Nomad Watch
Notifications
Loading…
View all notifications
Log in / Join free
GR

Rethymno digital nomad guide

Overview Economics Demographics Politics Environment Cities Map Jobs Visas Taxes Groups
Nomad score 6.4/10

35.3676, 24.4736 Europe/Athens #2571

Log in to rate Save Compare

Researched Updated Oct 29, 2026 Last changed Oct 31, 2026 About guide entries

Essentials

City
Rethymno, Crete, Greece 1
Population
35,763 people in the community and 38,759 in the municipal unit, 2021 census. 1
Internet Speed
Average 50-100 Mbps (VDSL) with 5G widely available via Cosmote
Currency & Banking
Euro (EUR). On 22 October 2026 the European Central Bank rate was 1 EUR = 1.1205 USD, so 1 USD = 0.8925 EUR. 4
Tap Water
Tap water is drinkable in most places a visitor would go. It often tastes poor, and many people prefer bottled water. Supplies on small islands are a separate case and are often heavily chlorinated. 3
Power
230 V, 50 Hz, Type C and F (Europlug and Schuko). 3
SIM Card
Cosmote, Vodafone and Nova are the main networks, and a prepaid SIM needs a passport or ID. Vodafone Combo 9GB is 14.50 euro for 30 days, with 9 GB, unlimited national calls and 100 SMS. Vodafone Data Day is 1.20 euro for 15 GB for 24 hours. 5 3
Banking for Expats
Revolut and Wise are widely used. Local accounts require an AFM (Tax Number)
Accommodation
Mix of Venetian Old Town houses and modern seaside apartments
Cashless Friendly
Cards are widely accepted in shops, hotels and transport agencies. Some restaurants do not take cards, and small purchases may need cash. 3
Short Term Rentals
Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies like Crete Homes (approx. €800-1,200/month)
Budget Accommodation
Youth Hostel Rethymno is at 41 Tompazi Street, by the Guora Gate. The travel guide lists a dorm bed at 12 euros, or 14 euros from July to 15 September, and that price has no newer date. 2 16
Best Area to Stay for Tourists
Old Town (close to the Venetian Harbor and Rimondi Fountain) 2 1
Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
Kallithea or Koumbes (quieter, cheaper, and within 15-min walk to center)

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space
Aristea, on 110 Martyron in Misiria, has a hotel coworking lounge and does not publish a desk day pass. WorkHub is in Chania, at Iroon Polytechniou 43, not on Zampeliou in Rethymno. The nearest priced desk is Kipseli in Chania: open space 16 euros a day or 150 euros a month on weekdays. 8 17 10 9
Best Cafe for Work
Living Room (Eleftheriou Venizelou 5). Spacious, reliable Wi-Fi, and sea views
Networking Events
Digital Nomads Crete Slack group and local Entrepreneurship meetups at the Chamber of Commerce
Social Events for Expats
Expats in Rethymno Facebook Group; weekly meetups at Home Bar

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App
No Uber/Bolt; use 'Taxi 18300' or local radio taxi stations. Flat rate to Chania airport approx. €100
Bike/Scooter Rental
Motosport (Leof. Pahatouri 34). Scooters approx. €20/day, e-bikes €15/day
Best Beach Nearby
The sandy town beach starts in Rethymno and runs several kilometres east. Damnoni is a beach on the south coast. Preveli monastery is about 37 km south. 2
Top Regional Airline
Aegean Airlines / Olympic Air (via Chania or Heraklion airports)
Top International Airline
Ryanair and EasyJet service Chania (CHQ) and Heraklion (HER) daily
Highway Access
E75 (BOAK) National Road connects Rethymno to Chania and Heraklion
Main Train/Transit Hub
KTEL coach station on Emmanouil Kefalogianni street, just west of the centre. Crete has no railway; national trains are on the mainland. 13 2 3
Public Transport Passes
Local blue buses €1.20 per trip; tickets sold at kiosks
Regional Travel
KTEL to Chania is 6.20 euros and about 1 hour, and to Heraklion 8 euros and about 1 hour 30 minutes. Chania airport is about 56 km west and Heraklion airport about 80 km east. The fare pages were updated in September and October 2026; confirm before travel. 6 7 2

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital
General Hospital of Rethymno, Trantalidou 17-19, postcode 74132. Switchboard 28313 42100. 11 12
Yoga & Wellness Centers
Yoga Rethymno (Melissinou 52). Classes approx. €12 drop-in
Gyms & Fitness Centers
Palestra Gym (Kallithea). Modern equipment, approx. €50/month
Laundry Services
EasyWash Self Service (Kountouriotou 78). Approx. €5 per load

