🇬🇷 Rethymno, Greece
The Artemis Palace
📍 Rethymno
Photo: official website
Your stay — The Artemis Palace
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 — The Artemis Palace
The Artemis Palace feels polished and unhurried, a cream-stone block with a blue-domed chapel attached, set right on the beachfront east of Rethymno’s old town. The lobby is all cool marble, dried lavender in ceramic pots, and a front desk that hands you a cold glass of lemonade before you’ve said your name. It suits couples and quiet families who want a clean, 4-star base with a decent pool, direct sea access, and a short taxi ride into the Venetian harbour. No theme-park gimmicks, just solid service and a serious breakfast buffet.
Chronicles of Rethymno
Rethymno began as a Minoan settlement, then grew into a fortified Venetian port after the 13th century – the fortress and narrow lanes of the old town are straight out of that era. The Ottomans added minarets and domed baths in the 1600s, and you still see the Neratze Mosque’s tall pencil minaret poking above the tangle of souvenir shops. After Crete’s union with Greece in 1913, the city became a quiet university town and ferry stop. Today it balances its scholarly edge – students from the University of Crete fill the cafés – with a steady summer trade drawn to its long, sandy beach and well-preserved Renaissance core.
Best Time to Visit
Full Rethymno guide →Best months
May, June and September offer warm, dry days (25-30°C), calm sea swimming, and far fewer crowds than July-August. Prices are lower, taverna tables are easy to find, and the meltemi wind hasn’t kicked up yet.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak: temperatures hit the mid-30s, the beach gets packed, and hotel rates climb 30-40% above shoulder season. The main driver is European school holidays, plus the Rethymno Renaissance Festival in late August (street theatre, concerts in the fortress). Book the Artemis Palace six months ahead for these months.
Budget shoulder season
Late April, early May and October give discounts of 20-30% on summer rates, with mild weather (18-25°C) and empty beaches. Rain is possible in October, but the sea is still swimmable into early November.
Weather & packing
Rethymno’s climate is Mediterranean but with a twist: the meltemi, a dry northerly wind, can suddenly gust hard in July and August, whipping sand across the beach and slamming umbrellas shut. Pack a windbreaker or a long-sleeved linen shirt for evenings, plus a quick-dry sarong or thin towel to stop sand sticking.
Live City Briefing — Rethymno
- Rethymno’s main coastal road, Leoforos Machis Kritis, has partial lane closures through summer 2026 for water-main replacement – expect 10-minute delays driving from the Artemis Palace to the old town. Use the parallel inner road (Konstantinoupoleos) to skip the cones.
- The Fortezza castle’s sound-and-light show has been upgraded for 2026 with new projection mapping on the Venetian bastions; shows run Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9pm from June through September, €12 entry.
- Crete’s bus network (KTEL) has added a direct express route from Rethymno to Chania airport this summer – 90 minutes, €12 one-way – which takes pressure off the rental-car crunch at Heraklion.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to The Artemis Palace, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request higher floors (3rd–5th) facing the rear courtyard or side streets, away from the main road, for a balance of quiet and breeze.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms directly above the lobby or on the 1st floor, as the central staircase and lift lobby can carry noise from guests and housekeeping carts early in the morning.
Best views
Rooms on the upper floors facing the street side may offer sea glimpses over the old town; rear courtyard views are quieter but overlook the pool if the hotel has one.
Quietest floors
Floors 3–5, especially away from the lift shaft.
🔊 Noise notes
Rethymno’s main roads can be busy with scooters and delivery vans until late evening; the hotel’s central location means nearby bars and restaurants may contribute to street-level hum on summer weekends.
Insider tips
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor, rear side, for minimal noise and better cross-ventilation. If arriving by car, ask about the hotel’s own parking arrangement — on-street parking in Rethymno is scarce and time-limited.
- 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 — The Artemis Palace
Free WiFi throughout, 50 Mbps download. No login required—just accept terms on landing page. No paid tier.
One lift serves all six floors of the main wing; no stairs-only historic sections.
Complimentary digital PressReader access via QR code at reception. No physical papers. Hotel is a modern low-rise (2018 build), no heritage quirks.
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop from 07:00 (free if room not ready). Late check-out until 14:00 costs 50% of night rate; after 14:00 charged full night.
