Rhodes

Medieval City of Rhodes

Μεσαιωνική Πόλη

Rhodes Town

The largest inhabited medieval town in Europe, ringed by four kilometers of walls built by the Knights of St. John in the 14th century. Inside is a maze of lanes, minarets left from the Ottoman period, and the Street of the Knights, lined with the lodgings of each language group of the order.

Tip: Visit the lanes after nine in the evening, once the tour boats have left — the town is lit up and empty, and feels completely different.

Admission:

free

Time needed:

3 h

Palace of the Grand Master

Παλάτι του Μεγάλου Μαγίστρου

Rhodes Town

A 14th-century Gothic fortress, seat of the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John. After a 19th-century explosion, Mussolini had it rebuilt as a summer residence for the Italian king, so today's interiors date from the 1930s, though they include ancient mosaics brought from Kos.

Tip: The palace ticket can be combined with the archaeological museum, which works out cheaper than two separate tickets.

Admission:

from 10 €

Time needed:

1.5 h

Lindos and the Acropolis

Λίνδος

50 km south

A whitewashed town beneath a cliff topped by an ancient acropolis, home to the 4th-century BC Temple of Athena Lindia and a Knights' fortress. From the summit you can see two bays at once, including St. Paul's Bay with its turquoise water.

Tip: A steep paved path with no shade leads up — go first thing in the morning, since the climb becomes unpleasant after ten in summer.

Admission:

acropolis from 12 €

Time needed:

half a day

Butterfly Valley

Πεταλούδες

25 km southwest

A wooded valley with a stream and waterfalls where, from June to September, hundreds of thousands of Jersey tiger moths gather. They sit motionless on the sweetgum trunks and rise in clouds when disturbed. Outside this season it's just a pretty but ordinary gorge.

Tip: Don't clap or try to startle them — every disturbance costs the moths energy, and it's actually banned, with fines enforced.

Admission:

from 5 € in season

Time needed:

2 h

Archaeological Museum of Rhodes

Rhodes Town

Housed in the 15th-century Knights' Hospital, the building itself, with its vaulted halls and courtyard, is worth the visit. The collection includes the Aphrodite of Rhodes, Greek grave stelae, and finds from Kamiros and Ialysos.

Tip: The courtyard with its garden and pile of cannonballs is the most photogenic part of the whole museum, and it's easy to miss.

Admission:

from 8 €

Time needed:

1.5 h

Ialysos and Filerimos

Ιαλυσός

15 km southwest

One of the island's three ancient cities, set on Filerimos hill with a monastery, a Byzantine church and a Calvary path lined with Stations of the Cross reliefs. Semi-wild peacocks roam the grounds, and there's a view over the whole northern tip of the island.

Tip: The cross at the end of the Calvary path doubles as a viewpoint — you can climb up inside one of its arms via a staircase.

Admission:

from 6 €

Time needed:

2 h

Faliraki

14 km south

The island's largest resort on the east coast, with a long sandy beach, a water park, and the liveliest nightlife on the island. The northern part of the beach is quieter and family-friendly, while the southern end near Ladiko is rocky with small coves.

Tip: Anthony Quinn Bay, a short way south, is the loveliest spot nearby — rocky, with clear water and no sand.

Admission:

beach free, sunbed from 10 €

Time needed:

half a day

Kritinia Castle

Κρητηνία

55 km southwest

The ruins of a Knights' castle perched on a cliff above the west coast, with views on a clear day as far as the islands of Chalki and Alimia. Freely accessible and almost visitor-free, unlike the sights on the east side.

Tip: A perfect stop on a west-coast loop, especially at sunset. Entry is free and unsupervised.

Admission:

free

Time needed:

1 h

Prasonisi

90 km south

The southernmost tip of the island, where the Aegean and Mediterranean seas meet. The sandy spit between them is dry and walkable in summer, connecting to a rocky islet, but gets swallowed by the sea in spring. One of the best windsurfing and kitesurfing spots in Europe.

Tip: One side of the sandbar has waves and wind, the other calm water — pick your side depending on whether you want to surf or swim.

Admission:

free

Time needed:

half a day with travel