Craft Beer & City Tour – Rethymno Old Town

A craft beer walk changes how you see Old Town. This 3-hour Rethymno experience uses beer as a practical guide to the streets, monuments, and photo spots of the Venetian Harbour area and back again. You’ll start at Bricks Beers & Tales, sample multiple Greek craft styles, and end with a final pour at the harbor while the evening is just getting started.

What I like most is the focus on small-group pacing (max 8) and the way the guide uses beer to teach you how to spot styles you’ll actually enjoy. You also get a real orientation walk through the pedestrian lanes, which helps the Old Town make sense quickly instead of feeling like a maze.

The only real catch is simple: you’re walking for about three hours and it’s not recommended if you have walking difficulties. If the weather turns or the route needs adjusting, expect changes and bring comfortable shoes.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Max 8 people means more conversation and faster back-and-forth on what beers you like
• 5 Greek craft beers included, with both samples and full pours
• Old Town orientation through less-known pedestrian streets and iconic monuments
• Final stop at the Venetian Harbour photo zone with tap beer plus quality finger food
• Crash course in craft beer so tastings feel fun, not confusing
• Unique souvenir included, so you’re not just leaving with photos

Craft Beer + City Walk in Rethymno: Why It Works

Rethymno Old Town can be gorgeous, but it can also be easy to wander in circles—especially in the evening when you’re hungry and the streets start to blur together. This tour solves that problem by giving you a clear loop and a reason to move: beer and conversation.

I like that it’s not just about drinking. The guide frames what you’re tasting, then connects it to the place you’re standing in—harbor area first, then Old Town lanes, then back toward the Venetian Harbour zone for photos and a final pour. If you want a vacation activity that does double duty (city context plus a good time), this hits the mark.

Starting at Bricks Beers & Tales: Your 6:00 pm Beer Lesson

The meet-up is at Bricks Beers & Tales on Eleftheríou Venizélou 41, Rethymno. The tour starts at 6:00 pm, which is a smart choice: you get evening light for the harbor-area vibe, and you avoid the harshest midday heat. You’ll begin with a refreshing beer right away and a quick intro to the local craft beer scene.

Then the guide sets expectations with a crash course in craft beer. That matters because you’re not stuck guessing what you’re drinking. You’re getting a simple framework for how styles, ingredients, and brewing choices show up in flavor, so your later tastings make more sense.

Practical tip: show up slightly hydrated. This is a walking tour with outdoor stops, and Crete’s sun can feel intense even when it’s not the middle of the day. Bring your own water bottle, wear a hat if you run hot, and keep your sunglasses handy.

Old Venetian Harbour to Old Town Lanes: Get Your Bearings Fast

Stop one focuses on the Old Venetian Harbour of Rethymno, with the tour beginning there and then shifting into the pedestrian streets. What makes this portion valuable is the balance: you’re not just sightseeing big landmarks. You’re also moving through the less-known lanes that locals actually use to get around.

The guide points out the multi-cultural story of the Old Town and highlights iconic monuments along the way. Even if you’re not a museum person, this kind of orientation walk helps you understand where you are, why the harbor matters, and how the streets connect. By the time you reach the first tasting hangout, you’ll feel like you’ve already unlocked the map.

Time-wise, this part is about one hour, and it’s paced as a slow walk. That’s good news if you don’t want a “race to the next photo” style tour.

The Craft Beer Hangout Stop: Tasting That Actually Fits You

Next comes stop two: a well-camouflaged craft beer hangout in the Old Town area. Here’s where the experience turns from city walk to real tasting. You’ll do a multi beer style tasting session designed around what you like and what’s seasonal.

This is one of the tour’s strongest ideas: instead of treating tasting like a fixed script, the guide matches the pours to preferences. If you’re the kind of person who knows you like a certain style (or you want to experiment without being overwhelmed), this setup usually feels better than generic “try everything” tastings.

Also, you’re not walking in cold. The tour includes snacks, and that helps keep you comfortable during the tasting portion. You’ll get a chance to compare flavors, not just swallow beers and move on.

Stop two runs about one hour, so you get enough time to enjoy the conversation without feeling stuck.

