The eco-friendly Bio Suites Hotel stands in a quiet location, only 50 metres from the sandy beach in Rethymnon and a 10-minute walk from the Venetian harbour. It offers spa and fitness facilities, 2 swimming pools and a 24-hour front desk.
The 4-star hotel offers rooms and suites with double glazed windows. All units feature a microwave oven, satellite TV and wireless internet connection.
A Greek Breakfast including Cretan and Greek flavours is served at the main restaurant Ariadne, situated next to the swimming pool. The Greek Tavern serves a-la carte meals and snacks by the pool. A buffet-style dinner with Cretan, Greek and European dishes is prepared daily. The bar Nine Muses serves cocktails and drinks.
The spa area features a sauna, a hot tub, a fitness room and a steam room. Massages are also available. Children can play in the playground or swim safely in their own pool. A private space can be rented at the beach at extra charge.
13, Albert Schweitzer Street
Find below list of things to do near Bio Suites Hotel:
Embark on a delightful 3-hour cruise along the tranquil east coast, where we’ll unveil the rugged pirate caves and the awe-inspiring “Camarola” arch, shaped by the relentless sea. Dive into the crystal-clear blue waters for a rejuvenating 30-minute swim directly from the boat. As we journey back to Rethymnon port, witness the grandeur of the Venetian fortress, “Fortezza,” and glide through the picturesque Venetian Port, adorned with timeless beauty. Experience nature’s wonders and historical charm on this unforgettable voyage.
Holidays on a yacht is a great opportunity to enjoy wonderful sea views, have a good time and take a bunch of pictures that will delight you for a long time. The boat trip starts in the morning from Rethymno Marina. Our premium class catamaran Lagoon 450F* can accommodate up to 20 passengers.
During the cruise, you can go snorkelling, swim on a sup board or just ride the waves on an inflatable flamingo. We provide guests with all the necessary equipment.
On board, we will treat you with Cretan white wine and Mediterranean cuisine with seafood**
* Catamaran model may change,
** The menu consists of local, high quality products. Dishes are subject to change.
Discover the village of Loutro, named after the Greek word for “bath”, due to the many ancient baths in the area. Eat seafood and drink wine by the sea. Go for a swim in the warm blue sea. Marvel at the many famous white houses, and enjoy a relaxing sailing trip on a boat.
Begin the excursion and travel from Rethymno, known for its harbor with fishing boats, to Chora Sfakion. Then, sail for 20 minutes to the village of Loutro, on the south coast of Chania. After you arrive here, you can spend 5 hours exploring in your own free time to do whatever activities you want.
Go swimming in the clear blue waters of the sea. Eat some delicious local food such as fresh fish if you are hungry. Sip on wine by the sea. Also, admire the many white houses that make this place famous. Finally, board the boat and sail to Sfakia then return to Rethymno to finish your tour.
While in Rethymno don’t miss the chance to enjoy the sea, right at the main beach of the city. Book from a selection of watersports that are organized by experienced English-speaking crew and safe vessels.
You can choose between Slides, Banana, Crazy Sofa and Water-Ski. At the beginning, you will get safety measures training and the crew will be at all times attentive of your activity.
When booking please read through the options and the requirements if any. Please note that the starting time might vary by up to 30 minutes due to weather conditions or if it’s too crowded (for safety reasons).
Embarking from Rethymno Marina, our voyage unfolds towards the west, offering a captivating panorama of the Fortezza, an emblem of the city’s rich history. Continuing our journey, we traverse the picturesque bay of Gerani before reaching the tranquil shores of Kefalas Bay, where an hour of leisure beckons. Here, indulge in the delights of swimming or snorkeling directly from the vessel, equipped with complimentary masks for your convenience. Upon our return, marvel at the enchanting caves of Kefalas and the venerable Venetian harbor, steeped in historical allure.
Discover a secluded culinary & wine tasting journey in a restaurant hanging from the side of a Cretan gorge. Indulge in the finest Greek wines, traditional Cretan dishes, and explore the history of this enchanting land. Reservations only.
