Rhodes

Rhodes , at once cosmopolitan and traditional, eternal and modern, simple and spectacular, Rhodes is ideal for beach holidays and more

Rhodes, the medieval Old Town, the harbour of Mandraki, the Acropolis of Limni, the ancient cities of Kamiros and Ialysos, the Valley of the Butterflies. A generous landscape of stunning natural beauty, rich history and endless attractions make Rhodes one of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece. Wide sandy beaches, emerald water, castles and ancient civilisations, gourmet restaurants serving local delicacies and traditional tavernas. Luxurious promenades and villages where women still bake bread in tandoors. A wonderful mosaic of cultures. This timeless destination in the Dodecanese has been popular since Roman times. Travel to the island of the Knights, the site of the legendary Colossus of Rhodes and the island that bears the traces of Byzantines, Greeks, Venetians and Turks. Where the Aegean meets the Middle East, it has become one of the most famous and sought-after holiday destinations in Europe.

What to do in Rhodes?

One of the best-preserved medieval settlements in the world, the Old Town has been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site and is just one of the many reasons to choose Rhodes as your holiday destination. Preserved behind its imposing walls, a bridge between the past and the present, is the island’s coat of arms. Each stone of the Old Town tells the story of 2,400 years of history. Ancient statues, marble crests, fountains, the Street of the Knights, the Palace of the Grand Masters, mosques and baths, the Clock Tower with its breathtaking view of the Aegean, are a rich heritage left behind by past civilisations.

From the Grand Masters to the Street of the Knights

The most well-known road in the Old Town of Rhodes is the Street of the Knights, restored just as it was in the Middle Ages. Here you can find the inns of “foreign knights” or the militia forces that formed the Knights Templar. At the highest point of the road there are the following major attractions: an imposing castle, the Palace of the Grand Masters with its gigantic towers, a wonderful museum.

Cosmopolitan Mandraki

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Cosmopolitan Mandraki

It is a modern city not only with its shopping centre, large hotels and promenades, numerous cafes, restaurants, clubs, impressive sights and attractions, but also with its traditional villas called marasiotika (Maras). Two statues of deer guarding the marina of Mandraki on two tall columns are important symbols of the island. The small castle of Agios Nikolaos was built between 1464-67. Along the coastal road and the public buildings built by the Italians you will certainly be impressed by the following: The New Market, the National Bank of Greece, the Government House, the National Theatre, the Archbishop’s Residence, the Municipality and the famous Grande Albergo delle Rose, which in the 1930s was one of the most luxurious hotels in Europe and today is the world-famous Casino of Rhodes. In front of the Aquarium is one of the most cosmopolitan beaches of the island, worth a visit and a sight to see.

odos Statue
The Colossus of Rhodes (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World) is said to have once stood on the site of the stag in the harbour, although no remains of it remain. Ships anchored between their feet and every night the passage was closed with a chain.

Lovely Lindos
The ancient acropolis of Lindos is one of the most famous temples of antiquity, built by knights and surrounded by a walled temple 116m above the water level. Admire the impressive Doric Temple of Athena Lindia, built in the 4th century BC. The village of Lindos, situated on a slope, is the most attractive and popular place on the island. During the summer months its streets are crowded with visitors constantly changing bars, window-shopping for local produce and gifts in the style of the famous tiles. This picturesque town should be on your list during your holidays in Rhodes.

Entertainment in Faliraki
Faliraki is a popular destination for young British tourists in Rhodes. In this place where emotions are intense, music is loud and alcohol intake is continuous. It is a paradise for adrenaline addicts with water sports, go-karting and bungee jumping.

Butterfly Valley
In this valley, a 1km wide lush canyon, there is a unique forest with sweetgum trees (“zities”) and trees that look like aeroplanes. The smell of the nectar they secrete attracts millions of butterflies of the Panaxia guadripunctaria species with their distinctive orange spots on each wing. You will no longer be afraid of butterflies after entering this paradise, which you will approach with caution.

Shop till you drop
Inside the Old Town of Rhodes, and also in Mandraki, you will find all types of shops, from branded clothing and accessories stores to chic boutiques.

Accommodation for all tastes
Rhodes is one of the most popular and luxurious tourist destinations in Greece. In Rhodes you will find accommodation to suit all tastes: Big hotel chains, luxury all-inclusive resorts, boutique hotels in the Old Town… whatever your choice of accommodation, this Aegean island will be a fun experience.

Endless beaches
If you love the beach, Rhodes is the place for you: endless beaches of exceptional beauty and an abundance of activities of all kinds: Kiotari, Kallithea, Agathi, Apolakkia, Kolymbia, Anthony Quinn Beach, Lardos, Afandou with golf course, Traounou with motocross, Trianda Tsabika … all with crystal clear water and water sports. Windsurfers flock to Prasonissi, a lush green island south of Rhodes.

In search of tradition The villages of Rhodes
Open the map and go to explore many of the island’s traditional villages. The treasures they have to offer will be priceless. Empona, famous for its wine and traditional costumes; Agios Isidoros, stuck in the 1960s; Apollona, home of folk music; Archangelos, full of tiling and music; Afandou, famous for its skilled weavers; Trianda, home to the Museum of Mineralogy and Palaeontology, Kritina, home of the Castello Castle, Lardos with its Byzantine castle, Salakos with its marvellous fortifications, Psinthos with one of the largest squares of the Dodecanese, Asklipio with its wonderful Byzantine church and finally Eleousa with its Venetian buildings and picturesque taverns.

Centenary wines
Rhodes is said to be the first island in the Aegean where wine was made by processing vineyards. It is no coincidence that the ancient Rhodians were considered to be the greatest wine merchants in the Mediterranean. The wines are still impeccable today.

Monolithos: the fortress of eagles
Here you will find one of the most impressive castles in Rhodes. It was built by Master Aubusson in 1476 on a steep slope, perilously facing the Aegean.