A Guide to the Best Things to Do in Rhodes Island

Where is Rhodes

Rhodes is one of Greece’s southernmost islands in the far south-east of the country. Part of the Dodecanese chain of islands, Rhodes is a haven for summer getaways thanks to its temperate climate, warm Aegean shores and bright, summers days. The closest islands to Rhodes are Chalki, Karpathos, Symi and Tilos, and the islands of Kos and Crete aren’t too far away.

The best time to visit Rhodes

While Rhodes receives pretty decent year-round weather, the best time to visit Rhodes is during one of the shoulder seasons of May-June or September-October. These months boast warm, sunny days that are ideal for exploring or relaxing on the beach, without the peak crowds of summer. The latter half of the year is arguably the best as the sea temperatures will have risen throughout the summer meaning the water is warm and inviting.

Top Things to Do in Rhodes

1. Explore Rhodes Town

Rhodes Town is separated into two parts: Old Town and New Town. True to their names, each section has its own unique atmosphere. In Old Town, you’ll find historic structures and other ancient sites to enjoy. In New Town, you’ll find a trendy area filled with modern shops and cafes. No matter which area in Rhodes Town you visit though, you’ll also be able to get incredible views out to sea.

2. Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes

The Palace of the Grand Master Rhodes Also known as Kastello, this palace is one of the only structures on the island that features Gothic architecture. It was once home to hundreds of knights who worked to protect the city from various types of intruders. Today, it serves as a museum where you can view the archeological treasures found in it as well as its amazing architecture.

3. Archaeological Museum of Rhodes – Hospital of the Knights

This museum is housed in what was once the Hospital of the Knights. It was built in 1440 and has numerous exhibits that show everything from ancient mosaics to marble statues.

4. The Fort of St. Nicholas

The Fort of St. Nicholas is situated near Mandraki Harbor and served as a way to help protect the coast from invasions. It features an impressive tower on its side that once served as a lighthouse to help guide ships out at sea.

5. Mandraki Harbor

This harbor has been in existence since 400 B.C. and is surrounded by various historic structures, like the Fort of St. Nicolas and even windmills. The harbor is also known for its massive deer statues that welcome guests to the area and large ships that dot its coastline.

6. Acropolis of Rhodes

The Acropolis of Rhodes sits high on Monte Smith and was a popular spot in ancient Greece for sporting events. Besides its impressive ruins, the Acropolis also gives panoramic views out to sea making it the perfect place to snap some photos or to just gaze out at the incredible scenery.

7. Head to the Beaches

Rhodes is one of the best places in the world for beachgoers. Each beach on the island is unique from the other in both its landscape and sea views.

Anthony Quinn Beach

Named after the iconic actor, Anthony Quinn Beach is a serene getaway in Rhodes known for its pine trees and green-tinted water. The beach is also lined with massive boulders which are a popular place to sunbathe.

St. Paul’s Bay

It is believed that this bay is the spot where St. Paul landed in 51 A.D. when he came to preach to the island. The bay features two beaches you can explore as well as an ancient village you can wander through. You can climb up to the top of this village to get a stunning panoramic view over the bay.

Tsambika Beach

Tsambika Beach is known for its extremely soft sand and clear blue water. This peaceful area also offers you the chance to try water sports or enjoy a cold treat with one of the many small food stands located nearby.

Prasonisi Beach

This beach is a unique spot in Rhodes for many reasons. The first is that it turns into an islet during low tide which ends up connecting the beach to the southern part of the island. You’ll also find this beach offers incredible views out to sea and is a little windy making it the perfect area for surfers to enjoy.

8. Explore Lindos village

This village is a popular stop for tourists due to its amazing sea views and ancient sites. You can walk around its winding streets where you can stop by its most famous attraction: the clifftop acropolis. This structure sits high on a hill and features the ruins of 4th-century gates. You’ll also find plenty of other ancient buildings you can explore in the village, like the Castle of the Knights of St. John and the Virgin Mary of Lindos Church which is known for its stunning frescos. There’s also the Tsambika Byzantine Museum which houses various types of Byzantine art seen nowhere else in the world. If you don’t mind walking a bit, you can take a quick hike up a cliff to see Kleoboulos’ Tomb. This massive structure looks out to sea and is the resting place of Kleoboulos, one of the seven main philosophers of ancient Greece.

9. Tour the Valley of the Butterflies

The Valley of the Butterflies is a nature-lovers dream. This 600-acre nature reserve is filled with many different types of flowers and thousands of butterflies. You’ll find plenty of trails you can take that will lead you through the park so you can get up close and personal with the various types of butterflies living in the reserve. Many enjoy resting on the historic sweetgum trees where they also lay their eggs. When you’re done touring the park, you can stop by its Museum of Natural History where you can view the park’s butterfly hatchery and learn more about the life of these beautiful insects.

