Gorges & hikes Hidden gem

Maroulas Path

Rethymno, Rethymno · Free

Highlights & amenities

Entry: Free

About

A walk from a Venetian village above Rethymno.

Maroulas is a traditional village near Rethymno that has preserved its Venetian architecture, with towers and mansions. A hiking trail from the village joins the E4 path.

The shepherds' paths offer views of the gulf of Rethymno, the White Mountains and Psiloritis.

The area around Rethymno town mixes a lively Venetian old town with a long sandy coast and quiet villages in the hills. To the east, the beach runs for kilometres past Platanes and Adelianos Kampos, where loggerhead turtles nest in summer. Inland, villages such as Chromonastiri, Myloi, Atsipopoulo and Maroulas have old Venetian houses and tavernas with views. The Arkadi monastery and ancient Eleftherna are less than half an hour away. Try the local snails, staka with eggs and the town's famous pastries.

Around Rethymno

Nearest town: Rethymno, about 8 km by road
Nearest airport: Chania airport (CHQ), about 54 km by road

Rethymno sits between the mountains and two seas, and it is the easiest region to combine with the rest of the island. Its old town and Fortezza are among the best preserved on Crete, with Venetian doorways, Ottoman wooden balconies and a long sandy beach right next to the centre. More about Rethymno