From whimsical whitewashed villages to take-me-back-in-time towns, Rhodes is all you could wish for and more. This glimmering Grecian isle is part of the Dodecanese archipelago, lapped by the Mediterranean and basking in the sunshine for more than 300 days a year. Blissful? We think so.
With so much to see and do, we had a job whittling it down to this shortlist, but here are just ten of the top things to do in Rhodes…
- Rhodes Old Town
- Lindos Acropolis
- Faliraki Waterpark
- Palace of the Grand Master
- Tsambika Beach
- Monolithos Castle
- Antony Quinn Bay
- Archaeological Museum
- Petaloudes
- Farma of Rhodes
1. Rhodes Old Town
Encapsulated within grand castle walls, Rhodes Old Town is an absolute must-visit during your time on the island. There are a few different ways of entering the Old Town and one of them is from the harbour. Wind your way along the labyrinth of ancient streets to reveal pocket-sized boutiques, tucked-away restaurants and pristinely-preserved landmarks, as well as cats snoozing in the midday sun! Trust us, they’re everywhere!
The Street of the Knights is one of the most well-known throughways, with its arched doorways and quaint cobbles – you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time! Around 6,000 people still call this Old Town home, in fact, it holds the crown as Europe’s oldest inhabited Medieval town!
2. Lindos Acropolis
Lindos is legendary in more ways than one. First of all, it’s stunning. The wonderful whitewashed buildings look like a cluster of sugar cubes nestled into the hillside, while the web of streets lead you to delights on every corner. Crowds flock here in their thousands to admire this magnificent medieval village. Secondly, it’s actually the stuff of legends thanks to its incredible hilltop Acropolis. This ancient complex includes a 20-columned Hellenistic stoa and a temple too. The walk up to the entrance is seriously steep, so make sure you’ve got plenty of water at the ready!
3. Faliraki Waterpark
Covering a staggering 100 square metres, this waterpark is not to be missed! There’s an amazing line-up of attractions and spectacular slides, including Crazy Cones, the Black Hole, the Lazy River and the Twister, plus there are plenty of places to grab a snack, relax and enjoy the glorious Grecian sun. You can buy one, two or three-day tickets online, with individual day tickets costing up to €27 for adults. And in high season it’s open daily between 9:30am-7:00pm.
4. Palace of the Grand Master
When we say ‘palace’, we really do mean palace! This dazzling 14th century building will fill you with awe with its archaeological exhibitions, turreted towers and giant courtyard. Once upon a time it was a fortress with 158-rooms that defended the city from the enemy, but today there are still an amazing selection open to the public. From the exquisite ballroom to the Grand Reception Hall, you’ll feel like royalty as you wander from one remarkable room to the next. Look out for statues, sculptures and intricacy in the architecture, as well as magnificent mosaic floors. History buffs, don’t miss this.
5. Tsambika Beach
This beach is renowned for its fine golden sand and miraculous scenery. It can be reached from the main road that stretches along the east coast of the island and links Lindos to Rhodes Town. Around 15km south of Faliraki, Tsambika Beach is off a tavern-lined trail. The beautiful stretch of sand will wow you with its blue and white parasols, paradise-worthy sand and dramatic mountainous backdrop.
6. Monolithos Castle
It’s a matter of two attractions in one at Monolithos Castle. On the one hand you have the castle itself. Perched atop a 300ft rock and dating all the way back to 1480, this spectacular historic haven offers incredible views across the sea and neighbouring islets. Today what remains are remarkable ruins, but it’s a steep and bumpy walk up there – so tread carefully! On the other hand, you have Monolithos village with its whitewashed buildings and flower-speckled courtyards.
7. Antony Quinn Bay
Just five-minutes’ drive from the bustling resort of Faliraki is gorgeous Antony Quinn Bay. The beach earnt its name back in 1961 when The Guns of Navarone was partly filmed here and starred Anthony Quinn himself who played the role of a spy under the name Colonel Andrea Stavrou. Visit this beach and you’ll be wowed by the turquoise waters and pebbly sands.
8. Archaeological Museum
Inside the knights’ former hospital you’ll find the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes. A dream-come-true for any history lover, this intriguing site is home to sculptures, mosaics, tombstones and ancient pottery to name but a few artefacts. Plus it’s within the medieval Old Town which really sets the scene.
9. Petaloudes
Also known as the Valley of the Butterflies, Petaloudes is a wonderful woodland nature trail. In every direction you look, millions upon millions of butterflies, specifically tiger moths, flutter by, while others take a nap on the branches and rocks that surround. The area is the only natural forest of Oriental Sweetgum trees in Europe and the butterflies can’t seem to resist swinging on by – especially during summer when the spectacle is most impressive!
10. Farma of Rhodes Petting Zoo
Calling all animal fans… say hello to Rhodes’ petting zoo! Raccoons, llamas, kangaroos and camels are just a handful of the weird and wonderful creatures you can expect to see here at this exciting attraction. You can buy tickets online and grab an adult ticket for €12.00! Winner!
Posted: 31st Oct 2023. Updated: 9th May 2023.