A well-run hostel in Rethymno's old town with dorm beds and private rooms. The central location puts you minutes from the Venetian old town, Fortezza, and harbour. Popular with backpackers and solo travellers. Breakfast available for a small additional charge.
Rethymno Youth Hostel occupies a building on Tobazi Street, 41, in the heart of Rethymno's historic old town — one of the best-preserved Venetian and Ottoman urban environments in the eastern Mediterranean. At approximately EUR 20 per night, the hostel provides budget travellers with an exceptional central location, putting guests within minutes on foot of the city's most significant sights: the enormous Venetian Fortezza fortress that dominates the headland above the town, the picturesque Venetian harbour with its iconic lighthouse, and the winding alleyways of the old town lined with minarets, carved Venetian doorways, and traditional Ottoman wooden balconies.
Accommodation is offered in both dormitory and private room configurations, with shared bathroom facilities and a common room for socialising. Breakfast is available for a small additional charge. Free WiFi is provided throughout the property. The hostel's position within the old town means that the neighbourhood's characteristic evening activity — from nearby restaurants, bars, and late-night tavernas — may carry into street-facing rooms; guests sensitive to noise should request interior or upper-floor rooms.
Rethymno is the third-largest city in Crete and offers a more manageable, human-scale alternative to Heraklion for visitors wanting a city base with a strong historical character. The Archaeological Museum of Rethymno, housed in a former Ottoman mosque within the old town, is a short walk from the hostel. The long sandy beach stretching east from the Venetian harbour is one of the best urban beaches in Crete, with consistently good water quality through the summer season.
From Rethymno, KTEL buses connect the city to both Heraklion and Chania multiple times daily, making the hostel a practical base for exploring the length of the island. The south coast village of Plakias and Preveli Beach are accessible by car in under an hour. The hostel suits backpackers, solo travellers, and budget visitors using Rethymno as a springboard for both the western and eastern reaches of the island.
Amenities
- Dorm beds
- Private rooms
- Common room
- Free WiFi
- Shared bathrooms
- Breakfast available
- Luggage storage
Location
Tobazi 41, Rethymno 74100
35.3658, 24.4729 View on map
Highlights
- Prime old town location on Tobazi Street, within walking distance of the Venetian Fortezza, harbour, and historic alleyways
- Affordable dorms and private rooms in Rethymno's most historically rich and visually distinctive neighbourhood
- Five-minute walk to Rethymno's long sandy beach and the Venetian lighthouse
- Well-placed for KTEL bus connections to Heraklion and Chania, and for day trips to Plakias and Preveli Beach
Tips for visiting
- July and August are the busiest months; book well ahead as central Rethymno accommodation fills quickly across all price points
- Request a room facing away from Tobazi Street if travelling in summer when evening noise from bars and restaurants can be significant
- The Venetian Fortezza is best visited in the morning before tour groups arrive; the views from the ramparts over the old town and sea are excellent
- Breakfast at one of the old town's small kafeneions is often cheaper and more atmospheric than the hostel's optional breakfast charge
Accessibility
Rethymno Youth Hostel is located within the old town, where many streets are cobblestoned and uneven. The hostel building is an older structure and is unlikely to have elevator access. Guests with significant mobility limitations will find the historic neighbourhood and the hostel's internal layout challenging to navigate.
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Frequently asked questions
Are private rooms available?
Yes, the hostel offers both dormitory beds and private rooms at different price points to suit different budgets.
Is the hostel close to the beach?
Rethymno's town beach is approximately a 10-minute walk from the hostel, heading east from the Venetian harbour along the shore.
Can guests access KTEL buses from Rethymno?
Yes, Rethymno's KTEL bus station is about 15 minutes' walk from the old town; buses connect to Heraklion and Chania multiple times daily.
Is breakfast included?
Breakfast is available at the hostel for a small additional charge and is not included in the standard room rate.