Find below list of beaches near Bio Suites Hotel:
Rethymno beach is the organised town beach of Rethymno, a strip of golden sand and shallow, clear water on the city’s seafront. Rethymno beach sits about 500 metres east of the old town and next to the Venetian port, so you can walk there from the centre in a few minutes without a car. It marks the westernmost end of Rethymno Bay’s long beachfront, which runs east from the harbour toward Skaleta. Entry to the sand is free, and you pay only to rent a sunbed and umbrella. The beach stays busy through the day yet rarely feels packed, and the seafront promenade, Eleftheriou Venizelou, runs alongside it for an evening walk.
Rethymno beach lies on the north coast of Crete, at the edge of Rethymno town. Rethymno beach is a short walk east along the seafront from the old town and the Venetian port. From there you can keep walking east past the town beach toward the suburbs of Perivolia and Platanes and on to Skaleta, because the town beach is the western end of the bay’s continuous sandy beachfront.
Rethymno beach is a well-organised beach, with amenities lined up along the sand and the promenade behind it. Entry to the beach is free, and you pay only for a sunbed and umbrella. The services along the shore include:
The beach is wheelchair accessible, sits on a paved road, and is served by local buses, so you can reach it without a car.
Rethymno beach is a safe choice for swimming, and its shallow, clear water suits families with young children. The sea faces open water, so the surface can turn choppy when the wind picks up, and calm mornings are the easiest time to swim. In peak season the sand fills quickly, and arriving early is the surest way to find shade and a quiet spot.
Rethymno beach is a nesting site for the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). Rethymno Gulf is one of Greece’s 3 most important nesting areas for the species, with more than 400 nests recorded here each year. During nesting season, roped-off patches of sand mark protected nests where eggs have been found, so keep clear of the marked areas and leave them undisturbed.
Several more sandy beaches line the same bay on either side of Rethymno beach, listed below by distance.
Rethymno beach opens a single run of sand that continues about 13 kilometres east from the town harbour to Skaleta, and 7 more named beaches sit along it within 8 kilometres of the town. Loggerhead turtles nest on the whole of that shore rather than on the town beach alone. Only one of the group, Koumbes, lies on the western side of the city, so a walk or drive east keeps you on the same continuous beachfront.
Rethymno beach is on the north-coast seafront of Rethymno town in Crete, about 500 metres east of the old town and next to the Venetian port. It is the westernmost part of Rethymno Bay’s long beachfront.
Yes. The water is shallow and clear, which suits both swimmers and children. The surface can get choppy on windy days, so mornings are usually the calmest time to swim.
Yes. The shallow, clear water, the seasonal lifeguard and the cafes and facilities along the promenade make it a practical choice for families with young children.
Yes. Entry to the beach is free, and you pay only to rent a sunbed and umbrella. Food, drinks and water sports along the seafront are charged separately.
The beach is organised with sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, a seasonal lifeguard, showers, changing rooms, water sports, and beach bars, cafes and restaurants along the seafront. It also holds Blue Flag status.
7 beaches lie within 8 kilometres of Rethymno beach. Pervolia sits 2.1 kilometres east, Koumbes 2.6 kilometres west, Misiria 2.7 kilometres east, Platanes 3.8 kilometres east, Adelianos Kambos 5.5 kilometres east, Pigianos Kambos 7.1 kilometres east and Kamari 7.3 kilometres east.
Koumbes is the one beach on the western side of Rethymno, 2.6 kilometres from the town beach. Its sand and fine pebbles face the Fortezza fortress, and it has a lifeguard service, tourist amenities and walkways along the coast.
Walk east from the old town and Venetian port along the seafront, take a local bus, or drive in on the paved road beside the beach. The beach is also wheelchair accessible.
Rethymno beach is a nesting site for the loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta. Roped-off patches of sand mark protected nests where eggs have been found, so swimmers keep clear of them.
The beach is busiest in peak summer, when it fills quickly during the day. Arriving early in the morning is the surest way to find shade and a quiet spot, and mornings also tend to have the calmest water.
Reaching Rethymno beach is simple, on foot from the old town and the Venetian port, by local bus, or by car on the paved road beside the sand. A car makes it easy to reach the quieter beaches further east along the bay and the villages inland on your own schedule. You can compare rates and pick up a vehicle for the trip through our car rental in Crete page.
