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Rhodes

  • Rhodes, Greek Islands, Greece

Last updated: 22 September, 2024
Expert travel writer: John Malathronas

Rhodes is equally renowned for its sun-drenched natural beauty – curvaceous swirls of powder sand, endemic flora, and wildlife ranging from butterflies to loggerhead turtles and miniature horses – as well as its lengthy history, attracting in equal measures both beachcombers and history wonks.

Lying on the crossroads between the Mediterranean and the Middle East, many civilizations have left their mark in every aspect of island life: Greeks and Romans, Byzantines, the Crusader Knights of St. John, Ottomans and, post-World War I, Italians, before Rhodes joined Modern Greece in 1947.

Orientation

The largest island of the Dodecanese, rising just 11 miles off the coast of Turkey, stretches like a leaning lozenge from north to south.

The capital, Rhodes Town, and most hotel infrastructure lie at the northern tip; the forested, mountainous interior is sparsely populated, while the southern coast is more pristine and uncrowded.

Rhodes Town is divided into the medieval Old Town – a UNESCO Heritage site – and Niohori (New Town) which was the focus of the Italian colonial administration and sports some astonishing architecture.

The key hubs of the island are:

Old Town

A UNESCO World Heritage site and the best walled medieval town in Greece, Rhodes Old Town is pock-marked by monuments built by the Knights of St. John who ruled the island for 200 years after the Crusades.

Visitors enter this time bubble through the moated gates of St Amboise, St Athanasios or St John, ambling along the cobbled Street of Knights full of 15th- and 16th-century buildings, and marvel at the superbly preserved Knights Hospital.

Niohori

The northern part of Rhodes Town was partly rebuilt by the Italians, during their post-World War I occupation, in a colonial style that merges the sensuality of Orientalism with the flamboyance of late period Mussolini.

As Rhodes Town was supposed to become the capital of a Fascist Mediterranean Empire, it’s awash with grandiose constructions.  The Town Hall, The Municipal theatre, the Casino, the New Market , the University and the Post Office are all visually stunning and stylishly unique.

Lindos

Whitewashed, donkey-ridden and narrow-laned, this Rhodian village could have just been plucked out of the Cyclades and magically transported below the acropolis. Dignified mansions overlook the streets and finely frescoed churches crown the cul-de-sacs, for trading Lindians survived passing invaders and prospered throughout their history.

Kameiros

Although not as spectacular as Lindos, Kameiros was abandoned early and, lying in the windswept north-western coast, was not recolonised, leaving for posterity a well-laid out ancient town with a cistern and a water network, an open square, villas with coloured plastered interiors, and much more.

Food & Drink

Rhodes has a distinctive cuisine, with many dishes spiced by cumin such as Lakani (lamb or goat in the oven with yellow split peas) and pitaroudia (fried split-pea flour patties).

Greek cuisine connoisseurs who think they’ve tasted everything, should try the local version of dolmades (stuffed vine leaves), called yiaprakia, made out from the tenderest of leaves and takakia, an ostensible precursor of baklava.

What to try

Honey is a Rhodian speciality so much so that there is a bee museum on the island – buy some jars for home.

Also see John’s round-up of the best traditional Greek foods you must try in Greece.

Tours, tickets & transfers

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers

  • Rhodes

Discover Lindos independently with the most convenient, comfortable, and worry-free roundtrip transfer from Ialyssos, Ixia, Rhodes Town, Kallithea, Faliraki, and Cruise Ships. Have 4 hours of free time in Lindos to explore at your own pace! Lindos is the most picturesque village in Rhodes, famous for its archaeological site - the Acropolis, Cycladic architecture, sandy beaches, and atmospheric streets full of cafes and souvenir boutiques! Receive a map with directions and historical information!

Price €27

Min age 0

Rating 4.73 / 5 [452 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Rhodes

Explore the city of Rhodes with all its ancient and medieval treasures. Enjoy riding your Trikke through Mandraki Harbor and pass through the medieval town with your personal guide. Take an express tour of Rhodes old town by Trikke and cover more sights than you could do on foot. The 3-wheeled electric scooter makes it easy to zip around the UNESCO-listed sites, free from worries about parking or traffic. Even better: the experience is private, meaning you'll enjoy a tour just with your personal guide and group. Trikking through the narrow streets of the Old Town, not only you will visit the most photographed places in Rhodes but also some hidden spots that only the locals know. The great historical monuments of Rhodes city will unfold before your eyes! Feel the energy of these works while you admire them. * The Trikkes are reliable and powerful enough to navigate the various surfaces and gives you the opportunity to explore without feeling uncomfortable with the heat!

