The Greek island of Rhodes may be great for beaches and nightlife, but there is a lot more to discover as well. From the capital which shares the island’s name in the north, to the stunning Prasonisi beach in the south, Rhodes is a real discovery.
Head for the impressive Old Town in Rhodes, one of the largest and best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. The Palace of the Grand Masters is the main attraction of this impressive UNESCO World Heritage site, and a walk around the old city walls will reward you with beautiful scenery along the way. If you fancy uncovering some local history, visit The Museum of Modern Greek Art or the Archaeological Museum.
There are a few more intriguing museums around the island, including the Toy Museum near the village of Archipoli, with displays of Greek toys of the last century. Also look out for The Bee Museum of Rhodes, where there are fascinating exhibitions on bee-related themes. Rhodes town also has a good aquarium.
Also well worth a visit is the Valley of the Butterflies. It’s particularly lovely in summer when hordes of colourful butterflies appear. You may like to combine your visit with a trip to the Epta Piges (Seven Springs), about 35 minutes’ drive south. The springs flow into a lake you can swim in, and the setting really is magical.
Down the coast from Rhodes town, Faliraki offers a family-friendly beach and a water-park, great for a day out with the kids. If it’s just you, maybe try the idyllic Anthony Quinn Bay, a very pretty beach with crystal clear waters that are ideal for snorkelling.
Rhodes has many more beaches down the eastern coast – you’ll pass through the likes of Afantou, Archangelos, Agathi and Lindos as you travel south – but one of the most spectacular is found right at the tip of the island. Prasonisi is particularly popular with surfers, but the wonderful surroundings and expansive sands draw in plenty of other visitors too.
The nightlife options are most varied in the centres of Rhodes and Lindos. As well as bars and nightclubs, you can find some excellent restaurants, many with outdoor terraces and appealing views. For the daytime, Rhodes is ideal for sports and offers all sorts of activities, like horse riding, scuba-diving and beach volleyball. Fantastic walking and cycling routes, not to mention the excellent weather for them, offer yet more reasons to get out there.