The Complete Rhodes Travel Guide 2024

Back to Greece again – this time, to an island called Rhodes (Ródos), of the Dodecanese island group. Rhodes is located in the south-eastern Aegean sea, off the coast of Türkiye, and is one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean.

Rhodes has long been a popular historical and cultural destination for travellers, particularly from United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Scandinavian countries. You don’t want to miss out on all the best that the island has to offer—including ancient sites, the medieval town, sandy beaches, and bars!

We spent a week in autumn 2023 staying at the new exclusive hotel – Goji Vegan Hotel in Rhodes. Following up from our hotel review, this post serves as a complete travel guide to Rhodes.

The land circled by the sea where once the great king of the gods (Zeus) showered upon the city snowflakes of gold.. – Ancient Greek Lyric Poet Pindar describing Rodos in the 5th century BC

Where to Stay in Rhodes

– Hotels in Rhodes

Rhodes Travel Guide

– the best time to visit Rhodes

– getting around Rhodes

– sightseeing and things to do

Restaurant recommendations

Where to Stay in Rhodes

Rhodes offers a variety of areas to stay, catering to different preferences and interests of visitors. Here’s some of the popular areas on the island, each offering its own charm, attractions, and amenities:

• Rhodes Town: This includes the Medieval Town – a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its architecture and historic landmarks like the Palace of the Grand Master of Knights. The new town offers modern amenities, shopping districts, and a nightlife scene. Being the capital and main port of the island, it tends to get busy!
• Ixia: close to Rhodes Town, Ixia is a resort area with a long stretch of pebble beach. With a range of hotels, restaurants, and bars, it’s a convenient choice for travelers seeking a mix of relaxation and entertainment.
• Faliraki: situated on the northeastern coast of Rhodes, this area has a lively atmosphere, vibrant nightlife, and long sandy beach.
• Lindos: Located on the southeast coast, Lindos is famous for its picturesque white-washed buildings, and the ancient Acropolis.
• Kallithea: known for the thermal springs and beautiful bay. The restored Italian-built Kallithea Springs complex is a major attraction, offering thermal baths, gardens, and architectural charm.
• Kiotari: Situated on the southeast coast of Rhodes, Kiotari is a newer resort area of upscale hotels, luxury resorts, and pristine beaches.

Hotels in Rhodes

We stayed at GOJI, a family-run hotel in Ialyssos of Rhodes, located on the coast, between Rhodes Town and the airport. I highly recommend it for eco-conscious travelers wanting a relaxing holiday and a taste of authentic Greek food and hospitality.

You can read the full detailed review of our stay here: GOJI Vegan Hotel Review

BOOK YOUR STAY AT GOJI:

Browse and book hotels in Rhodes via Booking.com*

Rhodes Travel Guide

Rhodes is a sizable island and you would need at least 4-5 days to explore all the main sights at a manageable pace. We do, however, suggest staying at least 1 week so that it is not too rushed and you can also find some (much needed) time to relax in between!

Check out our post for tips on travelling to the Greek Islands

We travelled to Rhodes solely for Goji as they opened doors in 2023. And while the stay at Goji Vegan Hotel is worth the trip alone, don’t miss the ancient sites of Lindos, the medieval town of Rhodes for some history and sandy beaches and bars for fun!

The best time to visit Rhodes..

Rhodes has a hot Mediterranean climate. Even though we visited at the beginning of September, it was still very sunny and hot (32 degrees, felt like 38 degrees). The summer season runs from the end of May to mid-September. There was no rain except for a thunderstorm one evening.

If you’re looking for a pleasant time, I suggest visiting during spring or autumn. We’d certainly prefer a later time for our next trips, considering the fact that it was too hot to enjoy at times. It was my first time in Rhodes and we planned to explore more of the island, but didn’t manage to do it all.

Note that the risk of wildfires is high during peak summer in some arid areas of Greece. Rhodes is still recovering from the devastating wildfires that spread on the island in July 2023. The towns are generally safe but flights may be affected so check the situation before you go. 

Travel Insurance is always a good idea: If you don’t have a general insurance that covers travel, purchase one for the duration of your trip: SafetyWing is a reliable and top-rated global travel insurance company. Find your plan here: SafetyWing*

Getting Around Rhodes..

Rhodes Diagoras International Airport has direct flights from most European capitals. Rhodes Town is about 30 minutes from the airport, by road. Buses from the airport go towards Rhodes Town. We simply waited for a bus to arrive at the stop outside the airport and bought tickets on board. Tickets cost about 3 EUR per ride – have some cash in hand.

Distances between towns are significant and you definitely need a car/taxi/bus to get to places. We tried to rely on the public transport but it wasn’t always convenient, as the waiting times were long and buses don’t follow the fixed schedule.

It’s easier to get a bus if you leave from Rhodes Town central bus station. Day passes are available for 6 EUR per person, which is useful if you want to stop over at different locations.

We rented a car on two occasions – to get to Butterfly Valley and on another day, to Lindos. It was rented on the spot from a car rental service near our hotel and cost 40 EUR per day.

Sightseeing and Things to do..

