How we selected these bars: We visited each location personally and evaluated them on drink quality, atmosphere, value for money, location, and suitability for travellers arriving by car or scooter from other parts of Crete. Bars are grouped by category (beach, Old Town, rooftop) to help you plan an evening itinerary. Bar details – including hours and menus – change seasonally. Confirm opening times directly with the venue before visiting, especially outside the June–September peak season.
Quick reference – bar categories:
| Category | Best for | Number of picks | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach bars | Day-to-night sun, sunbeds, pool clubs | 6 | Town beach + Platanias |
| Old Town bars | Cocktails, atmosphere, history | 4 | Venetian Old Town |
| Rooftop bars | Panoramic views, sunset cocktails | 1 | Central Rethymno |
Best beach bars in Rethymno
Rethymno’s beach bars stretch from the town beach to Platanias, offering everything from affordable local favourites to premium pool clubs – here are the six worth planning your day around.
Cactus Beach Bar – budget all-day favourite
Cactus Beach Bar delivers all-day entertainment from approximately 10:00 to late night – cocktails, beer, snacks, and sunbeds on Rethymno’s main beach strip. It is one of the most affordable beach bars in town and a long-standing favourite among locals. Lay back on a beach bed with a sea view, work on your tan, and order a cold beer or a budget mojito without a markup for the location.
- Address: 7 Velouchioti Ari, Rethymno
- Phone: +30 697 339 8169
- Hours: ~10:00 AM until late, daily (extended in summer)
- Price tier: Budget (€) – cocktails from ~€6 ($6.86, £5.10)
- Best for: Locals, families, budget travellers
Bora Bora Beach Bar – tropical sunsets and night DJs
Bora Bora Beach Bar sets itself apart with a full tropical theme – beach sofas, sunset views, and a DJ-driven night programme aimed at young travellers. The cocktail menu centres on tropical mixes; try the signature Bora Bora Punch (rum, pineapple, coconut, fresh mint). Sit back on the beach sofas and watch the sunset over the Cretan Sea, then stay on for music and dancing – DJs take over after 22:00, making it the most popular late-night beach bar for the under-30 crowd.
- Address: Ari Velouxioti 42, Rethymno
- Phone: +30 2831 022875
- Hours: ~10:00 AM – 02:00 AM (DJs from 22:00)
- Price tier: Mid (€€) – cocktails ~€8 ($9.15, £6.81)–€10 ($11.44, £8.51)
- Best for: Young travellers, sunset + nightlife combo
Aiolos Beach Bar – Sunday lamb and Greek music
Aiolos Beach Bar provides free sunbeds with any order, an extensive Cretan food menu, and a Sunday special of live traditional Greek music with open-fire lamb. Aiolos Beach Bar is located at Skaleta village, a 15-minute drive from central Rethymno, and sits on a beach with clear blue water and a backdrop of the Cretan mountains. Order a cocktail or full meal – the kitchen serves handmade Cretan cuisine, and the sunbeds are complimentary with every food or drink order.
- Location: Skaleta village (~15 min drive east of Rethymno)
- Phone: +30 697 401 0050
- Hours: All day; Sundays: live music + lamb on the open fire
- Price tier: Mid (€€)
- Best for: Day-trippers, Sunday traditional experience, families
Baja Beach Club – premium pool club + DJ parties
Baja Beach Club operates Rethymno’s largest poolside bar, combining daytime lounging with DJ beach parties after 22:00 – the premium option on the local beach-bar circuit. Expect higher prices than average (cocktails ~€12 ($13.72, £10.21)–€16 ($18.30, £13.61)) in exchange for a large private pool, professional bartenders, and DJ-hosted beach parties. The bar’s selection covers cocktails, beers, and signature pool-side mixes; lounge or swim during the day, then stay on for the night programme.
- Address: Chiou 12, Rethymno
- Phone: +30 6972 822 111
- Hours: ~10:00 AM – 03:00 AM (DJ parties from 22:00)
- Price tier: Premium (€€€) – cocktails €12 ($13.72, £10.21)–€16 ($18.30, £13.61)
- Best for: Splurge-day pool access, late-night beach club crowd
Gold Pool Beach Bar – Platanias all-rounder
Gold Pool Beach Bar anchors the Platanias strip with a pool surrounded by deckchairs, a full food menu (shrimp, meat, salads, sandwiches), and drinks service from noon through late night. Located on Mahis Kritis 200 in Platanias, the venue is built around a pool framed by deckchairs and umbrellas – guests can relax, eat, and drink at the same spot all day. The kitchen runs from light bites through full meals, with a cocktail menu sized for both lunch and late-night service.
