Venetian Fortezza Castle — Attraction in Municipality of Rethymnon

The Venetian fortress of Rethymno should be one of the jewels of Crete. Perched above the town, it offers breathtaking views and echoes of a rich and complex past — from the time of the Venetians to the Ottomans. You expect to walk through its gates and be taken on a journey through time. Instead, you find yourself walking through a place that feels forgotten. The structures are visibly decaying, with large sections overrun by weeds, broken pavements, and unmarked ruins. There’s little to no signage — barely a sentence here or there — and almost nothing that helps you understand what you’re looking at. Many areas are completely inaccessible, and the few that are open feel unsafe or abandoned. What’s most frustrating is the sense that this isn’t about lack of interest — tourists pay 5€ each to enter, and on busy days, that surely adds up to thousands of euros. With even a modest reinvestment of that income, this site could be an open-air museum, a place of education, culture, and beauty. Instead, it’s a missed opportunity, and it shows a worrying level of neglect for a national treasure. Crete is full of life, culture, and resilience — but this site doesn’t reflect that. It reflects neglect and lack of vision. We can only hope someone will see the potential and bring this fortress back to the dignity it deserves.

It’s heartbreaking, really. You don’t just leave a fortress to rot, you leave your own history behind with it. Walking out of the gates, I didn’t feel inspired. I felt sad, even angry. This place could have been unforgettable. Instead, it’s a ruin, not because of time, but because of...

Great relic, fabulous views, amazing history, sadly terribly under curated and service unsatisfactory to the point of apathy.

We travelled from Chania to Rethymno on buses, total cost 21 Euros each, 2 of us. Upon reaching city, found had left credit card at hotel- whoops. Luckily had 10 Euros for 2 entries to castle. We had to wait a few min utes for cashier to get organised-no problem. Sign said card only! Luckily they took cash- thanks, after a fair walk from bus station this was appreciated.

We then walked around the perimeter of the castle. Views are great, lovely view over sea and the city. Thee is a very impressive mosque and sentry boxes in the corners. Sadly, there was only 1 information board to tell you facts about the place, and this was that damaged to be illegible. A well stocked gift shop and cafe on site selling drinks and snacks. Lots of piles of rubble around as if the Turks had just left not in the 17th century, poorly railed gaps with just a chain across - not safe for children. The icing on the cake was when I asked at ticket office for water for journey home and they refused, said tap water not fit to drink. I had no money, yes my fault, but for health reasons I need to stay hydrated. Ticket office said to try shop who also refused. We loved the old ruin but a lack of information and lack of water made it a very average experience. Luckily a local cafe was kind and obliged ne a large bottle of water free, 😊 There are so many stories to be shared about the place, especially building of it and the Turkish siege in the 17th century, we weren't even...

Fortezza – A Worthwhile Visit with Room for Improvement.

Historically, Fortezza is a fascinating site and absolutely worth a visit while in Rethymno. The entrance fee is €5 for a single adult, and you can explore the grounds in about 40 minutes to an hour—assuming you can handle the intense July heat and direct sun. The panoramic views of the sea and the city are stunning, offering plenty of breathtaking photo opportunities for those into photography or scenic walks.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind. There is no guided tour or detailed signage throughout the site, so those interested in learning the historical context may want to research in advance. Some areas appear to be accessible for children, but I would strongly caution parents—there are several open drops with only a small chain as a barrier and no warning signs. Supervision is absolutely necessary.

Maintenance could be improved. We noticed visible garbage in a few of the indoor areas that were otherwise open to visitors. There is a stand-style café inside selling coffee and cold drinks, which seemed popular, though I did not purchase anything myself. Washrooms are available near the entrance, along with a small gift shop offering some interesting items.

Overall, the Fortezza is a memorable and culturally rich stop, but it would benefit from better upkeep, clearer safety measures, and more historical information...