Rhodes old town. Rhodes Island: Top Attractions
Despite the fact that interesting places are scattered throughout Rhodes, I without a shadow of a doubt give the palm among its attractions to the old part of the capital of the island. If the city as a whole has become for me a kind of quintessence of everything that is collected on this amazing island, then its old part definitely claims to be a precious stone in the golden ring, whose name is Rhodes.
The old town, photos of which can most often be found on the covers of guidebooks around the island, is a picturesque and in many ways unique place that has preserved the appearance and spirit of a real medieval port, where peoples, cultures and religions intersect. Since the city of Rhodes was founded back in 408 BC, today different eras intersect behind its walls - from antiquity to the 20th century.
And despite the fact that the old part of Rhodes is a real museum city, ordinary people still live in it: looking at their modest houses with unlocked doors and not fully drawn curtains, you think that they feel quite comfortable in the epicenter cultural life of the city.
For those who come to Rhodes as a guest, a visit to the Old Town is an opportunity to touch history and make many personal discoveries, since even with a detailed guide map, you can explore its streets, if not endlessly, then for a very long time.
How to get to the Old Town
To get to the Old Town, first of all, you should buy a ticket to the city of Rhodes, the cost of which, depending on where you are staying, ranges from 1.1 to 9 euros. The highest cost of tickets to the capital is from Cape Prasonisi, since you will have to travel across the entire island. Buses from large settlements depart to Rhodes approximately once an hour, and tickets can be bought either at special kiosks at the bus stop or simply from the driver - there is no difference in cost, but you can immediately buy a return ticket at the kiosks. To get to the Old Town, the easiest way is to go to the final stop, which is located in the area and is adjacent to the city walls.
If you are already staying in the capital, then you can easily get to the Old Town on your own two feet. To avoid going astray, take a map of the island's capital from the hotel, and if this is not provided, simply follow the signs “Old Town”. Entrance to the territory of the Old Town is free.
Before you go exploring Old Rhodes, I recommend that you go to the tourist information kiosk located on the northern wall and pick up another map, absolutely free, here - a detailed map on which each site of the Old Town is highlighted in a certain color depending on what era it belongs to. . And even if you prefer to determine the age of a building yourself, such a map will definitely help you not to get lost in the web of narrow streets, sometimes very winding.
There is another way to get to know the old part of Rhodes - expensive and exotic. Today, tourists have the opportunity to take an hour-long flight in a small plane over the island, and its route is designed in such a way as to make a turn just above the Old Town towards the end. To do this you will have to go to Diagoras airport. However, such a pleasure will cost 500 euros and is unlikely to replace a full visit to the historical part of Rhodes.
A little history
Before talking about the main monuments of the Old City, I think it is necessary to conduct a short historical educational program.
The city of Rhodes, as mentioned above, was founded by the ancient Greeks in 408 BC. At the same time, the city initially had a special significance, becoming the capital of the island and uniting the once independent poleis, Kamiros and Ialyssos.
Since the ancient Greeks mostly had stone temples, it is their remains today that remind us of the ancient past of the city of Rhodes. Unfortunately, no traces of the famous Colossus of Rhodes - one of the seven wonders of the world - have been preserved in the city, so we can only guess about its appearance.
After this, the island was successively under the rule of the Romans and the Byzantines who replaced them. In those days, the capital of the island was surrounded by powerful walls, some of which have survived to this day. During the Byzantine period the island was attacked repeatedly until it was finally captured by the Genoese in 1248 and the weak Byzantium was forced to accept the loss of Rhodes.
One of the most exciting moments in the island's history came in 1306, when the Genoese sold it to the Knights of the Order of St. John, also known as the Hospitallers. Over more than two centuries of stay on the island, the Johannites turned it into a real fortress, the core of which was the city of Rhodes. It was at this time that the city was surrounded by new powerful walls, making the capital of the island almost impregnable.
Of course, the Turkish Sultan was not at all happy with the fact that the base of Christian warrior monks - and the Hospitallers, like the Templars, had the status of a spiritual brotherhood at that time - was located in close proximity to his borders. This is largely why, at the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th centuries, the Ottoman Empire, which was at the peak of its power, threw all its strength into driving the knights off the island. This succeeded only on the second attempt, after a six-month siege, and even then as a result of betrayal. Prior to this, the fortress garrison, consisting of 7 thousand men-at-arms, successfully repelled the attacks of the 100 thousand strong Turkish army.
The knights, after being expelled from the island, soon settled in Malta, and the time of Turkish rule began in Rhodes. It is from this period that numerous mosques in the Old City date back to this period, some of which are still in operation. In addition, the Turks converted Christian churches into mosques - such examples can also be found in Rhodes.
The biggest loss to the Old Town during the Ottoman period was the destruction of the Palace of the Grand Masters, which occurred due to the explosion of a gunpowder magazine in 1856.
For 390 long years the island was under the rule of the Turks, until in 1912 the Italians drove the weakening Ottoman Empire out of Rhodes. It is to the latter that today's Rhodes owes much of the fact that seemingly lost monuments of previous eras literally rose from the ashes. In particular, in the 1930s, at the insistence of Benito Mussolini, the Palace of the Grand Masters was restored.
Only in 1948 the island again became part of Greece.
Walls of old Rhodes
The first place to get acquainted with the old part of Rhodes is the impressive city walls. Moreover, if the city is protected from the sea by one row of walls, then on the land border there are three rows at once. Today tourists can walk along the walls themselves and along the bottom of the moat between them. And even now, walking along the moat, you can find narrow dark passages in the walls through which it is easy to get into the city. Who knows, perhaps it was through them that scouts and saboteurs made forays when the Rhodes fortress was under siege.
Despite the fact that there are nine entrances to the Old Town, the ones that deserve special attention, first of all, are the Amboise Gate and the Sea Gate. The first are notable for the fact that directly behind them is a zahab or stone bag. There are similar elements in many fortresses and they were used as a trap: at the height of the siege, the outer gates suddenly opened, allowing part of the besiegers to get inside, where the inner gates stood in their way, at which time the outer entrance was closed again, and the trapped soldiers were methodically shot with bows.
The Sea Gate is perhaps the most beautiful of the entrances to Old Rhodes. The massive towers are made in the same manner as the Neapolitan fortress Castle Nuovo, as well as the city gate Torres De Cuart in Valencia, Spain. Above the entrance are depicted the Virgin and Child, the Apostle Peter, and the patron saint of the Hospitaller Order, St. John.
Monuments of antiquity
The oldest objects in the old part of Rhodes date back to the ancient Greek period of the island's history. Unfortunately, now they are in a deplorable state: even relatively well, so to speak, the preserved temple of Aphrodite is only a foundation and structural details scattered here and there.
Near St. Catherine's Gate, traces of ancient fortifications have been preserved, and not far from the Saint's Tower you can see the remains of a Roman shipyard.
Monuments of the Byzantine period
Unfortunately, they were preserved little better than the ancient Greek monuments, since, during the reign of Byzantium, which was weakening every year, Rhodes was repeatedly attacked and ruined. First of all, these are small Orthodox churches, many of which only ruins remain. Those that have survived to this day owe this, oddly enough, to the Turks, who converted Christian churches into mosques. In this sense, the Church of St. Spyridon, which has an Ottoman minaret, is noteworthy.
In addition, the remains of walls and several towers, located in the northeastern part of the Old Town, almost directly outside the walls of the knightly period, have survived to this day. An interesting fact: the Byzantine fortifications look more crude and simple than the fortifications of the period of the reign of the Hospitallers, evoking associations with films in the fantasy genre.