10. Filerimos Monastery

The Filerimos Monastery, nestled in the countryside hills overlooking the town of Ialyssos, is a pristine church and monastery complex that was built by the Knights of St. John to house the icon of the Virgin of Filerimos as well as being a place for monks to live and pray. Over the years the monastery has had a pretty tumultuous history, with the Ottomans forcing the Knights out and destroying the buildings, followed by reconstruction by the Italian occupation and later a bombing of the cross during WWII. Today, the complex features the Early Christian basilica, a small Byzantine church, stone altars, a large cross and, of course, stunning panoramic views of the island.

11. Do Some Sea Kayaking

The sea surrounding Rhodes is known for its warm temperatures and incredible views making sea kayaking the perfect activity to do while here. You can sign up for one of the many guided tours on the island that will take you around its coastline to show you isolated beaches, nature reserves, rare plants, and other unique places and things that many tourists aren’t able to see. Some tours will even plan a picnic and take you to a private beach where you can enjoy homemade and traditional Greek dishes.

12. Try Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Stand-up paddleboarding is also a popular thing to try when here. You’ll find many small tours you can partake in that will not only teach you the basics of this sport, but take you to secret places around the island. Many tours will also take you to the best swimming spots and areas to view ocean life to give you an incredible adventure. You might even be able to do a quick snorkeling tour after taking your paddleboard out to sea. You’ll find quite a few different paddleboarding tours you can try so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

13. Have Fun at the WaterPark

Rhodes is home to WaterPark which is a great family-friendly attraction to try out. You’ll find many different types of water rides that cater to everyone’s needs and adventure levels, as well as a lazy river you can float down. When you’re done having fun, you can stop by one of the park’s many small restaurants or bars to grab a bite to eat or a drink. Keep in mind you do need to buy tickets to enter although you can sometimes buy them in advance so you don’t need to wait in line.

14. Venture to Monolithos Castle

This 15th-century castle ruin sits high on a rugged cliff and looks down over the sea providing guests to it an amazing panoramic view. Besides its picturesque location, the castle also has an interesting history. Considered to be one of the most powerful forts back in its day, Monolithos Castle housed royalty and other prominent people on the island. While today it is nothing more than a small ruin, it once was a dazzling structure filled with frescos and chapels. You can climb around the castle ruins to get different perspectives of it. While doing so, you might even catch a glimpse of its foundation, which was also once a castle before Monolithos Castle was built on top of it.

15. See Kallithea and its Thermal Springs

This quaint part of Rhodes is a complete paradise thanks to its colourful beaches and amazing array of natural wonders. One of the most popular spots to see in Kallithea is its thermal springs. The steamy waters of the springs are not only relaxing but are known for their healing powers. The springs are surrounded by exquisite coves and towering pine trees making it a relaxing spot to enjoy. After exploring the thermal springs, you can head down to one of Kallithea’s many beaches which are known for their warm water making them a great place to take a quick swim.

16. Trek up to the Highest Point in Rhodes – Profitis Ilias

Another great thing to do while in Rhodes is to climb up to its highest point – Profitis Ilias. This small village is surrounded by rocky cliffs and a roaring sea making it a place like no other on the island. You can trek up to it while enjoying its natural landscape which is filled with pine trees, cedars, and cypresses. You might even see some deer trotting by on your way up. The village is filled with winding pathways that will take you around the area and by historic structures, like a seaside Byzantine church known for its frescos.

17. Explore the Seven Springs

Seven Springs is the perfect place for both adventurers and nature lovers to venture to. This nature retreat features fresh water flowing out of the numerous springs that are shaded by ancient trees. You can take a quick swim in the seven different springs or meander around the forest paths nearby to view a rushing waterfall. You might even catch a glimpse of a majestic peacock strolling by. When you’re done exploring Seven Springs, you can stop by its small café which serves a variety of different food options you can enjoy while sitting under its treetop-covered terrace.

18. Archaeological Site of Ancient Kamiros

The Archaeological Site of Ancient Kamiros is a must for history lovers, with ancient dwellings, columns, marketplaces and bath houses excavated for visitors to explore. Located in the west of the island, Kamiros is one of three ancient cities to have been discovered on Rhodes (the other two, Lindos and Ialyssos) thought to have been occupied by the Mycenaean Greeks during the prehistoric period. The site features a wealth of ruins to discover and with entrance being just €3 there really is no reason not to visit!

19. Castle of Kritinia

The Castle of Kritinia, or Kastello to the locals, is an old Venetian/Byzantine castle that is as much loved for its breath-taking views as it is its history. Located on the west side of Rhodes overlooking the small islands of Alimia and Chalki, Kritinia was built by the Knights of St John, and while just the ruins remain, you can still see what an impressive structure it would have been. The castle can be reached by taking the bus to Kritinia and walking or by driving up the dirt track by car or moped.

20. Panagia Tsambika

The Monastery of Panagia Tsambika is situated in the east of the island, around 25km from the city of Rhodes. The legend of the church is that an icon of the Virgin Mary Tsambika thought to be located in Cyprus, miraculously made its way to Rhodes and was found by a shepherd climbing the mountain who saw a bright light shining on the hillside. When he moved closer to the light, he saw that it was coming from the Panagia Tsambika icon. The islanders then moved the icon to the local village but each time it was moved it miraculously made its way back to the mountain! As such, a church was built on the hillside and the icon remained there ever since.

