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The island of Rhodes

It is Greece’s fifth largest island, with plenty of culture and a rich history. The summers are warm, winters pleasant: in February it can be above 20 degrees Celsius. The island has dozens of beautiful beaches. The seawater is of a blue like you’ve never seen before. The landscapes are impressive. The villages and towns very diverse, from charming to touristy busy.

That’s what you read on websites and brochures about Rhodes …

But what is Rhodes really like? What will you find there that you won’t find anywhere else? What makes this island the one you long for when you get on the plane back to the Netherlands? We’ll take you on a short tour.

The History

The island was once Turkish. Hence the mosques, bathhouses and Turkish libraries in the towns. It was also once Italian. Hence the many casas outside the city centres. But, of course, it has belonged to Greece for a long time now. You see that. You taste that. In everything.

What stands out – as far as we are concerned – is the medieval character of the various towns; and especially of Rhodes’ fortified city centre. When you walk through it, you imagine yourself back in the days of the knights. With old buildings with thick walls, ancient trees and cobbled streets with arcades.

But history goes back even further.

Do you know the Colossus of Rhodes? One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World was built in the harbour of Rhodes around 300 BC: a 33-metre-high bronze statue of the Greek sun god Helios. That statue was destroyed by an earthquake and the fragments were sold in later centuries, so nothing remains of it, but it does show that Rhodes was an important island, both economically and culturally, for so long. And, in fact, it still is.

The People

The people of Rhodes are down-to-earth, proud, ambitious and extremely hospitable. They are more than happy to let you experience what the island stands for. Don't be surprised if, after meeting the contractor, you are invited to his home to meet his family. They want Rhodes to become for you what it is for them: their home. They want you, too, to become proud of the island and propagate that pride.

And if they ask you to stay for dinner, do it! Regardless of your schedule that day. Because there's nothing quite like the traditional dishes of Rhodes. Like a homemade sheep's milk yoghurt, topped off with honey and nuts. Really, you must have tasted that one!

Places to visit in Rhodes

Now we arrive at the trickiest part of this page. Because Rhodes is a continuous chain of sights. It is an island that you think you know after a few visits, but which then surprises you again. Which then again offers you spots, encounters or views that you had totally not expected there and at that moment.

Therefore, we won’t give you a complete list of sights. Nor can we, because the overview will never be complete. But there are some must-sees we don’t want to keep from you.

We already mentioned Rhodes town. A beautiful city, where you dive into history above and below ground. A melting pot. A library in itself. A city full of stories. And with a fantastic nightlife. But also: a busy city. Rhodes town attracts lots of tourists, especially in July and August, many of whom stay in Rhodes town.

'But Rhodes is much more than the city of Rhodes.'

On the west coast, for example, you will find Kamiros: the ancient Rome of Rhodes. With remnants of the acropolis, among others. Yes, they are ‘only’ remnants, but walking through them, you´ll understand where that pride of the people of Rhodes comes from: this is an island that mattered for centuries, for over two thousand years even.

Nearby is Butterfly Valley, where you can walk around for hours in peace and observe beautiful butterflies (and other animals). This is the moment you realise: okay, this is also Rhodes. The tranquillity. The space. And this continues when you drive onwards: ancient monasteries, chapels, dead quiet villages where you’ll only find a grandma sitting in front of the house, fantastic views, vast valleys and romantic bays with sandy beaches surrounded by high rocks, like Tsambika Beach.

Haven't relaxed enough yet?

Then we recommend spa resort Kallithea Springs. Built by the Italians, you can tell. The white temple with arches, the path with colossi next to it, the palm trees. Early last century, the people of Rhodes completely renovated the site and added a beach. You’ll get the ultimate Mediterranean feel here.

Today, the white temple with fountain in the middle is a highly sought-after wedding venue. The beach is also much visited. The beautiful bay with crystal clear blue water is lined with a few fine beach clubs, where you can spend the whole day relaxing.

All right, just one more...

An absolute must: visit the town of Lindós. It is considered one of the bigger attractions on the island. With its dazzling white houses, its narrow streets that all lead to the village square where an old tree marks the centre of the village, with donkeys as taxis, with the ruins of an acropolis on the higher hill and with a view of the sea that Photoshop can’t beat.

Lindós is two thousand years of history and culture summed up in one village. As a result, and the only pity about it, it is actually too crowded in the summer months. But you are lucky, because soon you’ll have a house in Rhodes right? Which means you can go there whenever you want. And you should do so, because even the most lousy photographer shoots great pictures here.

FAQ

Rhodes combines holiday fun with smart investment opportunities. An ideal combination, right? The island boasts beautiful beaches and bays, a rich history, delicious food, and activities for everyone. This is why Rhodes is becoming increasingly popular among tourists. Demand for luxury vacation homes is growing, and real estate prices are still affordable, offering potential returns.

The best time to travel naturally depends on your preferences. In spring (April-June), temperatures range from 22-28°C. Nature is in bloom, and the weather is wonderful for visiting all the sights. The summer months of July and August are the hottest (often at least 30°C). If you love sun and beaches, these months are ideal. They are also the busiest. Autumn, September and October, are also wonderful to visit Rhodes, with temperatures between 22-30°C. The sea is still warm because it has warmed up all summer.

Absolutely! There are child-friendly beaches (shallow and sandy), water parks, a zoo where you can pet and feed many animals, an aquarium, and fun boat trips.

Rhodes boasts a wide variety of beaches, from large to small, and from pebbles to sandy. Quieter, beautiful bays include Anthony Quinn Bay and Kallithea Springs. Prasonisi Beach is a beautiful peninsula and is famous among windsurfers and kitesurfers. Tsambika and Elli Beach are lively, popular beaches with watersports and beach clubs.

That depends on your plans. For anyone who wants to explore the island and visit the most beautiful beaches and villages, we recommend renting a car. Rhodes is a relatively large island, and not everything is accessible by public transport.

In Rhodes, you’ll find the most delicious dishes made with fresh local ingredients. Pitaroudia (savory, made with chickpeas) and melekouni (sweet, made with sesame and honey) are authentic Rhodesian specialties. Fresh fish and fish dishes are also highly recommended, as many taverns serve what’s caught that same day. Super fresh!

Rhodes has beach clubs scattered throughout the island. Elli, Baia, Nor, Ronda, and Santa Marina are in Rhodes Town. In Afandou, you’ll find Ammades and Mea Terra. Near the beautiful whitewashed town of Lindos (also highly recommended), in St. Paul’s Bay, you’ll find Tambakio. Kounna is located in Anthony Quinn Bay (crystal-clear water), and don’t forget Naya in Faliraki.

You can, of course, make it as expensive as you like, but generally speaking, Rhodes is cheaper than the Netherlands. At a local taverna, you’ll often pay less than €20 for dinner. Grocery shopping and local transportation are also cheaper. Well-known beach clubs can be pricey, but even there, prices are often lower than comparable places in the Netherlands.