Monuments of the knightly period
In addition to the already mentioned city walls, which you are unlikely to miss, most of the knightly monuments are concentrated along Hippoton Street, also known as the Street of Knights.
At its western end is the former headquarters of the order - the Palace of the Grand Masters. The knights approached the construction of the building with all responsibility, since the palace is a real mini-fortress, within which they can continue to hold the defense if the enemy breaks through the city walls. Today the palace houses a museum, the exhibits of which date back to both the ancient past of the city and the island, and to the times of the Hospitallers.
At the eastern end of the street is the building of the order's hospital from the 14th century. The fact is that, in addition to participating in hostilities, the Knights of St. John built hospitals for pilgrims to the Holy Land and actively disseminated the achievements of Arab medicine among yesterday’s barbarians who inhabited Europe. 
Today the hospital building houses the Rhodes Archaeological Museum. The most significant exhibits are the statue of Aphrodite and the head of the island's patron god Helios. The entrance ticket for adults is 6 euros.
Monuments of the Ottoman period
Together with traces of the dominance of the knights, it is the architecture of the Ottomans that largely determines the appearance of the Old City. From behind the walls rise the minarets of mosques, the main and most beautiful of which is the Suleiman Mosque. Named in honor of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, under whom the Turks occupied Rhodes with great difficulty in 1522, it was built on the site of the Church of the Apostles destroyed by the Ottomans.
Tourists are able to look down on it from the nearby clock tower, also built during the period of the Ottoman Empire. Entrance to the observation deck costs 5 euros, which includes entry to the small museum as well as a free drink in the bar next to the tower.
Among other Turkish monuments, it is worth highlighting the impressive size of the Mustafa Mosque, which, due to the absence of a minaret, can easily be confused with a civilian building; the building of Turkish baths located next to it on Arionos Square; as well as the current Ibrahim Pasha Mosque.
However, the Ottoman heritage of old Rhodes is not limited to this - it’s just that if you set out to give a detailed description of each of the monuments, you will have to write a separate book.
Where to eat and relax
There are also restaurants in the Old Town. But I don’t think it’s advisable to have a full meal there. The thing is that a meal in the Old Town will cost 20-30 percent more than in any establishment located a couple of blocks from the historical part of Rhodes, that is, the average bill for two with alcohol will be 40-50 euros. At the same time, the serving size is the same at best. Let’s add here the slower service, because there are always plenty of people wanting to eat here, and the lack of traditional restaurant compliments like tzatziki sauce, local moonshine or just sliced watermelon, and we can conclude that it’s not worth satisfying your hunger in Old Rhodes unless absolutely necessary.
But if you want to drink a cocktail or smoke a hookah in the fresh air with a view of the Ottoman mosque or ancient ruins, then in Rhodes you can do this, perhaps, only in the Old Town. The cost of a cocktail in such bars ranges from 4-5 euros, a hookah - from 5-6 euros.
Where to buy souvenirs in the Old Town
After everything I saw, heard, touched and tasted, I, like many who visited the old part of Rhodes, had a desire to take away something as a souvenir. For this purpose, I went to Socrates Street, which runs parallel to Hippoton.
It is on it, as well as on the adjacent streets, that the bulk of the souvenir shops in the Old Town are located.
As for the souvenirs themselves, in addition to banal magnets, pens and key rings, the cost of which starts from 1 euro, you can bring home something more useful in a practical sense.
For example, these could be natural sponges, which are mined on the island of Symi, which, together with Rhodes, is part of the Dodecanese archipelago. The cost of a sponge starts from 10 euros.
In addition, one cannot help but mention the T-shirts, since the imagination of their creators went a little further than banal inscriptions in the spirit of “I love Greece.” In particular, one cannot fail to note the very high-quality and creative prints on the theme of crusading knights, as well as those inspired by the famous 2006 film “300”.
By the way, you can and should bargain in the shops of the Old Town. Of course, this is not a 100% guarantee of receiving a discount, but very often the seller is willing to give up 5 to 20 percent of the original price.
If we try to sum up our walk through the Old City, then for me personally it is a unique example of how different, sometimes hostile cultures, religions and eras coexist peacefully in one place. Here, fussy guides and curious tourists coexist peacefully with leisurely local residents, many of whom were born and raised within the walls of Old Rhodes. And although ancient cities have been preserved in different parts of Europe and the world, one can rightfully say that Rhodes is the only one.
The Island of Roses - Rhodes, like the whole of Greece, has gone through a lot over its centuries-old history.
The geographical position of Rhodes made it a tasty morsel for all Mediterranean countries. The island was located at the crossroads of maritime trade routes between Asia and Egypt.
Rhodes was conquered, it became free, then conquerors came again.
The main attractions of the island are located in its capital - the city of Rhodes.
This city is not only a concentration of unique architectural monuments, but also a wonderful resort, with beautiful hotels, beaches, numerous shops, salons, restaurants, taverns and nightclubs.
A holiday here is suitable for those who do not like monotony, silence and a relaxed holiday atmosphere. Life in the city is in full swing - a trip to the capital can be a real holiday, colorful and educational.
Weather
The climate of Rhodes is ideal for relaxation. The most comfortable months for travel are April – May and October – November. During these months, the daytime temperature is 20-24 degrees, and the water is still cold for mass swimming - 18-20 degrees.
The hottest months are from June to September. The air warms up to 28-30 degrees, and the water 22 degrees in June, 24-25 degrees in July - September.
But Rhodes did not get its name - “Island of the Sun” - by chance - there are 300 sunny days a year.
Rain falls mainly in the winter months: December, January and February.
Story
Almost one and a half thousand years BC, this beautiful fertile land, near the coast of Asia Minor, was owned by the Achaeans. Around 1100 BC they were supplanted by the Dorians, who created the Union of Six Cities.
From 164 BC Rhodes became an ally of the Roman Empire for a long time.
In 1309, after a long and stubborn resistance of the Rhodians, the knights of the Jerusalem Order of St. John, the so-called Ionites, took possession of the island for more than 200 years. These were people from all the Catholic countries of Europe who wanted to free Jerusalem from the infidels.
They helped pilgrims and dreamed of Christianizing the entire East. It is interesting that while dreaming about this, they oppressed the Orthodox Church in Rhodes.
Rhodes owes its medieval architectural appearance to the ionites.
In 1522, after a months-long siege, the well-defended city was captured by the Turks.
The Ionite knights fled to Malta and have since been called the Knights of Malta. The Order of Malta still exists today.
The Turks settled in Rhodes for almost four centuries. The important trading position of the island and the high standard of living of the inhabitants led to the fact that Turkish oppression on Rhodes was not very strong.
Skilled artisans and successful traders, the Rhodians had many privileges compared to other Greek colonies captured by the Turks.
In 1912, the Turks were replaced by Italians, who had a noticeable influence on the architecture of the island. They built such notable buildings as the Palace of Government, the National Theater and the Courthouse.
The Italians conducted many archaeological excavations and restored numerous ancient monuments.
On the island, Mussolini built a dacha, which he had never visited. Today it is completely abandoned and is not shown to tourists.
Only in 1948, after the German occupation, Rhodes again became part of.
How to get there
It operates on the island of Rhodes.
Charter flights during the holiday season fly from many cities in Russia, in particular from Moscow. The flight takes 3 hours 10 minutes.
Airplanes fly from Athens, Thessaloniki and many Greek islands all year round. takes only 50 minutes. In addition, there is a ferry from Athens to Rhodes.
An economy class ticket from Transaero to Rhodes there and back will cost 22,700 rubles. You can find tickets cheaper if you buy them in advance or from low-cost airlines.
