A Complete Guide to Visiting Rhodes

With its medieval architecture giving it class and elegance, its sandy beaches giving it relaxation and leisure, its artistic hotels giving it vitality and charm, and its authentic Greek cuisine giving it warmth and sweetness, Rhodes is a place you will fall in love with after your Greece vacation.

What to See in Rhodes

Medieval sites, modern neighborhoods and long stretches of beach coexist harmoniously on this island, making it destined to become a paradise on Earth for travelers.

Rhodes Old Town

Walking through Rhodes Old Town is like a dream from a different world. The quaint alleys alternate with the bustling shopping streets, and medieval buildings stand side by side with modern cafes, giving Rhodes Old Town a unique charm.

If you are ready for a medieval adventure, then head to the Street of the Knights, where the Palace of the Grand Master is located. Despite the renovation, the exterior of the palace retains the medieval style. The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes in the palace houses a collection of rare statues and monuments from the Geometric to the Roman period.

Stores, cafes and restaurants make up the lively town square. Street artists can be found everywhere, with self-portraits as their specialty. The streets and alleys are dotted with jewelry items made from plants, each retaining the natural texture of plants. Handicrafts are also enchanting, including the most famous painted ceramic bowls and pots, all kinds of household items, textiles and small ornaments.

Lindos

Situated next to the bay, Lindos is the perfect place to enjoy nature and take a walk. The white houses are like musical notes, making this historical village full of vitality.

Walking towards the highest part of the village, you reach the Acropolis of Lindos. The Acropolis is another gateway to the Middle Ages. The first monument that attracts your attention when you enter the Acropolis is the Temple of Athena Lindia, where the goddess was worshiped. Below the temple is the site of the ancient theater where the orchestra played and the audience cheered centuries ago.

The Valley of Butterflies

If you are traveling to Rhodes between May and September, don't miss this special valley. Thousands of butterflies of the genus Panaxia (species Quadripunctaria Poda) inhabit the valley, forming a stunning landscape with rivers, waterfalls and trees, making you feel like you are in a painting. It should be noted that visitors are not allowed to disturb the butterflies.

Visitors can also see a variety of representative insects, amphibians and reptiles, with a family of over 20 species of chameleons being the stars. The wooden bridges and stone paths are well laid out and are great for walking. The taverns are perfectly integrated into this painting, allowing you to continue to immerse yourself in nature while taking a break. At the entrance of the valley, there is a small souvenir store where you can buy various butterfly specimens.

Top Beaches in Rhodes

The distinctive beaches are another major attraction of Rhodes, with 39 of them awarded the Blue Flag (a widely recognized eco-label awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education to beaches and harbors that place a high priority on environmental protection).

Faliraki Beach has everything tourists need, comfortable hotels, restaurants with cuisine from around the world, and a water park for children and adults, giving you a rich and complete beach experience. Lindos beach, which includes the more lively main beach and the quieter Pallas Beach, is a great place to sunbathe, and the taverns along the beach serve tempting food. One of the most popular beaches on the island is picturesque Anthony Quinn Beach, located on the east coast, which gets famous because of the 1961 war movie "The Guns of Navarone." If you travel with children, Agathi Beach is a better choice with its warm shallow waters, fine sand, and snack bars.

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When is the Best Time to Visit Rhodes

Rhode has a Mediterranean climate. Its winters are cool and humid, and summers are sunny and less rainy. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Rhodes, especially in May, June, September and October, when the temperature is perfect and there are not too many tourists. July and August are hot but also the peak tourist season and the whole area is vibrant. After November, the whole city is quiet, but there are many tourists who enjoy the tranquility.

Note that from December to the end of February, some seasonal eateries will be closed, ferries will be reduced or adjusted depending on the weather, and buses will operate as usual.

How Many Days Do You Need For Rhodes

A trip to Rhodes takes one to two weeks. If you only have one week off, you can make your earliest destinations Old Town, Lindos Village and popular beaches, which have the most unique and popular attractions, hotels, restaurants and water sports in Rhodes. You will have a very fulfilling week in these places, and all your expectations will be met.

If you want to explore the island further than the popular destinations, you can stay for another week or more. There are also amazing medieval ruins outside the Old Town and Lindos Village. Some beaches in Rhodes are not well equipped but very quiet, with equal beauty and crystal waters.

How to Get to Rhodes and Its Around

There are two main ways to get to Rhodes, by flight or by ferry, and the choice depends on where you are traveling from and which method you prefer.

By Flights

Direct flights to Rhodes International Airport "Diagoras" are available from other cities and islands in Greece and major cities in Europe. If there are no direct flights from your departure place to Rhodes International Airport, you can take a flight to Athens International Airport first and then to Rhodes International Airport.

By Ferries

Ferries to Rhodes are available from various ports in Greece and islands near Rhodes. Ferries from Piraeus Port in Athens to Rhodes are available 4 or 5 times a week. If you are in Marmaris, Turkey, you can also take a ferry to Rhodes. There are three ports in Rhodes that accept ferries, Rhodes Central Port, Mandraki Port, and Akandia Port.

