Greek Islands: Rhodes

Map of Rhodes

Rhodes(Rodos), the biggest island of Dodecanese islands with 1.401km² and 115.500 population, is deservedly among the most visited of all Greek islands. Its star attraction is the beautiful medieval Old Town that lies at the heart of its capital, Rhodes Town - a legacy of the crusading Knights of St John, who used the island as their main base from 1309 until 1522. The ravishing hillside village of Lindhos, topped by an ancient acropolis, is another worth visiting place. It marks the midpoint of the island's long eastern shoreline, adorned with numerous sandy beaches that have attracted considerable resort development. At the southern cape, Prassonisi is one of the best windsurfing spots in Europe.

Rhodes Town

By far the largest town on the island, Rhodes Town straddles its northernmost headland, in full view of Turkey less than 20km north. The ancient city that occupied this site, laid out during the fifth century BC by Hippodamos of Miletos, was almost twice the size of its modern counterpart, and at 100.000 held more than double its population.

While the fortified enclave now known as the Old Town is of more recent construction, created by the Knights Hospitaller in the 14th century, it' one of the finest medieval walled cities. It gets overcrowded with day-trippers in high season, but at night it's quite magical, and well worth an extended stay.

East Coast

From the capital as far south as Lindhos, the east coast of Rhodes has been built up with a succession of sprawling towns and resorts. Some, such as Faliraki, Stegna and Haraki are some pleasant alternatives Other places to visit: Afandou Beach, Kolymbia, Tsambika .

Southeast Coast

Until recently, tourist development petered out south of Linhos, but these days Rhode's southeast coast holds plenty of facilities for travelers seeking to escape the hectic atmosphere of the northern resorts. Pefki and Yennadhi are the best overnight stops, while Prassonissi at the southern tip is popular with windsurfers. Other places to visit: Asklipio, Lardhos, Lahania.

West Coast

While Rhode's windward west coast is damp, fertile and forested, its beaches are exposed and often rocky. None of this has deterred development and, as on the east coast, the first few kilometers of the busy main road have been surrendered entirely to tourism. From Rhode's Town to the airport, the shore is lined with generic hotels, though Trianda, Kremasti and Paradhisi are still nominally villages, with real centers.

Beaches

Rhodes was awarded with 20 "Blue Flags" in 2013! The island has so many beaches and so special, that really the choice becomes extremely difficult. Cosmic, family, deserted and wild, for lovers 'adventure' and sports.

Faliraki

Faliraki beach is one of the main island's attraction, may not appeal to most of visitors, but can not ignore the fact is consistently among the "Blue Flag" coasts. It is a long four mile beach and is one of the most organized of the island, with water sports facilities, water park and bungee jumping.

Tsambika

Under the rock that hosts the famous monastery of Panagia Tsambika, there is the beach of Tsambika with golden sand and crystal clear water. It's one of the most popular beaches of Rhodes. Features umbrellas, canteens and water sports facilities.

Tsambika

Afandou

Afandou is the biggest beach of Rhodes and one of the most popular. A long beach, with small pebbles, sand and sea that deepens abruptly. It has many organized points, with umbrellas and canteens. Located on the eastern side of the island, 22km away from the town of Rhodes and 2km away from Afandou village. With facilities for beach volley and beach soccer and the famous Afandou Golf. It has been awarded a "Blue Flag".

Elli
Considered as one of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. Welcomes thousands of visitors every year. It stretches along the city and has umbrellas, sun-beds and canteens.

Ialyssos
It is one of the most organized beaches because it extends along the avenue where Irakleidon operate some of the largest hotel complexes on the island. It has pebbles and sand while the water deepens abruptly. The beach is ideal for surfers as it is open to the winds. Distance from Rhodes just eight kilometers.

Lindos
A purely tourist beach located under the settlement. It offers quiet crystal clear waters, two beaches with umbrellas and taverns. It is seventy kilometers away from Rhodes Town.

Lindos

Ayios Pavlos
In a small bay (very close to Lindos) with two small beaches, one with pebbles and the other with sand and crystal clear waters. The one organized with umbrellas and canteen, while the other deserted, suitable for those who want to enjoy a swim in peace.

Prassonisi
Sandy beach, located at the southernmost point of the island. It is a paradise for windsurfers especially during July and August. It offers rental windsurfing equipment. 92 km away from the Rhodes Town.

Prassonisi

Other Beaches

Haraki, Fourni, Stegna, Traganou, Lardos, Peuki, Columbia, Katsouni, Kiotari, Ixia, Kalathos, Kallithea, Glyfada, Gennadi, Akslipio, Vlyha, Agathi, Vagies, Gournes.