The cost of a flight from Athens to Rhodes when purchasing a ticket in advance on the company's website is 24 euros. The closer the departure date, the more expensive the ticket.
The cost of a ticket purchased a few days before departure will range from 65 to 100 euros. The ticket price does not include the cost of baggage transportation. The cost of transporting luggage up to 23 kilograms is also paid online and costs 15 euros.
If you pay for luggage at check-in, it will cost more. The planes of Greek airlines that fly from Athens to Rhodes are quite old and the service is primitive. During the flight, you can only count on a very limited selection of drinks. But the flight is so short that all the inconveniences can be survived.
Rhodes is separated from Athens by about 500 kilometers. The ferry covers this distance from 10 to 16 hours. During the voyage he visits many islands, and this trip can be considered an excursion. Of course, if traveling by sea is enjoyable, and seasickness does not torment you. The sea is an unpredictable element.
The cost of a ferry ticket depends on the type of cabin chosen, and ranges from 20 to 170 euros. Discounts are provided to children from 4 to 10 years old (50 percent); in economy class cabins, children under 4 years old travel free of charge. Rhodes Airport is located 16 kilometers from the capital of the island.
There are several ways to get to the city of Rhodes:
- use taxi services. The trip to the city center will take about 20 minutes and will cost, depending on the class of car, about 2,000 rubles;
- The most economical transport is a bus, which runs every 15-30 minutes during the day. Travel time by bus is approximately 300 minutes. Ticket price 2.20 euros;
- If your vacation plans include traveling around the island, it is advisable to book a car rental in advance, it is more reliable and cheaper.
There is a special website that presents the coordinates of all companies providing car rental services. Website address: http://www.rhodes-airport.org. The cost of renting a car per day depends on the make of the month, and starts from 16.50 euros per day in May.
To arrange a rental, a driver's license with an English transcription is required. The driver must be at least 21 years old and not more than 70 years old. The cost of a liter of A95 gasoline costs 1.7 euros.
Some hotels provide airport transfer services. The availability of such a service can be found when booking a hotel room.
Where to stay
The city of Rhodes, as well as throughout the island, is full of hotels of different star categories. Many of them are located in the Old Town or very close to it. After spending half a day on the beach, the second half of the day can be spent leisurely walking around the Old Town, visiting shops and markets.
Rodos Park Suites & Spa 5*
This luxurious five-star hotel is set in beautiful gardens.
The rooms offer magnificent views of the Knight's Castle in the Old Town or the garden.
The hotel provides tourists with a full range of services typical of a high-star hotel:
- open pool;
- Spa;
- bio – sauna;
- Gym;
- fitness center;
- massage;
- Turkish bath;
- hydromassage baths;
- restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine;
- parking;
- car rental.
The Galaxy Roof hotel bar offers excellent cocktails and is popular among tourists and city residents.
Accommodation prices start from 12,886 rubles per night for a double room.
But the hotel’s impeccable service, Russian-speaking staff, beautiful interiors, spacious, comfortable rooms, live music in the evening, and a magnificent sandy beach not far from the hotel are worth the money.
The hotel has only 59 rooms.
Address: Rhodes city, 12, Riga Fereou Street.
Mediterranean 4*
The undoubted advantage of this four-star hotel is its location on one of the most famous sandy beaches of Rhodes.
Nearby is the Old Town and the Aquarium.
The hotel is large, has 241 rooms, but each of the rooms has an original interior and modern furniture. Despite the proximity to the sea, the hotel has an outdoor swimming pool with umbrellas and sun loungers.
Guests can enjoy:
- tennis courts;
- Beach volleyball;
- water sports on the beach.
Tourists note the excellent cuisine of the restaurant, which has a Russian menu, a buffet with a variety of snacks, and cocktails at the pool bar.
Prices for one night's stay in a double room start from 8,845 rubles.
From the roof there is a beautiful view of the sea, the port and the medieval city.
Address:: 35, Kos (Cos) Str, Rhodes 85100, Greece.
Rhodos Beach 3*
The Rhodos Beach Hotel is an excellent option for a three-star budget holiday.
The Aegean Sea can be seen from the windows of half of the rooms, the windows of the other half of the rooms overlook the garden.
The hotel is located on the first line, on Canari Beach. The city center and the Old Town are a 10-minute walk away. The distance to the port of Rhodes is 1 kilometer.
The hotel beach is sandy and pebble, with a gentle entrance to the sea.
The hotel has 2 outdoor swimming pools, one of which is for children. For sports lovers there are tennis courts, volleyball and basketball courts.
The minimum price for a double room per night is 6,022 rubles. In terms of price/quality ratio, this hotel is one of the best. It is no coincidence that the majority of tourists vacationing here are foreigners.
Address: 19, Akti Kanari Street 85100 RODOS, DODEKANISSOS, GREECE.
Moschos 2*
Hotel Moschos has only 31 rooms, and is located in a small three-story building. The 2-star hotel is located in the city center, and is aimed at real travelers who spend only the night in the room and travel the rest of the time.
This hotel is an ideal place for tourists on a budget who want to see the amazing monuments of the city of Rhodes, visit the fashionable shops, and stroll around the port (only 500 meters).
A night in a double room costs from 2828 rubles.
Free parking and Wi-Fi are available in public areas of the hotel. Elli Beach is only 200 meters away.
An additional bonus is the provision of free accommodation for 1 night, provided that you stay at the hotel for 10 days.
Breakfast is included in the room rate.
The hotel is ideal not only for a budget holiday, but also for short stays of 2-3 days. The disadvantages include small rooms and not a very good view from the windows.
Address: 5 Ethelonton Dodekanission Street, Rhodes, Greece.
Africa 2*
The two-star hotel is located on the first line, 100 meters from the pebble beach of the Aegean coast. Water activities are available for tourists on the beach.
The Old Town is a 5-minute walk away.
The hotel is surrounded by a variety of shops, restaurants, bars and taverns. Literally a few steps away: port, aquarium, casino.
The staff is friendly and welcoming. The service provided corresponds to the price.
A night costs from 1,351 rubles, but the hotel does not provide meals. This does not create any inconvenience: there are many taverns and cafes very close by.
Address: Alexiou Diakou 63, Rhodes 85100, Greece.
Sights of the capital
The city of Rhodes is one of the most beautiful cities not only of the island, but also of Greece. Inspecting historical monuments from different eras can take more than one day.
The Palace of the Grand Masters or the Castello Palace was both a temple of Helios and a Byzantine fortress.
During the time of the Knights, the Palace was the center from which the Masters of the Order ruled the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Turks used the Palace as a fortress. The 158 rooms are decorated with precious carpets, antique furniture, magnificent vases and marble mosaics.
The Street of Knights in the Old Town leads to the Palace.
The palace is open: Monday 12.30-07.00, Tuesday – Sunday from 08.30-19.30.
Ticket prices: adult 6 euros, children 4 euros, common for all museums of the Old Town 10 euros.
Telephone: + 30 22410 23359.
Next to the Palace there is a bastion, tickets for which can be purchased at the Palace ticket office.
It is interesting to climb the clock tower in the Old Town.
The view of the Old Town from above is magnificent. A ticket to the tower costs 5 euros. The ticket comes with a coupon that entitles you to a free drink at the tower bar.
The Archaeological Museum is located next to the Palace, on Museum Square.
During the time of the Knights of St. John, it was a hospital to which sick people came from all over Europe. It is surprising that already in the 15th century, every patient, regardless of financial status, had a separate bed and medical care in the hospital.
A two-story building with two-level arcades, inside of which there is a cozy courtyard, has survived to this day. The Archaeological Museum located here is a unique collection of art objects ranging from the Mycenaean era to the later eras of Greek civilization.
