Craft Beer & City Tour – Rethymno Old Town

Review · RETHYMNO & THE SOUTH COAST

Craft Beer & City Tour – Rethymno Old Town

★ 5.0 · 25 reviews 3 hours (approx.) From $102 Operated by BONNIE AND CLYDE URBAN TOURS · Bookable on Viator
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Beer and cobblestones pair well. This Craft Beer & City Tour in Rethymno Old Town blends five Greek craft beers with a local beer guide and home brewer, so you get real tastings plus an easy way to read the town. The main drawback is simple: it is still a walking tour, so bring comfy shoes and skip it if mobility is an issue.

I also like that the group stays small, up to 8 travelers, which keeps the vibe relaxed and the beer talk practical. You start at Bricks Beers & Tales, you stop for tastings and snacks, and the walk ends back at the meeting point, so you can smoothly roll into dinner after.

You are out for about 3 hours, starting at 6:00 pm, and the route can shift with weather. Do it on a day when you feel good on your feet, and you will leave with a better sense of Rethymno and a head full of beer basics.

Key takeaways

  • Max 8 people keeps it personal and question-friendly
  • Five Greek craft beers with samples and full pours
  • Crash course in craft beer from a local beer guide and home brewer
  • Old Town orientation through less-known pedestrian streets
  • Snacks plus finger food stop you from relying on beer alone
  • Ends where you start, so the evening stays easy to plan

A 6pm start that lets you enjoy Rethymno at a slower pace

Craft Beer & City Tour - Rethymno Old Town - A 6pm start that lets you enjoy Rethymno at a slower pace
This is the kind of tour I love for places where the best stories come from being out on the streets, not sprinting between sights. The timing, a 6:00 pm start, helps a lot. It gives you daylight energy for the walk and then, hopefully, a nicer evening pace as you move through the Old Town area.

The tour runs about 3 hours, which is long enough to cover the highlights and taste multiple beers, but short enough that you are not stuck all night with sore legs. If you like structured but not rigid plans, this fits well. You keep moving, you pause often for tastings, and you get photo stops along the way.

The small-group format, up to 8 people, matters more than you might think. When the group is that size, the guide can steer tastings toward your preferences and still keep everyone included in the conversation. It also tends to feel less like a lecture and more like a guided night out with people who care about beer and the town.

One practical point I appreciate: it ends back at the meeting point. That means no complicated last-mile logistics. You can pick a nearby taverna or wine bar without guessing where you will end up.

Price and value: $102.41 for beer, snacks, and a local guide

Craft Beer & City Tour - Rethymno Old Town - Price and value: $102.41 for beer, snacks, and a local guide
Let’s talk value honestly. The price is $102.41 per person for around 3 hours, and the key value is not just alcohol. You are paying for:

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

If you tried to replicate this on your own, you would likely spend money just on a few craft beers plus food, and you still would not get someone local to explain what you are drinking and what you are seeing on the streets. The tour also handles the pacing, so you are not wandering into random bars that may not match your beer mood.

The best way I frame the cost is this: you are buying two things at once. You get a guided beer tasting, and you get an Old Town orientation walk. For many visitors, that combination is what makes the price feel reasonable instead of steep.

The tour is in English, so you also avoid the frustration of trying to piece things together from menus and street signs alone. That is another quiet value point, especially in a specialty like craft beer.

Getting ready: shoes, water, and a sensible approach to beer

Craft Beer & City Tour - Rethymno Old Town - Getting ready: shoes, water, and a sensible approach to beer
This is not the kind of tour where you can show up in sandals and wing it. Expect a real walking route through pedestrian streets and historic areas. The instructions are clear: wear comfortable walking shoes and plan for Cretan sun. Bring your own water bottle and come hydrated.

Pack for the time of year. You might want a hat and sunglasses, plus an extra layer in the evening, since weather can cool down as the sun goes. Also, this is an alcohol-focused tour, so keep a sensible mindset. Use the snacks to pace yourself and do not drink and drive.

Two more notes that help:

  • You are near public transportation, so you can get there without needing a car.
  • Weather can change the route. The provider can adjust stops, so I would not treat the exact walk lines as guaranteed.

