Rethymnon shows a lot of tourists during the summer while the 7000 active students make the place lively during the remainder of the year. It is the third most populous county capital of Crete after Heraklion and Chania.

The prefecture of Rethymno on Crete as part belongs to the Mediterranean climatic zone where climate is mild. Winters are mild and wet with a lot of rainfall and snow in mountains. Snowfall is rare in the lowlands, but quite common in upland. Generally the atmosphere is quite humid, depending on the proximity to the sea. During the summer, the average temperature ranges between 25 to 30 degrees (Celsius). To the south of Rethymno, the temperature is higher and with more days of sunshine during the summer.