According to 800zipcodes, the island of Rhodes is part of the Dodecanese, an archipelago in southeastern Greece. Rhodes is the fourth largest Greek island and has been a major tourist destination for Europeans for decades. Thanks to the Mediterranean climate, Rhodes experiences long dry summers in which the sun shines exuberantly. The ideal beach weather ensures that the island of Rhodes is especially popular among sunbathers. Most tourists stay in the far north of Rhodes and on the east coast in seaside resorts such as Ixia, Trianda, Faliraki and in the capital Rhodes Town. The main attraction of Rhodes is the Colossus of Rhodes, a huge bronze statue of the sun god Helios. The 32-meter-high statue, one of the Seven Classical Wonders of the World, was destroyed by an earthquake between 227 and 224 BC.
Fortunately, there are plenty of sights on Rhodes that have not disappeared. If you want to go out for a day, you can choose from several fascinating places to discover. As far as we are concerned, the old town of Rhodes Town and the village of Lindos are the absolute highlights of Rhodes.
Top 10 Things to Do in Rhodes
#1. Rhodes Town Old Town
The old town of Rhodes Town is more than twenty-four hundred years old. Throughout history, Rhodes Town turned into a fortified town with large fortress walls that can still be admired today. The streets within the walls are nowadays an important tourist attraction with a large number of shops, terraces and restaurants. If you want to take a nice walk, you should definitely take the path around the fortress wall, where you can escape the hectic pace that often reigns in the city itself.
#2. Lindos
The town of Lindos, located on the east coast, is nicknamed ‘The White Town’, which it owes to the white houses in the village. Lindos is located on a beautiful bay, above the town is the ancient Acropolis of Lindos with the temple of Athena Lindia. This is the most beautiful temple that you can still admire in Rhodes today. Due to the high temperatures in summer, it is advisable to plan a visit to Lindos before noon. Most excursion providers already take this into account.
#3. Butterfly Valley
Petaloudes is a valley in the northwest of Rhodes more known as the Butterfly Valley. One butterfly species lives in large numbers in the valley: the C. Quadripunctaria Rhodosensi, a subspecies of the Spanish flag. This moth, which is also active during the day, keeps its summer rest in the butterfly valley to escape the heat. The chance to see the butterflies in large numbers is therefore greatest in the months of July and August. During the other months it is simply a beautiful valley, but the chance of seeing the butterflies is a lot smaller.
#4. Excavations at Kámiros
The archaeological excavations at Kámiros (Kameiros) are remnants of the once mighty city from the Hellenistic period. In the year 226 BC the city was almost completely destroyed by an earthquake, after which the city was rebuilt. The remains are of this second version of Kámiros, which was again almost completely razed to the ground in 142 AD.
#5. Seven sources
Epta Piges is a major tourist attraction on the island of Rhodes. Within the nature reserve there are seven springs that come together in a flowing stream and a lake. For enthusiasts there is a walk through a 186 meter long tunnel that is only 75 centimeters ‘wide’ and has a height of only 170 centimeters. Adult males cannot walk upright in the tunnel. If you are somewhat claustrophobic then you should avoid the walk through the tunnel. Then choose the easier overground route.
Moni Filerimou
The Filerimos Monastery stands on a hill that offers a beautiful view over the island of Rhodes. Besides the Monastery of Saint John, there are several antique buildings and ruins to admire. The monastery can be found immediately and south of Ialyssos (Trianda). If you drive to Moni Filerimou with your own transport, preferably earlier in the morning or at the end of the afternoon. That way you can avoid the buses with tourists a bit.
#7. Baths of Kallithea
In the 1920s, the Italians built the Baths of Kallithéa. This is a beautiful spa town, where medicinal properties have been attributed to the sulphurous spring water. The impressive location has served as a film set for films such as ‘Zorba the Greek’ and ‘The Guns of Navarone’. Today the Baths of Kallithea are no longer used as a spa but are open to the public. After you have paid the entrance fee, you can sunbathe, swim and snorkel on the accompanying beach.
#8. Tsambika
You reach the monastery of Tsambika after climbing more than three hundred steps. Especially when the weather is warm, this is quite a task. This is partly because there is little or no cooling wind blowing on the stairs. You will then be rewarded with one of the most beautiful views you can have on Rhodes. You overlook, among other things, the associated beach: Tsambika Beach. The hotel-free beach is a beautiful wide sandy beach and is considered one of the most beautiful beach in Rhodes.
#9. Mandraki harbour
The Mandraki Port in Rhodes Town has been an important port in Greece for centuries. In the past it was mainly warboats and fishing boats that determined the appearance here, nowadays you will find more and more pleasure boats in this atmospheric harbor. Characteristic of the Mandraki harbor are the three windmills that can be found on many postcards and in guidebooks about Rhodes. For skippers they are still the sign that they have arrived at the port of Rhodes.
#10. Archaeological Museum
In Rhodes Town you will find the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes a short distance from the Mandraki harbor mentioned above. Not only the collection of archaeological objects is worth seeing, the building in which the museum is located is at least as interesting. This medieval Hospital of the Knights of the Saints Saint John has a beautiful courtyard. The Archaeological Museum exhibits archaeological finds from all over Rhodes. By preserving them in a protected environment, these ancient archaeological treasures should be preserved for many generations to come.