Sights

The valley of Butterflies


Panaxia Quadripunctaria

It is a rare habitat that hosts the butterfly Panaxia Quadripunctaria which makes its appearance in this unique natural park in between mid-June to mid-September. It is twenty-five km from the Rhodes Town near the village Kalamonas. Crossed the creek Pelican. Following the specially formed paths and wooden bridges between the incredible beauty vegetation, ponds with water lilies, small waterfalls and crystal clear waters, enjoy a unique natural phenomenon.(Phone Number: 22410 82822)

The valley of Butterflies

The Rodini Park

The Rodini Park is a paradise located 3 kilometers away from Rhodes Town, along the main road Rhodes-Lindos. It is the oldest park in the world and known for its dense and diverse vegetation. The bridges, the ponds full of water lilies and the wonderful trails make up the idyllic scenery which is complemented by rare plants and a small zoo. The peacocks that hosts the park move freely, attracting the attention of visitors.(Phone Number: 22410 73077. Free Entrance)

The Rodini Park

Seven Sources

Located 19 kilometers southeast of Rhodes Town in Archangel village. It's a great location with lots of pine trees which revealed the greatness of nature. In the area there is a lake consisting of seven sources where one can see geese, ducks and peacocks. The temperature in the area is low. (Free Entrance)

The Palace of the Grand Master

The Palace of the Grand Master (Byzantine Museum )
Going up the Street of the Knights, is the Palace of the Grand Master who works as Byzantine Museum. Opposite the palace stand the ruins of the Catholic Church of St. John. The Grand Master's Palace built in place under the Acropolis of ancient Rhodes, where originally stood the temple of the Sun God . In the same place in the 7th century was a Byzantine palace and then in the 14th century , the Knights of St. John built the palace as a residence of the Grand Master and administrative center . It was destroyed in 1856 by a large explosion of gunpowder that was hidden in the basement of the church of St. John.(Phone Number: 22413 65270. Entrance: 6 euro. Reduced Ticket:(for people over 65 years old citizens of the European Union) 3 euro. Free Entrance for Children under 18 years)

The Aquarium of Rhodes

The Aquarium of Rhodes
Located at the northern end of the island. Built by the Italians in 1934. 1937 began to work as a research unit called the Royal Institute of Marine Biology Rhodes («Reale Instituto di Ricerche Biologiche di Rodi»). Since 1947, after the incorporation of the Dodecanese into Greece, worked under the supervision of the Academy of Athens as Hydrobiological Institute. From the 1963 operates as a museum and aquarium called Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes and research facility in the Mediterranean.(Phone Number: 22410 27308)

Lindos

On the southeastern side of the island fifty five kilometers from Rhodes Town lies the picturesque village of Lindos with its narrow cobbled streets and white houses with painted ceilings and paved courtyards with intricate pebble . The village has been declared a landmark.

Other Sights

Apollakia Dam, Prophet Elias, Ancient Kameiros, The sources of Kallithea, The Acropolis of Rhodes, The Castle of Archangel, The medieval Castle of Kritinia, The archaeological Museum of Rhodes.

Transportation

By plane: Rhode's airport lies on the island's west coast, 14 km southwest of Rhodes Town alongside Paradisi village. Buses to and from town stop between the two terminals.

By ferry: Ferries to Rhodes use two separate harbors in Rhodes Town. Large boats and catamaran dock at Kolona, outside the Old Town, while smaller vessels and excursion craft use the yacht harbor of Mandhraki facing the New Town.

Destinations: Anafi(1 weekly, 17hr), Astypalea(1 weekly, 9hr), Crete(2 weekly, 12hr), Halki(4 weekly, 1hr 30min), Kalymnos(2-4 daily, 3hr), Karpathos(4 weekly, 5hr), Kasos(4 weekly, 6hr), Kastellorizo(3 weekly, 2hr), Kos(1-5 daily, 2-3hr), Leros(1-2 daily, 4hr), Lipsi(6 weekly, 5hr), Nissyros(4 weekly, 3-4hr), Patmos(1-3 daily, 4-5hr), Pireas(1-4 daily, 12-15hr), Santorini(7 weekly, 7hr), Syros(2 weekly, 7-8 hr), Tilos(7 weekly, 1-2 hr).

Getting Around

By bus: Buses from Rhodes Town to the west and east coasts leave from adjacent terminals on Averof in New Town, immediately north of the Old Town just outside the Italian-built New Market. The main local operator is KTEL(22410 27706, ktelrodou.gr)

By taxi: The main taxi rank is at Rimini Square(Platia Riminis), immediately north of Rhodes Old Town, across from the bus stop. A taxi to the airport officially costs 22 euro. (Phone Number: 22410 69800, 22410 69600)