What to Do in Rhodes?

The largest island in the Dodecanese in Greece, Rhodes is a popular holiday destination for visitors seeking sun, beaches, and historical sites to explore. It is one of the most visited islands in the Cyclades, particularly known for the medieval city of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

From discovering the Valley of the Butterflies to relaxing on beaches such as Tsambika Beach or enjoying the pleasant atmosphere of Anthony Quinn Bay, wonderful experiences await you. To help you plan your trip to Rhodes, this article focuses on the best things to see and do

Start your visit to Rhodes with the medieval old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, full of timeless charm and authenticity. It wouldn't be surprising to see a knight appear in the narrow streets, as the historical center has preserved its old architecture, dating back to around 408 BC! It is famous for its imposing fortifications built by the Knights of the Order of Saint John.

As you explore this fortified old town, you can get lost in a maze of cobbled alleys, lined with stone houses, artisan shops, traditional taverns, and small squares. Among the must-see sites, the Palace of the Grand Master is a stunning castle rebuilt by the Italians in the 20th century, as well as the Street of the Knights, lined with Gothic buildings that housed the knights' inns.

Of course, the historic center of Rhodes also has many churches and mosques, including the Suleiman Mosque and the Virgin Mary Church of the Town. As for the ramparts, which are about 4 kilometers long, they offer a breathtaking view of the Aegean Sea and the modern part of Rhodes.

Is your trip to Greece approaching and are you looking for activities to do in Rhodes? In addition to this comprehensive article on the must-see attractions on the island, I recommend you to check out the activities to do in Rhodes right now by clicking below Visit the ruins of ancient Greek civilizations, enjoy a cruise and snorkeling session, take a guided tour of the old town, sample local products, or just relax on the most beautiful beaches in Greece-everyone will find something to enjoy! I simply advise you to always book your activities in advance if you can to avoid disappointment, as Greece remains a particularly touristy destination.

Heading to Mandraki Port, one of the main ports of Rhodes, you'll be able to explore the most modern part of the city. Often considered the beating heart of the island, Mandraki Port has been used since antiquity and is famous for being the location of the Colossus of Rhodes, a gigantic statue of Helios, the sun god, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

As for the port itself, it is lined with docks and piers where many yachts and pleasure boats are located, making it a popular starting point for excursions to see the nearby islands! There's also a modern marina equipped with all the necessary amenities for visitors

If you take the time to visit the surrounding area, several interesting monuments are worth discovering, such as the Fortress of Saint Nicholas, dating from the 15th century and built to protect the port. You can also admire beautiful buildings with Italian architecture from the 20th century and several modern structures. The Bank of Greece, the Archbishop's Palace, the Town Hall, and the National Theatre are other gems to see...

Of course, count on many cafes, restaurants, and shops lining the docks for a good time, as well as Nea Agora, a covered market where you can purchase various local products.

What to do on a trip to Rhodes? Why not explore Kamiros? This unmissable ancient site is one of the three ancient city-states of the island, along with Ialysos and Lindos. If you are wondering what to do in Rhodes, I really recommend visiting this iconic place!

Founded by the Dorians around the 9th century BC, it thrived until the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Once, it was a prosperous agricultural city producing olive oil and wine, but it was ravaged by an earthquake in the 2nd century BC and then rebuilt. It was gradually abandoned following a second earthquake before being devastated by Cassius in the Roman era.

The archaeological site of Kamiros in Rhodes is remarkable for its terraced layout. You can find the remains of an organized urban plan with grid-like streets, typical of Hellenistic towns. The highlight of the visit is the acropolis of Kamiros, which houses the ruins of temples, including that of Athena Kameirados. Below are houses, public baths, cisterns, and other remnants of the agora.

Access to the site is not very expensive, about 6 € per person. Alternatively, I also encourage you to join a day trip to the ancient site of Kamiros if you prefer to be accompanied by a tour guide.

If you want to discover Rhodes' medieval heritage, I highly recommend visiting its most beautiful castles scattered throughout the island. So here is a selection of buildings to visit:

If visiting castles isn't your thing, then you might be interested in discovering the most beautiful beaches in Rhodes? When going on vacation to a Greek island, enjoying the sun and swimming is one of the best activities to do ☀️ Fortunately, Rhodes boasts beautiful beaches worth seeing!