The most famous exhibit is the statue of Aphrodite. Mosaic floors, terracotta figurines, funeral slabs from the time of the knights and much more can be seen in this magnificent museum.
The museum is open daily: from 8.00 to 19.40, on Monday from 13.30 to 19.40.
A ticket to the museum costs 3 euros.
Telephone: +30 22410 75674.
The Rhodian Acropolis is one of the most interesting places in the city.
In ancient times, the acropolis united sanctuaries, temples, and underground vaults in the most fortified part of the city. The most famous building of the acropolis is the Temple of Apollo Pythian, which was built in the 2nd century BC.
The territory of the huge Pythian Stadium, which used to host competitions in honor of Apollo of Pythia, is today used as a theater. There is an indoor ancient theater called the Odeon on the acropolis, where famous speakers performed.
Acropolis works: from November 1 to March 1 from 8.30 to 15.00. The entrance is free.
Telephone: +30 22410 25500.
For many centuries, the Rhodes Fortress defended the city from numerous enemies. The fortress was built in the 15th century by the Knights of the Order.
After two long blockades in the 15th century, which did not lead to the capture of the fortress, it began to be considered impregnable. Today the fortress is a unique monument of medieval architecture, included in the UNESCO list of monuments.
You can visit the monument daily, free of charge.
North of the Old Town is the port of Mandraki, founded in 408 BC.
The entrance to the port is guarded by statues of deer and fallow deer. There is an assumption that the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the world, depicting the pagan deity Helios, was previously located in the port.
The height of the Colossus was more than 30 meters. In the ancient port, as before, ferries, ships, yachts and boats arriving on the island moor.
On the embankment there are such architectural monuments as the Provincial Palace, the Evangelical Church, and the Church of the Virgin Mary.
The port offers tourists a wide variety of seaside excursions.
The most interesting of them is a trip on a boat with a transparent bottom, which costs 5 euros. In addition to the bottom of the sea, you can see the embankment of the Old Town from the sea.
Where and what to eat
The taverns of the city of Rhodes are famous for their delicious Greek cuisine, large portions and excellent local wine. Of course, prices are higher on the tourist “trails” than a little further away from them.
Approximate cost of meals:
- on average, breakfast for two costs 15 – 20 euros;
- dinner 40 euros with drinks;
- lunch in a tavern costs 30-35 euros for two (lunch consists of: salad - 6 - 8 euros or soup 6 - 10 euros, main course - 8 - 15 euros, juice - 4 - 5 euros, glass of wine - 4 - 5 euros ).
If the main dish is seafood, then its cost is 40 euros.
In the Old Town, in a small restaurant or cafe you can find food at other prices.
For example, for a huge portion of cold cuts of sausages, kebabs, wings, potatoes and vegetables, you can pay 10 euros. And for 60 euros for two you get a portion of lamb, a glass of beer and local wine.
Taverns and restaurants often offer a compliment from the chef as a sign of gratitude for visiting.
Prices in supermarkets and shops:
- A 1.5 liter bottle of water costs 0.7 – 0.9 euros;
- 1 liter of juice - 1.2 euros;
- homemade wine costs from 5 euros per 0.5 liter;
- beer in cans 0.45 euros;
- kefir 300 ml - 2.5 euros;
- chips 2 euros;
- pineapple sliced 500 grams – 3 euros.
Entertainment
Nightlife in the island's capital is varied. There are many pubs, restaurants, night clubs. In the summer, concerts of Greek music and dance are very popular in the open-air theater.
Dance lovers can choose from several nightclubs with dance floors.
At the Angel pure Club, which is located in the Old Town, you can hear disco, Latin and Greek hits.
Fans of rock music and metal should visit the Valhalla Rock Bar Rodes club in the Old Town.
The huge dance floor of the Paradiso Beach Club nightclub is designed for 4 thousand people. The club plays dance music, electro, techno and house.
There is a whole entertainment complex around it with an excellent bar and relaxation area.
Nearby, in a separate building, there is a casino with slot machines and roulette. The magnificent restaurant at the casino offers delicious Greek and European cuisine and a varied wine list.
Club and casino address: Nikiforou Litra str., complex Rodia Mare, Kallithea Beach, Rhodes Island.
In the center of Rhodes town there is the most exotic club - Butik Club. The design of the club includes details of a pirate ship, palm trees, waterfalls, parrots and, of course, music.
The menu includes original cocktails and dishes with seafood delicacies. The club is open daily.
- HAVANA, located at Miltiadou Str. 9, Rhodes; Tel: +30 6944314724;
- TAJ MAHAL, located at Iliadon 2, Ialysos, Rhodes; Tel: +30 22410 29220;
- Colorado Club; Orfanidou Str. 57 and Akti Miaouli, Rhodes, Tel: +30 22410 75120; Website: www.colorado.gr.
Shopping
There are so many shops in the old and new parts of the city that it is impossible to pass by while walking around Rhodes.
offers jewelry made of silver and gold: earrings, pendants, chains, bracelets for tourists with any income level. The store has a wonderful selection of opal products, as well as Byzantine icons.
The entrance to the store is located next to the arch at the entrance to the medieval part of Rhodes from the sea. Jewelry purchased in this store is a wonderful memory of the sunny island!
Jewelry store Alexandra Gold– one of the most expensive and luxurious jewelry stores in Rhodes. Exquisite jewelry made of gold and platinum with precious and semi-precious stones made by jewelers of Rhodes and jewelers of European countries.
Afrodite Store attracts customers with its original design, as well as an excellent collection of women's clothing designed for any age. The store has a good selection of genuine leather products: bags, vests, wallets. The store carries brands Von Dutch, Bosco and INDIES.
Shop Diakosavas offers collections of expensive clothing from such popular brands as Timberland, Nautica, Polo by Ralph Lauren, La Martina, Trussardi Jeans, The Bostonians. The store offers a large selection of original shoes and accessories. Despite the fact that the store opened only in 2010, it is very popular among both city residents and tourists.
Royal Carpet Store sells handmade carpets from different materials. An original feature of carpets is the use of silver and cotton in the production of carpets.
The store also offers vases, icons, lamps and other interior items.
Avanti Furs Store offers a huge selection of top quality fur products.
Sportswear and paraphernalia can be purchased at Columbia Sportswear.
For souvenirs and gifts, you should head to the Jannis shopping center.
Clothes made from natural fabrics, dresses, tops, trousers, sundresses, T-shirts with a Rhodes theme in bright colors can be bought in many Rhodes stores. These relatively inexpensive purchases will remind you of a pleasant and unforgettable vacation.
In numerous markets in the capital you can try and buy spices and honey. Unlike shops, you can bargain well here.
Everyone will enjoy shopping in the city of Rhodes. But prices here are the highest on the island. In order to save money, you can go shopping at shopping centers in the vicinity of the city, where trips are often offered free of charge directly at the hotels.
Emergency services
When going on vacation abroad, no one thinks about any emergency situations. But practice shows that they sometimes happen. Then it will be very useful to know the emergency phone numbers.
Emergency numbers in Rhodes:
- Police: 100;
- Fire service: 199;
- Ambulance: 166;
- Information service for duty pharmacies: 107;
- Information service for emergency hospitals: 106;
- Tourist police: 171.
The most common emergencies that arise are health related. Every tourist traveling to Greece must have 30,000 euros.
Insurance policies are issued by many insurance companies, some of which have offices at the Greek Embassy and Consulates.
A visa will not be issued without a medical insurance policy. Along with the insurance policy, a reminder is issued with telephone numbers to contact if the need for medical assistance arises.