- Address: Mahis Kritis 200, Platanias, Rethymno
- Phone: +30 6937 805443
- Hours: ~12:00 PM – late night
- Price tier: Mid (€€)
- Best for: Pool day with food + drinks, Platanias visitors
Lakis Beach Bar – Platanias food + drinks
Lakis Beach Bar serves a full cocktail and spirits menu alongside meals (beef, fish, pork, snacks) at Machis Crete Str 198, Platanias – open day and night. Visitors can swim, take a sunbed, or order food and cocktails directly from the beach. The bartenders prepare a wide range – cocktails, beers, juices, shots – and the kitchen serves both light snacks and full meals.
- Address: Machis Crete Str 198, Platanias, Rethymno
- Phone: +30 698 066 1008
- Hours: ~12:00 PM – late evening
- Price tier: Mid (€€)
- Best for: Platanias all-day stop, food + drinks combo
Best bars in Rethymno Old Town
The Venetian Old Town is Rethymno’s most atmospheric drinking district, with bars set inside historic mansions, hidden gardens, and seafront terraces facing the Egyptian lighthouse.
Fraoules – best lively terrace bar
Fraoules draws Rethymno’s young crowd with its seafront terrace, strong fruit cocktails, shisha until midnight – then transforms into a nightclub after 12:00 AM. The signature Fraoulitsa (vodka, fresh strawberry purée, lime juice, sugar syrup) is the bar’s most-ordered drink. The cafe-bar serves coffee, brunch, and lunch by day; the energy ramps up as the evening progresses.
- Address: Eleftheriou Venizelou 62, Rethymno
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 03:00 AM (club from midnight)
- Reviews: 4.4/5 across 5,000+ Google reviews
- Price tier: Mid (€€)
- Shisha: Available until midnight
- Best for: Young travellers, sunset cocktails, late-night club
Cul de Sac – best bar by Rimondi Fountain
Cul de Sac offers Old Town people-watching at its best – right beside the Rimondi Fountain, with Flower Martinis in the evening and premium espresso during the day. The classic Mojito and creative Flower Martini (gin, elderflower, edible flowers) anchor the cocktail list. Expect a relaxed terrace, vegetarian and vegan options, and a 25-year reputation as one of Rethymno’s most consistent venues.
- Address: Quiet side street near Rimondi Fountain, Old Town, Rethymno
- Hours: Breakfast through late evening
- Reviews: 4.6/5 across 1,475 Google reviews
- Price tier: Mid (€€)
- Best for: Daytime espresso, evening cocktails, vegetarian/vegan diners
Ali Vafi’s Garden – most romantic garden bar
Ali Vafi’s Garden transforms Rethymno nights into something magical – tucked inside a former Venetian mansion with a candlelit garden, olive trees, and seasonal signature cocktails. The historic building once housed Turkish merchant Ali Vafi and earlier the Venetian cavalry. The garden runs all day: morning coffee and breakfast, afternoon refreshments, and evening cocktails inspired by Cretan and international cuisines. Try Mrs. Peacock’s seasonal cocktail.
- Location: Old Town, Rethymno (former Ali Vafi residence)
- Hours: Morning – late evening, daily
- Price tier: Mid–Premium (€€–€€€)
- Shisha: Available
- Best for: Romantic dinner, anniversary, candlelit evening
Chaplin’s Rock Pub – best for live rock music
Chaplin’s Rock Pub dominates the Rethymno rock scene from its seafront position in the Old Town, with a charming aesthetic that blends vintage rock memorabilia with modern décor. The signature House Cocktail (dark rum, ginger beer, fresh lime, Cretan raki) pairs perfectly with the rock soundtrack. AC/DC, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses across the playlist; live bands fill the outdoor terrace in the evening.
- Address: 63 Eleftheriou Venizelou St., Old Town, Rethymno
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 02:00 AM, daily
- Happy hour: 19:00 – 20:00 (half-price drinks)
- Music: Classic + contemporary rock; live bands evenings
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible; large outdoor seating area
- Price tier: Mid (€€)
Rooftop and view bars in Rethymno
The Roof Highrise Bar – best rooftop bar
The Roof Highrise Bar, perched on the sixth floor of Brascos Hotel, is the only rooftop bar in central Rethymno with panoramic views over the Fortezza, the Old Town, and the sea. The trendy modern interior includes a glass roof and a large terrace; the menu spans British, Mediterranean, and European cuisine plus a wine bar and shisha lounge. The signature Hide and Seek cocktail layers vodka, gin, rum, tequila, triple sec, blue curaçao, and lemon juice – a long-island-style power drink.
- Address: Brascos Hotel, 6th floor, central Rethymno
- Hours: Breakfast – late evening
- Wine list: Includes Cretan Rose Kotsifali from Klados Winery
- Price tier: Mid–Premium (€€–€€€)
- Best for: Sunset views, shisha evenings, special occasions
Rethymno nightlife: When and where to go?
