Things To Do in Panormo

This smart, contemporary bar at the Royal Blue Resort & Spa is the perfect place to watch the sun set over Panormo – the sides are completely open to give you knockout sea views. The cocktail list is small but perfectly formed, or you can have a cappuccino made by their specialist baristas. There are occasional DJ nights here, or you might catch a pianist tinkling the ivories.

Panormo is a quiet customer when it comes to shopping. Its square, in the middle of the village, has mini-markets, a bakery and post office. If you’re looking for mementos, there are a couple of gift shops here that sell leather goods, pottery and olive oil. For a bigger choice of shops, Rethymnon is a good place to go.

Don’t expect anything so formal as a menu at this well-liked restaurant. Instead, owner Makkis will take you into the kitchen and show you what he’s rustled up that day. It will be something hearty and traditional, like rabbit stifado or lamb with aubergines. And you can mop up all the delicious flavours with bread that comes fresh from the bakery opposite.

Snorkelling, windsurfing, canoeing, sailing – Limani Beach is big on watersports. There’s the chance to try scuba diving, too. The Atlantis Centre at the Grecotel Club Marine Palace Hotel does beginner’s dives as well as night-time outings. You’ll see plenty of marine life, including moray eels, octopuses and hermit crabs.

Conversation stands in for karaoke and quiz nights in Panormo. Nights here really are quite simple – dinner, wine, perhaps a glass of raki. If you want a real taste of authentic Crete, you might want to pop into a kafenion. These Greek-style pubs were traditionally the domain of men, who caught up with the local news over a coffee or something stronger. Just don’t expect any foam.

Each summer, Rethymnon turns into Medieval Venice for 9 days. It’s a huge spectacle, with firework displays, musicians playing in the street and everyone dressed up in fabulous costumes. And for culture lovers there are theatrical performances, Renaissance art exhibitions and classical concerts.

The tavernas in Panormo stay open in winter, so you know they’re the real deal. Lined up around the harbour and in the village centre, these places don’t stand on ceremony so expect a rustic setting with your spanakopita – a kind of spinach cake – and kotosoupa, a creamy chicken soup. Menus aren’t always needed – just ask the friendly owner what special they’ve cooked up that day.