Things to do in Rhodes
And where to stay, the best time to visit, what a day costs, and the traps to skip.
Best time to visit Rhodes
• a note or something on ✦ an occasion worth the trip
Best weather, warm sea, full services open and crowds below the August peak.
Peak season, hottest and priciest, Meltemi most reliable and every trap at full strength.
Shoulder spring with wildflowers, best hiking and Orthodox Easter processions.
Winter quiet and local, most resorts and boat excursions close, a city and walking trip.
What's on
- Medieval Rose Festival Usually October
Parades, sword fighting, re-enactments and workshops through the Old Town squares.
- Greek Orthodox Easter spring, date varies
Processions in Rhodes Town and Lindos, with Lindos Epitaphios the standout.
- Rhodes Summer Festival mid-June to August
Open air concerts, theatre and exhibitions in historic venues across the season.
- Biennale of Contemporary Keramics 6 June-31 October 2026
Mediterranean ceramics exhibition across Rhodes venues in 2026.
- Assumption (Dormition) 15 August
Biggest religious feast with village panigiria, also the busiest and most expensive weekend.
Best things to do in Rhodes
Medieval City of Rhodes
Walled medieval town that is still lived in, with the Palace of the Grand Master as its set piece.
Acropolis of Lindos
Temple of Athena inside a Knights castle above a whitewashed village and two bays, with huge views.
Anthony Quinn Bay
Pine fringed emerald cove with the clearest snorkelling water on the developed east coast.
Kallithea Springs
Restored 1929 thermal springs with domes and mosaics, plus clear coves for a swim and coffee.
Street of the Knights
One of Europe best preserved medieval streets, lined with the Inns of the Knights Langues.
Tsambika Beach
Long wide arc of soft golden sand and shallow turquoise water, the default family beach.
Valley of the Butterflies
Shaded sweetgum gorge where Jersey tiger moths cluster in summer, a cool contrast to beaches.
Seven Springs
Pine valley of seven springs and a lake, reached by wading a dark 186 metre tunnel.
Where to stay in Rhodes
Rhodes Old Town
first trip, all-round base
Maximum atmosphere and best restaurants on foot, with ferries and buses at the gate.
Rhodes New Town
no-car and beach compromise
Regular hotels by Elli Beach, ten to fifteen minutes walk into the Old Town, far more practical.
Lindos
couples, most beautiful base
Whitewashed car free village under the Acropolis with two bays, romantic once day trippers leave.
Kallithea and Faliraki
resort beach base
Largest choice of beachfront hotels and pools, water park nearby and town a short bus ride away.
Kolymbia, Kiotari and Gennadi
quiet family all-inclusive
Relaxed resort belt handy for Tsambika and Seven Springs, with Lindos as the main excursion.
Pefkos, Stegna and Haraki
returners, quiet east coast
Small fishing village bases and a taverna strip in Pefkos, with Lindos access at lower prices.
Think twice about
- Faliraki Bar Street core
Concentrated late night drinking strip with noise until dawn, a poor sleeping base for families and couples.
- Industrial and port district south of Rhodes Town
No tourist infrastructure, no charm and nothing to walk to, despite listings labelled Rhodes Town.
- Afandou village centre
Inland from its long beach, so bookings can leave you a hot walk from the sea with little evening life.
- Archangelos
Authentic working town but limited accommodation and transport, better as a visit than a holiday base.
Best restaurants in Rhodes
Marco Polo Restaurant
Garden fine dining in a mansion courtyard, the consensus special occasion dinner in Rhodes Town.
Noble Gourmet Restaurant
Formal tasting menu on the Elysium top floor with sea views, the anniversary dinner pick.
Melenos Lindos Restaurant
Rooftop destination dining under the Acropolis, contemporary Greek plates on a jasmine terrace.
Ta Marasia
Traditional Dodecanese cooking in a 100 year old house, with daily mezedes led by the owner.
To Steno
Unassuming family kitchen taverna with home style cooking and almost domestic hospitality.
Ta Petaladika
Rare Old Town taverna where locals are regulars, known for seafood mezedes and grilled octopus.
