Rhodes is one of the most popular of all the Greek islands, evidenced by the sheer amount of visitors it receives each year, and for very good reason. The epic beaches, the nightlife, the historical heritage, the food, there are countless reasons to visit Rhodes. Here is your essential guide to the best things to see and do in Rhodes, Greece, to help you plan your visit.
Rhodes, Greece is packed full of things to see and do, so its hardly surprising that it is consistently one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. But what exactly is there to see and do in Rhodes? Well apart from exploring the medieval history of the old town, ancient Greek ruins, a castle or two and of course the epic beaches, a lot! Here are the top 25 things to see and do in Rhodes to make sure you get the most out of your time here!
The Best Things To See And Do In Rhodes.
Explore Rhode’s Old Town.
Inside the suburbs and gentrified streets of the capital lay the walled, medieval city of Rhodes, popularly known as the old town. I do hate that clichéd tourism term but in this case it really does fit. A city inside a city, A UNESCO world heritage site full of historical and cultural treasures and a legacy of the Knights Hospitaller in the fourteenth century, it is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of medieval walled cities in the world. It is well worth spending a few days wandering the labyrinth of cobbled streets and discovering the ancient sites, modern tavernas and local foodie hotspots that lay inside.
Check Out The Nightlife.
Most party goers in Rhodes head to the famous clubs of Faliraki, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the island doesn’t have great nightlife too! Rhodes town is home to a number of clubs and bars that are open until the early hours, live music venues with traditional Greek dancing and restaurants with roof top terraces, harbour front eateries and more that are all open until late. There is no excuse for an early night in Rhodes!
Watch The Sun Set Over Turkey.
Rhodes is as close geographically to Turkey as it is Greece, which accounts for the heavy Turkish influences in its history, culture and cuisine, and you can actually see the shores of Turkey from most major coastal areas and prominent hills and landmarks in the north. If you find a nice spot it is well worth waiting for the sun to set over a different country entirely and wander what adventures await you just across the sea.
Discover The Modern Greek Art Museum.
The Modern Greek Art Museum holds paintings, engravings and sculptures by some of Greece’s greatest 20th-century artists, and has a variety of styles and collections, not just modern art.
Enjoy The Beaches.
It wouldn’t be a Greek holiday without enjoying a beach or two, and Rhodes has plenty! Ranging from popular party beaches in Faliraki and Tsambika to family orientated stretches of sand in Elli, there is something for everyone here, Anthony Quinn Bay is well known for its spectacular beauty, and the traditional hot springs by Kallithea beach are a destination in and of themselves! It is well worth devoting at least a few good days of your itinerary to having a beach day or two on at least a couple of them.
Jump Off The Diving Board At Elli Beach.
If you are located near Rhodes town you will probably spend at least some time at Elli Beach. If you do keep an eye out for the random concrete steps and diving board that has been situated in the ocean just a short swim from shore. It has become something of a strange local attraction, and everyone has great fun climbing up and jumping off it into the sea!
Go Windsurfing Or Sailing At Prassoníssi.
The waters around the southern tip of Rhodes are a paradise for lovers of water sports and adrenaline junkies, and Prassoníssi is regarded as one of the finest windsurfing sites in Europe. Thanks to the prevailing meltémi wind and the sandbar that separates the two seas on the islet, you get rougher more challenging waters on the Aegean side, which is also popular with surfers and kite surfers, while the calmer Mediterranean waters are perfect for beginners and more sedate water sports like Canoeing.
Enjoy The Seafood.
You always get the best – and freshest – seafood on an island, and as the largest island in the Dodecanese, Rhodes is no exception! There are amazing local restaurants and eateries that serve the freshest seafood, especially traditional Greek dishes like octopus and squid, all over the island, and Rhodes has a spectacularly unique fusion of Greek and Turkish cuisine, which adds a little spice to the normal Mediterranean fare that you have to try!
Climb The Roloi Clock Tower.
The restored 7th Century Roloi clocktower is an iconic landmark in the old town given that it is the tallest building in the city! Visitors can climb the 53 narrow wooden steps to reach a small chamber with stunning views over the city!
Pamper Yourself At The Kallithea Springs.
Just outside of Rhodes Town is the legendary Kallithea Springs, the ancient thermal spa of Rhodes. According to legend, these ancient healing waters where a gift from Poseidon himself, and were enjoyed by such luminaries as Herodotus and Hippocrates, as well as being the inspiration behind early hydrotherapy thanks to early physicians of the Hellenistic Era like Herophilus. Now of course these ancient thermal pools have been turned into a popular swimming spot with a resort built around the natural geography.
Visit Mandraki Harbour.
Just outside the walls of Rhodes Old Town is Mandraki Harbour. This ancient site used to be the military port of Rhodes and was one of the busiest trading ports of the ancient world. Now of course it isa place to enjoy the cool sea breeze and people watch among the luxury super yachts, fishing boats and occasional cruise ship are moored.
