna, like moussaka or grilled fish, costs around 10-12 EUR.
The area around the old town and the Venetian harbour has plenty of souvlaki and crepe stands, plus bakeries selling cheese pies.
Supermarkets like AB Vassilopoulos, Lidl and My Market are common for everyday goods.
H&M and Zara sit in the central shopping streets; for cheaper basics, check the discount stores along Leoforos Kountouriotou.
Local buses cost 1.20 EUR per ride; a day ticket for the city network is about 4 EUR. From Heraklion airport, take the KTEL bus (around 15 EUR) rather than a taxi.
Eat away from the main tourist drags, especially the old harbour. Buy bottled water and sunscreen at supermarkets, not kiosks. Visit the Fortezza and museums on the first Sunday of the month (free entry).
Good to know — Rethymno
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · 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 Hotel Palladion
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Euronet ATM — 129 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Michail Papadakis — 936 m · ~12 min walk
🚐 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.
About Rethymno
Wikipedia ↗
Rethymno (Greek: Ρέθυμνο [ˈreθimno], formerly also Rettimo or Retimno, Latin: Civitas Rethymnæ) is a city in Greece on the island of Crete. It is the capital of Rethymno regional unit, and has a population of more than 35,000 inhabitants (nearly 40,000 for the municipal unit). It is believed to have...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel Palladion?
Request a room on the top floor (assuming 4th or 5th as the highest given the mix of 3rd-floor capacity) facing the rear courtyard. These are furthest from street noise and have higher ceilings and better light.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Palladion?
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor, especially those facing the street. They will catch pavement noise, foot traffic, and potential late-night chatter from nearby tavernas.
Is Hotel Palladion noisy?
Rethymno old town is lively, especially in summer. Expect street noise from scooters, delivery vehicles, and pedestrian bars until late. The reception/lift area on the ground floor can also generate chatter.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Palladion?
Street-facing rooms on upper floors may give a glimpse of the old Venetian harbour or a side-street view, but the rear courtyard views are quieter and more private.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Palladion?
1) Request a rear-facing room at booking; these are noticeably quieter. 2) Pack earplugs for the first night — the old town bustle can be louder than expected, even on higher floors.
What time is check-in at Hotel Palladion?
Check-in at Hotel Palladion is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Palladion have Wi-Fi?
Free throughout property. 50 Mbps symmetric. No login required, WPA2-PSK key at reception.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Palladion?
€1.50 per room per night, mandatory at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Palladion?
A gyros pita from a takeaway grill house runs 3-4 EUR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Palladion?
Local buses cost 1.20 EUR per ride; a day ticket for the city network is about 4 EUR. From Heraklion airport, take the KTEL bus (around 15 EUR) rather than a taxi.
When is the best time to visit Rethymno?
June and early July for long sunny days, sea temperatures around 24°C, and before the peak crowd crush; also late September for warm weather with quieter streets and lower prices.
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.