If you are looking for your next holiday destination, look no further: Rhodes is the perfect place for you. From long golden beaches and beautiful emerald valleys to fancy bars and restaurants, from archaeological sites to modern infrastructure, from traditional to cosmopolitan: this place has absolutely everything.
Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese islands and one of the largest in the Aegean sea. It is situated approximately 17,7 km from the coasts of Turkey. The population is about 130.000 persons, of which approximately 60-70.000 reside in the city of Rhodes. Rhodes called from its local people the Rose of the Aegean and deserves its name because is one of the most beautiful Greek islands.
Many Hollywood films have been filmed here, that helped more the global advertisement of Rhodes and its beauties. The island of Rhodes has an excellent tourist infrastructure with modern Hotels of every category. During the summer hundreds of charter flights landing at Rhodes airport in the Maritsa.
Rhodes town is divided into the new town and the old town from the big medieval wall. The beauty of Rhodes town is the old town with the medieval castles, houses, and streets. At the port, the visitor will find Mandraki with its circular Market and the Cafes at the seafront, further on are the Art Deco buildings of the Metropolis from the times of the Italian occupation. At the entrance of the port are the famous two columns with the two Deers at the place where supposed to be the colossus of Rhodes. The ancient city of Lindos is another of the main Attractions of the island.
Due to its strategic geographical position, this Dodecanese island has been significant since ancient times. Therefore, t is not surprising that Rhodes has endured many invasions and conquests in its long history that began in the 16th century BC. After passing through the hands of the Persians, Alexander the Great, the Byzantines and the Ottomans, Rhodes was united with Greece in 1947. It is amazing how this small island, having suffered so much, managed to stay so beautiful and rich. Probably that is also because every invader, though bringing wars and destruction, also contributed something to the culture of the island, making it wealthier and stronger.
How Do I Get There?
If you are planning a day trip from Marmaris it is very easy and only one hour away by Catamarans. We can help you book here or you can book it when you get to Marmaris. If you want to book online, contact us on chat on this page we will help you.
Getting to the land of one of the Seven Wonders, the Colossus of Rhodes, is pretty easy. The airport, located close to the Rhodes Town, receives daily flights from the Greek cities of Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as from some other Mediterranean countries. If you do not feel like taking a plane, you can take a ferry. Rhodes can be reached from the main port of Athens, from Crete and from the rest of the Dodecanese islands. The ferries are usually run 4-5 times a week.
What Is the Weather Like?
Summers in Rhodes are hot and dry, and there is some rainfall during the winter. August is the hottest month with the temperature rarely falling below 25, while January and February are the coldest, with the average temperature of 13. The island enjoys about 300 days of sunshine a year, and this is only one of the reasons why it attracts so many tourists from all over the world.
Which Beach Should I Go to?
One of the most popular beaches is Lindos Beach, located just a few minutes’ walk away from the village of the same name. This golden sandy beach is fully equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas, and there are numerous fish taverns for those travelers who want to enjoy a meal by the sea. The water is crystal clear and warm, the view around the beach is amazing, the food served in the taverns is delicious; what else do you need for a perfect vacation?
Ladiko Beach gets very crowded during the summer season but if you do not mind having a lot of other people around you, be sure to visit this one. Located 20km south of Rhodes Town, this small beach has everything that is necessary for a day of pure relaxation. It has all the beach facilities, a few traditional taverns, and it offers the tourists an absolutely magnificent scenery of azure sea, green trees around and tiny boats visible on the horizon.
If you want to try yourself in watersports, Faliraki Beach is the place for you. Only open during the summer season, it offers parasailing, bungee jumping and many other activities. It can also get rather crowded at times, yet nevertheless, this beach is worth going to.
Listing all the beautiful beaches with excellent facilities and breathtaking landscapes would mean listing pretty much all the beaches of Rhodes! However, some of the most popular beaches are Prassonissi (40km south-west of Lindos village), Theologos (22km from Rhodes Town), Ialissos (8km from Rhodes Town) and Haraki (36km from Rhodes Town). And if you do not want to be disrupted by other tourists, the perfect beach for you is Fournou, This small beach, located 3km away from Monolithos, does not have sunbeds or umbrellas: it only has trees and the pure, natural beauty.
What Else Can I Do?