Mama Sofia
Family staple since 1967 near the Clock Tower, with moussaka, kleftiko and fair district prices.
Tamam
Small creative Greek Mediterranean kitchen with seasonal menus and a strong vegetarian range.
Outdoor things to do in Rhodes
Symi Island
Neoclassical harbour houses in ochre and blue, Panormitis Monastery and tiny sweet Symi shrimp.
East-coast swim and snorkel cruise
Swim and snorkel cruise through pine coves, sea caves and clear water off the east coast.
Prasonisi
Sandy isthmus where two seas meet, with reliable Meltemi wind for kitesurf and windsurf.
Scuba diving in Kallithea and Lindos
Clear water try dives and qualified dives over rocky reefs, caves and swim throughs.
Mount Akramitis
Second highest peak on Rhodes with west coast views, one of three standout interior hikes.
Halki Island
Tiny near car free island of neoclassical houses and one quiet harbour, Symi at its sleepiest.
Jeep safari
Guided 4x4 day to Siana, Monolithos and Embonas for honey, castle views and wine country.
Embonas
Old wine village at the foot of Attavyros pouring Athiri whites and Mandilaria reds.
Best hotels in Rhodes
Lindos Blu Luxury Hotel & Suites
Adults only cliff hotel with private sandy beach and villas with private infinity pools.
Melenos Art Boutique Hotel
Twelve suite boutique hotel inside Lindos below the Acropolis, with a destination rooftop restaurant.
Mitsis Grand Hotel
Historic five star beachfront city hotel walkable to the Old Town, with pools and many restaurants.
Elysium Resort & Spa
Kallithea luxury resort home to Noble Gourmet, the strip fine dining fixture.
Lindos Mare
Blu Collection resort sibling to Lindos Blu on Vlycha Bay, in the Lindos luxury set.
Lindos Aqua Terra
Blu Collection property at Vlycha listed alongside Lindos Blu and Lindos Mare in the luxury tier.
Atrium Platinum
West coast luxury spa and convention option, best for sunsets and comfort near Rhodes Town.
Koukos Rhodian Guesthouse
Locally owned Old Town guesthouse with courtyard breakfasts and owners who actually advise you.
Is Rhodes expensive? What a day costs
| Budget | €45 a person |
|---|---|
| Classic | €80 a person |
| Splurge | €170 a person |
A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room
What to book ahead
- Medieval City of Rhodes: weeks ahead
- Acropolis of Lindos: a few days ahead
- Water Park Faliraki: a few days ahead
- Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes: a few days ahead
- Symi Island: a few days ahead
- East-coast swim and snorkel cruise: a few days ahead
- Scuba diving in Kallithea and Lindos: a few days ahead
- Halki Island: a few days ahead
- Marco Polo, Noble and Melenos need days to weeks ahead in season, Lindos luxury rooms months for August.
- Symi fast boats, top catamarans, August rental cars and peak Lindos and Palace entry sell out ahead.
Is Rhodes safe?
- Rhodes is safe including the Old Town at night, use normal city awareness around late bar areas.
- Watch offshore currents at isolated beaches and unfenced drops at ancient sites and castles.
- July and August heat exceeds 32 degrees with no shade on acropolises, start climbs at dawn.
Rhodes travel tips: tourist traps to skip
- Never order a drink in Hippocrates Square without a priced menu in hand and the size confirmed.
- Lindos at midday in the coach wave is the worst version of a great place, go at opening or late.
- Organised sunbed pairs have inflated sharply, public sand with your own umbrella is always legal.
Getting around Rhodes: public transport and more
- Rent a car for at least two to three days to reach spread out beaches, the west coast and Prasonisi.
- Buses are cheap and reliable on the Rhodes Town to Faliraki to Lindos east coast spine.
- Confirm taxi fares before long runs and use Mandraki boats for Symi, Halki and Lindos by sea.
Who Rhodes suits
| Solo travellers | Good |
|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Great |
| Couples | Great |
| Bachelor parties | Good |
| Families | Great |
| Bachelorette parties | Good |
Make Rhodes your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App Store