Free storage at reception on check-in day and check-out day. Additional days €5 per bag.
Step-free entrance, lifts to all floors. Two adapted rooms with roll-in showers and grab bars. No threshold ramps needed. Pool area accessible via ramp.
On-site unguarded parking free for guests on a first-come basis (25 spaces). Nearest public car park at 15 Antistaseos St, €8 per 24h (7am–7pm, open 24h). No EV charging on site; nearest public charger at Rethymno Port (1.5 km).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per room per night, payable on check-out
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment of first night taken at booking; €50 per night incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Αγ. Γεώργιος (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
- Church: μητροπολιτικός ναός Μεγάλη Παναγία (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
- Church: Τεσσάρων Μαρτύρων (1.8 km · ~23 min walk)
- Church: Άγιος Ιωάννης (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Κόρακα καμάρα — 213 m · ~3 min walk
Παλαιοντολογικό Μουσείο Ρεθύμνου — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Ερωφίλη — 2.4 km · ~30 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 176 m · ~2 min walk
Fresh corner — 92 m · ~1 min walk
ΚΤΕΛ - Σταθμός Λεωφορείων Ρεθύμνου — 2.6 km · ~32 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in town for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or near the old port — they charge poor rates and high fees.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops; contactless payments common. Small tavernas and market stalls often cash-only.
Round up the bill in restaurants (5-10% for good service); leave small change for taxis; tip hotel cleaners €1-2 per day.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A Greek frappe or freddo espresso at a kafeneio costs around €3.
A gyros pita from a street-side grill is a filling budget lunch at about €3-4.
A main dish at a modest taverna, like moussaka or souvlaki, runs around €9-12.
The area around the Fortezza and along the waterfront has plenty of souvlaki and gyros takeaways; also look for small bakeries selling cheese pies (tiropita).
Supermarkets like Lidl, AB Vassilopoulos, and Sklavenitis are common in Rethymno for budget grocery shopping.
Zara and H&M in the town centre; also the market on Saturday near the old town offers cheaper clothing and souvenirs.
Walking is free and easiest for the old town; local buses within Rethymno cost €1.20 per trip; from Heraklion airport take the KTEL bus (€15-18) not a taxi.
Eat where the Greek workers eat — often a menu board in Greek only and packed at lunch. Buy water and snacks from supermarkets not minimarkets near tourist spots. Avoid restaurant tables right on the waterfront; walk one street back for the same food at half the price.
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 The Artemis Palace
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 176 m · ~2 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 The Artemis Palace?
Request higher floors (3rd–5th) facing the rear courtyard or side streets, away from the main road, for a balance of quiet and breeze.
Which rooms should I avoid at The Artemis Palace?
Avoid rooms directly above the lobby or on the 1st floor, as the central staircase and lift lobby can carry noise from guests and housekeeping carts early in the morning.
Is The Artemis Palace noisy?
Rethymno’s main roads can be busy with scooters and delivery vans until late evening; the hotel’s central location means nearby bars and restaurants may contribute to street-level hum on summer weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at The Artemis Palace?
Rooms on the upper floors facing the street side may offer sea glimpses over the old town; rear courtyard views are quieter but overlook the pool if the hotel has one.
What are insider tips for staying at The Artemis Palace?
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor, rear side, for minimal noise and better cross-ventilation. If arriving by car, ask about the hotel’s own parking arrangement — on-street parking in Rethymno is scarce and time-limited.
What time is check-in at The Artemis Palace?
Check-in at The Artemis Palace is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does The Artemis Palace have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout, 50 Mbps download. No login required—just accept terms on landing page. No paid tier.
Is there a city or tourist tax at The Artemis Palace?
€1.50 per room per night, payable on check-out
Where can I eat cheaply near The Artemis Palace?
A gyros pita from a street-side grill is a filling budget lunch at about €3-4.
What is the cheapest way to get around from The Artemis Palace?
Walking is free and easiest for the old town; local buses within Rethymno cost €1.20 per trip; from Heraklion airport take the KTEL bus (€15-18) not a taxi.
When is the best time to visit Rethymno?
May, June and September offer warm, dry days (25-30°C), calm sea swimming, and far fewer crowds than July-August. Prices are lower, taverna tables are easy to find, and the meltemi wind hasn’t kicked up yet.
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.