Price €43

Min age 10

Rating 4.94 / 5 [248 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Rhodes

Make your holidays more interesting by discovering the beauties of South Rhodes driving one of our ATVs. Safari Quad can offer you unique experiences allowing you to feel through all your senses the natural landscape of our island. Enjoy unforgettable, exciting, safe off-road driving at unexplored routes of South Rhodes. Visit traditional villages, the beautiful countryside, a peaceful beach and many other interesting places. Join us in one of our exciting and memorable Safari Quad tours and "Experience The South".

Price €80

Min age 6

Rating 4.94 / 5 [174 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Rhodes

From your pickup at the dock, to your drop-off at the end of the day, we are dedicated to trying to fulfill your every request. Discover the Best Attractions of Rhodes Island with the help of True Insiders. Our team at “RHODES SHORE EXCURSIONS” has more than 35 years of experience accommodating cruise ship passengers. AT A GLANCE: Rhodes Medieval City / New Town / Mandraki Port - Colossus of Rhodes / North Point of the Island / Acropolis of Rhodes, Panoramic View of the City, Temple of Apollo, Ancient Stadium and Theater / East Coast of the Island / Rhodian Pottery Art / Lindos Village & Acropolis / St Paul's Bay / Faliraki & Kallithea Seaside Road Tour Flexibility: 100% If you wish, you can extend the tour on the Go with additional fee. You can add more Attractions. You may speak to your driver and he can modify the tour to your needs If your group is large, we can accommodate large groups in Luxury Mercedes Minibuses Please feel free to contact us and we'll do the rest..

Price €314

Min age 0

Rating 4.98 / 5 [170 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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  • Rhodes

Join our Rhodes Old Town Walking Tour with our local authorized English speaking guide. While listening to medieval legends of Rodos, you will discover its rich history. On this walking tour you are going to see the main highlights of the Old City: Jewish Quarter, Ippokratous Square, famous Street of the Knights, Grand Master Palace, Archeological Museum and Fortifications of the Palace.

Price €72

Min age 0

Rating 4.71 / 5 [139 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Travel advice

When to go

Rhodes overflows with tourists in July and August and, unlike other Greek islands, the weather gets extremely humid during those months.

As it is the Greek island with the longest tourist season, you’d be better off in April-May or September to, yes, early November, when the sea is still relatively warm.

Getting there and away

Rhodes’s international airport – the fourth busiest in Greece by passenger numbers – is located in the northwest of the island, 14km from Rhodes Town.

It’s served by regular buses to the capital and taxis are readily available, although many resorts will pick you up for free and the rest will arrange transport for a fee.

There are numerous ferries from Rhodes Town to the rest of the Dodecanese, Crete and Piraeus, although the long crossing times (the quickest clocks 12hrs+ to Piraeus) make flights more convenient.

Getting around

Island buses are punctual and cheap, connecting Rhodes Town to all settlements south. In the shoulder season timetables change weekly as more routes are added or subtracted, so don’t plan too far in advance.

Taxis are pricey and picky as regards the destination. It’s worth renting a car or a scooter to get around unencumbered.

Where to stay

As all roads lead to Rhodes Town, you don’t have to stay there to discover its history; many of the resorts are bunched up within a short bus ride from the capital.

The north-western shoreline is teeming with shoulder-to-shoulder resorts, but it’s also very windy. The eastern and southern coasts offer better shelter.

Lindos is undoubtedly the most spectacular Instagrammable spot, Prasonissi at the southern tip has the best Robinson Crusoe vibe, whereas loud Faliraki with its permanently drinking and partying 18-30 target demographic is best avoided.

Where to eat or drink

Rhodes Town has the highest concentration of upscale restaurants, both in the Old Town and in Niohori, but there are many good options all over the island.

Where to shop

You can bump into many family stores in the Old Town that produce their own leather goods, decorative plates, plus handmade gold and silver jewellery.