Discover the enchanting blend of history, culture, and natural beauty with your ultimate companion for exploring this captivating Greek island.
Discover the enchanting blend of history, culture, and natural beauty with our comprehensive guide to Rhodes, your ultimate companion for exploring this captivating Greek island. The present guide is divided into two sections; the first for those wandering the city of Rhodes on foot and the latter for the adventure seekers who will leave no stone unturned. Each section is accompanied by a list of our personal suggestions for food & drink.
Rhodes, an island gem in the Aegean Sea, invites visitors to explore its rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty. As you wander through the medieval streets of Rhodes Old Town, you’ll be transported back in time by its ancient walls, cobblestone paths, and the majestic Palace of the Grand Master. Sunseekers can bask on pristine beaches such as Tsambika and St. Paul’s Bay, while adventure enthusiasts can hike through the lush Valley of the Butterflies or climb to the acropolis of Lindos for panoramic views. The island’s vibrant local markets, lively tavernas, and exquisite dining options offer a taste of authentic Greek life. Rhodes seamlessly blends the old with the new, providing a diverse array of experiences that cater to every traveler’s desires, making it an unforgettable destination.
When visiting Rhodes, be sure to indulge in the island’s rich culinary offerings, a delightful fusion of Mediterranean and traditional Greek flavors. Start with a hearty plate of moussaka, layers of eggplant, minced meat, and creamy béchamel sauce baked to perfection. Savor fresh seafood dishes like grilled octopus or Symi shrimp, known for their delicate taste and local popularity. Don’t miss out on pitaroudia, delicious chickpea fritters seasoned with fresh herbs. Pair your meal with a glass of crisp Retsina or the locally produced red wine, Mandilaria. For dessert, try melekouni, a traditional honey and sesame seed treat, or indulge in loukoumades, Greek honey donuts drizzled with syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon. Each dish and drink tells a story of Rhodes’ vibrant culture and rich gastronomic heritage, offering a true taste of the island’s unique charm.
– Medieval Town: Built by the knights of the order of St. John, a magnificent town surrounded by majestic walls! Walk along its narrow, cobbled lanes, and admire the impressive towers and buildings, Byzantine churches, and fountains through this medieval city. Some highlights include the Palace of the Grand Master, the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes, the Streets of the Knights.
– Italian architecture: From 1916, Italians began to influence urban planning and architecture in Rhodes. The island was one of their favourites in Greece, on which they impressed their aesthetics and politics. Italian landmarks include the Grande Albergo delle Rose (Casino), the church of St. John (Evangelismos), town hall, the national theatre, the post office and of course the Aquarium, a sample of magnificent Italian Art Deco, a small but unique aquarium resembling an underwater cave!
– Ancient stadium & acropolis: In the ancient acropolis of Rhodes visitors have the chance to admire the remaining of the ancient stadium of Rhodes, just next to the temple of Apollo. The stadium was estimated to be 210 meters in length with some of its part being preserved even today. The archaeological site is only a few minutes by car, while it can be also reached on foot. Public transportation is another option.
– Elli beach: Elli beach in Rhodes Town, being one of the most popular Greek beaches among photographers, still retains something of its cosmopolitan aspect from the 70’s, and is one of the most visited beaches on the island. Only 5 minutes (on foot) from out suites!
Breakfast/coffee:
– Koukos Rhodian Guesthouse: traditional style; popular coffee spot
– Dali Extraordinary Art Bistro: ideal for brunch.
– Naval Cafe: great for brunch and coffee; Spanish influence
Lunch/dinner:
– Greek cuisine: Koukos Rhodian Guesthouse, Marco Polo Restaurant, Stavlos, Ara:zo
– Italian cuisine: Pan & Vino, Sergio’s Downtown, Trattoria Mediterraneo, O Core è Mamma
– Oriental cuisine: Kabuki Canton, Tokyo Yaki
– Burgers/steak house: Boston Burger, Memphis BBQ, El Toro Steakhouse
Nightlife:
– The Last Butler: undoubtedly the most imaginative cocktails on the island
– Old Town: The most popular spot for nightlife; numerous clubs and bars
– Kalithea thermal springs: Kallithea Springs are an astonishing seaside monument situated 9 km from the city of Rhodes. This unique combination of nature, architecture and history offers visitors the opportunity to relish in a special experience. The bay of Kalithea is ideal for snorkeling or scuba diving!
– Valley of the butterflies: A unique nature reserve is to be found inland; sounds like a dreamy place and truly is! Millions of butterflies choose this specific valley for reproduction every year creating an astonishing experience!