How to Get around Rhodes

There are two main ways to get around the island: by bus and by cab. There are two main bus companies in Rhodes with excellent service facilities; Roda mainly runs routes in the suburban areas and along the west coast, while Ktel mainly runs routes in the villages and along the east coast. The bus can take you to many popular beaches but also may make you miss the scenery along the way.

Renting a cab is a better option for those who want a more free-flowing travel. Cabs are well-established and reasonably priced in Rhodes, and it is common for visitors to choose to travel by cab.

Where to Stay in Rhodes

Old Town, Lindos Village and popular seaside resorts are suitable as the first place to stay on a trip to Rhodes. There are hotels of all styles, whether you like classic or modern, simple or luxurious, quiet or with a sense of community, or you want to rest in a piece of art, your expectations will be met.

Rhodes Town and Suggested Hotels

Staying in the Town is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Many of the hotels here are converted from historic mansions.

Avalon Boutique Hotel combines medieval architectural features with modern aesthetics; each suite at the Efchi 1904 Traditional Hotel reminds you of fresh herbs; STAY Rhodes offers hotels with a sense of community, where you will meet people from all over the world who also love to travel.

Lindos and Suggested Hotels

Lindos Village has sacred temples, lively alleys, and long stretches of beach, making it a very pleasant place to live.

Melenos Art Boutique Hotel is a piece of art itself, the carvings and paintings on the walls, the pebble mosaics on the floor and the fragrant flowers in the garden make this hotel not only a wonderful place to stay but also a beautiful landscape in Lindos.

Perfect for couples, Aquagrand Exclusive Luxury Resort is located right next to the beach and offers a great view of the Aegean Sea. Inspired cocktails in the Sensia Bar, concerts under the stars, wine appreciation events at Elements, and dining experiences on the water all create an artistic and romantic atmosphere for guests.

Seaside Resorts and Suggested Hotels

If you love beach the most, you can stay at the seaside resorts, so that the beaches are within your reach.

Faliraki features great nightlife and many young people stay here, with the Esperos Village Hotel, which focuses on "Lifestyle and the Mitsis Faliraki Beach Hotel, which offers a wide range of accommodation options, being the top choices of many visitors.

Ixia is popular for its interesting water sports, with many visitors staying at the hotels here. Sheraton Rhodes boasts a variety of food and wine that is as good as that at the outside restaurants. Amathus Elite Suites offers direct beach access and premium leisure activities.

What to Eat in Rhodes

Mediterranean fruits and vegetables, fresh fish, lamb, cheese and other natural ingredients, together with olive oil, wine and various spices, reveal the unique Mediterranean food style.

The rustic salad is the most traditional salad in Greece and can be found on almost every restaurant menu. It consists of fresh onions, marinated olives, tomatoes, bell peppers and small round cucumbers tossed together with Feta cheese, sprinkled with cumin and olive oil, and is the most common appetizer in Greece. Feta is a white sheep's milk cheese, with a few drops of vinaigrette and olive oil for a rich flavor and sweet aftertaste.

Greece's unique geographical and climatic conditions make the tomatoes here absolutely delicious, and the tomato rice made with them is certainly not to be missed. The rice and minced meat are stuffed into the hollowed-out tomatoes, and after roasting, the aroma and juice of the tomatoes will be completely integrated into the rice, making you always want to eat one more.

Recommended Restaurants in Rhodes

In most places in Rhodes, you can find a wide variety of restaurants, cafes and taverns where you can try delicious food and wine from Greece and around the world.

TAMAM Restaurant

The restaurant's delicious dishes speak for themselves. The chefs are committed to preserving the unique flavors of each food, with a strong focus on freshness, and all dishes are made after customers have ordered.

The chefs' dedication to each dish will make you feel like you are attending a carefully planned and heartwarming family dinner. This restaurant has been recommended by Restaurant Guru.

Kerasma

You may choose this restaurant because of its high score of 4.8 on Google, and you won't be disappointed.

The chefs specialize in combining traditional Greek cuisine with modern cuisine to create something different and delicious. Beef, seafood, desserts and wine are the restaurant's specialties. The meticulous and attentive service impresses customers, and the relaxing atmosphere attracts many visitors to gather here.

Marco Polo Restaurant

Located in the heart of the Old Town, the Marco Polo Restaurant offers a wide variety of authentic Greek and Mediterranean cuisines, such as the classic ceviche, sea bass and baklava.

With the artistic interior, the restaurant creates just the right atmosphere for customers to savor the food and chat in the garden. Dining and lounging here will make you feel like a guest at a friend's house.

Mavrikos

Dining at Mavrikos will make your trip to Lindos Village even more memorable. The chefs are very careful in the use of seasoning, trying to preserve the unique flavors of each food. The beautifully tender grilled sardine would impress you.

You can sit in the courtyard outside the restaurant and let the breeze blow away your tiredness after a day's travel and take your time to enjoy the delicious food.

If you want to embark on a culture, art and nature travel to Rhodes, let Odynovo be your travel partner andcustomize your plans so that you can have a fulfilling and relaxing experience. We will do the hard and time-consuming work of planning itineraries for you, so you can enjoy your travel to the fullest.