If you have walking difficulties, this one is not recommended. If you are traveling with babies, it is also not recommended for families with babies, likely because the walking pace and timing do not fit that style of trip.

Meeting at Bricks Beers and Tales, then easing into the craft beer basics

Craft Beer & City Tour - Rethymno Old Town - Meeting at Bricks Beers and Tales, then easing into the craft beer basics
You meet at Bricks Beers & Tales, on Eleftheríou Venizélou 41 in Rethymno. The vibe at the start is important here, because the tour begins with a welcome beer and a short introduction to local craft beer and beer in general.

This first drink and crash course matter more than people expect. When you are tasting craft beer, the best part is often realizing what you are noticing. Is it more hoppy or more malty? Is it lighter and refreshing, or richer and heavier? The guide gives you a framework so later samples feel like discoveries instead of random sips.

If you have not had much craft beer before, this is a good entry point. You do not have to be a beer nerd to enjoy it. The goal is to help you taste with intention.

And yes, you do get the practical part right away. You start your walk with energy and a baseline understanding, so the rest of the evening feels connected instead of scattered.

Stop 1 at the Old Venetian Harbour: orientation through pedestrian streets

Craft Beer & City Tour - Rethymno Old Town - Stop 1 at the Old Venetian Harbour: orientation through pedestrian streets
Your first major part of the walk heads toward the Old Venetian Harbour of Rethymno. This is where you get a welcome beer and then start moving through less known pedestrian streets in the Old Town.

I like this approach because it is not just about ticking off landmarks. The guide helps you take orientation fast. You get a sense of how the Old Town is laid out, and you learn about its multi-cultural history and iconic monuments as you pass them.

Even if you have seen photos of Rethymno, walking those streets in a guided flow helps your brain map the place. The Old Venetian Harbour area also tends to be excellent for photos, and you will get a feel for the angles and viewpoints as you go.

The one thing to keep in mind at this stage is that the walk is not just scenic. It is purposeful. You are moving long enough to build an itinerary rhythm, and then you pause again for tastings soon after. Wear shoes that can handle uneven streets comfortably.

Stop 2 in Rethymnon Old Town: style tasting matched to your preferences

Craft Beer & City Tour - Rethymno Old Town - Stop 2 in Rethymnon Old Town: style tasting matched to your preferences
Next comes a craft beer hangout that is well camouflaged, the kind of place you might walk past without a guide. This stop is where the tour turns into tasting mode in a more concentrated way.

You get a multi beer style tasting session designed to showcase great brews and it is matched to what fits your group’s preferences, plus what is seasonal. That matters because craft beer changes quickly. A brewery might have different styles on tap depending on timing, stock, and local offerings. The guide’s job is to make sure you are tasting something you will actually enjoy.

Here is the practical benefit for you: if you are not sure what you like, tasting by style can help you find your lane. Maybe you discover you prefer lighter, more refreshing profiles, or maybe you want something maltier and fuller. Since you are tasting multiple beers, one or two hits can turn the whole night into a real learning experience.

This middle stop is also where the small-group format pays off. With up to 8 people, the guide can keep an eye on pace and reactions. You are not stuck waiting while everyone is processed one by one.

Stop 3 and the final tap: the photo moment meets finger food

Craft Beer & City Tour - Rethymno Old Town - Stop 3 and the final tap: the photo moment meets finger food
After the tasting stop, the walk keeps a slow pace toward a final photo-friendly area near the Old Venetian Harbour. Then you finish with a beer on tap of your choice and super tasty quality finger food.

This is a smart structure. You get earlier beer education and multiple samples, then later you get to pick what you want most from what you learned. It turns the tour into something you can personalize without having to decide too early.

The finger food also helps with the evening reality check. Beer hits differently when you have had enough to eat, and this tour builds that in. It gives you a buffer before you head off for dinner afterward.

Also, you should take the photo stop seriously. Not because you need proof for social media, but because it is the moment when you often capture the town’s layout best. When you understand the street plan from earlier, those photos start to make sense.