– Lindos: Lindos is most well known for being home to the grand hilltop acropolis. However, the old picturesque town also has plenty of sights to explore throughout your visit. The narrow alleyways of the town hide exquisite restaurants serving freshly caught seafood and the crystal-clear waters in the nearby bays attract sunbakers all summer long.
– Monolithos castle: This castle was built in 1480 by the Knights of Saint John to protect the island from attacks. In fact, this castle was never conquered. The Castle of Monolithos is widely ruined today but it offers great views of the sea and the two islets opposite to it.
– Kritinia castle: The castle above Kritinia, named Kastellos, was built in 1472 by Giorgio Orsini to protect the inhabitants of the village from the attacks of the Ottoman fleets. It is fairly considered the gem of the village as it offers a breathtaking view of the Aegean Sea, the island of Chalki and the numerous islets.
– Tsambika beach: With a shallow seabed and gentle waters, Tsambika Beach is a great swimming spot, especially for beginners and families with young children. Water sports like jet skiing and parasailing are on offer, and kids and adults alike will love the inflatable water parks.
– Faliraki beach: This three-mile stretch of coastline welcomes you to its golden sands with well-maintained amenities and charming Greek hospitality. There are sunbeds aplenty, with beach bars, cafes, and restaurants along the length of the beach.
– Afandou beach: The extremely long and large beach of Afandou is located 19 km south of Rhodes town. It is made of pebbles and most importantly it receives many windsurfing lovers. Its deep, clear sparkling waters are ideal for swimming and remain quite fresh even under the hot sun.
– Fournoi beach: Situated in a cove which is encased on three sides with a combination of rugged terrain, cliffs and rocks, it offers a rather dramatic and spectacular setting.
– Limni beach: A sandy beach where at one point a large pool has been created (hence the name “limni”, meaning “lake” in greek). Since it is a really long beach, you can find a very secluded place, making it popular with naturists.
– Glystra beach: Α lovely sandy beach close to Lindos with clear, calm and shallow water that makes it a perfect choice for families with young children.
– Mavros Kavos/Agios Georgios/Prasonisi: Vast sand beaches on the southernmost tip of the island sorted from the most secluded (Mavros Kavos) to the most popular. Prasonisi is also an extremely popular destination for windsurfing and other water sports.
– Mt. Attaviros: The tallest mountain on the island (1.215 m), on the slopes of which Agios Isidoros is built. The hiking path (36.170273, 27.851390) leads to the summit, where you can admire the remains of the ancient temple of Attavirios Zeus, besides the unique view of the island. In Greek mythology, Althaemenes founded the altar on the only point on Rhodes from which his homeland of Crete could supposedly be seen. If you are not a big fan of hiking, you can drive there by car (from Embona).
– Mt. Akramytis: The green mountain of the island with endless view in the Aegean Sea. Akramytis is only accessible on foot. There are several paths which start roughly here (36.138769, 27.746307) and end up to a secret cave where Greek rebels used to hide in during WWII (Limeri), the monastery of St. John and the mountain summit!
– Koufos canyon: The most memorable canyon of the island, located on the NW side of Mt. Attaviros. Be amazed by the gargantuan cliff walls of stratified layers of rock. You can walk (relatively easy) the first 50-100m of the canyon; however, you will require good rock-climbing skills to move further ahead! Please be super careful, because the rocks can be very slippery.
– Gadouras lake: It is worth visiting the artificial lake Gadouras, located near Laerma. The lake was created to solve the island’s irrigation problem and has shaped the surrounding area into an environment rich in biodiversity; a must for nature enthusiasts.
– Apolakkia lake: The second artificial lake of the island, where any adventure seekers can enjoy several activities (e.g. flying fox, kayaking, archery, wall-climbing, horse-riding etc.) at the Rhodescape adventure park! I highly recommend to paddle the lake and look for the (usually) partially submerged church.
Food & Drink:
– If you are staying in Roccia, the two local traditional restaurants Taverna Aletro and Attaviros are highly reccomended
– Embona’s View restaurant offers a large variety of local dishes and an amazing view
– In Monolithos you have to try the Old Monolithos Taverna.
– If you drive to Apollona, choose one of the most popular Paraga or Yiarenis,
– The “Limeri tou Listi” which translates into “Lair of the bandit/thief” in Profilia
– Don’t miss Taverna Platanos and Pelecanos in Vati
– Sole Giaguaro one of the most trending restaurants on the island (chef: Giovanni Scaraggi); opened recently in the village of Lachania. Please check for availability in advance!
Roccia di Isidoro
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Niochori Heritage: The Pianist
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Niochori Heritage: The Mermaid
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