Today the monastery is visited by women who are struggling to conceive as it is thought that another miracle occurred when the wife of an Ottoman Pasha prayed to the icon to bring her a baby and just a short time later she fell pregnant.

Things to do in Rhodes – Day trips

21. Take a Day Trip to Symi Island

When in Rhodes, you can take a quick day trip over to Symi Island. This island is filled with historic structures, like the Monastery of Archangel Michael Panormitis, a former 18th-century church. Symi is also popular for its colorful and sophisticated houses that surround its coastline. In addition to this, the island also hosts music festivals throughout the year and is home to many private beaches you can relax at. You’ll also find a variety of small museums scattered around the island which are dedicated to everything from folk art to archeology.

Symi is also known for its rustic fish taverns which serve traditional Greek seafood dishes you can enjoy. To get to Symi, you can hop on a ferry which goes back and forth between the two islands a few times per day.

22. Take a Day Trip to Marmaris

Another great day trip to take while in Rhodes is to Marmaris. While located in Turkey, this Turkish Riviera city is just a quick trip over from the island. The city is known for its incredible nightlife as well as natural wonders and ecotourism that will allow you to do everything from hiking through fragrant pine forests to scuba diving in the warm sea. Marmaris also is home to many impressive structures you can explore, like Marmaris Castle which was built back in the 1500s.

Another popular cultural activity to try out while here are the refreshing Turkish baths which will have you sit in decorative bathing halls while a relaxing steam warms your body. You can easily get to Marmaris from Rhodes by ferry or a private boat.

How to get to Rhodes

As Rhodes is one of the largest Greek islands, travellers can easily arrive by plane or ferry with frequent services running throughout the summer months. Direct flights travel between Rhodes and a number of European airports from around May to October and indirect flights via Athens are available year-round. Alternatively, visitors can arrive by ferry, with regular services running to Athens each week, stopping off at smaller islands along the way. Island-hopping between Rhodes and other Dodecanese islands is possible throughout the summer, with ferries running a few times a week between Rhodes, Symi, Kos, Kastelorizo, Karpathos, and  Tilos.

How to get from and to Rhodes Airport

If you are staying in Rhodes Old Town you will want to take a bus or a taxi from the airport to reach your destination. Taking a taxi is the fastest option but the bus is a cheaper alternative. You could also check to see if your hotel offers airport transfers to save you the hassle of arranging anything yourself!

Bus

For the cheapest route from Rhodes Airport into the main town centre, you’ll want to catch the public bus which leaves from outside a coffee shop outside the main terminal. This is fairly easy to find and any airport staff will be able to point you in the right direction. Buses run from 6.40am – 23.15pm and have wait times that range from 10 – 40 minutes depending on the time of day.

Tickets are purchased directly from the driver (in Euros cash) when you board the bus and costs just 2.50 EUR.

The last top arrives into Rhodes city centre and lies around 5 minutes from both the waterfront and Old Town. From here you can either walk or take a short taxi to your hotel. Time: 35-40 minutes

Taxis

Taxis are available from Rhodes Airport day and night and depending on the time you arrive there may be a short wait at the taxi rank before you can start your journey. In general, the route from Rhodes Airport to the town centre takes around 20 minutes and costs 29.50 during the day and 32.50 between the hours of midnight and 5am.

Private Airport Transfer with Welcome Pick-Ups

For added convenience you can book a pre-booked taxi through Welcome Pick-Ups. This service will allow you to have a driver waiting for you at arrivals who will help you with your bags and offer you travel tips on what to do in Rhodes.

How to get around Rhodes

As Rhodes is one of the most developed Greek islands, getting around couldn’t be simpler. The majority of the tourist attractions, shops and restaurants are located within walking distance of the Old Town and for things that are further afield you can opt to use the local bus service, take a taxi or hire a car or moped. There is a Central Bus Station on the edge of Rhodes Old Town and this is where you can hop on a bus to pretty much anywhere on the island. You can purchase your ticket from a kiosk before, or buy a ticket from the driver and there are usually signs and timetables in both Greek and English. This is an efficient and budget-friendly way to get around but of course, you are stuck to a schedule.

If you’re rather more freedom, you might prefer to take taxis or to hire a car. Taxis tend to be metered services and the driver is required to give you a receipt when you arrive. The minimum fee in a taxi in Rhodes is around 4 and most taxi ranks will have prices for different destinations listed so you can be aware of the price before getting in.

Alternatively, there are tons of rental services available and you can hire a car directly from the airport or in town. Hiring a moped is only really recommended if you want to reach fairly nearby beaches as the island itself is quite large and journeys on a small moped may take a while! Rhodes is the perfect place for any traveller to visit because it caters to a variety of needs. It doesn’t matter whether you enjoy history or outdoor excursions, Rhodes offers a little bit of everything for everyone. If you’re considering visiting this island, definitely keep the activities listed above in mind. They will help you to experience Rhodes in a way many guests to the island aren’t able to so you can immerse yourself into its culture and history in a special way.