Rhodes

Rhodes attracts with its combination of beach vacations, ancient monuments, and convenient tourist infrastructure. On one island, it’s easy to combine days by the sea, walks through the medieval town, trips to white villages, and sea excursions along the coast. The resort is especially suitable for those who do not want to choose between the sea and a rich program outside the hotel.

Vacationing in Rhodes varies depending on the coast and region. On the east coast, bays with calmer seas and family beaches are often chosen, while the west coast is better known to wind enthusiasts, surfers, and those who prefer less hot evenings. If you're looking for a first comfortable tour to Greece, Rhodes often turns out to be a convenient option due to the wide selection of hotels, excursions, and transfers.

About Rhodes

Rhodes is located in the southeastern part of the Aegean Sea and belongs to the Dodecanese archipelago. The island lies relatively close to the Turkish coast, so there is a blend of Greek island atmosphere, sea breeze, and bright sunshine for most of the warm season. The resort attracts with its long beach vacation season, as well as the ability to live both in a large tourist center and in quieter resort villages.

The climate in Rhodes is Mediterranean, with hot dry summers and mild spring and autumn. The bathing season is usually chosen from late spring to October, with the warmest sea typically in August and September. July and August can be very hot, so a hotel with good shade, a pool, and proximity to the beach is particularly important; on the west coast, the heat is often easier to bear thanks to the winds.

For a first trip to Rhodes, it is convenient to understand the difference between the east and west coasts. The east coast, where Faliraki, Kolymbia, Lindos, and the bay of Kalithea are located, is usually suitable for calmer seas, family vacations, and beach days without strong waves. The western side, with areas like Ixia and Ialysos, is more appealing to active tourists who value wind, water sports, and quick access to the city of Rhodes.

The city of Rhodes is worth considering for those who want to live closer to attractions, shops, and evening strolls. Here, it is convenient to combine beaches, visits to the Old Town, and short trips to other parts of the island. Faliraki is more suited for those looking for a resort rhythm, a long beach, active entertainment, and a wide selection of hotels.

Lindos and its surroundings are often chosen for its beautiful bays, bright landscapes, and a more intimate atmosphere. The beaches near Lindos and St. Paul's Bay are suitable for peaceful swimming and beautiful evening walks, but it can be crowded during peak season. Kolymbia is usually convenient for families and couples who need a less noisy format, and Kiotari is for those who want more space and modern beach hotels.

5 Reasons to Visit Rhodes

1. In Rhodes, it's easy to combine the sea and excursions without long transfers: in the morning, you can relax on the beach of Faliraki or in the bay of Kalithea, and in the evening, stroll in the medieval Old Town of Rhodes.

2. The eastern coast of the island is known for its calmer bays, so families with children often consider Lindos, Kolymbia, and Kalithea, where the sea entry is usually more comfortable than on the more open western coast.

3. The western coast in the areas of Ixia and Ialysos is suitable for windsurfing and kitesurfing, as it is windier and has more waves, especially in the height of summer.

4. The island offers a strong excursion program: the acropolis in Lindos, the Valley of the Butterflies, ancient Kamiros, and sea trips to the island of Symi make a holiday on Rhodes not only about beaches.

5. There is a wide choice of accommodation formats: in the city of Rhodes, it is more convenient for active walks, in Faliraki — for resort infrastructure, in Kiotari and Kolymbia — for a more tranquil hotel vacation and booking family tours.

Sights of Rhodes

The main historical point of the island is the Old Town of Rhodes, surrounded by medieval walls. It is worth seeing the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Street of the Knights, and walking through the narrow quarters where museum spaces, shops, and terraces combine. This place is convenient to visit independently, especially if you are staying in Rhodes town or nearby.

Lindos is one of the most famous locations on Rhodes, visited for its white town, acropolis on the rock, and sea panoramas. It is better to plan the ascent to the acropolis in the morning or closer to the evening due to the heat, and the area itself is suitable for those who love to combine archaeology and relaxation in bays. Nearby is St. Paul's Bay, one of the most photogenic on the island.

For natural impressions, the Valley of the Butterflies is often chosen, especially in the warm season when it's pleasant to walk in the shade. Another famous location is the Kalithea Springs, where architecture and swimming in a picturesque bay combine. If you're looking for an outing program, consider ancient Kamiros or a trip to Cape Prasonisi, where the seas meet and wind and surfing enthusiasts gather.

Transport

Tourists usually arrive in Rhodes through the island's international airport, then reach the resorts by individual or group transfer. The transfer format is especially convenient if the hotel is located in Lindos, Kiotari, or another area where you don't want to travel with transfers. In the absence of direct flights from some countries, tourists often combine flights through European airports, and this should be checked before booking a tour.

Buses run between the main resort areas of the island, and for trips to remote bays or viewpoints, cars are often rented. Taxis are convenient for short evening outings, for example, from Ixia or Faliraki to the city of Rhodes. If you plan to visit Lindos, the Valley of the Butterflies, Prasonisi, and several beaches in one trip, an organized excursion or rented car is usually more practical.