Yes – Rethymno has a thriving nightlife scene, especially from May to October, with beach clubs, Old Town cocktail bars, and harbour-front nightclubs staying open until 3:00–5:00 AM. The Old Town clusters cocktail bars and craft cocktail lounges within a 15-minute walking radius around the Venetian Harbour and Rimondi Fountain. The seafront promenade (Eleftheriou Venizelos Street) hosts the lively young-crowd venues. Beach clubs in Platanias (~15 kilometers (9.32 miles) east) operate from May through September.
Typical nightlife schedule (June–September):
| Time | What’s happening |
|---|---|
| 18:00–20:00 | Sunset cocktails – The Roof, Fortezza Lighthouse, Aiolos |
| 20:00–22:00 | Dinner + drinks – LivingRoom, Cul de Sac, Ali Vafi’s |
| 22:00–24:00 | Cocktail bars peak – Hunky Funky, Fraoules, Chaplin’s |
| 00:00–03:00 | Clubs and late-night beach bars – Ice Club, Bora Bora, Baja, Metropolis |
| 03:00–05:00 | Last call – Old Town cocktail bars and Venetian Harbour clubs |
Cocktail prices typically run €8 ($9.15, £6.81)–€12 ($13.72, £10.21); beer €3 ($3.43, £2.55)–€5 ($5.72, £4.25); most bars charge no entry fee, though Ice Club and a few clubs add a cover during peak summer Friday/Saturday nights. Compared to Heraklion or Chania, Rethymno’s nightlife is more compact and walkable – most bars sit within 1 kilometers (0.62 miles) of each other.
Practical tips for bar-hopping in Rethymno
Most of Rethymno’s best bars are walkable from the Old Town centre, but reaching beach clubs in Platanias (15 kilometers (9.32 miles) away) requires a car, scooter, or taxi.
- Walking distances from the Venetian Harbour: Chaplin’s, Cul de Sac, Hunky Funky, and Ali Vafi’s Garden are all within 10 minutes on foot. Fortezza Lighthouse Bar is ~10 min walk from the Old Town centre.
- Beach bars at Platanias (Gold Pool, Lakis) are 15 kilometers (9.32 miles) east – taxi fares €20 ($22.87, £17.01)–€30 ($34.31, £25.52) each way; rental car or scooter is the most flexible option.
- Aiolos Beach Bar is in Skaleta village, ~15 min drive east – best with a car.
- Designate a driver: Crete’s legal BAC limit is 0.05%, with fines up to €700 ($800.59, £595.49) and possible licence suspension.
- Public transport: KTEL buses run from Rethymno to Platanias and Skaleta during the day; service is limited late at night.
- Taxis: Available on the seafront promenade and main square; expect €5 ($5.72, £4.25)–€10 ($11.44, £8.51) within town.
- Rental Center Crete offers free delivery to hotels and the airport, and our Rethymno car-rental customers frequently ask for these bar recommendations.
Rethymno bars – frequently asked questions
Does Rethymno have nightlife?
Yes – Rethymno has an active nightlife scene from May to October, centred on Eleftherios Venizelos Street and the Venetian Harbour. Bars stay open until 3:00–5:00 AM during summer, with beach clubs in Platanias (15 kilometers (9.32 miles) east) hosting DJ-led nights and Old Town cocktail bars filling up between 22:00 and 02:00.
Is Rethymno Old Town worth visiting?
Yes – Rethymno’s Venetian Old Town is one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in Greece and is the heart of the city’s bar scene. The maze of stone streets around the Rimondi Fountain hosts dozens of cocktail bars and tavernas, and the Fortezza fortress overlooks it from the headland. Highlight bars include Cul de Sac (by the fountain), Ali Vafi’s Garden (Venetian mansion), Chaplin’s (rock pub), and Hunky Funky (16th-century stone building).
Is there a party strip in Crete?
Crete’s main party strip is Malia, on the north coast 35 kilometers (21.75 miles) east of Heraklion – a dedicated nightclub strip with international DJs, mainly targeting younger British and European visitors in summer. Rethymno is more relaxed, with a mix of beach clubs (Platanias), atmospheric Old Town cocktail bars, and harbour-front nightclubs. Hersonissos offers a milder party strip than Malia. Chania and Rethymno Old Towns offer the best mix of cocktail bars without a club-strip atmosphere.
What is Rethymno famous for?
Rethymno is famous for its intact 16th-century Venetian Old Town, the Fortezza fortress, and one of the longest sandy beaches in Crete. The town also hosts the annual Renaissance Festival in summer, has a thriving university student population (which keeps prices accessible), and is a gateway to Mount Psiloritis and the Amari Valley. The beach strip is lined with bars from the town promenade through to Platanias, 15 kilometers (9.32 miles) east.