Food and Drink

Best Food Delivery App
E-food.gr or BOX. Very efficient in Rethymno
Best Local Dish to Try
Dakos (rusk with tomato and mizithra cheese) and Gamopilafo
Vegan/Vegetarian Options
Stella's Kitchen (Souliou 19). Fresh, authentic home cooking with many plant-based options
Best Dessert Spots
Mona Lisa (Konstantinou Paleologou). Famous for authentic gelato and waffles
Affordable Shopping Spots
Laiki (Farmers Market) on Thursdays near the city park (Parko)
E-commerce/Online Store
Skroutz.gr (The 'Amazon' of Greece)
Grocery Delivery
Sklavenitis or AB Vassilopoulos via their online apps
Bar/Nightlife Area
The seafront strip (Eleftheriou Venizelou) and the streets around the Venetian Port
Local Brewery
Rethymnian Brewery (Brink's Beer). Try the Blonde or Dark ale at local tavernas
Wine Bars
Meli (Paleologou 38). Extensive list of local Cretan varieties (Vidiano, Kotsifali)
Street Food Stalls
Nikolas Souvlaki (Arkadiou 70). Classic gyros approx. €4.50
Popular International Cuisine
Pagliaccio (Platia Plastira) for authentic Italian pizzas and pasta

Culture and Attractions

Must-See Landmarks
Fortezza of Rethymno, the Venetian citadel (5 euros on the November 2022 travel guide), and the lighthouse. 2 14
Museums & Art Venues
Archaeological Museum of Rethymno, 4 Agiou Fragkiskou, in the old town. 15 1
Historical Sites
Rimondi Venetian Fountain, and the Neratze Mosque, now a concert hall. 2
Religious Sites
Arkadi Monastery (23km away, symbol of Cretan resistance) 2 1
Annual Events
Rethymno Carnival (February/March, the largest in Crete) and the Renaissance Festival
Cultural Districts
The Venetian Old Town (Palia Poli) 1
Theater Venues
Erofili Theatre (Open-air inside the Fortezza Castle)
Local Markets
The Saturday Market by the KTEL station for clothes and local goods
Music Scene
Galero (Venetian Harbor) for live Rebetiko and traditional Cretan Lyra music
Street Art
Scattered murals in the modern city center, especially around the Public Garden
Cooking Classes
Cretan Cooking Classes at Agreco Farm (Adelianos Kampos)
Art Galleries
Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete (Mesologgiou 32)
Historic Buildings
The Venetian Loggia, now the information office of the Ministry of Culture and Sports. 1
Local Heritage
Cretan Knives (traditional craft found on Messolongiou Street)

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes
Mili Gorge (hiking trail starting 4km south of town)
National Parks Nearby
Samaria Gorge, in the Chania regional unit in the White Mountains, has been a national park since 1962 and is a biosphere reserve. Visits run from 1 May to 31 October, and fires are prohibited in the park. 26
Cycling/Walking Paths
The 12km promenade along Rethymno Beach
Scenic Viewpoints
St. Anthony Gorge (Patsos) for dramatic cliff views
Birdwatching Locations
Potami Dam Lake (Amari Valley)
Bonfire-Friendly Spots
Outdoor fires are banned across Greece from 1 May to 31 October, including campfires and barbecues. Samaria National Park also forbids fires. Do not treat a beach as a legal fire site. 3 26

Other Services and Amenities

Parcel Delivery Service
ACS Courier or Geniki Taxydromiki. Shipping to EU approx. €25
Tech Repair Services
iRepair (Leof. Kountourioti). Fast phone and laptop repairs
Table Tennis Spots
Rethymno Table Tennis Club (OAA Rethymnou)
Language Classes
Lexis Modern Greek Language School (Kallithea)
Libraries & Study Spots
Public Central Library of Rethymno, Stavrianou Mpiri 6, postcode 74132. Monday and Thursday 08:00 to 14:30 and 18:00 to 20:30; Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 08:00 to 14:30. Phone 28310 29215. 27
Community Centers
Xenia Cultural Center
Gaming Lounges
GNET (Gerakari 1). PC gaming and esports
Casino & Gaming Halls
OPAP Play (various locations for electronic gaming)

