What to see and do in Rhodes? This Greek island is a very popular holiday destination, and it's not hard to see why. Here are our top tips on things to see and do in Rhodes.
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Share
ShareTable of contents
Rhodes in Greece
Rhodes was already an important place in ancient times and the island was known for the Colossus of Rhodes - one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This huge statue of the sun god Helios was erected in the 280s BC to commemorate Rhodes' victory over the Cypriot general Antigonus I son of Monophthalmus, who failed to lay siege to the island. However, the colossus was only allowed to stand proudly on the island for 50-60 years before it was destroyed in an earthquake in 226 BC.
Today, Rhodes is still a popular and well-visited island, although today it is mainly holidaymakers who are attracted, thanks to the climate and beaches, and perhaps also the nightlife.
Rhodes is located in the Aegean Sea. The island belongs to Greece and is found just off the south-west coast of Turkey.
What can you do in Rhodes, Greece?
So what can you see and do in Rhodes? We visited this beautiful island in September this year, before and after our visit to Karpathos. We hired a car and travelled around the whole island, which is about the size of Öland, and we have now collected our top tips in a list.
1. Discover Rhodes Town
Rhodes Town is the capital of Rhodes. The old part of the city, the Old Town, is so well preserved that it has been included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can see the impressive city walls, the Mandraki harbour with its mills, the Jewish quarter, several churches and the famous street Street of the Knights of Rhodes.
You can also visit the Archaeological Museum and, of course, shop and enjoy the holiday life in all the bars, restaurants and outdoor cafés.
2. visit the Palace of Grand Master of Knights
The castle in Rhodes Town, Palace of Grand Master of Knights, is an incredibly powerful building, which you will find in the centre of the old town. The castle was originally built in the 6th century, and has since been rebuilt on several occasions. Today it is a popular attraction, where you can walk around inside the impressive halls.
3. Shopping in Rhodes
One thing that can be fun to do in Rhodes is shopping. You'll find everything from high-end boutiques to simple stalls selling jewellery and accessories. If you want to take some local delicacies with you, look out for honey and wine, among other things.
4. Hire a car and explore the island
Rhodes is a relatively large island and if you want to have a good look around it might be a good idea to hire a car. There are many different companies to rent from and we rented from a company called Marathon, which worked very well. For a small extra fee, we were able to leave the car at the airport on the day of departure, even though we picked it up in the centre of town. Use our list here to find exciting destinations for your road trip!
5. Take an excursion to Kallithea Springs
Located 9 kilometres south of Rhodes Town, Kallithea Springs is a historical site where springs have been found, known since ancient times for their healing powers. Today you can no longer swim in the springs, but the place is still worth a visit for the beautiful surroundings and the nice beach.
The beautiful buildings in the area were erected in the early 1900's. After a number of decades, the area began to fall into disrepair, but now the buildings have been refurbished and once again offer a lovely environment.
Apart from the beautiful setting and the history in the walls, many people come here to sunbathe, swim and hang out on the cosy outdoor terraces. When we were here, the entrance was free, as a wedding was going on, but expect to pay about 5 euros / person to enter the area.
6. Hang out in Anthony Quinn Bay
A popular thing to do in Rhodes is to visit Anthony Qinn Bay. This place is only about 18 kilometres south of Rhodes Town, and offers a lovely setting with beaches, crystal clear waters, walking trails and viewpoints. There is also a cosy little restaurant/bar.
7 - Spana in Seven Springs
Seven Springs is a special and different place that can be found 26 kilometres south of Rhodes Town. The area offers lush nature, hiking trails, springs and a lake, which can be reached through a 150 metre long tunnel. There is also a restaurant on site, where you can sit surrounded by greenery.
8. Sunbathe and swim on Rhodes beaches
If there's one thing you want to do in Rhodes, it's sunbathe and swim. There are a bunch of nice beaches such as Anthony Quinn Bay, Stegna Beach, Lindos Beach, Pefkos Beach, Tsambika Beach and Fourni Beach. In the following report you will find a list of beaches, with more extensive descriptions.
9. Visit the Acropolis of Lindos
Lindos is a popular destination for sunbathing and swimming, and it also boasts a major attraction in the form of the Acropolis. This mighty ancient temple sits on a cliff 116 metres above Lindos. Built around 2,500 years ago, it was dedicated to Pallas Athena, who, according to Greek mythology, was Zeus' most beloved daughter. In the 13th century, the Order of St John had the rock extended with a curtain wall, pinnacles and towers.
You can reach the temple via long, winding stairs. Once at the top, in addition to getting acquainted with the temple, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the sea and Lindos village. There is a fee to visit the site, which can vary depending on the time of year.
10. Surfing at Prassonisi Beach
If you are keen on windsurfing or kite-surfing, Prassonisi Beach is the place for you. This beach, located in the far south of the island of Rhodes, is special because it has water on two sides of the sandy beach. This beach is especially for surfers. Both experienced surfers and beginners with instructors can be seen on the beach.
11. See the view from Monolithos Castle
Monolithos Castle is located on a 100 metre high cliff on the south-western side of Rhodes. The castle was built in 1476 to defend the island against attack, and what remains today are ruins.
If you have strong legs, you can climb to the top and enjoy the beautiful view. At the bottom of the castle there is a simple but nice little restaurant, and there are also two nice beaches nearby: Alyki Beach and Fourni Beach.
12. make a stop in the village of Siana
Siana is a small village that may not be a major attraction, but if you are travelling through, we highly recommend a stop here. The village has a beautiful Orthodox church, the Church of St Panteleimon, which was started in 1882 and completed ten years later.
In the village there are also many small shops selling local products, such as honey and wine. There are also some nice little restaurants.
