Where are the best places to visit in Rhodes?
Just a one-hour drive south east from Rhodes Old Town is the enchanting village of Lindos – brimming with sugar cube-style architecture, cobbled streets and traditional tavernas. Hike up the hillside to see the iconic Acropolis up close and savour the scenery across the horizon. Make tracks down to Lindos beach to cool off in the turquoise sea and unwind on the golden sand. Be sure to book dinner out at least once in the town, with a view of the Acropolis lit up at night. Stay at the adult-only AquaGrand of Lindos for a five-star haven. Stroll through the luscious gardens to the sandy beach and relax beneath a cabana.
Less than three miles from Rhodes Town and a short transfer from the airport is the glistening Ixia Bay. Couples or families with older children can make the most of this popular stretch of coast, with its mile and a quarter of pebbled beach, while those with younger children might prefer to stay by the pool. Discover an array of water sports or hire a sunlounger and laze your days away beneath a parasol. Meander along the promenade and pop into Greek bakeries for baklava. Then choose a taverna to make a dinner reservation and scout out the best bar for a sunset spot. Book a break at the all-inclusive Ixian Grand, for a luxurious break on Ixia’s beachfront, with the swimming pool directly behind the beach – perfect.
Hire a car and make tracks 12 miles beyond Lindos to the Greek seaside village of Gennadi. If you’re dreaming of a quaint destination to unwind with your favourite book, tuck into authentic cuisine and bask in the warming waters of the Mediterranean Sea choose Gennadi for your Rhodes break. Explore this traditional and charming village, then grab your beach towels and sun cream to lounge on the long stretch of beach. Take time out at the five-star Gennadi Grand Resort, for a contemporary and eco-friendly retreat. For a splash more luxury, upgrade to a room with a private pool.
Just nine miles south of Lindos is Kiotari – a quiet, picturesque, up-and-coming resort area with a 2.5-mile stretch of beach. The sand might be several shades of grey, but the sea is warming and crystal clear. If you get itchy feet, there are sailing excursions and an array of water sports to choose from. Feeling peckish? There’s a selection of whitewashed tavernas with sapphire-blue furnishings, serving up deliciously fresh seafood. If you’re ready for more than a dash of opulence, book a stay at the Mayia Exclusive Resort & Spa, a premium all-inclusive, adult-only resort. Did someone say Moet on tap?
Choose to unwind in the laid-back resort area of Kallithea – on the east coast of Rhodes, it’s scattered with mosaics and just a 20-minute drive from the Old Town. Savour the choice of sheltered bays with Blue Flag beaches, perfect for families to splash about in. Couples might prefer to join one of the many secluded creeks, sprinkled with pine trees and popular with locals – just check the depth of the water before leaping in. Be sure to venture along to Anthony Quinn Bay, a Grecian utopia bursting with character. Get ready for ultra all-inclusive, when you book the Amada Colossos Resort. Enjoy the perfect family holiday right on the beach, with a range of activities to keep everyone entertained – including its own water park.
Pefkos, which means pine tree in Greek, is perfectly situated for a relaxing beach holiday, thanks to its large sandy beach sloping gently into the crystal-clear Aegean. There’s plenty of good restaurants to suit all tastes and many of the local businesses are family-run affairs helping retain Pefki’s authentic atmosphere. There’s a scuba diving school to help you have some close encounters with the local marine life. Nightlife is varied with various cocktail bars that stay open long into the night, karaoke bars and Greek dancing nights.
Kolymbia is an east-coast resort some 20 miles from Rhodes Town. The town is wedged between two fine beaches either side of the harbour with water sports and sunloungers provided. A main tourist strip contains a multitude of bars, restaurants and shops, with most of the hotels set outside of this area. Hire a boat or join a harbour tour to explore the coastline. Nightlife is low-key with a good selection of cocktail bars.
Stegna is a typical unspoilt Greek village, a mile or so from Archangelos. Boasting a 700-metre-long sandy beach with patches of shingle and crystal clear waters, its tranquil, uncrowded vibe makes it ideal for those seeking a relaxing beach break. You can hire boats and pedalos and the conditions for snorkelling are ideal. Development remains restrained. There’s only a handful of hotels but there’s a decent selection of fresh fish restaurants to try. There’s very little nightlife to speak of but swing by the Mercedes Bar for a refreshing cocktail.
Faliraki, at the northern end of Rhodes’ east coast, is a lively tourist centre and nightlife hub. Its reputation for being a magnet for drunken 18-30 style revellers is now fading though, as it fights hard to be more family friendly. The vast sandy beach is still one of the island’s best stretching as it does for three miles. It’s lined with loungers, water sports outlets, food and drink options and even a fun inflatables park. With a town centre chock full of amenities there’s plenty to entertain younger visitors, including a mini golf course, a water park and a trampoline park.
