Rhodes is the island that has everything — a UNESCO-listed medieval walled city built by crusading Knights, some of the clearest water in the Aegean, villages of white cube houses on clifftops above perfect beaches, and a food scene that stretches from backstreet mezedopolia to waterfront fish tavernas. The island is large enough to need a car to explore properly, and rewarding enough that you’ll want to stay longer than you planned.
Island
Rhodes, Dodecanese, Greece
Currency
Euro (€)
Language
Greek
Timezone
EET — UTC+2 (EEST UTC+3 in summer)
Best Season
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
Visa
90 days visa-free (Schengen — Canadian passport)
Rhodes for Every Travel Style
The History Buff’s Rhodes
Rhodes Old Town is the best-preserved medieval city in the Mediterranean — 2.5 kilometres of walls, a palace, a Knights’ quarter, and a Jewish quarter that has stood since the 14th century.
- The Palace of the Grand Masters — restored to its medieval state, remarkable in scope.
- The Street of the Knights — the finest intact medieval street in Europe.
- The Archaeological Museum in the Knights’ Hospital building.
- Lindos Acropolis — the ancient sanctuary above the white village.
- The Jewish Quarter (La Juderia) — atmospheric lanes and the Kahal Shalom synagogue.
Rhodes for Beach Lovers
Rhodes has over 300km of coastline with beaches for every style — sheltered family coves, wind-swept kitesurfing spots, dramatic clifftop drops, and long sandy stretches with full beach-club service.
- Anthony Quinn Bay — the cove where the film was shot, now a snorkelling paradise.
- Tsambika Beach for families — long, sandy, with calm, shallow water.
- Prasonisi at the island’s southern tip — two seas meet on either side of a sandy spit.
- Lindos beach below the acropolis — the most dramatically positioned swim on the island.
- Elli Beach in Rhodes Town for the convenience — central, clean, and great for morning swims.
The Foodie’s Rhodes
Rhodian cuisine carries centuries of influence — Greek, Ottoman, Italian, and Jewish all leaving marks on a table that’s built around the freshest seafood in the Aegean.
- Pitaroudia — Rhodes’ own chickpea fritters, found at good mezedopolia.
- Fresh octopus grilled over charcoal at Old Town tavernas.
- Fish by the kilo at a waterfront taverna — choose from the display and pay by weight.
- Meze lunch at a Lindos village taverna with views over the bay.
- Local wines from the CAIR cooperative — Rhodes wine is seriously underrated.
When to Go
Spring
Mar – May
- April and May are the best months — wildflowers on the hillsides, warm enough to swim from mid-May.
- Old Town is walkable without heat fatigue; the Palace of the Grand Masters without the summer crowds.
- Most businesses and restaurants open from April; beach clubs ramp up from May.
- Lowest prices of the warm season with full tourist infrastructure running.
Summer
Jun – Aug
- Peak beach season — the Aegean is warm and clear, and the island is fully alive.
- July and August are hot (33–37°C) but the sea makes it bearable and the meltemi wind brings relief.
- Highest prices and biggest crowds, especially in the Old Town and at Lindos.
- Book accommodation and boat trips weeks ahead for July and August.
Autumn
Sep – Oct
- September is arguably the best time — sea temperature at its warmest, crowds thinning, prices falling.
- October remains warm and swimmable well into the month.
- Some beach clubs close in late October; the Old Town and village restaurants stay open.
- Ideal for combining swimming, walking, and culture without summer’s intensity.
Winter
Nov – Feb
- Rhodes in winter is quiet — many hotels and restaurants close entirely from November to March.
- Mild (14–18°C) and sometimes sunny, but the island is in semi-hibernation.
- The Old Town is beautifully peaceful in winter — an entirely different, local-only atmosphere.
- Limited direct flights; those visiting in winter typically travel via Athens.
Top Experiences
Rhodes Old Town & Palace of the Grand Masters
Why Go?
The walled city of Rhodes is extraordinary — a UNESCO World Heritage site that feels lived-in rather than preserved. The Street of the Knights is the finest intact medieval street in Europe; the Palace of the Grand Masters sits at its summit, restored to full Baroque excess by Mussolini. Within the walls: Byzantine churches, Ottoman mosques, Jewish quarter lanes, and the best restaurants on the island.
Best For
History lovers, architecture enthusiasts, photographers, and anyone who enjoys genuinely wandering without a plan.
Don’t Miss
Getting lost in the Turkish Quarter after dark, when the tourist crowds have left and the lanes are lit by lanterns and the sound of cats.
Lindos: Clifftop Acropolis & White Village
Why Go?
Lindos is one of the most visually dramatic places in Greece — a 5th-century BC acropolis perched on a 116-metre cliff, with a traditional village of whitewashed cube houses tumbling down below it, and a perfect curved beach at the bottom. The views from the top take in the whole southern Aegean on a clear day.
