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Rhodes Island

Rhodes is a versatile holiday island that offers, in addition to the capital, smaller tourist destinations and numerous cozy villages.

Rhodes is full of beautiful, Blue Flag-certified sandy beaches, and for history enthusiasts, there are temples and city ruins dating back as far as 3,000 years. The island’s capital was founded over 2,000 years ago.

In addition to historical sights, Rhodes offers a wide selection of beaches perfect for a beach holiday, from pebble shores to fine sandy beaches, and from fully serviced beaches to nearly deserted ones.

turquoise sea in Rhodes Island
The turquoise sea is one of the best features of Rhodes.

Holiday Destinations on Rhodes Island

Rhodes Town

Rhodes Town is a historic city founded over 2,000 years ago, with the present-day Old Town constructed by the Knights in the 14th century. Today, it is a tourism-driven holiday destination surrounded by beaches, offering something for everyone.

You can find more information about the destination in the Rhodes Town guide.

Distance from the airport to Rhodes Town: 14 km.

Lindos

Lindos is a village of whitewashed houses located in the southeastern part of Rhodes Island. In addition to its charming village atmosphere, its highlights include the Acropolis Hill and some of the island’s best beaches.

Distance from the airport: 51 km.

Ialyssos and Ixia

Ialyssos, formerly known as Trianda, was one of the three ancient cities of Rhodes and is now the island's second-largest city. Nearby Ixia is part of Ialyssos and is a hotel area with high-quality hotels lined up side by side, directly behind a pebble beach.

Ixia Beach, Rhodes
On the left are the hotels of Ixia, while Ialyssos can be seen on the right.

Located in the northwestern part of Rhodes, Ialyssos and Ixia are on a windy side of the island, making the long stretch of pebble beach popular among windsurfers, with several equipment rental shops available.

Distance from the airport: 7 km.

Faliraki

Faliraki is a tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife. It also boasts one of the largest water parks in Europe.

You can find more information about the destination in the Faliraki guide.

Distance from the airport: 16 km.

Afandou and Archangelos

Afandou (or Afantou) and Archangelos are historic villages that aren’t as popular with tourists as the more well-known holiday spots in Rhodes, making them ideal for experiencing local life. Both are among the largest villages or towns on the island.

Afandou features the longest continuous beach on Rhodes, though it’s located a couple of kilometers from the village center. The beach has some services like sun loungers, but most of it is empty space.

Afandou beach
Afandou Beach is half sand and half pebbles.

Archangelos is a short drive from beaches; although Stegna Beach is only three kilometers away, the route is mostly a steep hill. One of the best beaches on Rhodes, Tsambika Beach, is about four kilometers from Archangelos. It is convenient to reach by taxi or rental car.

Distance from the airport is 22 km to Afandou and 33 km to Archangelos.

Kolymbia

Kolymbia is a small tourist destination ideal for a relaxing holiday, yet surprisingly diverse in its shopping options. The central area consists of a short stretch of Eucalyptus Street near the beach.

Kolymbia offers a comprehensive selection of 4-5 star hotels with spacious pool areas. The terrain is flat, making it easy to get around both within the village and to and from it.

The beaches are a mix of sand and pebbles. One of the best beaches on the island of Rhodes, Tsambika, is just a 10-minute drive from Kolymbia.

Square in Kolymbia
Kolymbia has a nice little town center.

Distance from the airport: 29 km.

Stegna

Stegna is a sleepy holiday destination located at the bottom of a long and winding downhill road. The heart of Stegna is its beach and the street just behind it. Stegna Beach is mostly sandy, with some large rocks in the water adding unique character to the landscape.

Stegna beach
Stegna beach

Distance from the airport: 35 km.

Pefkos

Pefkos (or Pefki) is a peaceful holiday destination located south of Lindos. This small village offers both sandy beaches and a wide selection of restaurants.

Pefkos beach
Pefkos Beach also has a narrower, sheltered section.

Distance from the airport: 56 km.