Business

Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €90,000)
Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €66,000)
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €140,000)
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €100,000)
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €208,000)
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Approx. €1,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €144,000)
Corporate Tax
22% 21
Dividend Withholding Tax
5% 20
Tax System
Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income. You are resident if Greece is your centre of vital interests, or if you spend more than 183 days in any 12-month period. The digital nomad visa does not set a special tax rate. 18 19 25
Highest Income Tax Bracket
44 percent on employment, pension and business income above 60,000 euros, from tax year 2026. The band from 40,000 to 60,000 euros is 39 percent. 18
VAT
24 percent standard. 13 percent on basic food, restaurant food and hotel stays, and 6 percent on medicines, books and electricity. Restaurant alcohol is at the standard rate. Crete is not on the list of islands where those rates are cut by 30 percent. 22 23
Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
Yes. Undistributed income of a foreign company is attributed when the Greek taxpayer holds more than 50 percent, the foreign tax paid is less than half the Greek tax, and more than 30 percent of the profit is passive. A real business in the EU or the EEA is excepted. 24
Property Tax
ENFIA is the annual tax on property rights held on 1 January. For an individual it depends on location, size, use, age, floor and the number of facades, with an extra charge when total property value is over 500,000 euros. An insured home worth up to 500,000 euros can be charged 20 percent less. The 2026 half-rate for a main home in a village of up to 1,500 people does not cover the city of Rethymno. 23
Property Transaction Tax
3 percent of the taxable value on a transfer that is not charged VAT, plus a municipal surcharge that brings the total rate to 3.09 percent. 22
Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
The digital nomad visa does not set a special tax rate. Article 5C exempts 50 percent of employment or business income earned in Greece for seven tax years, if you were not a Greek tax resident in five of the previous six years and the work is for a Greek legal entity, a foreign company permanent establishment in Greece, or an individual business you start in Greece. 25

About these guide entries

Method
Researched
Last updated
Oct 29, 2026
Last changed
Oct 31, 2026

Checked against the sources below and compared with similar cities. Numbers in the list point to these sources.

  1. Wikipedia RethymnoReference
  2. Wikivoyage RethymnoSecondary
  3. Wikivoyage GreeceSecondary
  4. ECB euro reference rates, 90-day fileOfficial
  5. Vodafone Greece February 2026 prepaid tariffOfficial
  6. Crete Direct Chania to Rethymno, updated 29 September 2026Secondary
  7. Crete Direct Heraklion to Rethymno, updated 18 October 2026Secondary
  8. Aristea Rethymno coworking loungeOfficial
  9. Kipseli coworking ChaniaOfficial
  10. WorkHub ChaniaOfficial
  11. General Hospital of Rethymno contact pageOfficial
  12. OpenStreetMap General Hospital of Rethymno, Trantalidou 17-19Reference
  13. OpenStreetMap KTEL bus station on Emmanouil KefalogianniReference
  14. OpenStreetMap Fortezza of RethymnoReference
  15. OpenStreetMap Archaeological Museum of Rethymno, 4 Agiou FragkiskouReference
  16. OpenStreetMap Youth Hostel Rethymno, 41 TompaziReference
  17. OpenStreetMap Aristea Hotel, 110 Martyron, MisiriaReference
  18. PwC Greece taxes on personal incomeSecondary
  19. PwC Greece tax residenceSecondary
  20. PwC Greece income determinationSecondary
  21. PwC Greece taxes on corporate incomeSecondary
  22. PwC Greece corporate other taxesSecondary
  23. PwC Greece individual other taxesSecondary
  24. PwC Greece group taxationSecondary
  25. AADE FAQ for Greeks abroad and non-residentsOfficial
  26. Wikipedia Samaria GorgeReference
  27. Public Central Library of RethymnoOfficial

