Total from£96
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Based on: 30 July 2026
Discover the City of Rethymno with Arkadi Monastery and Margarites from Heraklion - Full-Day Tour
Meet with your guide at the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel, across from the entrance of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, in front of Hari’s Creperie. We start our tour driving to our first stop Margarites, a small traditional village located in the prefecture of Rethymno. The village is known for its unique pottery tradition, its picturesque alleys, and its well-preserved architecture.
Afterwards we reach the Arkadi Monastery, which constitutes a landmark of architecture and civilization considering the magnificent facade of the church, the highly developed spiritual tradition as well as the flourishing development of fine arts. However, the holocaust, which took place in 1866, gave the monastery an eminent place in history, elevating it to an eternal symbol of freedom and heroism, recognized worldwide.
Rethymno is our last stop, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Greece with many intact historical buildings and it’s one of the most beautiful towns in Crete. We will visit the picturesque old town of Rethymno and have lunch (optional). At the end we will visit the Venetian stronghold of Fortezza which is built on top of a low hill above Rethymno Town. The hill is known as Paleokastro, which means old castle in Greek and suggests the existence of an older structure in that place. This huge fortress, with its turbulent history, was built between 1540 and 1570 by the Venetian maritime power as a bulwark against Turkish pirates.
More than 100,000 Cretans on compulsory labour and over 40,000 pack animals were used in the construction of this mighty fortress. However, the Fortezza was conquered by the Turks in 1646. After many upheavals during the next three centuries, only the outer fortifications of the Fortezza remain intact and few buildings are still under restoration. The Fortezza is visible from every part of the town and provides the visitor a panoramic view of Rethymno town. The visitors enter from the East Gate through an impressive archway. After the visit we continue driving across the north side of the island along the Cretan Sea and crossing the coastal villages of Bali, Fodele and Agia Pelagia, and reach the city of Heraklion.
Meet with your guide at the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel, across from the entrance of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, in front of Hari’s Creperie. We start our tour driving to our first stop Margarites, a small traditional village located in the prefecture of Rethymno. The village is known for its unique pottery tradition, its picturesque alleys, and its well-preserved architecture.
Afterwards we reach the Arkadi Monastery, which constitutes a landmark of architecture and civilization considering the magnificent facade of the church, the highly developed spiritual tradition as well as the flourishing development of fine arts. However, the holocaust, which took place in 1866, gave the monastery an eminent place in history, elevating it to an eternal symbol of freedom and heroism, recognized worldwide.
Rethymno is our last stop, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Greece with many intact historical buildings and it’s one of the most beautiful towns in Crete. We will visit the picturesque old town of Rethymno and have lunch (optional). At the end we will visit the Venetian stronghold of Fortezza which is built on top of a low hill above Rethymno Town. The hill is known as Paleokastro, which means old castle in Greek and suggests the existence of an older structure in that place. This huge fortress, with its turbulent history, was built between 1540 and 1570 by the Venetian maritime power as a bulwark against Turkish pirates.
More than 100,000 Cretans on compulsory labour and over 40,000 pack animals were used in the construction of this mighty fortress. However, the Fortezza was conquered by the Turks in 1646. After many upheavals during the next three centuries, only the outer fortifications of the Fortezza remain intact and few buildings are still under restoration. The Fortezza is visible from every part of the town and provides the visitor a panoramic view of Rethymno town. The visitors enter from the East Gate through an impressive archway. After the visit we continue driving across the north side of the island along the Cretan Sea and crossing the coastal villages of Bali, Fodele and Agia Pelagia, and reach the city of Heraklion.
