Get Lost In Everything Rhodes Has To Offer

Rhodes is an island that offers lots of different aspects of Greece all in one place. Rhodes Old Town holds a lot of history and is made of winding cobbled streets and alleyways which lead into open squares full of markets, churches, restaurants and cafes. Pefkos is a beautiful resort with a gently shelving beach and crystal-clear waters. Perfect for family holidays, there are also a number of good tavernas where you can sample traditional Greek dishes. Lindos is a combination of Rhodes Old Town and Pefkos with a wonderful sandy beach and a town awash with historical buildings, the highlight of which is the acropolis which features the site of an ancient temple and a 14th-century castle. In this article, we’ll take you through our Island of the Week discovering why it is somewhere you absolutely have to visit.

How to get there
As one of the most popular islands in the Dodecanese and Greece itself, Rhodes has a large airport which you can fly into from many UK airports. You can fly direct into Rhodes from Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, Belfast, the main four London airports and many more. As a centre for the Dodecanese, you can also get a ferry from either Rhodes Town or Kamiros Skala if you want to explore nearby islands such as Kos, Symi and Kalymnos. 

Full of History
Rhodes is full of historical sites and landmarks from across its history. Whilst many are based in Rhodes Town there are plenty across the island that can be reached by hopping in a car. Rhodes Town is home to the medieval city of Rhodes which is a UNESCO world heritage monument. Built by the Knights of St John, for which we have to thank for many of Rhodes Town’s historical sites, it is one of the best-preserved examples of a medieval city.  The city is surrounded in full by a complete city wall with 11 gates. Within these walls lie the Street of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Master, which stands overlooking the harbour and city, dominating the landscape. It's not just medieval history which is represented in Rhodes Town’s landmarks, there also remains ruins of the ancient site of Rhodes at the Acropolis as well as sites such as the Temple of Aphrodite and opposite, the site where one of the ancient wonders of the world the ‘Colossus of Rhodes’ once stood, Mandraki Harbour. As mentioned there are also many historical sites across the island which showcase its history. Remains can be found of Acropolis’ of the three centres of ancient Rhodes state – Ialyssos, Lindos and Kamiros. These show the settlements and temples that were central places in ancient Rhodes and are well worth a visit. Also in Lindos is the Church of the Panagia which has an ornate inside full of frescoes from the 18th century. Outside of Rhodes Town, Lindos is where you’ll find the greatest concentration of historical sites. Across the rest of the island are a number of ancient and medieval sites from temples to castles and much more. 

Rhodes Old Town

Relax on the Beach
Most of the island's best beaches are along the east coast, this is also where most of the resorts are. Young people looking for a party atmosphere flock to Faliraki as, along with its beautiful beach is home to many nightclubs. Tsambika, also on the east coast, has a hill overlooking the beach which has stunning views of the coastline in both directions. Lindos as mentioned earlier also has a great beach which has been protected from development by the government so as to keep it preserved and give it a more natural feel. Alongside these, other great beaches on the east coast to consider are Kallithea, Stegna, Lardos and Gennadi. The western coast of Rhodes is quieter and there is much more greenery, the beaches here tend to be more pebble compared with the sand of the east coast. Here you can find good beaches in the north at Ixia, Trianta or Paradissi, then in the south at Theologos, Monolithos; which also has a castle and a town; and Apolakkia Bay. 

Go Explore and Be Active
Rhodes is an island rich in different areas. As we’ve mentioned it is abundant in beaches, these beaches and their crystal-clear waters make Rhodes a perfect place for water sports. SCUBA diving is a popular activity and the diving centres in Rhodes accommodate experienced and qualified divers as well as those looking to learn. The dive sites can take in sea life, shipwrecks and caves providing you with a great experience. Other popular water sports include Kitesurfing, Windsurfing and SUP boarding amongst others and there are many places across Rhodes Island where you can do any number of these. As well as water sports, hiking is a popular activity to take part in. Across Rhodes, there are a number of designated trails and paths for all abilities, many of which allow you to take in landmarks or stop at swimming spots for a quick dip. Along the same theme, cycling is one of the local’s favourite pastimes and there are many trails you can cycle. Whether it be along a trail or road cycling, whether you’re part of a club or just want a casual bike ride Rhodes has it all. In fact, Rhodes had the first velodrome in Greece, which was built in the 1930s.   

Enjoy the Cuisine of Rhodes
Rhodes has some spectacular food and drinks for you to sample. Wine is the main alcoholic drink made on the island and wine grapes are grown in the municipalities of Kamiros and Ataviros, producing wines of the varieties Athiri, Mantilaria and white moschato. On Rhodes, you can also get the full experience of the Mediterranean diet packed with legumes, wild greens, olive oil, fresh fish, fruit and other vegetables. These are commonly found in many dishes and the emphasis on freshness is clear for all to see.  Restaurants and cafes are abundant across towns and villages, and you will commonly see dishes such as Greek salads, Moussaka or meze platters full of meats, cheeses and vegetables. The food and drink of Rhodes will never disappoint and freshness is always guaranteed.  

​It is clear for all to see why Rhodes is such a popular destination for tourists and Greeks alike. We hope this has helped you decide on Rhodes as your holiday destination or as the base for island hopping in the Dodecanese. To find out more about Rhodes or the rest of Greece take a look around our Greek Specialist website here. if you’re looking to book call 01157843388 email enquiries@ct4ntravel.co.uk or fill in our contact form with what you’re looking for. Don't forget to follow us on social media to find out the next Destination of the Week and for all your holiday needs. If you've been to Rhodes, where was your favourite place, thing you did or think we missed anything? Let us know in the comments or on social media.