Everyone visits Rhodes Old Town. And they should — it's the best-preserved medieval walled city in Europe, UNESCO-listed, and genuinely extraordinary. The Street of the Knights, the Palace of the Grand Master (8 EUR), the maze of cobblestone lanes. Give it a full day. It deserves it.
But then do the rest of the island. Because Rhodes is a lot more than 700-year-old walls.
The most spectacular ancient site on the island — a 4th-century BC acropolis perched 116 meters above a whitewashed village with two turquoise bays below. The Temple of Athena Lindia sits within a Crusader castle. Entry: 12 EUR. Open 8AM-7:40PM in summer.
The critical detail: this climb is steep, fully exposed, and there's zero shade. In July-August, the rock surface radiates heat. Go before 9AM or after 5PM. Bring a full water bottle and a hat.
Donkey rides up cost about 7 EUR. The view from the top — down over the whitewashed village to the harbor and St. Paul's Bay — is one of Greece's finest panoramas. The staircase carved into the rock face has a relief of an ancient warship that most people walk right past.
One of Rhodes' finest beaches — a long golden sand strip with shallow turquoise water that's ideal for families. Sunbed and umbrella: about 8-10 EUR. Tavernas and water sports available.
Located on the east coast, 26 km from Rhodes Town. Less windy than west coast beaches because the prevailing winds come from the northwest. The Tsambika Monastery perched 300 meters above offers panoramic views (steep climb, 350 steps, free entry).
Petaloudes — a nature reserve 25 km from Rhodes Town where millions of Jersey tiger moths gather on Oriental sweetgum trees from June to September. The shaded valley walk along wooden bridges and streams takes about an hour. Entry: 5 EUR in summer, 2 EUR off-season.
Important: do NOT clap or make noise to startle the moths into flying. It's harmful and prohibited. Signs are everywhere. Please read them.
A genuinely unique spot at Rhodes' southern tip — a sand isthmus connecting to a small island, with the Aegean on one side (waves) and the Mediterranean on the other (flat water). One of Europe's top windsurfing and kitesurfing destinations.
Equipment rental: 50-70 EUR/day. Lessons from about 80 EUR. The consistent wind makes it excellent for all levels — beginners on the flat side, experts on the wave side. It's 90 km from Rhodes Town, so rent a car.
A tiny Dodecanese island famous for its multicolored neoclassical houses climbing a hillside around a horseshoe harbor. Boats depart Rhodes at 9AM and return at 6PM (from about 15 EUR round trip). It's one of the most photogenic harbors in all of Greece.
Walk up to the upper town (Horio) past abandoned mansions and the medieval castle for views over the harbor. Eat fresh shrimp at a waterfront taverna — Symi's shrimp is famous. Allow the full day.
A natural spring area with a narrow 186-meter tunnel you can walk through — in complete darkness, ankle-deep in cold water. It's not for claustrophobes, but it's genuinely exciting and completely free.
The springs feed a small lake surrounded by pine and plane trees. Peacocks wander the grounds. There's a taverna. It's about 30 km from Rhodes Town, on the road to Lindos. An excellent stop on a driving day.
Rhodes has been producing wine since ancient times — the island even had a wine-quality classification system in the 4th century BC (probably the world's first appellation system). Modern producers like CAIR and Emery offer tastings near the airport area.
Athiri is the island's signature white grape — light, crisp, and perfect with seafood. Mandilaria is the red. Tastings usually run 8-15 EUR for 4-5 wines. Small production, rarely exported, so drink them while you're here.
Most tourists walk inside the Old Town walls. But the dry moat around the outside is a landscaped park where locals walk dogs, kids play football, and deer graze under palm trees. Free. Quiet. Photogenic in a way that doesn't appear on any "top 10 Rhodes" list.
Enter near the D'Amboise Gate and walk the full circuit — about 4 km. The scale of the medieval fortifications is more impressive from outside than inside.
Marmaris is just a 50-minute catamaran ride from Rhodes (round trip: 45-55 EUR). Daily departures in summer from the commercial harbor. Most nationalities can get a Turkish e-visa online ($50 USD) before departure.
The contrast between a Greek island and a Turkish coastal city in 50 minutes is genuinely jarring and fascinating. The Grand Bazaar in Marmaris has completely different energy from anything in Rhodes. It's a separate country, so Schengen day limits don't apply.
The east coast gets the morning light and calm water. The west coast gets the sunsets and the wind. Ialyssos and Ixia beaches on the northwest coast face the sunset directly — the sky turns gold over the Turkish mountains across the channel.
The wind is stronger here (great for windsurfing, less great for beach lounging), but the sunset views are worth the breezy conditions. A cocktail at a beach bar on the western shore as the sun drops — that's a proper Rhodes evening.
Rhodes rewards exploration beyond the walls. Rent a car, pick a direction, and drive. The island is only 80 km long. For the full medieval Old Town experience, read our insider interview with a Rhodes local — you can't get too lost.
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Travel Guides