Best For
Photographers, history lovers, and anyone who can handle the 45-minute climb up from the village.
Don’t Miss
Climbing to the acropolis for sunset — the light on the white village below and the sea turning gold around the bay is one of the finest views in the Aegean.
Valley of the Butterflies
Why Go?
From June to September, thousands of Jersey tiger moths gather in a wooded valley in the island’s interior, covering the trees so densely they look like moving bark. It’s one of nature’s stranger and more beautiful spectacles — a forested gorge streamed through by waterfalls, visited almost entirely by locals.
Best For
Nature lovers, families, and travellers wanting to leave the beach circuit for an afternoon.
Don’t Miss
Coming between July and August when the moths are densest — and being careful not to clap or startle them, which wastes the energy they need for reproduction.
Food & Drink
Rhodian food is shaped by centuries of cultural layering — Greek, Ottoman, Italian, and Sephardic Jewish all contributing to a table that’s built around extraordinary local seafood, excellent olive oil, and ingredients grown in some of the most fertile soil in the Aegean.
Know the Neighbourhoods
Rhodes Old Town
Medieval — walled, atmospheric, and entirely walkable
Best for: History, restaurants, evening strolls, the best accommodation on the island
- Street of the Knights — the finest medieval streetscape in the Mediterranean.
- The Jewish Quarter (La Juderia) for lanes, quiet courtyards, and the Kahal Shalom synagogue.
- Dozens of excellent restaurants hidden from the main tourist lanes — explore the back streets.
New Town & Mandraki Harbour
Modern waterfront — restaurants, beaches, Art Deco architecture
Best for: Day visitors, beach access, the windmills at the harbour entrance
- Mandraki Harbour: deer statues where the Colossus supposedly stood, medieval windmills alongside.
- Elli Beach — central, sandy, and the most accessible swim near the town.
- Nea Agora covered market for local produce, coffee, and people-watching.
Lindos Village
Clifftop white cube village — dramatic, expensive, essential
Best for: Photographers, day trips, the best views in Rhodes
- The acropolis at the summit — ancient sanctuary, Doric columns, views to Turkey.
- Lindos beach below — a perfect arc of sand in a sheltered bay.
- Traditional captain’s houses with painted pebble floors — some are now hotels.
Faliraki
Resort town — beach clubs, water parks, British-style nightlife
Best for: Families, young groups, those wanting full beach-resort infrastructure
- Faliraki Water Park — one of the largest in Europe, excellent for families.
- Long sandy beach with sun-lounger rental and watersports.
- Fully developed resort strip with hotels, restaurants, and nightlife for all tastes.
Getting There & Around
Getting There
Getting Around
Respect the Culture, Fit Right In
At Restaurants
- Meze is communal — order multiple dishes for the table, not one per person.
- Greeks eat late; arriving at a taverna before 8:30pm means an empty room.
- It’s common for one person to pay the whole bill — splitting to the euro is unusual.
- Leave a tip in cash on the table: 5–10% is generous and appreciated.
- Fresh fish is priced by weight — confirm the weight before it’s cooked to avoid bill shock.
At Sites & Churches
- Cover shoulders and knees for any Orthodox church or monastery visit.
- The Old Town is a living residential area, not a theme park — treat it as such.
- Photography inside the Palace of the Grand Masters is restricted in certain rooms; follow the signs.
- Lindos village has strict rules about donkey rides up to the acropolis — check current guidance before hiring.
- The Valley of the Butterflies asks visitors not to clap or disturb the moths — it genuinely depletes their energy reserves.
Beach Etiquette
- Most organised beaches rent sun loungers — you’re expected to pay if you use them.
- Topless sunbathing is accepted on most beaches; nudism is restricted to designated areas.
- Sea urchins are common on rocky shores — wear water shoes for anything other than sandy beaches.
- High season beach parking fills by 10am; arrive early or use public buses.
- Respect the water flag system: green (safe), yellow (caution), red (no swimming).
Getting Around
- Scooter and ATV hire is popular — ensure you have the correct licence and always wear a helmet.
- Rhodes drivers are assertive; pedestrians are lower in the informal road hierarchy.
- Validate KTEL bus tickets on board; ask the driver if unsure.
- Many village roads are narrow and unmarked — download offline maps before driving into the interior.
- Taxis from the Old Town rank operate on a fixed price list; confirm before getting in.
Travel Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Rhodes?
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Ready to plan your Rhodes trip?
Rhodes rewards travellers who go beyond the beach — the walled city, the clifftop villages, and the Aeolian Island day trips make it one of the most complete destinations in the Mediterranean. At Fly Away Travel Co., we’ll help you find the right balance. Contact us today.