Experience the charm of the Greek islands in Rhodes. Although it’s one of the largest, it’s still easily navigable – you should be able to reach most places within an hour.
The impressive, medieval Old Town in Rhodes city is one of the highlights. The Palace of the Grand Masters is the main attraction of this UNESCO World Heritage site, which remains a lively place to this day. While the jumble of around 200 streets can be confusing, there’s a lot to discover. If you fancy uncovering some local history, visit The Museum of Modern Greek Art, or the Archaeological Museum which can be found in the Palace of the Grand Masters complex.
Rhodes city is the centre of the island’s nightlife, and boasts plenty of bars and restaurants, many serving Greek cuisine and seafood. There’s a massive casino which stays open late into the night/ early morning, as well as multiplex cinemas and the impressive National Theatre. For clubbing and lively bars, look out for Orfanidou Street and Miltiadou Street. Further down the coast, Lindos also has some notable nightspots, like the outdoor Amphitheatre Club and the suitably chilled Ice Bar.
Landmarks like the Rhodes Acropolis and the Fort of St Nicholas are worth looking out for around the capital, while the city’s Rodini Park is said the be the world’s oldest landscaped park. There is also a good aquarium, found at the island’s northernmost point, next to the large Elli Beach.
Down the eastern coast from Rhodes town, Faliraki offers good family attractions, with water-parks, a go-karting track and a large, busy beach which is one of the hottest on the island. The idyllic Anthony Quinn Bay, a pretty beach with crystal clear waters, is popular for snorkelling, and located south of the town. For wind-surfing, kite-surfing and the like, southern Prasonisi is the beach of choice, its exposed position offering just the right conditions.
Somewhere in between, the Lindos Acropolis is the stand-out sight of this charming coastal village. Standing high on a hill facing the ocean, it’s a bit of a climb to reach it but the breathtaking views make it all worthwhile. Lindos village is also home to some excellent restaurants with rooftop terraces, and some pretty beaches – the charming St Paul’s Bay is the pick of the bunch.
Elsewhere, you will find stunning areas of nature that are ideal for walking and cycling. If you’re looking for a bankable attraction, you can’t go wrong with the Valley of the Butterflies, especially in summer when this beautiful nature reserve fills with colourful butterflies. The waterfalls of the Epta Piges (Seven Springs) are another of Rhodes’ box office hits – this magical site’s waterfalls are wonderfully photogenic and sit amongst lovely areas of woodland. You can even swim in the lake if you fancy a dip.
