Kolympia Thalassa

The island of Rhodes has amazing surprises everywhere. It may be one of the largest Greek islands but it’s compact enough to see all the best bits in one trip.

The medieval Old Town is the highlight of the capital city, also called Rhodes. Located in the north east of the island, the city is well preserved but far from a relic. In fact, you’ll find it’s buzzing with life, with restaurants, bars and lots of shops lining its maze of streets.

The star attraction of the fortified town is the Palace of the Grand Masters. You can take a look inside at parts of this mighty fortress which has served all sorts of purposes over the years. Within the complex, you’ll find the Rhodes’ Archaeological Museum. The palace also regularly hosts various exhibitions and performances.

Take a walk around the scenic Mandraki Port while you’re there, or pay a visit to Rhodes Aquarium or Elli Beach – all are within easy walking distance. Landmarks like the Rhodes Acropolis and the Fort of St Nicholas are worth looking out for, and when you need a break, the lovely Rodini Park is a peaceful place to stop. The Museum of Modern Greek Art and the National Theatre provide an introduction to the local culture.

Rhodes city is also the centre of the island’s nightlife. The huge casino stays open late into the night, and there’s clubbing and lively bars on Orfanidou Street and, in the Old Town, Miltiadou Street. It’s worth looking into the best places to eat – as with any tourist-heavy city, there are disappointments to be had, but gems are there too. You will find an emphasis on seafood and traditional Greek fare at many establishments.

Outside the city, the island offers stunning countryside. The Valley of the Butterflies is one of the best-loved attractions, and is at its finest in the summer months. The Epta Piges (Seven Springs) are another highlight, with peaceful wooded areas, a lake and impressive waterfalls.

Further south, there’s Prasonisi, a great beach for water-sports, and the landmark lighthouse which sits right at the tip of the island. The beaches of the west coast also offer good conditions for sports like wind-surfing. Among the highlights of this quieter stretch are the remains of Kritinia Castle looking out into Aegean, and Kamiros Skala village with its abundance of fish restaurants. You can also take a boat trip to the neighbouring island of Chalki from here.

The whitewashed village of Lindos is known as a stylish spot, with its cool nightspots and rooftop restaurants. There are lovely beaches, particularly the charming St Paul’s Bay, but the big landmark is the Lindos Acropolis. Prepare yourself for a climb to reach it (as it stands high up on the cliffs), but the views are well worth it.

Read more about Rhodes

Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands of Greece. It’s got a lot of history as it’s been invaded a lot by the Persians, Carians, Ottomans, Italians, and Germans.

Average temperatures go from 20’c in April up to 30’c in July/ August and down to 20’c in November. With an average of 85 rainy days a year they get sunshine for around 280 days.

The island is 90km long with Rhodes town at the northern tip. The airport (Rhodes International Airport "Diagoras") is also in the North (15km from Rhodes Town). Charter flights and Easyjet operate direct from the UK all season and out of season (Nov-March) you’d need to fly via Athens.

The Acropolis – The Acropolis that sits high above the town of Lindos is absolutely amazing and is a must see if you’re looking for some of the best views in all of Rhodes. One thing I should mention is that the climb up to the acropolis requires you to be somewhat active and able to climb stairs, lots of them. The trail begins through town and slowly but surely starts to get steeper as you climb the hill towards the acropolis. Once there, you’re rewarded with historical buildings dating back to 300 BC. Our Villa Corteau sit just underneath the ruins.

Rhodes has over 40 beaches, here are a few: 

• Anthony Quinn’s Bay – Anthony Quinn’s bay is one of the most beautiful bays. The bay is located 17km (10 mi) south of Old Town Rhodes and offers some incredible photo opportunities to say the least.
• The beach at Anthony Quinn’s bay is one of the best beaches in Rhodes. Get there early if you want to snag a sunbed and umbrella and enjoy wading around the bright blue and green water. Amazing!
• For the best views of Anthony Quinn’s Bay from above, head on up to the windy road that leads up the hill just north of the bay and you’ll find a spot where you can sit and enjoy the virtually 180 degree views of Rhodes and its coastline.
• Tsambika Beach (or Tsampika) –  Tsampika beach is located 30km (18 mi) south of Old Town Rhodes and is a great place to spend the day in the sun.  Note: Beware there is a small section where nudists congregate on Tsampika beach 
• Lakido Beach – Just opposite Anthony Quinn’s Bay is Lakido beach. It’s literally 3 minutes walking distance from Anthony Quinn’s bay so visiting both beaches in a day is totally doable. As a matter of fact, I would highly recommend visiting both if you get the chance
• Faliraki Beach – One of the most popular tourist spots on the island of Rhodes. It was known for 18-30’s holiday in the 90-2000’s but I don’t think there is that market so much now. It is quite commercialised now there are water sports and a few diving schools.

How to reach Rhodes island 

There are two ways to reach Rhodes Island: either by flight or by ferry.

By plane: If you don’t want to lose time you can fly to Rhodes (RHO) from Athens. The flight lasts 1 hour. Many direct flights also operate from many European countries, so it will not be difficult to arrive there.

By ferry: If you choose to travel from Piraeus to Rhodes with a ferry, it will surely take you much longer but travelling with a ferry in the summer nights can be pretty enticing! The port of Rhodes is located in the southern part of the island and offers bus services to the town centre. You can easily book your ferry tickets using the link below or the booking engine.

Book your ferry tickets to Rhodes here >>