Rhodes Tourism And Travel Guide

Rhodes is a Greek island towards the south-east of the mainland and it is part of the Dodecanese group of islands. It is closer to the Turkish coast and can easily be accessed from both countries directly by the sea. While the local population is just over a lakh, it is filled with tourists all year round - with the summer months being the busiest. Tourism in Rhodes is on an all-time high as it is not only easily accessible (especially from other European countries) but also has plenty to offer. Read this travel guide to Rhodes to know more about this historic and culturally rich island.

By Air:

The best way to travel to Rhodes without losing much time in travelling is by flight. You will get plenty of flight options from Greek cities like Thessaloniki and Athens and also from other Greek islands like Corfu, Crete or Santorini.

By Sea:

Ferries from Pireaus Port in Athens are an exciting way to reach Rhodes, though the journey can take anywhere between 13 to 20 hours. You can also reach Rhodes by boat from Marmaris in Turkey which is closer - only a one hour journey.

Getting Around:

Rhodes is a large island. While you can walk around the medieval old town of Rhodes, the rest of the island has to be explored either by car, bus or bikes. You can rent your own vehicle, or use public bus transport systems which are also quite convenient. There are also hop-on-hop-off buses, especially for tourists.

Spring (March to May):

Spring is a lovely time to visit Rhodes. The crowds are slightly lesser than the summer months and the temperature is between 17°C to 23°C, cold in March but warm by May. The sound and light show at the Castle starts from April onwards and lasts up to October and on the last Sunday of May each year, there is a flower floats parade at Madraki.

Summer (June to August):

High tourist season, but also a great time for a beach holiday. The temperature averages 32°C so make sure you carry enough of sunscreen. You can enjoy a lot of beach activities and beach parties. Some of the festivals to look out for in the season are the Medieval Rose Festival and The International Film Festival (also known as Rhodes Ecofilms).

Autumn (September to November):

Autumn has one of the best weathers of the season. September is still warm while November is pleasant. Crowds are much lesser and accommodation is cheaper. Temperature goes from 29°C in September to 21°C in November. You will still get enough sunshine with a few days of rain. A lot of local festivals take place in September with a lot of dancing and outdoor performances.

Winter (December to February):

Though beach activities might not be too pleasant during the winters, you can still enjoy a lot of other things. Rhodes is full of historical, mystical and adventurous spots. The average temperature is around 15°C, making it the best time to do physical activities like biking and hiking. You can expect 8-10 days of rain every month during the winter.

Old Town Segway Tour:

The old town part of the island is one of the most visited and picturesque places in Rhodes. You can make your time there more unique by exploring it on a segway. There are many operators that give you 1-hour guided tours and take you to places like Site of where the Colossus stood, Grand Master Palace, Mandraki harbour, Street of the Knights, Ippokratous Square and more.

Thermal Springs:

This is a beautiful hidden gem where you can spend the day relaxing like at the spa! The therapeutic waters of Kallithea have been known since ancient times, but the complex was built only in 1928 by the Venetians. The temperature of the springs is 19°C and the surrounding sceneries are also quite lovely.

Water sports:

Most of the beaches offer a wide variety of watersports including Jet Ski, Parasailing, Paddle Board, Diving and Snorkeling. For windsurfing and kiteboarding, a popular beach is Prasonisi as it has a unique location of being at the top of the island and having waters from both the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. 

Boat Trips:

There are a few virgin-islands near Rhodes and you can do full-day boat excursions and island hopping. The islands of Symi and Halki-Chalki are popular destinations for a day visit. Symi has a little Venetian village on the island while Halki is completely uninhabited. You may also get to spot a few dolphins while travelling to the islands.

Like all tourist destinations, there are plenty of shopping areas in Rhodes too. The most popular items that are bought in Rhodes are Jewellery, Carpets, Textiles etc. You can find many shops that cater to these products in the narrow streets of Old Town. If you are looking for traditional jewellery, La Magia located in Socratous street is a fair place. You can also find some interesting antique silver jewellery shops in the town of Lindos.

If carpets and tapestry catch your fancy, check out Peridis in Old Town. Most of the goods are made in Turkey. For clothing, walk into Rodoscope or Eclectia in Old Town for some stunning designer wear pieces. For some quirky souvenirs, stop by the Why Greek Me store or OhDeer.Me in Old Town. You can also check out a shop called Olive Corner for some unique souvenirs made out of Olive Wood.

And don't forget to pick up some traditional greek sweets and local produce like melekouni (sweet), olive oil, herbs, liquors etc which you may even find at the local grocery store.

When in Greece, eat like the Greeks! Mouth-watering food served with love to fill your heart's is a Greek speciality. Some of the popular Greek dishes that you must try are Souvlaki, Moussaka, Choriatiki and of course the Greek Salad. Being an island, seafood is definitely to be had if you like it. Some interesting dishes are Soupiorizo (squid), Garidaki Simiako (shrimp), Bacaliaros Skordalia (cod), Chtapodi Xithato (octopus), Mydia me Tomata Kai Skordo (mussels).

Vegetarians, you can try out dishes like Giaprakia (can also be made with meat), Avranies, Meliasti, Fasolakia Barbunia, Gemista (can also be made with meat) and Pitaroudia. Some top restaurants in Old Town are To Marouli, Tamam, Avocado, Hermes Greek Grill House, Mezzaluna, Alter Ego Summer. Other popular restaurants located around the island are - Mageirotechneio Paraga, Ostria, Artemida Taverna, Da Romeo and Taverna Perama.