What you get in the glass: five Greek craft beers, samples and full pours

Craft Beer & City Tour - Rethymno Old Town - What you get in the glass: five Greek craft beers, samples and full pours
The most praised part of this tour is the beer itself. The tasting is the headline, and it is not just tiny samples. You get 5 Greek craft beers, with both samples and full pours, plus a matching selection approach.

So you get variety without sacrificing amount. That is the balance you want on a beer tour. Too many tours treat beer as a sip-and-go souvenir. Here, you actually get to taste enough to notice differences.

The guide also does a crash course in craft beer. Even if you already know a bit, it helps you put names to flavors. If you are new, it keeps you from feeling lost when someone starts talking about hops, malt, and style categories.

Bottom line: this is not a tour that pretends beer talk is only for experts. It is built for normal people who just want to taste well and learn as they go.

Snacks, souvenir, and why the details matter

Beer tours can disappoint when food is an afterthought. Here, snacks are included throughout, including quality finger food at the end. That makes a practical difference, especially on a 6pm start. You are not relying on willpower until you find dinner.

You also get a unique souvenir. I like tours that include a small tangible reminder because it helps you remember the specific style and setting, not just the fact that you drank beer in a historic neighborhood.

And because everything is guided, you are not spending your brainpower on where to eat or how long each stop might take. That is a real quality-of-life benefit.

Bonnie and Clyde Urban Tours: the friendly guide factor

The operator is BONNIE AND CLYDE URBAN TOURS. The guide approach feels geared toward friendliness and clarity. The guide also has both local craft beer knowledge and home brewing experience, which is a great combo. You get local context plus brewing perspective, which helps explain why certain flavors show up.

The best part of the guide-led approach, for me, is how it keeps the walk from turning into a lecture. The tour includes conversation, and it stays focused enough that you still get to enjoy the streets and monuments around you.

Also, the group stays small, so you can actually interact instead of being a passenger. That is why this works even if you are traveling solo or just want a structured plan that still feels relaxed.

Who should book, and who should skip it

This tour is a strong fit if you want:

  • A small-group beer experience
  • A guided walk for Old Town orientation
  • Multiple craft beer tastings with snacks
  • A simple English-speaking plan that starts at 6pm and ends back near where you met

It is not the best choice if:

  • You have walking difficulties, since it is not recommended
  • You are traveling with families with babies, since it is not recommended
  • You do not handle alcohol well, since the tour is built around tasting and beer on tap

If you are the type who likes to learn by doing, rather than reading plaques, you will probably enjoy this. If you only want major monuments and long museum stops, you might find this too food-and-beer oriented. But if you want a local night with substance, it hits the sweet spot.

Weather changes: what to expect if the route gets adjusted

The tour depends on good weather, and the provider reserves the right to modify routes and stops based on weather conditions. If weather is poor, the experience can be canceled and you may be offered a different date or a full refund.

That matters for planning. If you schedule this as one of your first evenings in town, you give yourself flexibility. If it is a later day and weather turns, you might need a backup plan for dinner and exploring. I recommend having at least one “stay nearby and eat well” option in your back pocket.

Should you book this craft beer walk in Rethymno?

I think you should book if you want a night that mixes Old Town walking with real craft beer tasting. The small group size, the five Greek craft beers, and the guide-led orientation make it feel like more than a bar crawl. It is also reasonably timed at 6pm, so it naturally feeds into the rest of your evening.

Skip it if you cannot do much walking, or if you are expecting a classic sightseeing-only tour. This one is built around beer, food, and street-level orientation, not long monument stops.

If your idea of a great travel evening includes tasting locally made things and learning while you walk, this is a good call.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

The tour meets at Bricks Beers and Tales, Eleftheríou Venizélou 41, Rethymno 741 31, Greece.

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 6:00 pm.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 3 hours.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 8 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What drinks are included?

You get 5 Greek craft beers, including samples and full servings.

Is food included?

Yes. You get snacks and super tasty quality finger food.

Is a souvenir included?

Yes, there is a unique souvenir included.

What should I bring?

Bring a water bottle, and wear weather appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes. A hat and sunglasses can help, since the Cretan sun is hot.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.