Three neighbouring suburbs of Rethymnon, Pervolia, Misiria, and Platanias (also known as Platanes) are situated 3-5km west of the city. Initially independent settlements, they have been subsumed into Rethymnon’s urban region due to expansion in residential development.
A lengthy sandy beach, part of Rethymnon bay’s expansive beachfront, extends in front of these suburbs. The beach begins near Rethymnon’s harbour and continues eastwards for 13km until reaching Skaleta. The beach is well-maintained and offers a wide selection of food, drink, and lodging options.
A notable feature of this beach, like the entirety of the vast beachfront, is the nesting activity of the Caretta caretta sea turtle. These turtles, protected by international law, lay their eggs in the sand. Rethymno Gulf is one of Greece’s three critical habitats for Caretta caretta, with over 400 nests documented annually.
Koumbes, situated 2km west of Rethymnon’s center, is the only beach on the city’s western side. The beach offers stunning vistas of the impressive Fortezza fortress, located several hundred meters to the east. Koumbes derives its name from the Turkish word ‘Kubbe,’ which translates to ‘dome.’ This expansive beach, adorned with sand and fine pebbles, has seen significant growth in recent years, and its development has become a top priority for the Rethymno Municipality. This growth has led to numerous improvements, including the addition of walkways and similar enhancements along the coast.
At Koumbes, visitors can avail themselves of all necessary tourist amenities, such as lifeguard services, umbrellas, showers, changing rooms, and water sports. The area also boasts numerous hotels, accommodations, restaurants, taverns, snack bars, and cafes. Access to Koumbes from the city center is convenient, either by bus or on foot. Walking takes no more than 20 minutes.
Pervolia, Misiria, and Platanias, also known as Platanes, form a trio of suburbs that adjoin the city of Rethymnon, and are situated 3-5km west of the city. Previously individual settlements, they have now merged into Rethymnon’s urban district due to the growth of residential areas.
A sprawling sandy beach extends in front of these suburbs, forming part of a 13km long coastal strip that begins near Rethymno’s harbour and reaches as far as Skaleta beach. This well-maintained beach offers a wide variety of options for dining, drinking, and lodging. Along this extensive stretch of coastline, loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) come to nest. These turtles are at risk of becoming extinct, but the Rethymno Gulf stands as one of the three most crucial habitats for the species in Greece, hosting an average of over 400 nests each year.
The name Misiria originates from the Arabic term ‘Misr’, referring to a suburb of Cairo known for its fertile soil. In a similar vein, Misiria is so named due to its productive land, which continues to yield a bounty of vegetables.
Find below list of gorges near Bio Suites Hotel:
The stunning Galliano canyon begins to the southeast of Gallos and concludes at the Rethymnon town, channeling water from the Armeni region to the Koumbes beach. It stretches over a distance of 5.5km, with the journey taking you through a lush ravine. Regrettably, there are multiple spots where shepherds have put up wires to confine their herds, making the trek along the stream challenging.
Close to the entrance, you’ll encounter the ancient Saounatsides watermill, which was operational until the 20th century. You can also see remnants of an old chapel nearby. A few meters south of the mill, another path leads to the cave-like temple of Saint Anthony.
Last updated: August 2026. Crete Locals.
Mili Gorge is a green hiking ravine about 7 kilometres south of Rethymno, where a shaded, year-round stream runs past the abandoned mill village of Mili. Mili Gorge gathers its water from the northern slopes of Mount Vrysinas and holds so many plants and trees that it reads like a botanical garden. The signed trail follows the length of the valley, so walkers pass old watermills, spring-fed pools, and small rock-cut churches along the way.
Mili Gorge takes its name from the water mills that once worked along its stream. Mili Gorge holds the abandoned village of Mili at its heart, split into two neighbourhoods, Ano Mili (Upper Mills) and Kato Mili (Lower Mills). About 30 watermills once ground the grain from the gorge and the surrounding villages, and nearly every resident worked as a miller. Today a single renovated watermill still stands in good condition, so visitors can see how the mills turned. Fruit trees and vegetable gardens fill the ground between the ruins, fed by the same water that once drove the wheels.
Residents left Mili in 1972 after landslides threatened the houses. The villagers built a new settlement, Nei Mili (New Mills), on the high ground west of the gorge. Some of the old mills have since been restored as homes, and one now serves as a cafe-restaurant for visitors.