Explore The Fort of St Nicholas.
Along Mandraki Harbour are three ancient windmills once used to grind grain from all the merchant ships. It is thought there was once a lot more, but these three are the only ones that stood the test of time and are a fascinating glimpse into the ports industrial past.
Discover The Site Of An Ancient Wonder Of The World.
The Colossus of Rhodes was – before its destruction by an earthquake in 226 BCE – one of the most impressive structures in the world and was considered one of the ancient world wonders. Of course it isn’t there now, but the site where it once stood is, and although no one can say for certain that it is exactly where it was, modern scholars all agree that the most likely location is right at the mouth of Mandraki Harbour. It is a humbling feeling to sit at the site of such history and wonder at what it must have been like back in the day.
Discover Rhodes Fallow Deer.
Standing guard over Mandraki Harbour are two statues of fallow deer perched atop two large stone plinths. These deer, named Elefos and Elafina are the symbols of Rhodes, and are placed at the site of where the feet of the Colossus of Rhodes are believed to have stood.
Enjoy A Boat Tour Of The Island.
There are tons of boat tour options from Rhodes city where you can spend the afternoon exploring some of the beaches and coastline of the island or even indulge in a little diving or snorkelling.
See The Lindos Acropolis.
The Acropolis of Lindos is quite frankly one of the most spectacular parts of Rhodes. A natural citadel that has had fortifications built into it by the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Knights of St John and the Ottomans. The Acropolis refers to the fact that it was the upper settlement of this Greek city, and there are a lot of archaeological buildings to be seen, including the Doric Temple of Athena, the Propylea, or gateway, of the sanctuary, the Hellenistic staircase and much more. If you don’t fancy the hike for the historical importance it is well worth it for the views!
Explore the Ocean Caves At Lindos.
At Pallas beach near Lindos there are a series of well known caves that are worth exploring for their sheer natural beauty, as well as the adventurous way you reach them, natural fissure in the cliffside that can only be accessed by swimming through it!
Visit Rhodes Aquarium.
This beautiful art deco building stands out in the new town not just as a stunning and unique piece of architecture but also as the islands hydro-biological research station. A small underground aquarium holds a number of fish and sea life native to the region.
Experience Greek Time In One Of The Social Squares Of Old Town.
The winding streets of the old town are filled with social squares that are bustling with small, local restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, souvenir stalls and smaller attractions such as the Ipokrateous Fountain or the picturesque Seahorse fountain. These are excellent places to stop and recharge your batteries with a drink or an ice cream, but if you have the time it is well worth indulging in the Greek pastime of relaxing on a lazy afternoon, people watching and enjoying a good coffee!
Go Shopping In Old Town.
Explore one of the countless boutique shops that are hidden in every nook and cranny of the winding cobbled streets, selling everything from hand made jewellery and local crafts to clothes and souvenirs!
Walk The Walls And Battlements Of Old Town.
Walking the ramparts and walled fortifications of Rhodes’ Old Town is an absolute must to get a full understanding of the sheer scale of the old city, and if you don’t have an appreciation of the history, you’ll love the views!
Worship The Old Gods At The Temple Of Aphrodite.
At the entrance to the Liberty Gate on the walls of the old town are the restored ruins of the ancient Temple of Aphrodite dating back to the 3rd Century BCE. It’s only small and there isn’t much left, but it is still a glimpse of what once was before ancient Greece was eclipsed with other empires.
Explore The Knights Quarter.
The 14th Century Knights of St John left a huge impact on the Medieval city of Rhodes, and that impact can still be seen and felt today. The order of knights were essentially an occupying army during the 14th Century and created a large part of the fortifications, including the Liberty Gate, the famous hospital that is now the Archaeological Museum, the Street of Knights and much more. Spend as much time as you can exploring these sites, and try to read up on the history before you do, it will really make a difference to your experience.
Awe At The Palace Of The Grand Master.
If you had to choose just one thing to see in the old town of Rhodes, the magnificent Palace of the Grand Master, a former 7th Century Citadel and 14th Century Castle, it is one of the few examples of Gothic architecture in Greece and an iconic landmark of Rhodes. The exterior is pretty much unchanged from when the Knights Hospitaller took over, but the interior was devastated by an explosion in the 19th Century, so the interior is now a poor Italian reconstruction. It is still worth exploring though and the museums inside are a must see.
Explore Traditional Mountain Villages.
With so many amazing beaches in Rhodes it is so easy to just spend all your time relaxing in the sand and swimming in the sea, but Rhodes also has a wide variety of traditional villages to see and explore, each one with a charm and personality of its own. Monolithos is worth a visit for the epic castle there alone, but the small town of Siana is famous for its olive oil and its honey, as well as its own regional variation of Ouzo called Souma, while Embonas is famous for its wine, so why not take in a wine tasting or two? Surely all of that is worth dragging yourself away from the beach!
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