The 3rd largest of all the Greek islands, and officially the sunniest place in Europe with over 300 days of sun each year, it is easy to see why Rhodes is one of the most visited islands in Greece. But Rhodes is renowned for far more than its cloudless skies … There are clear blue seas, soft sand bays and olive grove hillsides … excellent shopping, romantic temple ruins and a fabulous Old Town – quaint, historical and bursting with atmosphere. The island is steeped in history, reflected in its magnificent old town in the City of Rhodes, which boasts a labyrinth of cobbled streets lined with boutiques, restaurants and traditional tavernas, all surrounded by the medieval walls of the old city, officially declared a world heritage site.
The island’s interior has dramatic views and wonderful mountain drives amid the forests which shade the hills, allowing for spectacular views of this true island of contrasts.
Lindos village, officially the warmest spot on the island, is an enchanting national landmark, due to a preservation order that ensures that the village remains traditional. It boasts narrow alleys & white washed buildings, and is completely vehicle free. High above the village sit the remains of the Lindos Acropolis, an Ancient monument which can be accessed by hailing a donkey! The views from the summit are well worth using this traditional method of transport. At night, the village lights up, and a handful of small tavernas and bars will ensure that your evenings can be as relaxed or as lively as you want them to be.
For sun and swim lovers, Rhodes boasts a huge number of beaches, 31 of them Blue Flag, which are generally sandy with some being made of fine shingle. They are often wide and perfectly kept and vary from being long and sweeping to being small ‘private’ coves.
Travel inland to experience sights of a different nature, including the Valley of Butterflies, where literally thousands of butterflies congregate during mating season in a valley near the village of Tholos. Kolymbia, a pretty village, takes its water from the natural springs hidden in a forested area at Seven Springs, where an oasis provides the perfect refuge from the heat. The tomb of Ptolemies at Rodini Park, is a must for history lovers and walkers, where the world’s earliest landscaped park lies in a green and shady bed of a stream, the perfect environment for wild peacocks, who live and roam freely here. The Marine Aquarium Museum in Rhodes town provides you with a close up view of the underwater world, while the remains of the Acropolis of Rhodes, the ancient cities of Ialysos and Kamiros will provide a fascinating insight into times of old.
There’s also a feast of bars, restaurants and tavernas for everything from your favourite international food to true Greek traditional and fine local cuisines. And there are clubs, disco’s and a casino for those who come alive at night … and golf, walks and water sports for dawn to dusk activity. With all this going for it, it’s no surprise that Rhodes has many repeat visitors who go back year after year.
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