Rhodes Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know about the Island of the Colossus
What Is Rhodes Known For
The island of Rhodes is located southeast of the Aegean Sea and belongs to Greece. This island has been famous, among other things, for its main tourist attraction, the Colossus of Rhodes. Unfortunately, the Colossus of Rhodes was destroyed by an earthquake. It was the sixth wonder of Antiquity and the symbol of the homonymous island.
The name of Rhodes comes from Rodo, the nymph who had children with Helios, god of the sun and patron of the island. His grandchildren, according to tradition, are heroic emblems of three cities of Rhodes, which took their names: Kameiros, Ialysos, and Lindus.
Rhodes is the largest Greek island and measures 1401 km2. The official language of Rhodes is Greek, but you will find quite a few people who communicate in English. Rhodes has a population of 130,220 inhabitants (2011) and the island has its own airport, Rhodes Airport (RHO), located approximately 12 km from the city of Rhodes.
Where Is Rhodes Located?
Below we show you where the island of Rhodes is located.
Map of Rhodes on Google Maps
How to Travel to Rhodes
You can get to Rhodes in different ways. On the one hand, it is possible to travel to Rhodes by plane, since the island has an international airport, the Rhodes International Airport (RHO). Flights are available according to the season, so you should be aware of this before making a travel route. However, in case there are no direct flights to Rhodes, you can make a stopover and reach Rhodes from Athens by plane.
On the other hand, you can visit Rhodes from Piraeus, the port of Athens, or other Greek destinations such as Santorini or Mykonos. In this case, the journey can take quite a long time if you go direct, but you can do a cruise itinerary to Rhodes. This island is located in the Dodecanese archipelago, so it has a sea connection with its nearby sisters.
If you think about how to get from Rhodes to Ios, you should keep in mind that you can take a ferry or plane to the second island. In the first case, the navigation time is usually 7 hours, while in the second it usually takes around 1 hour.
In addition, you can visit Symi from Rhodes, a beautiful island close to the territory of the Colossus. You can visit Rhodes for one day, although if you have some time left over, you will not regret spending more than two or three days.
Finally, we mention that it is possible to travel to Rhodes with little money since this island is very cheap compared to its Greek sisters.
Getting around Rhodes Greece
If you are wondering about the forms of transportation in Rhodes, then we will show you what they are.
Car rental in Rhodes: The best way to explore the island of Rhodes is with your own car. You can also rent a car in Rhodes. This will allow you to get to know the territory from head to toe, stopping quietly at monasteries, towns, and beaches. This option is very convenient for travelers visiting Rhodes as a couple, with family, or with friends (in a group) since they can split expenses.
Public transport in Rhodes: It is possible to get around Rhodes by bus. This is a good option if you don't have too much of a budget, since the buses usually stop at places of interest, such as the main beaches and monuments. A negative point of this is that it usually takes a long time to travel a few kilometers, so you must be patient.
Tour of Rhodes: Many companies usually offer transportation services around Rhodes and Greca is one of them. Do not hesitate to ask about our packages and excursions around the island.
Boat rental in Rhodes: If you have an idea of navigation and you dare, this is a perfect option to tour the island in a short time and from another perspective, as you will be able to access places of interest that you would not otherwise be able to.
Go from the Airport to the Center of Rhodes
Taking into account the previous section, there are two ways in which we recommend getting to the center of Rhodes from the airport. On the one hand, the public bus is the cheapest way (it costs around €2.5) and it takes 40 minutes.
On the other hand, you can take a taxi or private transport from Rhodes airport. In case there are several travelers, this option is convenient. Many cars are waiting at the airport terminal to pick you up.
Best Time to Visit Rhodes
Rhodes Island is a summer tourist destination, so the peak season is in July and August. However, if you decide to visit Rhodes in June, September, and October, they are also good months to travel to Rhodes. In this case, the accommodation will be cheaper, there will be more available and you will not find so many crowds in places of interest.
What to See on Rhodes Island?
Are you wondering what are the most important attractions in Rhodes? Next, we will tell you a little about them.
Rhodes Town
In case you have one or two nights on the island, do not forget to visit Rhodes's old town. Among its monuments, we highlight the ancient city, also known as the old town of Rhodes, which is walled in the style of Troy and today is a World Heritage Site. There you will find places of interest such as the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes, the Cathedral of Rhodes, the street of the Knights, the street of Socrates, and multiple bazaars where you can spend hours.
Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes
The Palace of the Grand Master is a palace located in Rhodes capital, which dates from the fourteenth century. It was built by the Order of the Knights of Rhodes, commonly called the Order of Malta, which was a religious-military group originating in the 11th century. After the invasion of the Ottoman Empire, it was used as a fortress and underwent some architectural changes.
Entering this building costs around €84. Although the price is somewhat high, this palace is extremely impressive, so it is worth visiting.
Archaeological Museum of Rhodes
It is a museum that is inside a medieval building of the Order of Hospitaller Knights, that is, the aforementioned Order of Malta. Its location is in the old town of Rhodes. You will be able to observe the medieval touch of this museum in its nearby street, the Calle de los Caballeros, which is said to be the best-preserved Middle Ages street in all of Europe.
Although this museum suffered bombing during the Second World War and changes before, with the invasion of the Ottoman and Italian Empire, it maintains multiple pieces in a state of conservation. You will be able to find objects of historical interest from excavations on the island, as well as from other nearby ones, among which there are seal engravings, goldsmith work, and sculptures dating back to Antiquity.
Panagia Tou Kastrou Church of Rhodes
It is a Byzantine church, which during the Ottoman invasion functioned as a mosque. It dates from the 11th century and is also known as the Virgin of the castle. It is located in Alexander the Great Square, in the center of the city of Rhodes. Inside you can see frescoes and objects from the Knights of Saint John, also called the Order of Malta Knights. Its exterior is a mix between Byzantine and Gothic architecture, due to the renovations that were made over time.
Socrates Market Street
You can't miss the Turkish-style market located on Socrates Street, in the old town of Rhodes. You will find a bazaar with multiple objects such as ceramics, jewelry, ornaments, and food. There is also the famous Socrates Garden, a beautiful cafe with vegetation and kittens walking around that will allow you to rest and have a cool drink after the tour.
The Valley of the Butterflies
A beautiful tour through the forest, where you will find a waterfall and different species of fauna and flora. Without a doubt, it is a break from the metropolis. If you like walks and nature, without a doubt it is your place.
Another site of interest similar to this concerning hiking is the castle of Feraklos, ruins of medieval civilization located on a hill, 85 m high.
You can also visit the Lindos Acropolis, an archaeological site south of Rhodes where you will see columns and buildings from Antiquity, ideal if you go with children on the trip. It has sea views and is accessible on foot or donkey.
Beaches of Rhodes (Greece)
The island of Rhodes has many beaches that have complete food, bathroom, and umbrella services, with beautiful views and golden sand. We mention some of them.
Elli Beach
According to different critics, it is one of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. From there you can visit the port of Mandraki and the aquarium of Rhodes. In this place, water sports are usually practiced, thanks to the clarity of its waters, to beach volleyball, due to the quality of the sand. It is one of the largest and busiest beaches on the island and is full of umbrellas and sun loungers that you can rent.
Kallithea Beach
It is one of the favorite beaches of tourists who visit Rhodes, as it is known as a natural spa where the waters are usually harmonious and low. It has its own cafe with a view of the sea and you have the possibility of renting beach tents, umbrellas and sun loungers.
Faliraki Beach
It is an extremely clean beach, which is only open during the summer season. Its crystal-clear waters and golden sands provide the traveler with an incredible paradisiacal place to rest. You can also find bars and clubs around it, so the nightlife there is quite busy.
Anthony Quinn's Bay
This beach tends to be quite crowded during the summer, especially by contingents of Italian tourists. Its name comes from the famous Hollywood actor, who owns part of this area. The bay is ideal for snorkeling and diving, as well as sunbathing on the sun loungers. You should keep in mind that much of this beach has rocks instead of smooth sand and is surrounded by a lot of vegetation.
Shopping in Rhodes (Greece)
If you are wondering where to shop on Rhodes Island, you should know that the center has a wide variety of shops selling everything from fashion items to traditional Greek attire, jewelry, ceramics, fabrics, and more. We leave you an article on the 10 best shops in Rhodes.
What to Eat in Rhodes (Greece)
Greek gastronomy stands out internationally for its mixture of Mediterranean flavors, where the famous Greek olive oil is used. From the Greek breakfast to local products, are some of the specialties that you will try on your trip. We recommend traditional Greek dishes like the spanakopita pie filled with spinach and feta cheese.