The dispatchers on these phones speak Russian. A common mistake tourists make is turning to hotel doctors who provide their services for a fee. Only doctors called through dispatchers specified in the instructions to the insurance policy will provide medical services free of charge within the limits of the insured amount.
Rhodes, like many other Mediterranean islands, has a long and interesting history. People have lived here since ancient times, and in the 5th century BC the first ancient cities appeared here - Ialyssos, Lindos and Kamiros. The best preserved ancient heritage is in Lindos, where the second largest acropolis in all of Greece is located (second only to the Acropolis of Athens), but in other places also remains of the ancient period have been discovered (mainly the foundations of temples with a few surviving columns), which are open to the public. tourists. On the site of one of the ancient cities, the city of Rhodes arose, which today is the administrative center and main city, a kind of capital of the island.
The city of Rhodes is, without exaggeration, a unique place where many cultures and historical eras are intertwined, adjacent to each other and creating a special flavor. Judge for yourself, because since antiquity, Rhodes, due to its advantageous geostrategic position, has repeatedly changed hands: first it became part of the Roman Empire, then it became part of the Byzantine Empire, after which at the beginning of the 15th century it passed into the hands of the Knights of St. John or Hospitallers, who, after being expelled by the Turks, moved to Malta and became known as the Knights of Malta. Ottoman rule in Rhodes lasted until the beginning of the 20th century, when the Italians captured the island. And only in the late 40s of the last century Rhodes was returned to Greece.
All these eras have left an indelible mark on the culture and architecture of the island. From the ancient era there are ruins of snow-white ancient temples, from the Byzantine era - Orthodox churches, from the knightly Middle Ages - fortresses and massive walls, from the Ottoman period - various mosques and oriental motifs in architecture.
One of the main attractions of the island, the Old Town or Rhodes Fortress, was built by the Knights of St. John in the northernmost part of the island on the shore of a convenient bay. According to one version, the famous Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the world, stood on the spot where the Knights of St. John (Hospitaliers) built a fortress, which still makes an indelible impression today.
The Old Town is the historical part of the city, a large fortress surrounded by powerful walls. These walls protect the fortress both from the sea (one row) and from the city (three rows). It is best to start your walk along the walls along the seashore, admire the yachts, ships, small boats from which souvenirs are traded, but most importantly, admire the powerful and perfectly preserved fortress walls. By the way, this is the best preserved medieval fortress in all of Europe.
You can enter the old city through the gates, there are nine in total (some say 11), but the most famous are the Damboise Gate and the Sea Gate. Each gate was a well-guarded and fortified entrance to the fortress; more than once they had to withstand the siege of enemies. As a rule, those who begin exploring the Old Town from the port enter through the Sea Gate, immediately finding themselves on the noisy and crowded Socrates shopping street, where there are many shops, shops, taverns, etc. But if your goal is to get acquainted with the historical part, it is better to enter through another gate, walking a little along the walls. Entrance to the fortress is free.
We arrived in Rhodes by taxi, the fare from Faliraki was 20 euros, and you could get there by bus for 2 euros per person. The taxi rank is located right at the Sea Gate, and somewhere nearby there is a bus terminus. You can get to Rhodes by bus from any locality; public transport runs every 30 minutes (sometimes delayed). We did not immediately go through the gate into the fortress, but decided to walk a little along the walls of the northern part of the fortress.
We entered the fortress through the side gates, leading into a kind of “bag” - a trap into which the besiegers fell, since there is no entrance to the fortress through it. This “bag” has two entrances; the besiegers were allowed into it, the gates were closed, and they fell into a trap, where they were shot by archers. Today, the remains of the rampart and the fortress moat are clearly visible here, and from the loophole windows you can see magnificent views of the sea and the famous port of Mandraki. We could not resist, deciding to first go to the port of Mandraki, so as not to return later and then spend the rest of the time in the Old Town.
We returned to the fortress through the Eleftherias gate. Here along the walls there is a fortress moat, which is now decorated with numerous flowers and palm trees.
Almost immediately a view of the ancient acropolis opens up - the ruins of the ancient temple of Athena. Behind it is the beautiful Argyrokastro Square with a fountain, and further away is the former building of the knight's hospital, which now houses the archaeological museum.
Then we went for a walk through the labyrinth of narrow streets paved with stone. Here and there there were various souvenir shops and cafes, and from the windows of the fortress the sounds of radio and TV, conversations, sounds of dishes and the smells of food were heard. As it turned out, the fortress in Rhodes is a residential area, people live here, which makes the fortress unique of its kind.
Oddly enough, there are not many people in the old part of the city, so you can take a leisurely walk, looking at all the details of the medieval fortress. On the way, we came across small groups of Russian tourists several times, so we got the impression that only our tourists interested in history wandered around this part of the Old Town.
Our main goal was the famous Street of Knights, which crosses the entire fortress and leads to the Castle of the Grand Masters.
The Street of Knights is the heart of the Old Town; it was once its main street, on which there were “embassies” of the order from different countries: England, France, Germany, Spain, etc. Solemn processions passed along it, European monarchs also visited here, and leads she went to the palace, where the residence of the Grand Masters, who headed the knightly order, was located. The street is located at a slight angle; along it there are entrances to courtyards, which are also residential. Many entrances are decorated with coats of arms and statues. Today this street is called Hippoton, it has retained its appearance almost unchanged, so many people think that now they will hear the clatter of hooves or the clanging of knightly armor.
This street ends with an imposing pointed arch that leads to a large square adjacent to the Palace of the Grand Masters. This impressive building itself is a well-fortified fortress, so that even if the enemy broke through the fortress walls, this palace could withstand a long siege. It was erected at the beginning of the 14th century, when the knights were expelled from the Holy Land and they moved here, making Rhodes their residence. True, the current building is an exact copy, a reconstruction, since the real castle was destroyed by the Ottomans. It was restored by the Italians on the orders of Mussolini, who planned to turn it into his residence.
Currently, the Palace of the Grand Masters houses a museum that includes exhibitions dating back to several eras: ancient, Byzantine and knightly. Entrance to the museum costs 6 euros.
After a tour of the Palace of the Grand Masters, we went to the busier part of the city, where there are shopping streets, cafes, taverns and restaurants, and numerous souvenir shops. Most of them are located on Socrates Street, which is located parallel to Hippoton, and they are connected by Panatiou Street, on which stands such a remarkable knight in armor.
On the way from the Palace of the Grand Masters to Socrates Street, one cannot help but notice several buildings. The first is some kind of antique building under reconstruction, the second is the famous mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent, which is considered one of the main attractions dating back to the Ottoman period. It was built during Turkish rule on the site of the destroyed Byzantine Church of the Apostles.
The beautiful red mosque building, located in the center of the Old City, is gradually falling into disrepair. Its appearance leaves much to be desired: the paint has faded and has crumbled in some places, as has the red plaster. It is obvious that this architectural monument requires renovation. Previously, tourists were allowed into the mosque, there was a museum exhibition here, today the entrance to the mosque is closed, all for the same reason - repairs are required, but there are no funds for it. But even in this form, the mosque attracts the eye, recalling its former pomp and grandeur.
Next to the mosque there is a clock tower built at the same time. This tower rises above the old city and has an observation deck. Entrance costs 5 euros, which also includes a visit to the small museum located in the tower, as well as a drink in the cafe below. But for some reason that day, when we were walking around the city, the entrance to the observation tower was closed (it was Sunday), so we were left without photographs with a panorama of the city.
