Adelianos Kampos - characteristics and facilities of the resort

Originally several small fishing villages east of Rethymno town, they have gradually grown and merged into one whole section known as "East Rethymno", which stretches along the beautiful sandy coastline from Rethymno town to Skaleta. The village of Adelianos Kampos is located about 7 km east of Rethymno, in a picturesque and flat coastal area.

Adelianos Kampos forms a de facto suburb of the centre of Rethymno itself and provides visitors with very good tourist facilities for their holiday. There are rather smaller hotels and the pleasant atmosphere of the resort is underlined by the abundance of greenery between the hotels and buildings. The typical hallmark of Adelianos Kampos are the tall palm trees, many of them even taller than the surrounding buildings, which also lend the resort a subtle exotic touch.

In addition to the many hotels, guesthouses and other accommodations, there are also excellent restaurants and tavernas, quaint cafes and, for nightlife enthusiasts, several lively bars. Of course, there are shops with a variety of goods, a pharmacy and car rental.

The North Cretan motorway passes through the resort, connecting Rethymno and Heraklion, but the beachfront hotels are not affected by traffic noise. The traffic from the motorway can only be disturbing if you are staying in close proximity to it (here the hotels are of inferior categories). Thanks to the local highway, it is not a problem to rent a car and go on a trip to the nearby and more distant surroundings. There are also regular bus services from Adelianos Kampos to Rethymno and the neighbouring resorts of Missiria, Pigianos Kampos, Sfakaki etc.

Adelianos Kampos Beach ("Adele Beach")

The area east of Rethymno is particularly popular for its beautiful sandy beaches, and Adelianos Kampos is no exception. The main beach adjacent to the resort bears the same name, Adelianos Kampos, but sometimes the name "Adele Beach" can also be heard. The fishing village used to be a coastal residence for the inhabitants of the nearby village of Adele.

The surface of Adele Beach is mainly sand, with small pebbles mixed in. The main advantages of the beach are its crystal clear water and shallow shoreline, which often attract families with children. However, the bay of Rethymno is open to the northerly winds, so you'll often experience choppy seas.

The beach is well organised for tourists, the areas in front of the larger hotels are equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas, and there are several beach showers, changing rooms and toilets. There are also beach bars right on the beach and if you want to experience a bit of adrenaline, we recommend going to the local water activities centre and trying some unusual sports for yourself.

Giant sea turtles

A local attraction of Rethymno Bay are the giant sea turtles, which come out of the sea at night between May and September and lay their eggs in the sand on the beach. The eggs then hatch into small turtles and go back to the sea. The turtles are an endangered and protected species, so conservationists work on the local beaches to mark the turtle nests, thereby letting tourists know to be careful and cautious around them. The turtles are not to be picked up, however, as it is important for their continued development that they get back to the sea on their own. However, if you see one during the day, you can shade it with your body so that the strong Greek sun does not exhaust it too much.

(The main nesting ground for these endangered turtles is the Greek island of Zakynthos - so you can learn more about them here - Turtle Island.)

Who is the centre suitable for?

The holiday resort of Adelianos Kampos is a livelier and better equipped resort compared to the surrounding villages, but it is still much quieter than the nearby resort of Rethymno. This, together with the beautiful sandy beach, makes it an ideal destination for a family or romantic holiday.

With good transport links, it's easy to get to any of the larger resorts and enjoy the local historical sites, entertainment or major shopping.

More touristic destinations of Crete

Close resorts: Missiria, Pigianos Kampos, Rethymno, Sfakaki

Most favourite resorts of Crete: Adelianos Kampos, Agia Marina, Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion (Iraklion), Hersonissos, Chania, Ierapetra, Kalamaki (Matala), Malia, Platanias (Chania), Rethymno, Stalis

Resorts, beaches, sights or trips - clearly listed on the map of Crete.