Guora gate

Old town Rethymno is to die for! My husband loved it so much he wanted to buy an apartment to visit :p The restaurants are amazing, the gelato is mostly amazing (make sure to look for Sheep’s milk gelato! That is their traditional way and it is delicious). The history and architecture are breath-taking. Even the shops are some of the best shopping in all of Greece! You simply must visit.

Entrance to the cozy old town with narrow streets and touristic although nice restaurants and cafes. People still live in the old town so you can feel a touch of real life like laundry drying above the tiny street.

The gate itself is just a small arch but there is lots to see and do around here with loads of shops and restaurants, and a lovely chapel

Nice area, lots of shops, can get very crowded. We had great icecream and coffee, kids loved greek food around the gate.

I would recommend popping down to porta Guora if your in Crete, endless lovely tavernas and authentic little shops, like Camden market in a beautiful location. You can see fish swimming right next to the walkway and the beach is very close although the sand is like stepping onto the sun without flip flops.

The old town is very nice to get lost in the narrow streets, old buildings to be seen everywhere, colourful shops, restaurants. Each time I went I discovered new places.

Another picturesque side street lined with small none souvenir stores and a selection of cafes, bestros and other eateries. We stopped at a small cafe at the entrance of the street from the souvenir main street, it had a good selection of slushies and smoothies. I opted for a lime slushy and in the late morning heat it hit the spot, cooling and the lime wash just on the refreshing side of sharp. The wife went for a pineapple smoothie which was flavourful and refreshing. Unfortunately the café isn't on Google maps and I can't quite recall the name to add it but if you're on the street treet yourself to an old school slushy it's perfect for the heat.

The gate itself is a gate, so simple. But its the entrance to the old town. After you walk through here you are welcomed with local stores and little alleys with restaurants.