Shopping in Rhodes

Shopping is most convenient in the city of Rhodes, especially in the Old Town and New Town areas. In the Old Town, souvenirs, ceramics, olive soap, local sweets, spices, and jewelry are often bought, while in the newer part of the city, it's easier to find clothes, shoes, cosmetics, and everyday goods. For leisurely evening shopping, the streets near the Mandraki harbor and central shopping quarters are well-suited.

In Lindos, shops are more focused on atmospheric purchases: linen clothes, sandals, jewelry, decor, and gifts with an island character. In Faliraki, it is convenient to buy beach items, light summer clothing, and standard resort souvenirs, especially if you don't want to make a special trip to the island's capital. Gastronomic purchases in Rhodes often include olive oil, honey, local herbs, wine, and olive-based products.

The Best Hotels in Rhodes

In the city of Rhodes, Mitsis Grand Hotel is often considered for those who value a city vacation format with access to walks, shops, and attractions. This option suits tourists who do not plan to spend all their time only on the hotel property. For shorter or more intense trips, the location here is particularly convenient.

In the Faliraki area, Esperos Village Blue & Spa often attracts attention, usually chosen by couples and tourists looking for a quieter format near an active resort zone. Faliraki itself is convenient because there is a long beach nearby, water entertainment, and quick access to the city of Rhodes. For families in this part of the island, large resort complexes with territory and pools are also often considered.

If you need a quieter eastern coast, consider hotels in Kolymbia and Kiotari. For example, Atlantica Imperial Resort in the Kolymbia area is often chosen for a more measured holiday for couples, while Princess Andriana Resort & Spa in Kiotari is considered by those who want a modern beach format in the southern part of the island. Before booking, it is worth clarifying the type of beach, sea entry, and food format, as even within one area they can differ.

For a trip closer to Lindos, tourists often pay attention to Lindos Blu Luxury Hotel & Suites. This option is usually interesting for couples and those who want to live near one of the most beautiful areas of Rhodes. If the priority is a family vacation with frequent beach days, it's better to compare hotels not only by star rating but also by specific bay location and coastal character.

Excursions in Rhodes

The most popular excursion in Rhodes is a trip to Lindos with a visit to the acropolis and free time in the town. This is a convenient format for half a day or a full day, suitable even for those who do not like exhausting routes. If you want to combine history and swimming, Lindos often becomes the best choice.

Sea excursions play an important role in a Rhodes vacation. Often, trips are chosen along the eastern coast with stops for swimming in bays, as well as trips to the island of Symi, known for its vibrant harbor and more relaxed pace. These outings are particularly suitable for those who want to see another side of the Dodecanese without complex logistics.

Among natural routes, the Valley of the Butterflies and Cape Prasonisi are popular. Prasonisi is more interesting to active tourists, photographers, and those who want to see the unusual landscape of the meeting of sea waters and watch surfers. To get acquainted with antiquity, consider Kamiros, and for lovers of panoramas and rural landscapes, excursions to the interior areas of the island with small villages and monasteries are recommended.

Entertainment in Rhodes

Beach vacations in Rhodes heavily depend on the region. For calmer swimming, the bays of Kalithea, beaches near Lindos, and Kolymbia are often chosen, while for a more active day by the sea, Faliraki, with its concentrated beach infrastructure and water entertainment, is popular. In the west, in Ixia and Ialysos, those who enjoy wind, waves, and the chance to try surfing are more frequent.

For evening strolls, the most interesting is the city of Rhodes. Here, you can walk along the Mandraki harbor, sit in a cafe in the New Town, or go to the Old Town, where the mood in the evening is completely different than during the day. Faliraki is more suitable for more active nightlife, bars, and resort dynamics.

Families with children often enjoy the combination of the beach, walks, and easy outings without long transfers. In the Faliraki area, the well-known water park is usually included in the program for at least one day. For more peaceful leisure, walks in Kalithea, trips to Lindos, or sea excursions with swimming in bays are suitable.

For active tourists, Rhodes offers snorkeling in clear bays, sea excursions, surfing on the west of the island, and combined car routes. If silence is important, it's better to stay further from the busiest zones of Faliraki and Rhodes town. If you need a vacation with movement, walks, and evening life, these areas are often the most convenient.

Tours to Rhodes

Tours to Rhodes should be selected not only by budget but primarily by region and type of coastline. For a first trip, Faliraki, Rhodes town, or Kolymbia are often convenient: here it is easier to combine beaches, excursions, transport, and evening entertainment. For a romantic vacation, Lindos and quieter hotels on the eastern shore are more often considered, while for active sea and surfing — Ixia, Ialysos, or trips to Prasonisi.

Family tours to Rhodes are usually booked with a priority on convenient sea entry, a short transfer, and a hotel with a well-thought-out territory. If walks, shopping, and attractions nearby are important, it's better to look at city or capital-adjacent hotels. If a more serene hotel vacation is needed, choose the eastern coast and carefully check if the specific beach suits your vacation format.

In Farvater Travel, it is convenient to compare tours to Rhodes by season, duration, meals, and hotel location. For a summer trip, it is especially important to pay attention to the region, beach proximity, and coast character, and for spring and autumn — to how rich an excursion program you want. If you determine in advance whether you need bays for calm seas, city walks, surfing, or family beach vacations, booking a tour to Rhodes will be much more accurate and successful.