1- Medieval City of Rhodes

Rhodes Town and the medieval centre is located on the northern tip of the island. It is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Encircled by imposing stone walls, it’s a mosaic of Byzantine, Ottoman, and Crusader influences – you will come across buildings from both the Gothic and Ottoman period.

Old Harbour

In Greek mythology, Rhodes is known to be the birthplace of the sun god Helios. The Colossus of Rhodes, a giant statue of Helios and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, was said to have stood at the spot between the deer statues, according to legend. What remains now is merely the myth.

At the heart of the Old Town lies this masterpiece of Gothic architecture that once served as the seat of power for the Knights Hospitaller – The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights was originally built as a Byzantine fortress in the 7th century. Today, it houses a museum showcasing artifacts from the Byzantine and medieval periods, including sculptures, mosaics, ceramics, and religious objects. 

Walking on the walls of the palace is allowed on weekdays, 12:00-15:00. The tour costs 2 EUR and starts from the Palace.

The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes

Among the notable exhibits here are the marble statues of classical Greek gods and goddesses, intricate mosaic floors from ancient villas, and funerary stelae (stone slabs) with inscriptions in ancient Greek.

A combined ticket (10 EUR per person) gives you entry to Palace, Museum and the decorative arts exhibitions.

2- Butterfly Valley

The Butterfly Valley in Petaloudes is home to a large number of the species Panaxia Quadripunctaria, aka Jersey Tiger moth or Spanish Flag. Their life cycle is such that they are in the adult phase during summer months (June-September). They then reproduce, lay eggs, and are in the pupa phase the rest of the year.

The entry fee is 5 EUR. It takes about an hour to complete the route (a hike of a couple of kilometres). There are three entry points to the valley: one at the very bottom, the main entrance in the middle (accessed via the monastery route), and one at the top. Each point has a ticket kiosk, toilets, and a snack bar. Parking lots are found at the middle and bottom points.

We started the hike early before hordes of tourists arrived. The way back got a bit crowded and noisy on the path. There are signs asking visitors to be quiet and not disturb the environment, but there were loud tourists and people trying to touch the butterflies! While we enjoyed the hike and seeing the butterflies, it was sad to see the number of tourists allowed in at a time and the lack of adherence to maintain a quiet atmosphere.

Kalopetra monastery: Don’t miss this spot on the top, hike up there if you can, there’s a good view, although climbing the hundreds of wide steps was a task!

3- Lindos Acropolis

The temple of Athena Lindia is one of the top sights in Rhodes and was believed to be a centre of the cult of the goddess. It’s found at the acropolis of Lindos – the ancient capital of the island. Definitely not to miss when in Rhodes for the ancient ruins and views!

You can reach Lindos by road or a boat tour. It takes about an hour to get there by bus from the other side of the island. Public buses go every now and then from Rhodes Town bus station to Lindos. Tour buses take you from a pickup point and back in a few hours, and typically cost 15 EUR per person.

If you have a rental car – there are free parking lots before the town and Lindos beach. From the parking area, it’s a walk through the town and up the stairs to the acropolis. It only takes 15-20 minutes and isn’t a very strenuous climb; anyone in good health can easily manage it. Please don’t use the donkeys!

Entrance fee to the acropolis is 12 EUR and the site is open daily 8 AM – 7 PM. Note that it’s extremely hot during summer so wear hats and have plenty of water. Go later in the evening, for sunset, if possible

Seven springs (Epta Piges) is another popular spot. Tour buses usually do day trips to Lindos and Seven Springs together. You can check out the Seven springs as well, by car on the way or after Lindos. We decided to skip this one as it didn’t fit into our schedule.

4- Towns and archaeological sites worth visiting

• Filerimos – a hill with a medieval monastery and quaint surroundings with peacocks roaming the grounds. It is not far from Ialysos town. There is an entry fee of 6 EUR to the monastery.
• Archangelos – bigger town of 6000 residents, with not much tourism, old feel and cafeterias.
• Rhodes Acropolis – smaller scale ruins found on the way to Rhodes town. There is a (partially restored) stadium and amphitheatre – free entry, non touristy but tricky to get to.
• Monolithos – on a big mountain on south-west, has medieval castle with good view, nice beach.
• Kamiros – known to be one of Greek’s best preserved classical cities, the ruins of Ancient Kamiros, was a hillside city dating back to the 6th century B.C., with well-preserved Roman-era marketplace, temples, and villas.

5- Beaches

Rhodes island is a destination for many sunbathers and windsurfers. Beaches vary from coast to coast; while some are sandy, many are pebbled and rocky. Shops by the beach sell beach shoes in case you don’t have waterproof sandals. The water is warm in September and suitable for swimming, but be careful not to venture too far.

Here are beaches we think are worth checking out:

• Elli – at Rhodes Town, has a jumping tower, beach bars, expensive sunbeds. 
• Faliraki – one of the longest sandy beaches, a resort area with bus routes from Rhodes town. 
• Prasonissis – at the southern tip of the island, where two seas come together.
• Lindos – sandy, intimate beach near the acropolis; sun loungers and umbrellas available, sea caves.
• Tsambika – this was our favourite, said to be one of the best sandy beaches in Rhodes – shallow, turquoise waters, great for swimming with tavernas, beach bars, and water sports facilities. It’s easy to get here, driving from Lindos. Tsambika monastery has great views, if you climb the 298 stairs!