In this extremely busy area of the old city there are several interesting sights, for example, in Hippocrates Square there is an ancient fountain, and behind it a very interesting building, which turned out to be the building of the commercial court of the Knights of St. John. From Hippocrates Square you can go to the Jewish Quarter, the central part of which is the Square of Jewish Martyrs, dedicated to all the Jews of Rhodes exterminated by the Nazis in Auschwitz.
Today there is little reminder of this tragedy; this block, like the neighboring streets, is filled with people wanting to buy something or have a snack. We also decided to have lunch at one of the restaurants in the Old Town, not far from Hippocrates Square. We tried Greek moussaka and were very pleased.
I won't say that prices here are much higher than in other places. Souvenirs on Socrates Street are even much cheaper than in other tourist places, for example, in Lindos, and you can also bargain. Food prices also depend on the level of the establishment. There are, of course, expensive restaurants, and there are also outlets selling fast food, but on average, lunch in a regular restaurant or tavern will cost 30-40 euros for two.
To summarize, I will say that the Old Town is one of the most interesting places I have ever visited. The feeling of contact with antiquity, with different eras and cultures is unforgettable, so I advise you to definitely see this unique place with your own eyes.
In the last article, I already told you in general, but in this article we will talk about the most interesting sights of Rhodes.
I will show you cool places on the island, its incredibly beautiful bays, beaches, observation decks, preserved medieval towns, monuments of ancient civilization, and even places of power.
So, if you are going to spend your holidays in Greece, then this article about the sights of Rhodes with all the marks on the map is just for you :)
So, let's go!
The city of Rhodes, which bears the same name as the island, is also the capital, and was built by the Knights Hospitaller. The streets here are lined with cobblestones, old houses, palaces and churches, a fortress and gates have been preserved.
The Old Town itself is included in the World Cultural Heritage List. By the way, the Rhodes Fortress is the longest in Europe - 4 km, and to get to the city center you need to go through 11 fortress gates. On the lawns along the wall you can see cannonballs; they reached the fortress, made potholes, but did not pierce it through.
We really enjoyed walking around the Old Town, it is somehow completely atypical for old Europe, more reminiscent of an eastern town, with winding labyrinths of streets. We have not been to Turkey, but they say it is very similar to a Turkish town with arrows of minarets and Turkish houses with traditional balconies.
The Mosque of Suleiman the Magnificent is one of the few buildings from the Turkish period that has survived to this day.
And the most photographed objects in the town are the Street of Knights
and the Palace of the Grand Masters.
Just outside the gates of the Old Town is also the pleasant port of Mandraki,
with the Italian Church of the Annunciation, with very beautiful interiors, atypical for Greek churches.
We lived only 5 km from the town, one day, during a morning jog along the sea, I just reached the port) Here, at the entrance to the harbor, there is an ancient lighthouse and 2 symbols of the city - the Rhodian deer and the doe, they stand on columns opposite each other friend, and a little further - medieval mills.
It’s worth coming to the town of Rhodes even just to watch the sunset or dine in one of the many restaurants,
and then, of course, stroll along its streets and watch the local residents.
Local residents have a tradition - every evening they set up chairs next to the house and just sit, look at passers-by or gossip about something with their neighbors.
Ancient Kamiros
From the ancient town of Kamiros (9th century BC) only ruins of tiny houses, temples and a semblance of streets and squares remain; the palaces are only half restored.
If you have a wild imagination, then you can safely go to Ancient Kamiros to wander among the ruins, vividly imagining how the ancient Greeks once lived here.
Well, we found a couple of good marine species here, and for general acquaintance we also took a short walk among the ruins :) 
Mount Tsambika in Rhodes is sacred; at its top there is a monastery of the same name, to which a staircase of 307 steps leads. This is a pilgrimage path that especially believers overcome on their knees.
The church has its own legend - once upon a time, here on the top of a hill the Greeks discovered a miraculous icon of the Holy Mother of God, which belonged to the Church of Cyprus, and no matter how much they tried to return the icon to its place, it always returned here. As a result, a small church was built for the icon.
And the miracle of the icon is due to the fact that even childless couples trying in vain to have a child, visiting this place, were sure to receive a long-awaited gift. Now this miraculous icon is kept in the monastery at the foot, but the ritual of climbing the hill and lighting a candle has still been preserved.
Well, from the top of the hill there is a stunning view of the bay and the long sandy beach of Tsambika.
Petaloudes Valley or Butterfly Valley
The Valley of the Butterflies is a pleasant park in a narrow gorge, with numerous paths, bridges, and moss-covered steps, which are especially good to walk on in the sultry heat, hiding under the shade of storax trees.
In the summer there is a unique opportunity to see in one place tens of thousands of bear butterflies, which flock here every year to the smell of fragrant resin and hang in clusters on the stones
and trees.
I can’t say that butterflies are beauties, you won’t even notice them right away, they are masters of camouflage 🙂 and what is rather striking is their number, the very fact of such a huge cluster in one place. There are several waterfalls and streams in the park, the breath is fresh, in general, you can safely spend half an hour, or even an hour, for a walk along the gorge!
Mount Filerimos
The path along the cypress alley with numerous bas-reliefs, along which you can climb to the highest point of the mountain, crowned with a huge 17-meter cross (which was also once climbable), was nicknamed “The Way of Calvary”, because the distance is equal to that of Jesus , carrying his cross.
The place reminded us of a mountain with a cross :)
Don’t repeat our mistake - if there is haze in the sky, then you should postpone your visit until the evening, especially since there should be a stunning view of the sunset from this mountain.
Well, on a clear day with good visibility, you can clearly see 2 Greek cities at once - the resort of Ixia and the ancient Ialyssos. We were there during the day, so, alas, we did not experience the delight of seeing the subtle outlines of the cities.
But as a bonus, we had a blast chasing peacocks, there are tons of them here, and yes, we were in the mating season, when they fluff their tails :)
And of course, lovers of ruins will appreciate the preserved ancient ruins of the ancient town of Ialisa, with the ruins of the temple of Zeus and Athena, as well as knightly castles with frescoes and the Church of the Virgin Mary.
Lindos
The stunning whitewashed ancient town of Lindos is considered quintessentially Greek,
and definitely a must visit!
It is difficult to see as many tourists as here in any other place in Rhodes; this is a very popular place among both travelers and locals.
This ancient town at the foot of the hill dates back to the 6th century BC. e.,
and has survived to this day,
It’s nice to stroll here as well as through the narrow colorful streets of the city,
and climb to the ancient Acropolis and the walls of the knight's castle, from where a stunning view of the heart-shaped lagoon with azure water opens - St. Paul's Bay.
This is perhaps the most beautiful bay on the island; according to legend, the Apostle Paul stopped here on his way to Jerusalem, which is why the bay is named after him. The small church in this bay is extremely popular for wedding ceremonies.
And you can climb the hill with the Acropolis either on foot or on donkeys; we preferred the first option, at the same time we looked closely at the handicrafts of local craftswomen.
I don’t really like ruins, but if they are located somewhere on a mountain, then we definitely go up there.
Because the views from the hill are so breathtaking!
If there is no haze, then you can see not only the city at the foot and the neighboring sandy beach with a bay, where you just want to cool off, but also endless expanses, including St. Peter’s Bay and the neighboring islands.
After a walk along the Acropolis (by the way, it is the second most important after Athens),
we went downstairs and had lunch in the old town in one of the view taverns, I don’t even remember what I liked more – the view and atmosphere of the restaurant or the fresh seafood in it :)
In this place there really are 7 springs, small streams that flow from underground and form a lake. Of interest to tourists, as well as to us, is another object in the neighborhood - a dark narrow tunnel, which actually leads to this very lake.
