Your stay — Zantina
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The Property — Zantina
Zantina is a no-frills 3-star in Rethymno’s old town, run by a family who actually care about breakfast and beds. The lobby is small and tiled, with a reception desk that smells faintly of lemon furniture polish – honest, clean and unshowy. It suits travellers who want a solid base for walking the Venetian harbour and don’t need a pool or sea view. You check in, drop your bag, and are out the door in five minutes.
Chronicles of Rethymno
Rethymno was founded in antiquity as a Minoan settlement, but its real shape came under Venetian rule from the 13th–17th centuries, when the Fortezza fortress was built to guard the harbour. After the Ottoman conquest in 1646, the city added minarets and mosques, leaving a layered skyline of domes and bell towers. Today it’s a working university town with a lively student population, a restored old town of narrow lanes and archways, and a long, sandy beach that draws families and backpackers alike.
Best Time to Visit
Full Rethymno guide →Best months
May, June, September – warm enough for the beach, but without the July-August crush. Hotels are cheaper and the main sites (Fortezza, old town) still feel calm in the mornings.
Peak / festival surge
July and August – school holidays fill the beach and tavernas; hotel prices can double. The Rethymno Renaissance Festival (mid-July to early August) brings street theatre and concerts to the old town, adding to the buzz.
Budget shoulder season
Late April, early October – 20–25°C days, often empty beaches, and room rates 30–50% below peak. The sea is still swimmable in October.
Weather & packing
Rethymno gets the meltemi wind in July – a dry northerly that can suddenly gust, making sea breezes feel cooler than the air temperature. Pack a light windbreaker or pashmina for evening meals on the harbour, and always carry sunscreen even if it’s overcast.
Live City Briefing — Rethymno
- Rethymno’s old town pedestrian zone has been extended south along Mesologiou Street, reducing car access near the Neratze mosque; expect quieter lanes but occasional delivery van noise at dawn.
- A new direct charter from Manchester landed in June 2026, meaning more British arrivals this season – book popular tavernas (Avli, Oasis) a day ahead.
- The city has installed public drinking fountains at four points along the beach promenade, part of a plastics-reduction pilot; fill your bottle, but note the water comes from the municipal supply (safe, but tastes chlorinated).
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Zantina, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the rear courtyard. These are furthest from street noise and have better ventilation, as the top floors catch the sea breeze. The upper floors also reduce foot traffic noise from the lobby and breakfast room, which is on the ground floor.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of rooms on the 1st floor, especially those overlooking the front street. Street noise from Rethymno's old town traffic and late-night bar crowds travels straight in. Ground-floor rooms may also pick up kitchen smells and early morning clatter from the breakfast setup.
Best views
Rooms at the front (street side) on the 3rd or 4th floor have partial views of the old town rooftops and a sliver of the Venetian harbour if you lean out. Rear-facing rooms overlook a quiet residential courtyard with bougainvillea and distant hills.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors. These sit above the main circulation and street level, and the lift stops are less frequent here. The 4th floor is the topmost, so no overhead neighbour noise.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits on a narrow street in Rethymno's old town, popular with pedestrians and scooters. From 10pm to 2am, bar music and chatter from the square two blocks away can drift in. The lift shaft runs adjacent to the staircase — room doors near it thud when the lift arrives.
Insider tips
1. Request a room key for the rooftop terrace (if accessible) after 8pm — it's usually empty and offers a quieter spot for a nightcap with a harbour view. 2. Street parking is near-impossible; use the public car park at the old town entrance, a 5-minute walk, and drop bags at the hotel first — reception can hold them if your room isn't ready.
- 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 — Zantina
Free Wi-Fi throughout hotel; typical speed 25 Mbps download, 10 Mbps upload; no login, uses room number as password
Single lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Two complimentary print newspapers (Kathimerini, Protagon) at breakfast; no digital newsstand
Standard check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed from 09:00 with no fee; late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 €30 until 18:00, after 18:00 charged as extra night
Free of charge for same-day arrivals and departures; secure room behind reception
Step-free access from street to lobby via ramp; one accessible ground-floor room (No. 103) with wider doorways and roll-in shower; lift fits standard wheelchair; no other adaptations for hearing or visual impairments
No on-site parking; nearest public car park at Leof. Kountouriotou 1 (€12/24h, 400 m walk, uncovered); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per room per night, payable at check-in
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment via credit card at booking; €100 incidental hold on 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
Change money at banks or local exchange offices in town; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and larger shops; smaller tavernas and market stalls prefer cash.
Rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% is appreciated in restaurants; taxis round up to the nearest euro; hotel porters a euro or two.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Greek frappe or freddo espresso at a local kafeneio, about €3.
A souvlaki pita from a grill house, typically €4-5.
A main course at a basic taverna, like moussaka or grilled fish, around €10-12.
The Old Town lanes near the Venetian harbour have cheap gyros and souvlaki stalls.
Supermarkets like Lidl, AB Vassilopoulos, or Sklavenitis are common for groceries.
High-street chains along the main street, or the Saturday morning market at the edge of town for cheaper items.
Local bus services within Rethymno cost about €1.20 per ride; from Chania airport take the KTEL bus (€8-10) rather than a taxi (€50+).
Eat away from the Old Town tourist strips for better value; avoid paying in foreign currency at the point of sale; buy water and snacks from supermarkets rather than kiosks.
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 Zantina
🕒 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 Zantina?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the rear courtyard. These are furthest from street noise and have better ventilation, as the top floors catch the sea breeze. The upper floors also reduce foot traffic noise from the lobby and breakfast room, which is on the ground floor.
Which rooms should I avoid at Zantina?
Steer clear of rooms on the 1st floor, especially those overlooking the front street. Street noise from Rethymno's old town traffic and late-night bar crowds travels straight in. Ground-floor rooms may also pick up kitchen smells and early morning clatter from the breakfast setup.
Is Zantina noisy?
The hotel sits on a narrow street in Rethymno's old town, popular with pedestrians and scooters. From 10pm to 2am, bar music and chatter from the square two blocks away can drift in. The lift shaft runs adjacent to the staircase — room doors near it thud when the lift arrives.
Which rooms have the best views at Zantina?
Rooms at the front (street side) on the 3rd or 4th floor have partial views of the old town rooftops and a sliver of the Venetian harbour if you lean out. Rear-facing rooms overlook a quiet residential courtyard with bougainvillea and distant hills.
What are insider tips for staying at Zantina?
1. Request a room key for the rooftop terrace (if accessible) after 8pm — it's usually empty and offers a quieter spot for a nightcap with a harbour view. 2. Street parking is near-impossible; use the public car park at the old town entrance, a 5-minute walk, and drop bags at the hotel first — reception can hold them if your room isn't ready.
What time is check-in at Zantina?
Check-in at Zantina is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Zantina have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout hotel; typical speed 25 Mbps download, 10 Mbps upload; no login, uses room number as password
Is there a city or tourist tax at Zantina?
€1.50 per room per night, payable at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Zantina?
A souvlaki pita from a grill house, typically €4-5.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Zantina?
Local bus services within Rethymno cost about €1.20 per ride; from Chania airport take the KTEL bus (€8-10) rather than a taxi (€50+).
When is the best time to visit Rethymno?
May, June, September – warm enough for the beach, but without the July-August crush. Hotels are cheaper and the main sites (Fortezza, old town) still feel calm in the mornings.
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.