Things to do on Rhodes Island

The main attractions on Rhodes Island are primarily located either in the northern part of the island or along the eastern coast near the Rhodes-Lindos road, making it easy to explore them with a rental car.

Lindos Acropolis

The walled Lindos Acropolis sits on the highest hill in the village and is one of the top attractions in Rhodes. Within the walls, you’ll find the ruins of the Temple of Athena Lindia and a church, with breathtaking views of the sea, village, main beach, and St. Paul's Bay.

Lindos Acropolis

Cars are not allowed in Lindos village, so if you’re driving, you’ll need to park in one of the designated areas and either walk up (not as challenging as it may look) or take a donkey ride from Lindos Square near the tourist information center or from Pallas Beach. It’s recommended to buy tickets in advance to avoid potential queues.

For more details on Lindos Acropolis, check out the Lindos guide.

Valley of Butterflies

The Valley of Butterflies is a forested area with pleasant walking paths alongside a stream. During summer, humidity and the scent of the Oriental Sweetgum trees attract thousands of butterflies to the area for mating, giving the valley its name. The butterfly season runs roughly from mid-June to mid-September.

valley of butterflies

The area is divided into two levels, each with its own ticket office, though a single ticket grants access to both. The lower area is mainly a trail that leads to the upper level, which is more open. Thus, it is recommended to drive directly to the upper section.

Ticket prices and additional information: valleyofbutterflies.com

Seven Springs

Seven Springs features clear streams, forest trails, a dam, and a deep green artificial lake above it. There’s also a water-flowing tunnel that can be walked through.

It’s a pleasant and peaceful spot to visit if you’re in the area and it bears some resemblance to the Valley of the Butterflies or the Rodini Park in Rhodes Town. Located just 3 km from the Rhodes-Lindos road, it requires only a short detour.

Seven Springs lake
The artificial lake of Seven Springs and the exit of the tunnel.

Upon arrival, you’ll find the lake and dam to the east of the road. To the west, there’s a restaurant and the entrance to the tunnel, which passes under the road and ends at the lake. It’s best to walk through the tunnel barefoot or in water shoes, as cold spring water flows along the bottom.

The area is free of charge.

More information: 7springs.gr

Ancient Kamiros

Kamiros was one of the three ancient cities of Rhodes (the others being Lindos and Ialyssos). The ruins of Ancient Kamiros are well-preserved, allowing visitors to clearly identify the central square, various buildings and their rooms, making it an enjoyable site to explore instead of simple piles of stones.

ancient kamiros

Kamiros is located on the west side of Rhodes. There is an entrance fee (6 euros), and you can park right next to the site.

Water Park

The water park on Rhodes Island is one of the largest in Europe and is located behind the main beach of Faliraki, about 10 kilometers from Rhodes Town. It offers over 10 water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, as well as smaller slides and activities for younger children.

More information: water-park.gr

Best Beaches on Rhodes Island

Rhodes is a holiday island with beautiful beaches, many of which have been awarded Blue Flag certification. The water is always clear and often a striking turquoise-green color. The island’s beaches range from fine sandy beaches, mostly on the calmer eastern side, to pebble beaches on the windy western side.

Tsambika

Tsambika Beach on Rhodes Island

Tsambika Beach (or Tsampika) is a secluded beach at the bottom of a long descent and is one of the most popular beaches on Rhodes. Its wide stretch, fine sand, and shallow waters make it a great spot to visit.

Tsambika Beach

Behind the beach, there are restaurants and bars, and a nearby shop offers beach essentials like inflatable rafts and snorkeling gear.

The top photo is taken from a small church on the hill north of the beach. The road to the church is separate (600 m north) from the beach entrance. There are parking lots relatively high up, but there are still over 300 long steps to reach the top, making it a bit of a challenge in midsummer. From the summit, there are also stunning views beyond Tsambika.