Every second tourist wants to tickle their nerves and walk through the tunnel. The fact is that the tunnel is completely dark, and you need to walk through it barefoot, finding yourself ankle-deep in cold water; using phones and flashlights is not recommended, so as not to disturb the atmosphere and the mysteries of the legend.
There are 2 beliefs associated with the tunnel, by walking through which you can choose to either become 10 years younger or get rid of 7 sins. We got through it too - I don’t know, maybe we were rejuvenated :)
Well, behind the tunnel, if you walk a little to the side along the nature trail, you can see a beautiful artificial waterfall.
Kallithea Springs (Kallithea Baths)
Once upon a time in ancient times there were healing springs here,
now it is just a pleasant natural complex with the former name Kallithea Springs,
where you can swim in crystal clear water, sunbathe on sun loungers and have a snack in a cafe.
In general, the nature in the area is simply amazing, especially the sea cliffs.
The ancient marble pavilions have been restored, so that in their shade and coolness you can hide from the hot sun.
Anthony Quinn Cove
This bay is named after a real person - the famous actor of the last century, writer and artist Anthony Quinn. The film “The Guns of the Island of Navarone” with his participation was filmed in the bay, but the Greeks themselves fell in love with Anthony Quinn for the film masterpiece “Zorba the Greek,” in which the actor performed a Greek dance, and the melody from which became a hit. By the way, the film “Zorba the Greek” won an Oscar.
At the end of filming, the actor rented a house in a picturesque bay, and then bought it to stay here for a long time. The government was very pleased with the presence of the star, or rather, the effect that his presence had - the bay began to attract tourists/fans of the actor like a magnet, so it was decided to give the bay the name of the actor.
I am sure that even if Anthony Quinn did not live in this bay, and it would have been called something else, tourists would still have chosen this place! Firstly, the bay itself, framed by fancy rocks, is like a natural place - very picturesque, the water changes its color from turquoise to sapphire during the day, and secondly, it’s not difficult to get here - public transport runs to the nearest resort towns, from which you can already walk to the bay.
Now Anthony Quinn Bay is one of the most beautiful and pleasant beaches on the island for relaxation - the clearest water, the bay is protected from waves and wind, there are sun loungers, umbrellas, showers and a cafe.
Ostrich farm
There is a place in Rhodes that is definitely worth a visit, especially if you are vacationing on the island with children - this is an ostrich farm
and a mini zoo next to it.
At the entrance you can buy bags of corn grains and feed the ostriches - this is the main entertainment. At the same time, only 2-3 of the calmest males are allocated for feeding, who eat from their hands carefully, while females are not allowed near tourists at all, because they often behave inappropriately)
On the farm, ostriches are housed in families - one male and 2-3 females live in a pen. Males are quite aggressive and if you place two adult males with a female, they will fight for their status to the last, until one of them dies. But in general, ostriches, it turns out, live quite a long time, about 60-70 years.
Ostriches are raised for meat and to hatch eggs. They lay eggs at the age of 2 to 35 years, and incubate each for about 40 days, and use young individuals for meat, up to 1 year.
One ostrich egg weighs about 2 kg, enough for about 10 omelettes. There is also a restaurant at the farm where you can try omelettes, steaks and ostrich meat cutlets. There is also a souvenir shop where you can buy all sorts of crafts made from shells, and also, on the farm you can see the world’s largest rosary, also made from eggs, of course, they are under glass)
Vineyards
Most of the vineyards of Rhodes are located around Mount Attaviros, at altitudes reaching 800 m. The white Athyri variety is grown in the mountains, and the red Mandidarya variety (Amoriano) is cultivated in the flat areas.
Both vineyards can be visited to taste/buy various wines as a gift, or simply to have lunch overlooking the endless grape fields.
In summer, the grapes are still unripe, so we weren’t able to eat fresh fruits from the bush :)
If you see some kind of local production, be it a soap factory, a honey farm or a ceramic workshop, don’t be shy, you can stop by, look and ask the craftsmen everywhere.
The Greeks are friendly enough, they will bite you)) 
As a rule, all workshops and farms have their own shop where you can buy products from their craft. 
Prasonissi
There is another attraction of Rhodes on the island, which we, alas, did not get to, is called “the kiss of two seas.” Yes, that’s right, because when you come here, you can swim in two seas at once - the Aegean and Mediterranean.
This place is located on the southernmost cape of Rhodes, and a huge sand spit separates the seas. The place was chosen by kiters and surfers. I really love places like this!
So, for us, this is at least one significant reason to return to the island of Rhodes someday.
Finally
Excellent beaches, developed infrastructure, an extensive excursion program, the most picturesque places on the island - all this makes Rhodes one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece.
You can travel around Rhodes either by public transport or by rented car or motorbike, the choice is yours.
The latest options will undoubtedly make your vacation more varied and mobile. We saw all the places described in the article while traveling by car; the roads and traffic on the island are normal. Along the way, we discovered and visited several interesting places that we had not originally planned to visit :)
Rent a car in Rhodes
We looked for a rental car in several places: firstly, we asked on the spot (since we didn’t need a car on the first day of arrival, we didn’t book in advance, although we usually do just that), but either there was nothing available, or the prices were higher, or insurance conditions were worse.
We have also made a selection of good hotels in different price categories near excellent beaches.
A selection of hotels in Rhodes
| Budget | Good | Luxurious |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
- Sentido Port Royal
- Kolymbia Sun
View all hotel options in Rhodes
You can rent accommodation in Rhodes from locals using the Airbnb website .
A lot of useful information about Greece - where to go, what to do, what to see, etc. can be found on the website Greek National Tourism Organization.
Cheap flights to Rhodes
Have you been to Greece or specifically Rhodes? Did you like the island? If you managed to visit Rhodes where we haven’t been, write in the comments, thanks to you, the list of Rhodes attractions will be even more complete!
A trip to a place washed by two seas opens up the possibility of a relaxing holiday on the beautiful beaches of the island. At the same time, you can find out some of the sights of Rhodes that are definitely worth seeing.
A nice bonus only for our readers - a discount coupon when paying for tours on the website until February 29:
- AF500guruturizma - promotional code for 500 rubles for tours from 40,000 rubles
- AFT2000guruturizma - promotional code for 2,000 rubles. for tours to Turkey from 100,000 rubles.
- AF2000KGuruturizma - promotional code for 2,000 rubles. for tours to Cuba from 100,000 rubles.
The Travelata mobile app has a promotional code - AF600GuruMOB. He gives a discount of 600 rubles on all tours from 50,000 rubles. Download the application for and
One of them is located on the road leading from the village of Filiraki to the capital (next to the building of the main shopping center). It contains pieces of the saint's relics. The green area in front of the church is decorated with a platform lined with a mosaic of colored pebbles. There are benches for resting numerous pilgrims. Entrance to the church is free.
Church of Saint Panteleimon in Xi'an
In a small village, popular with tourists rushing to buy honey, butter, and items from local craftsmen, there are two churches of St. Panteleimon. One of them is ancient (built in the 15th century). It is made of large stone blocks, without a bell tower with a cross on the roof. The new temple, erected in honor of St. Panteleimon (a healer revered in Greece), is small, but very elegant. Elements of woven white circles, similar to lace, give it a solemn, festive look.
The church has two towers with painted clocks. On the bathhouse there is a huge image of Jesus Christ. The interior of the church glitters with gilding, frescoes, icons, paintings telling about the life of the holy martyr Panteleimon. Parts of his relics are also kept here. The easiest way to get to Xi'an with a tourist excursion is by bus or taxi. Entrance to the church is free.
