Self-Guided Audio Tour: Rethymno Old Town, Fortezza & Venetian Harbor

Summary

Discover Rethymno’s History on Foot: Venetian Harbor to Fortezza

If you want to explore Rethymno at your own pace and really get under its skin, this audio tour is for you. You’ll wander through centuries-old streets, hear local stories you’d never find in a guidebook, and see both famous sights and hidden corners—all with lifetime access and offline maps so you won’t get lost.

What’s the experience like?

Right by the old Venetian harbor, you’ll spot the Egyptian Lighthouse—its white tower stands out against the blue sky. The salty breeze carries the scent of grilled octopus from a taverna nearby. I started my walk here, watching fishermen untangle their nets while our audio guide set the scene with tales from ancient Greece to Ottoman times.

The alleys behind the harbor twist and turn, lined with faded Venetian houses. Some have laundry flapping overhead, others hide tiny bakeries selling koulouri if you’re hungry. You’ll pass museums—one had a display of Minoan pottery that looked almost too delicate to be real. Our guide mentioned how these artifacts were found just outside town, which made it feel even more personal.

We paused at the Four Martyrs Church. The bells chimed right as we arrived—pure luck, but it made me stop and listen to the story behind its name. There’s a sadness in the memorial posters pasted on lampposts; our guide explained their meaning as we walked on.

The Neratze Mosque sits quietly now, its domes echoing a different era. I could hear kids playing soccer in the square out front—life goes on around these old stones. At Rimondi Fountain, cold water trickled from lion heads into worn basins. Locals filled bottles while I rested in the shade for a minute or two.

The climb up to Fortezza is worth it for the view alone. The path gets steep and dusty—bring water if it’s hot—but once inside, you can see all of Rethymno and the Aegean stretching out beyond. The mosque inside has this peaceful hush; I sat for a bit just taking it all in before heading back down toward the sea.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Rethymno Highlights Walk

• The Egyptian Lighthouse
• The Venetian Harbour
• Outside the Church
• The Neratze Mosque
• The Rimondi Fountain
• Optional visit to Fortezza

Top questions

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes, families can easily do this walk—strollers are fine and there are spots to rest along the way.

Do I need internet access during the tour?

Nope! Once you’ve downloaded everything in advance, you can use the audio and maps offline.

How long does the tour take?

You can do it in about 1-2 hours, but there’s no rush—stop for coffee or explore museums as you like.

Are tickets to attractions like Fortezza included?

No, entrance fees aren’t included—you can decide on the day if you want to go inside or just enjoy from outside.

What’s included

You’ll get lifetime access to the self-guided audio tour through the VoiceMap app (works on both Android and iOS), plus offline maps and geodata so you don’t need WiFi while exploring. Just download before you head out and you’re set!