Change history

    • Method Generated Researched
    • Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads Greece Nomad Visa: 50% income tax reduction for 7 years for qualifying relocations The digital nomad visa does not set a special tax rate. Article 5C exempts 50 percent of…
    • Best Beach Nearby Rethymno City Beach (Blue Flag) or Preveli Beach (35km south, famous palm forest) The sandy town beach starts in Rethymno and runs several kilometres east. Damnoni is a…
    • Best Coworking Space Workhub Rethymno (Zampeliou 23). Fast Wi-Fi, dedicated desks approx. €15/day or €180/month Aristea, on 110 Martyron in Misiria, has a hotel coworking lounge and does not publish a…
    • Best Hospital Rethymno General Hospital (Trantalidou 17) General Hospital of Rethymno, Trantalidou 17-19, postcode 74132. Switchboard 28313 42100.
    • Bonfire-Friendly Spots Generally restricted; check local fire regulations, especially at Episkopi Beach Outdoor fires are banned across Greece from 1 May to 31 October, including campfires and…
    21 more changes
    • Budget Accommodation Rethymno Youth Hostel (Tompazi 45, approx. €18-25/night) Youth Hostel Rethymno is at 41 Tompazi Street, by the Guora Gate. The travel guide lists a…
    • Cashless Friendly Yes, POS terminals are mandatory in Greece and accepted everywhere Cards are widely accepted in shops, hotels and transport agencies. Some restaurants do not…
    • Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, applicable under EU ATAD directives Yes. Undistributed income of a foreign company is attributed when the Greek taxpayer holds…
    • Currency & Banking Euro (€). 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: Piraeus Bank, National Bank of Greece Euro (EUR). On 22 October 2026 the European Central Bank rate was 1 EUR = 1.1205 USD, so 1…
    • Highest Income Tax Bracket 44% (for income over €40,000) 44 percent on employment, pension and business income above 60,000 euros, from tax year…
    • Historic Buildings The Loggia (Venetian meeting hall, now a ministry shop) The Venetian Loggia, now the information office of the Ministry of Culture and Sports.
    • Historical Sites Rimondi Venetian Fountain and the Neratze Mosque Rimondi Venetian Fountain, and the Neratze Mosque, now a concert hall.
    • Libraries & Study Spots Public Library of Rethymno (Agias Varvaras 26) Public Central Library of Rethymno, Stavrianou Mpiri 6, postcode 74132. Monday and…
    • Main Train/Transit Hub KTEL Bus Station (Emmanouil Kefalogianni 1). Direct buses across Crete KTEL coach station on Emmanouil Kefalogianni street, just west of the centre. Crete has no…
    • Museums & Art Venues Archaeological Museum of Rethymno (Agiou Fragkiskou) Archaeological Museum of Rethymno, 4 Agiou Fragkiskou, in the old town.
    • Must-See Landmarks Fortezza Castle (Venetian Citadel) and the Egyptian Lighthouse Fortezza of Rethymno, the Venetian citadel (5 euros on the November 2022 travel guide)…
    • National Parks Nearby Samaria Gorge National Park (2 hours drive, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve) Samaria Gorge, in the Chania regional unit in the White Mountains, has been a national…
    • Population Approximately 35,000 35,763 people in the community and 38,759 in the municipal unit, 2021 census.
    • Power 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets 230 V, 50 Hz, Type C and F (Europlug and Schuko).
    • Property Tax ENFIA (Annual tax based on location/size, approx. €3-6 per m²) ENFIA is the annual tax on property rights held on 1 January. For an individual it depends…
    • Property Transaction Tax 3% transfer tax + notary/legal fees (approx. 7-10% total) 3 percent of the taxable value on a transfer that is not charged VAT, plus a municipal…
    • Regional Travel KTEL intercity buses to Chania (€7.30, 1 hour) or Heraklion (€8.30, 1.5 hours) KTEL to Chania is 6.20 euros and about 1 hour, and to Heraklion 8 euros and about 1 hour…
    • SIM Card Cosmote (best coverage), Vodafone, Nova. Prepaid 50GB data plans approx. €15-20 Cosmote, Vodafone and Nova are the main networks, and a prepaid SIM needs a passport or…
    • Tap Water Safe to drink, but high mineral content; many prefer bottled or filtered water (approx… Tap water is drinkable in most places a visitor would go. It often tastes poor, and many…
    • Tax System Worldwide income basis for residents Tax residents are taxed on worldwide income. You are resident if Greece is your centre of…
    • VAT 24% standard rate; 13% for food/utilities 24 percent standard. 13 percent on basic food, restaurant food and hotel stays, and 6…

    light check. Updated Population, Currency & Banking, Tap Water, SIM Card, Cashless Friendly, Budget Accommodation, Best Coworking Space, Best Beach Nearby, Main Train/Transit Hub, Regional Travel, Best Hospital, Must-See Landmarks, Museums & Art Venues, Historical Sites, Historic Buildings, National Parks Nearby, Bonfire-Friendly Spots, Libraries & Study Spots, Tax System, Highest Income Tax Bracket, VAT, Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules, Property Tax, Property Transaction Tax, and Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads (en.wikipedia.org).

Continue exploring Rethymno

Free views Sign up free