Water shapes every part of Mili Gorge. Springs feed the stream at several points, and the two largest, Saint Anthony and Five Virgins, keep it flowing all year. Along its course the water forms small waterfalls and pools, shaded by tall plane trees, where walkers stop for a cool rest. Birds are easy to spot in the canyon, so the gorge rewards birdwatchers as much as hikers.
Mili Gorge holds several rock-cut churches along its trail. The cavernous church of Saint Anthony (Agios Antonios) and the cavernous church of Saint John (Agios Ioannis) sit within the rock, and the cemetery church of the Holy Five Virgins (Pente Parthenes) stands just past the village. Beyond Kato Mili the trail passes two more cave chapels, Saint Paraskevi (Agia Paraskevi) and Saint Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos).
Mili Gorge has two entrances, so walkers can start from either end of the valley. The northern entrance sits near Chromonastiri, and the southern entrance sits near Xero Chorio. The trail is signed and stays shaded through the summer months. After heavy rain the stream rises and the ground turns slippery, so the walk is safest in dry, settled weather. The on-site cafe-restaurant runs mainly in the summer season, so carry your own water and snacks for the walk.
What type of gorge is Mili Gorge? Mili Gorge is a hiking gorge with a signed trail.
Is there water in Mili Gorge? Yes, water runs in Mili Gorge all year round.
How accessible is Mili Gorge? Mili Gorge is reached by a paved road.
How long is Mili Gorge? Mili Gorge is 2.5 km long.
How difficult is Mili Gorge? Mili Gorge rates 1 out of 10 for difficulty.
How many hours does it take to hike Mili Gorge? Hiking Mili Gorge takes about 2.5 hours.
What is the altitude difference in Mili Gorge? The altitude difference in Mili Gorge is 190 m.
Mili Gorge sits about 7 km south of Rethymno, and the trailheads near Chromonastiri and Xero Chorio are far easier to reach with your own vehicle than by bus. Driving lets you park near the entrance, start the walk early before the midday heat, and pair the gorge with the villages and monasteries around Rethymno, which is simplest with car rental in Crete.
The untamed Prassano gorge, also known as the Gorge of Prasses, is situated 10 km southeast of Rethymnon. It commences south of the Prasses village and provides a captivating three-hour hike through enormous rocks and some fairly challenging passages, adding to the intrigue of the trek. The Prasano Gorge, currently serving as the “overflow” channel for the Potami dam, winds its way through the rocky hills of Gargana, with its stream terminating in the suburb of Platania, east of the city of Rethymnon. The river is engulfed by lush vegetation and towering plane trees, making it an ideal spot for a refreshing excursion.
The Prassano gorge can only be accessed from mid-June to mid-October due to the water flow. It is a crucial biotope of Crete, providing a habitat for buzzards and a small group of Bonelli’s eagles.
The Prasses Village
Set amidst the verdant Cretan landscape on the slopes of Vrysinas, Prasses serves as an entrance to the southern coast. This medieval village showcases the intermingling of diverse cultures that have traversed Crete, evident in the Venetian mansions, Turkish farmsteads, and Orthodox churches. The rich natural and cultural diversity make the village an ideal location for tours and walks. Heading south from Prasses, the road leads to the Potami valley, home to the dam of the same name.
In northern Rethymnon, beneath the village of Myrthios (not to be confused with the Myrthios near Plakias), a petite ravine teeming with plane trees gives way to a wild and untamed gorge at Kaminolakos. The gorge is typically dry, only filling with water after significant rainfall. It is accessible only with canyoneering gear. This gorge remained unexplored until March 22, 2013, when Christopher Cheiladakis, Argyro Koghylaki, and Rudolf Riegler ventured into it for the first time, installing safety rings in the process.
The initial stretch of the gorge is particularly wild, leading to a series of small rappels before reaching the final waterfall, a towering 55 meters high. This waterfall is nestled under an umbrella of large trees, hidden away in a shadowy enclave. The gorge culminates at the renowned stone bridge of Simas, which is situated on the road to Amari. This bridge, the highest in Crete, is considered an architectural marvel of its time.
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