Final Photo Stop by the Harbour: Tap Beer + Finger Food

Stop three continues the slow pace walk toward a top photo stop point near the harbor, then to the final spot. This is the part of the tour where the scenery and the food align nicely: you’ll enjoy a beer on tap of your choice, plus quality finger food.

Why I think this is a smart finish: it gives you a satisfying end that doesn’t feel like a hard cutoff. If you want to keep going after the tour, the structure supports it. The experience ends back at the meeting point, which makes it easy to continue exploring on your own.

Time-wise, stop three is another one hour. By the end, you’ve covered the harbor area, walked Old Town streets, tasted multiple Greek craft beers, and eaten enough to make the evening feel complete.

What’s Included (and Why the Value Is More Than the Price)

The price is $102.41 per person for about three hours, and the value comes from what’s actually included. You’re getting:

• 5 Greek craft beers (samples and full)
• Snacks, including quality finger food
• A guided walking tour with photo stops
• A crash course in craft beer
• A unique souvenir
• All fees and taxes

Let’s translate that into real-world value. If you’d otherwise order several beers across different places, you’d easily spend similar money just on drinks. Here, you’re stacking beer, food, and guided context together, and you’re doing it with a guide who can explain what you’re tasting in plain language.

The small-group format also adds value. With a max of 8 travelers, you’re less likely to feel like you’re part of a crowd where your questions go unanswered. You get more back-and-forth, and that makes the tastings feel personal instead of scripted.

One more thing I appreciate: the tour is offered in English, and it uses a mobile ticket, so you’re not juggling paper or printouts during a busy evening.

Walking Pace, Comfort, and What to Bring

This isn’t a hop-on hop-off style experience. You should plan on being on your feet for roughly three hours. Most people can participate, but the tour isn’t recommended for people with walking difficulties, and it’s not aimed at families with babies.

What you should bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes (not sandals)
• A hat and sunglasses
• A water bottle (come hydrated)
• Valid ID

Weather also matters. The tour is described as requiring good weather, and the provider reserves the right to modify routes and stops due to conditions. If that happens, you’ll still get the core idea, but don’t assume the exact same streets every time.

If you’re deciding what to wear, I’d go practical: breathable layers and something you’re comfortable walking in for a couple of hours.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This craft beer and Old Town walk is a great fit if you want:

• A guided way to explore Rethymno Old Town without getting lost
• A beer-focused tour that includes explanations, not just pours
• A small group setting where conversation feels natural
• An evening plan that ends with beer and food, not an awkward last stop

It’s also ideal if you’re traveling with people who like different beer styles. The guide tries to match tastings to what you prefer, so you’re not trapped drinking something you dislike.

You might want to skip or reconsider if:

• You have walking limitations
• You’re traveling with a baby in a way that makes steady strolling hard
• You’re planning to drive right after (the tour explicitly says do not drink and drive)

The Real-World Take: The Reviews’ Main Message

This tour has a 5-star rating with 25 reviews, and it’s marked as recommended by 100% of travelers. The feedback pattern is consistent: people rave about the taste of the craft beers and the friendly, welcoming vibe.

One review specifically called out the old town portion as a highlight, and noted that the guide was friendly and the group felt nice. Another short remark points to the overall beer quality. Taken together, that tells you the experience lands where it should: good beer, good guidance, and a relaxed Old Town stroll that doesn’t feel rushed.

Should You Book the Craft Beer & City Tour in Rethymno Old Town?

I’d book it if you want an evening activity that combines city orientation with an actual craft beer education. The included beers and snacks make it feel like more than a casual bar night, and the small-group size keeps it personable.

Book if you’re comfortable with three hours of walking and you’re going in with a good attitude toward trying different styles. Skip it if walking is an issue, if you need a very family-focused setup, or if you prefer self-guided exploring with zero structured stops.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to learn a place by tasting it, this is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the Rethymno Old Town craft beer walking tour?

It’s about 3 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 6:00 pm.

Where does the tour meet?

You’ll meet at Bricks Beers & Tales, Eleftheríou Venizélou 41, Rethymno 741 31, Greece.

How many people are in the group?

This experience has a maximum of 8 travelers.

What beer and food are included?

You get 5 Greek craft beers (samples and full), plus snacks including quality finger food.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Is there a lot of walking?

Yes. It’s a walking tour through Old Town and the harbor area, and it’s not recommended for people with walking difficulties.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.