Other than these, there are some beautiful bays in Rhodes. Anthony Quinn, Afandou, and Kallithea for example, and they can be explored on a boat tour. More info below, when I tell you about the best boat tours in Rhodes!

6- Best Boat Tours to take in Rhodes

There are plenty of local tour agencies for sightseeing, day trips and boat tours. Most of these start from Rhodes town and boats leave from Mandraki harbour. The day tours tend to start around 8 -10 AM, so aim to be there in time! There’s sunset trips if you prefer that too. Some offer hotel pick-up for a fee.

We didn’t book a tour beforehand as we were not able to fix a day for it. If you are sure of the day, I suggest you pre-book a tour online, a few days in advance as the good ones get full pretty quick.

• Many boat tours are all-inclusive with unlimited beer, wine and a buffet lunch. We were happy to find several tours that advertised veggie options for lunch. Lazy Day Tours was one of them. 
• A more luxurious – Opera Rib Boat beach safari* provides snorkelling gear, Gopro, Greek meal on board and the staff told us they do vegan and other dietary requests. You can get discounts if you book on the spot, as they are usually looking to fill the boats at the last moment.

The boat tour we planned to take (also think it’s the best way to explore the bays of the island) is the caves tour to Kallithea, Anthony Quinn and Traganou*

On our last day in Rhodes, we went on a short boat ride with the ‘semi-submarine’ Poseidon: We purchased tickets on the spot from their stall at the harbor. They offered us a discount for the tour that was about to depart (15 EUR , 1-hour tour).

It was a brief trip around the marina, but I enjoyed the sightseeing and the underwater views of the fish.. would have loved if we ventured further out into the sea. There was no “diving show” as promised; only one diver descended to drop fish food to the eager fishes. The ship is neat, staff is friendly, and a photographer takes your photo and sells them as a souvenir (we bought it). 

Many tour operators advertise themselves as “the best tour” of Rhodes with “100% customer satisfaction,” but these often turn out to be tourist traps. Ensure that there is enough space on the boat, it’s not overcrowded, and that there’s proper food available on board before booking!

7- Day Trip to Symi

The small Greek island, with a picture perfect harbour lined with colourful neoclassical houses is a charming place to explore on a day trip from Rhodes. The fastest way to get to Symi is the speedboat tour from Rhodes Town harbour, which gets you there in about an hour. Reserve a full day for this as tours usually leave from the harbour by 10 AM and return by 6 PM.

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While most Symi day trips give you a few hours on land, it’s not enough to explore the entire island. So, focus on a sight and choose the boat tour that takes you there! St. George Bay looks beautiful to us – boats stop here and give you time to swim. Another sightseeing option is visiting Panormitis monastery.

If you have many days in Rhodes, and would like to visit another country, you could also hop on a ferry to Marmaris, Türkiye. This was less appealing to us due to the long boat journey and we didn’t have many days to spare.

Restaurant recommendations

🌱 T-Veg Lindos

T-veg is definitely a must-dine, on the way to the acropolis. A vegan restaurant at a prime spot – the very beginning of the town, with views of Lindos bay and acropolis – how nice! The terrace is a lovely space on two levels and the staff is the best. They have burgers, salad bowls and also make the best Pita gyros in Rhodes.

🌱 Ono by Marouli

Veggie spot in Rhodes town – some of the best nuggets I’ve tasted at a restaurant recently! These really were golden – perfect crunch, and great texture. These were soy-free, made of peas and wheat protein. We got a Moving Mountains burger as well, which I think it was really good!

🌱 RuBisCo

If you’re looking for a juice-fix or some sort of detox, then there’s RuBisCo right in the Old town of Rhodes. It’s easy to find – located on the main shopping street. They are family business and sell fresh juices, in addition to smoothies and snack sandwiches.

🌱 Zaytouna & PITAFAN

Zaytouna is a Lebanese spot on the same street as RubisCo. I got the falafel-pita with hummus for just about 5 EUR – no photo as I had it on-the-go, but I remember the falafel was delicious! PITAFAN is a bit further ahead, when you walk towards the harbour – they offer a vegan gyros option.

🌱 Kostas Village Taverna

For our first lunch in Rhodes, we headed to this place, a 5 minute walk from the hotel. Kostsas is a family run Greek taverna and there’s traditional Greek plant based dishes on the menu. There is a ‘vegetarian’ menu section and the staff was helpful with vegan options. They could make several dishes vegan and recommended the veggie pita, Gigantes beans, dolmas for us.

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Rhodes Travel Guide..

I hope this helps you plan your trip to Rhodes! Don’t hesitate to leave a comment in case of any questions – about the hotel, food or things to do. If you found this post useful, please like and share it! I’d also be happy to also answer your questions via Direct Message – follow us on Instagram @veganhaventravel

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Last updated on August 31st, 2024