There is nothing wrong with wanting to spend your whole vacation lying on a sunbed, swimming in the sea and getting that ideal tan you have been dreaming about since last summer but, in case you want to get the most out of your holiday,
Rhodes has a lot of other things to offer. To start with, there is the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With 2,400 years of history, the Old Town greets the tourists with ancient statues, churches, hammams, and mosques. Dive into the Middle Ages by taking a walk down the street of the Knights that is perfectly restored just as it was at the time when medieval warriors inhabited it.
Visit the Palace of the Grandmaster: the impressive medieval castle that is now a museum, and sees ancient sculptures and floor mosaics. Climb to the top of the clock tower to get an astounding panoramic view of the whole city. Even if you are not a big admirer of history, the Old Town of Rhodes will not fail to amaze you.
Stepping outside of the Old Town, you will feel as if you traveled back from the past to the present. There you will see all kinds of neoclassic and modern buildings. Certainly visit the Aquarium, one of the most significant marine research centers in Greece. Going to the underground aquarium, you will be able to admire the richness of the Aegean sea in all of its beauty: mollusks, crabs, fish, sea turtles, and many other sea creatures.
Do not miss the opportunity to go to Rodini Park. In ancient times, it was the site of the School of Rhetoric, a place where such famous Greek and Roman historical figures as Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony studied. Today, it is an incredible park with all kinds of peacocks walking among cypress and pine trees.
One of the more modern options is Mandraki, with many restaurants, clubs, and a shopping center, but also with a large number of stunning public buildings built by the Italians during their rule on the island. For example, there is the National Bank of Greece, the National Theater, and City Hall.
Where Should I Go to Eat?
Want to enjoy a delicious meal while looking at the magnificent sunset over the Aegean sea? If so, your first choice just has to be Kyma Beach Restaurant. As the name suggests, it is located on the beach and thus provides its visitors with a beautiful view. The restaurant serves traditional Greek dishes and offers a big variety of drinks to choose from.
One more expensive option, yet totally worth the money spent, is Mavrikos. This is one of the island’s oldest restaurants, still run by the Mavrikos family. Sitting in the cozy courtyard and enjoying the traditional food prepared by Rhodes’s most famous chef is definitely an experience that will stay in your memory long after your vacation is over.
Probably the best place to eat seafood is Hatzikelis. The fact that it has won many international awards and regularly enjoys celebrity clients only proves its dishes’ quality. Classic seafood recipes are made more interesting with typical Greek flavors like feta cheese and ouzo, making sure that the dish served will be unique and unforgettable.
Among other popular restaurants are Kerasma, that opened only in 2010 and has surprised its clients by putting twists on traditional recipes; Mosaic, a dream come true for a sweet-tooth with its freshly baked Greek doughnuts, baklava, and other sweets; Nireas, a quality fish restaurant; Arthoniko, an unusual seafood restaurant set in the house of a ship’s captain; and Akti Ixia, a place that offers dishes from different cuisines of the world, and serves cocktails at a poolside bar.
Where Should I Stay?
Rodos Park Suites & Spa is one of the most popular hotels in Rhodes. It is not surprising due to the variety of facilities it offers to its guests: a spa, a sauna, and a hair salon, an excellent restaurant and a trendy lounge bar. Its location is also perfect since many important landmarks and beautiful beaches can be easily reached from there.
Island Boutique Hotel, located just 1km away from the famous street of the Knights, attracts thousands of tourists each year. With both Mediterranean and international dishes served at the restaurant, refreshing cocktails offered at the bar and stunning Aegean sea views from the balconies, this hotel can make an already perfect vacation even better.
Kokkini Porta Rossa is another amazing hotel that offers everything necessary for a great vacation. Hidden in the Old Town, it is a true masterpiece that combines history and glamour perfectly. Though there is no pool, the beaches are just a few minutes’ walk away. Due to this hotel containing only five spacious suites, every traveler who arrives feels like he is in his own private house.
Some other popular hotels in Rhodes are AquaGrand Exclusive Deluxe Resort, a luxurious hotel right next to the beach for adults only; Spirit of the Knights Boutique Hotel, located in the heart of the Old Town; Marco Polo Mansion, one of the most atmospheric hotels of the island; Bellevue Suits, open all year round and offering incredible sea view; and Lindian Village Hotel, remote from Lindos but nevertheless an ideal destination for a family or a couple.
