Rethymno e-bike tour review
My verdict: the cheapest guided option in Rethymno and the one with the widest route. Two hours on an electric bike with an English-speaking guide, bike and helmet and reflective vest supplied, hotel pickup and drop-off included. It covers the old town, the Venetian harbour, the coastal road past the seafood tavernas and the climb up Paleokastro hill to the Fortezza, which the motor does for you. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments, and the fortress ticket is a separate matter at the gate.
The route
Unknown Soldier Square first, then the coastal road, then the Venetian harbour and the Egyptian lighthouse. From there the Rimondi Fountain, the Neratze Mosque with the tallest minaret in the city, the Catholic Church of St Francis, the Guora Gate, and the climb to the Fortezza overlooking the Cretan Sea. Coming back down it takes the coastal road past the seafood tavernas, the 16th-century Loggia, Arkadiou Street and the Kara Musa Pasha mosque.
That is more named ground than the walking tour covers in the same two hours, for €5 less. The trade is depth: you stop, you hear a sentence, you ride on. Meet at the main waterfront street opposite the marina and arrive ten minutes early.
What fifteen reviewers say
Fifteen ratings at 4.8 is a decent but thin record. The reviews are short and they agree with each other:
“The e-bike tour was amazing, the live guide took more time to show us the most beautiful streets.”
Leo, Netherlands — June 2026
“A fun activity, truly immersive experience.”
Eugène, France — April 2026
“It was nice to ride an electric bike, great guide.”
Caroline, Netherlands — October 2025
Leo’s line is the one that tells you something: the guide gave extra time on the streets rather than sticking to a stopwatch. That is the difference between a good and a poor version of this tour, and it depends on who you get.
The climb, and what happens at the top
The Fortezza sits on Paleokastro hill above the old town, and it is roughly a ten-minute walk up from the Venetian harbour on foot. On an electric bike the climb stops being a decision. What the tour does not do is buy your way in: admission is not listed as included, so treat the interior as a separate errand with a gate ticket of about €5 and 1.5 to 2 hours set aside. Where the entrance is saves you circling the hill looking for it.
What works
- The cheapest guided tour in Rethymno
- The widest route: old town, harbour, coastal road and the hill
- Bike, helmet and reflective vest supplied
- Hotel pickup and drop-off, with departure and return at Sofokli Venizelou 4
Worth knowing
- Fifteen reviews is a modest sample
- Not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments
- Fortezza admission is not included
- Two hours on a bike means short stops rather than long explanations
Usually included
- English-speaking live guide
- Electric bicycle
- Helmet and reflective vest
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Not included
- Fortezza admission
- Food and drink
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses
Arrive ten minutes before the start. The meeting point is on the main waterfront street opposite the marina, and the group leaves on time whether or not you are on a bike yet.
Who should book it
Anyone comparing prices, anyone who wants the waterfront as well as the lanes, and anyone who does not fancy the hill in the heat. If you want three hours and the best record, pay the extra for the Segway tour. If you want to stand still and hear the history properly, take the walking option. The full price comparison sits on what a tour costs.
Other tours to consider
Highest ratedRethymno: Old Town Segway Tour
Old town classicRethymno: Guided Walking Tour in the Old Town Area
Inside the wallsFortezza ticket includedFortezza: Explore the Fortress of Rethymno with a Certified Guide
Frequently asked questions
Is the e-bike tour the cheapest guided option in Rethymno?
Yes, at €45 per person for two hours it is the lowest-priced guided tour in the town, and it includes the bike, a helmet and hotel pickup. The other town options are set out on the old town tours page.
Do you need to be fit to do it?
The motor handles the climb up to the Fortezza, so ordinary fitness is enough. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments, and you should be comfortable riding a bicycle in light traffic.
Does the e-bike tour go inside the Fortezza?
The route climbs to the fortress, but admission is not listed as included. Going inside is about €5 at the gate and needs 1.5 to 2 hours of its own — see whether the Fortezza is worth it.
Where does the e-bike tour meet?
On the main waterfront street opposite Rethymno’s marina, with departure and return at Sofokli Venizelou 4. Arrive ten minutes early. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included in the price.