Archaeological Museum of Rhodes
On the ancient Street of the Knights (directly on the Knights' Alley), in a medieval building belonging to the Hospital of the Knights, numerous exhibits of an interesting museum are located. In the halls where aristocrats used to be treated, archaeological finds from different places on the island are collected. Among them, the main place belongs to statues, ceramics, amphoras, and jewelry. Here you can see the statue of Helios (patron of Rhodes), created in the 2nd century BC. e. A statue of Aphrodite of Rhodes kneeling and wringing out wet hair (it was made in the 1st century BC) made of marble.
There is a hall dedicated to the life of knights. Many statues are located in the church courtyard. Here is the famous statue of a lion with its paws on the head of a bull. It is made of special black granite. Open from 8am to 7.45pm.
Monolithos Castle
Like many cities on the island, the small settlement of Monolithos (meaning stone), nestles on the slopes in the shape of an amphitheater. Narrow cobbled streets, snow-white houses twined with bright geraniums and an ancient castle-fortress, built in 1480 by the Knights of Malta on the top of a 100 m cliff (on the preserved foundation of an ancient Byzantine structure).
The impregnable castle was not captured by enemies. Nowadays, the ruins of individual buildings included in the castle complex, as well as ancient cisterns used to collect rainwater, have been preserved. A stone staircase hidden in the rock leads to the castle. Climbing up to the ruins of the castle, you can admire the city landscape and the view of the Aegean Sea.
Kritinia Castle
Sometimes the building is called Castello Castle. The medieval structure was erected by knights in 1472 high on a rock, among a pine forest, as a fortification. From a high place there was a view of the sea. It was convenient to keep an eye on approaching ships (for example, pirate ships). The appearance of invaders never occurred unexpectedly for the population.
All that remains of the castle are the ruins of thick walls and a small chapel that stood inside the castle. And only the family coats of arms of the Great People who ruled the life of the island were preserved above the entrance to the castle on the ruins of massive walls. The castle is located between the villages of Kamiros Skala and Kritinia, 50 km from Rhodes. The road here is narrow and tourist buses cannot pass through. You can get there by car or scooter.
Rodini Park
3 km along the road leading to Lindos, there is a landscape creation of the world, made in antiquity. During the time of the knights, there was a Palace on the territory that belonged to the Grand Masters. The park occupies the territory of a small valley, decorated with oleanders, plane trees, beautiful flowers, murmuring river streams, and the mirror surface of ponds. Openwork bridges pass over a garden of blooming water lilies. Peacocks roam freely among the magnificent plants. The park has a waterfall, a small zoo with important deer, which have become a symbol of Rhodes.
The park has preserved and operates an ancient water supply system. Above the Park you can see the ruins of an ancient necropolis with tombs carved into the rock (the tomb of Ptolemy). The Ancient Park has been given the status of a tourist attraction. It is open all year, admission is free.
You can get here by bus number 3.
Kallithea Springs Baths
The area of Kallithea is the oldest place on the island, belonging to the city-state of Ialyssos. Numerous churches with amazing frescoes and residential buildings remind of the Byzantine period of life. The main attraction of the town was the famous baths, a hydropathic clinic with healing springs, built during the reign of Mussolini. The baths destroyed by the war have been completely restored. Now it is beautiful here, cozy among snow-white columns, mosaics, beautiful arches, a sea of flowers in cool healing waters.
The Kallithea Baths have been completely restored. The sandy beach completes the list of pleasures offered in the ancient baths. The Kalithea Springs Museum contains documents detailing the stages of restoration of the baths. A nature reserve with a museum and thermal baths is located between Kallithea and Faliraki.
Seven springs
This unusual place, created by nature over centuries, is considered a popular tourist attraction on the island. A powerful underground spring comes to the surface in seven places, forming beautiful streams of pure water falling from the rocks. The stream enters the Lutanis River, then rushes through a man-made concrete tunnel into an artificial lake. This is the only body of water (Kolimbaea area) filled with fresh water.
Local legends say that if you go through the dark, 200-meter tunnel leading to the lake, you can cleanse yourself of the seven deadly sins. People who walk through the very cold water of the tunnel barefoot receive a lifelong indulgence. There are not many people who want to lie down on the shore of the azure lake, breathe in the wonderful aroma of coniferous trees and rare flowers. You need to get here by car, using detailed Epta Piges signs.
Cape Prasonisi
In this place the waters of two seas, the Aegean and the Mediterranean, meet. They seem to be fighting each other, connecting the cape with the island in the summer and separating it by a flooded isthmus in the winter. On the high hill of the cape there is a stone lighthouse and a one-story keeper's house. The closest settlement to the cape is the village of Katavia. Here you can find comfortable living conditions if you want to take part in wonderful windsurfing, diving, or swimming in two seas at the same time.
On the cape there are rental services for water equipment, boats, and schools for teaching beginners water sports. There is a bus to the cape twice a day. Driving duration is 3 hours. If you rent a car, then you need to choose an SUV.
Valley of the Butterflies
Otherwise it is called Petaloudes Valley (after the name of the municipality). This is a narrow park located along the gorge and going up to the top of the hill. Thousands of different butterflies live here. Nature has created an unusual microclimate in the valley, formed by small rivers, subtropical plants, and trees such as styrax, which secrete odorous resins (they have been used in perfumery for many hundreds of years to make incense). Their delicate aroma attracts butterflies from the bear family. Variegated butterflies are visible only during flight. At the beginning of the dry season, all the butterflies of the island gather in the valley.
Among them is the Mountain Bear butterfly, listed in the Red Book. In order not to disturb the life of rare creatures, special wooden paths have been made for tourists in sensitive places. Against the backdrop of an extraordinary natural panorama, you can see an ancient monastery of the 17th century, built in honor of the Virgin Mary Cleopatra, and an ancient (from ancient times) bench of Tiberius (the exiled emperor).
Agnos Pavlos Bay
It seems that this place was created for lovers of a relaxing holiday, yoga, and diving. A wild coast, strewn with stones, sand, covered with rocks, crystal clear water in the bay. In an extraordinary silence, a completely windless place with strong energy, yoga fans from all over the world gather. There is a modern yoga center here. This is also a kingdom for diving. Amateurs admire the extraordinary underwater beauty of the bay. The bay is located near the Acropolis of Lindos.
It's easy to walk to the beach. Local legend says that the ship of the Apostle Paul stopped in this bay in 58 AD. On the edge of the beach area of the bay, a small snow-white church was erected in honor of the holy Orthodox preacher Paul. Residents of nearby settlements and Lindos get married in it.
Anthony Quinn Cove
The name of the bay is associated with the name of the writer, artist, and actor Anthony Quinn, who lived on the island. A film with his participation was filmed on the beach of the bay. The bay is located 4 km from the town of Faliraki. The beach has a modern infrastructure, including comfortable showers, sun loungers, umbrellas, sports equipment rental, cafes, bars. The bottom near the shore is shallow and rocky, the water warms up well, and the depth begins abruptly. The bay is surrounded by the bizarre outlines of green rocks, which form the greenish tint of the water with their reflection. From Lindos, Faliraki you can get to the bay beach by bus.
Water park in Faliraki
Faliraki is considered the main entertainment center of the island. In the central part of the town there are many entertainment establishments such as nightclubs, casinos, restaurants, taverns, and discos. Vacationing young people will definitely come here during their vacation. Since 2001, a water park, Luna Park, began operating. The water park area is divided into three zones.
The first one contains extreme water slides of various types. The second area is reserved for a large pool with artificial waves. In the third, kids of any age can play. They are provided with safe slides and a variety of attractions. Vacationers are provided with a jacuzzi, massage rooms, and a shopping center for shopping. A taxi ride from the main airport to Faliraki costs 30 €.
Loading...