Lindos

The main beach in Lindos is a sandy beach lined with several restaurants and offering water sports. For a road trip around Rhodes, Lindos is an excellent stop for the combination of a beautiful beach and great restaurants. You can also explore the charming village of Lindos and its acropolis hill.

Lindos Beach and Acropolis in Rhodes

To reach the main beach and adjacent Pallas Beach (visible on the left in the top photo), turn from the main road near the bus station in Lindos. Coming from the north, turn left before the large parking area.

More information about the beaches can be found in the Lindos guide.

St. Paul's Bay

St. Paul's Bay (or Agios Pavlos) is a lagoon-like, nearly enclosed bay in Lindos with two small beaches, sun loungers, and bars.

St Paul's Bay in Lindos

To reach the paid parking near St. Paul’s Bay, drive past the Lindos bus station and the large parking area if coming from the north, then turn down towards the bay after the parking area at the far end of the village.

Agathi

Agathi Beach, Rhodes Island
At Agathi Beach, you can wade out a long way.

The remote Agathi (or Agia Agathi) Beach is an excellent choice for those who appreciate shallow waters. The beach is located less than 3 km from the main road.

Glystra

Glystra beach, Rhodes Island

Located south of Lindos near the main road, Glystra Beach features a cozy, newly built restaurant, and the beach facilities are generally above average.

Traganou

Traganou beach

For those who prefer pebble beaches over sandy ones and enjoy a more spacious setting, Traganou is an ideal choice. Sun loungers are available, and there’s a taverna, but the area is open enough for those seeking a bit of privacy.

Prasonisi

At the very southern tip of Rhodes lies Prasonisi Island and its beach. The southern tip is extremely windy, making it a paradise for windsurfers and kitesurfers. Due to the strong winds, it’s not ideal for a typical beach day, although the right side of the beach in the photo has calmer waters and some sunbathers.

Prasonisi, Rhodes

During high tide, Prasonisi is separated from the rest of Rhodes, but it’s usually accessible by foot.

Prasonisi is quite remote, requiring about a 45-minute drive from Lindos, but it’s an interesting destination for its unique landscape compared to the sheltered beaches elsewhere on the island. Behind the beach, there are a few hotels, restaurants, and shops.

Faliraki

Faliraki’s long, sandy beach is also one of the top beaches on Rhodes. More details can be found in the Faliraki guide.

Exploring Rhodes by Rental Car

The majority of Rhodes’ destinations and attractions are located on the eastern side of the island, where the main Rhodes-Lindos road runs. Of the destinations, beaches, and sights listed on this page, only the Valley of Butterflies and Ancient Kamiros are located outside the eastern side or the bustling northern area of the island.

Road conditions vary, but the partially four-lane Rhodes-Lindos road is in good condition. In the island’s interior, there are scenic, winding narrow roads that are generally well-maintained, with a few minor exceptions.

Car rental agencies are found on nearly every corner, and rental cars are typically in good condition and affordable. It’s advisable to rent a small car, as many beach and attraction routes have very narrow roads at the end, and parking spaces, especially in mid-summer, are often full. Navigating a smaller car is much easier in these situations. In the villages, roads can also be quite narrow, requiring one driver to reverse if another car is coming in the opposite direction. A nimble car is certainly appreciated in these conditions.

Gas stations are quite plentiful and easy to use, as attendants at the stations handle refueling. Simply hand over an appropriate bill, and they will fill the tank accordingly.

Parking is free throughout the island, except in Rhodes Town and Lindos. Cars are not allowed to enter Lindos village, so paid parking areas are available in its surroundings and behind the beaches. Elsewhere, you can park wherever there’s space, as long as local traffic rules permit.

If your main goal is to explore the island, it’s wise to book accommodations along the Rhodes-Lindos road, providing easy access to the main route. Good options include Faliraki and Kolymbia. A recommended car rental company is J&D Rent a Car, based in Faliraki; they can also deliver the car to your accommodation, whether in Rhodes Town or at the airport.

Destinations, beaches and sights on the map

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