Among the most popular, Tsambika Beach offers a beautiful stretch of golden sand extending about 800 meters. Surrounded by mountains, it reveals crystal-clear waters ideal for swimming! As for Lindos Beach, located near the ancient city of Lindos, it is a picturesque beach considered one of the most beautiful in Rhodes with its calm, shallow waters and view of the Acropolis

Other beaches also deserve your attention; here's my selection:

The Valley of the Butterflies is a nature reserve famous for its lush landscapes and especially for the presence of a particular species of butterfly, the Panaxia quadripunctaria. This species is attracted by the resin of storax trees, which can be found on the island of Rhodes. If you are wondering when to visit Greece to admire these beautiful rare butterflies, I recommend visiting the park between mid-June and the end of September, the best time

This natural site is located about 25 kilometers from the old town of Rhodes. It is crossed by well-marked hiking trails, allowing you to discover local flora mainly composed of pines, plane trees, and those famous storax trees. You'll also find small streams, bridges, benches, waterfalls, and even a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, creating a really peaceful setting.

Entrance to the Valley of the Butterflies costs 5 € per person, but very nice excursions in Rhodes include discovering this site alongside other beautiful places:

What to do in Rhodes? Visit the acropolis of Lindos, the island's most popular activity! This archaeological site perched on a hill about 116 meters above sea level is incredible

The archaeological site dominates the town of Lindos and offers spectacular views of the Aegean Sea. The history of the acropolis dates back to Mycenaean times, although some finds testify to human occupation during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. On-site, you will find several notable structures such as the Temple of Athena, a Doric sanctuary and main building dedicated to the goddess, protector of Lindos.

Next, you can admire the Propylea, a group of monumental porticoes with its immense staircase that served as a ceremonial entrance, as well as the stoa, a covered gallery where you can stroll while enjoying the view. You cannot miss the Fortress of the Knights of Saint John, whose construction was completed in the 15th century during the time of the Grand Masters of the Order.

To save time on-site, I recommend booking your entry to the Lindos Acropolis online, or if you prefer, you can also join a Lindos excursion with round-trip bus transfer starting at 25 € per person.

If you are wondering what to do on a trip to Rhodes, a bit of leisure time will not go amiss! For this, Kallithea Springs are famous for their healing thermal waters, housed in a neoclassical-style structure built between 1920 and 1930. On-site, visitors can enjoy a picturesque setting offered by lush gardens and elegant arcades.

The mineral waters of the springs have therapeutic properties, particularly for soothing and treating skin and rheumatic infections. It is a perfect place to relax, equipped with modern facilities such as spas and massage rooms. Wonderful dream weddings are also organized here! Entrance to Kallithea Springs is 5 € per person.

The Tsambika Monastery is a beautiful idea for a stroll in Rhodes. This monastery, founded in the 13th century, is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, a sacred pilgrimage site for many believers. Although its architecture is simple and elegant, it is its location that attracts thousands of visitors each year. The monastery is situated atop a small mountain offering spectacular views of the Aegean Sea.

To reach it, you will need to climb the 300 steps leading to the top, knowing that a major part of the route has shaded areas and benches to rest and enjoy the view. Once up there, you can enjoy panoramic views of Tsambika Beach and a large part of the island of Rhodes

Many interesting boat excursions are available in Rhodes ⛵️ It would be a shame not to take advantage of them, especially if you only have a few days on vacation. To save you as much time as possible, I have searched for the best activities and found the following excursions for you:

If you are unsure how to get to Rhodes, flying is the recommended option. Convenient and quick, you can reach Rhodes International Airport, which is located 16 km from the city center. Although it is possible to find direct flights, most routes between France and Rhodes involve a stop in Athens, the capital, or Thessaloniki. Rhodes is also served by flights from Crete.

Alternatively, it is possible to come to Rhodes by ferry, but the journey will be longer. The best approach is to book a flight to Athens and then head to the port of Piraeus. From there, several ferries make crossings to the Cyclades and the Dodecanese: Symi, Kos, Halki, and Leros. To reach Rhodes, expect to pay around 60 € per person and about 18 hours of travel ⛴️

With its Mediterranean climate, it's clear that Rhodes offers pleasant temperatures all year round, even in winter with mild weather. Although summer is considered the best season to visit Rhodes, spring and autumn are better choices! In terms of prices, accommodations, tourist crowds, and weather, all conditions are met for a hassle-free vacation

Therefore, the months to prioritize for a trip to Rhodes are: April, May, June, September, and October. These periods are ideal for enjoying the beaches, boat excursions, visiting archaeological sites, and exploring villages.

Now you have all the information to travel to Rhodes in Greece! I hope you enjoyed my article To complement this article, I also invite you to read my other guide on the best places to stay in Rhodes.