13. Explore the ancient city of Kamiros
Kamiros, or Kameiros, is one of the most important ancient sites in Rhodes. The city was partially destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC, but was rebuilt. When it was destroyed again in 142 BC, the city was abandoned and left to its fate.
Today, the ancient city is a popular destination. You can travel here by car or on guided tours. After paying the entrance fee, you can walk around on your own. The area is large, but be prepared for most of it to be in ruins, with only a few pillars and columns still standing. There are information signs here and there.
14. See butterflies in the Valley of Butterflies
The Valley of Butterflies is another popular destination in Rhodes. The area consists of a large green park, at several heights, with lush nature and rippling water. In summer, there are reportedly lots of butterflies here. When we visited the park, in September, it was at the end of the season and there were not many butterflies left.
In any case, the park is very nice, and we can imagine that the experience is more special when it is filled with butterflies. The price to visit the park is currently 5 euros/person in high season and 3 euros/person in low season.
15. Enjoy Greek food
Of course, one thing you won't want to miss doing in Rhodes is eating Greek food. Greek cuisine offers many favourites such as Greek salad, moussaka, tzatziki, zucchini steaks, souvlaki and feta cheese lengthwise and crosswise. In the photo below, we happen to be eating pasta bolognese - not so Greek perhaps - but the location on a beach in Rhodes Town is all the more Greek.
16. Eat at Myrovólos restaurant
We found a restaurant in Rhodes that stood out. We ate here twice, just because it was so delicious, and we can highly recommend this place. The Myrovólos restaurant is in Kremasti, close to the international airport (so close that from time to time you can hear the planes landing or taking off with an almost deafening roar).
Regardless, this gem of a restaurant is well worth a visit! The decor is cosy, the staff are friendly and the food is... amazing! You order small dishes here, which you share. The menu is Greek, but in a modern and innovative way. Our mouths still water when we think of the food here!
More to do in Rhodes for culture and history lovers
Want even more tips on things to see and do in Rhodes? Here are some suggestions for those who like culture and history.
- Guided tours are available to book, by boat, bus or, for example, guided walking tour of Rhodes Town.
- Cookery courseCooking Class, is organised in several different locations.
- Wine tasting you can do on the island. There are several vineyards, and you can also book guided food and wine tours.
- Rhodes Museum of Ancient Greek Technology by Kotsanas tells of technological miracles in ancient Greece.
More to do in Rhodes for nature and adventure lovers
Are you looking for nature and adventure? Then you'll find even more tips on things to do in Rhodes here.
- Boat trip to Symi Island is a popular excursion. The boat takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes in each direction.
- Boat trips There are also many others, such as catamaran tours, sunset cruises, fishing trips, full and half-day tours and more.
- Diving there is the possibility, and also snorkelling of course.
- Horse riding you can book at several locations around the island.
- Kayaking is a way to experience Rhodes from the sea.
- Water sports there are a variety of options, such as water skiing, jet skiing, paddle boarding, parasailing and more.
More to do in Rhodes with kids
Travelling with children or teenagers? Then you'll find even more tips on things to do in Rhodes here.
- Bee Museum tells about bees, with interactive section for children.
- Farma of Rhodes Petting Zoo offers the opportunity to get close to animals such as llamas, donkeys, lemurs, ostriches and more.
- Rhodes Toy Museum is a museum with toys and games.
- Tsambika Beach is a beach with a 'water park' in the water.
- Faliraki Water Park is a water park with swimming pools, wave pool, water slides and much more.
Where to stay in Rhodes?
There are many different types of accommodation in Rhodes - different resorts and different types of hotels. Charter companies have hotels in Rhodes Town, Kallithea, Faliraki, Kolymbia and Lindos, among others.
We travelled on a regular basis and stayed in two relatively simple, but nice places. First we stayed at Hotel Parthenon in Rhodes Town. This hotel has a central location and a pleasant view from the rooftop breakfast restaurant.
Later we went to the Alkyonides Hotel in Kremasti. This small hotel is well located if you want to stay near the airport (and the fantastic Myrovólos restaurant), but it's hardly a place to stay for your whole holiday. And yes, you have to expect aircraft noise.
More to see and do in the neighbourhood
Do you have the time and opportunity to see more of Greece? Four hours by boat from Rhodes is the beautiful and slightly quieter island of Karpathos, which offers dramatic mountain roads, charming mountain villages and beautiful beaches.
More tips on things to do in Rhodes?
Have you visited this beautiful island in Greece? If so, what are your top tips on what to see and do in Rhodes?
Facts about Rhodes in Greece
- Country: Greece
- Region: South Aegean Islands
- Location: Rhodes belongs to the so-called Twelve Islands off the south-west coast of Turkey. Rhodes is the southeasternmost and largest of these islands.
- Population: More than 125 000 (2021)
- Main location: Rhodes city
Things to do in Rhodes - good to know
- Language: Greek. You can also get by just fine in English.
- Time difference: Swedish time +1 hour.
- Currency: Euro
- Religion: Greek Orthodox Christianity.
- Security: Greece is generally a safe country to travel in.
travelling to Rhodes
- Scheduled flights: Regular flights to Rhodes are available, for example with Norwegian. You can also fly with Aegan Airlines, with a stopover in Athens.
- Charter: There are also various charter holidays to Rhodes, for example with Ving, TUI and Apollo.
- Ferry: Several ferry companies operate services to Rhodes, including Blue Star Ferries. You can travel to/from Karpathos, Santorini, Kos, Naxos, Athens and more.
You might also like:
English (UK) 
Svenska 
Deutsch 
Suomi 
Polski