If you are looking for what things to do in Rhodes, just keep reading this article about this wonderful Greek island and pack your bags for your next trip.
How many people have dreamed of a trip to Rhodes this summer? To the island of the knights. A large island with medieval beauty, history, exotic beaches and many interesting sights. I knew that Rhodes is called the Island of Knights. But I didn’t know that there are nine castles on the island. Of course, I didn’t visit all of them. If there are more, I won’t be surprised. But in this article I will not only talk about the castles of the island. What I want to do is to list below ten reasons why you should book a vacation in Rhodes this year.
Read our list: Things to do in Rhodes and the places you must visit
1 The port of Mandraki, Rhodes
Rhodes has something that cannot be found anywhere else in Greece. It has an inhabitable medieval town that has nothing to envy other European medieval towns. It is one of the best preserved and most historic castles in the world. But before we go beyond its medieval walls, we must first take a walk outside them. Specifically, to the most picturesque of Rhodes’ three harbors. I’m talking about Mandraki, of course.
The medieval city of Rhodes is the oldest inhabited medieval city in Europe. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At the entrance of the port, the famous deer of Rhodes (a male and a female) stand on two columns. The little deer (Platoni or Dama dama) is the symbol of Rhodes. It is said to have been brought to the island by the Hospitallers or introduced by the Italians as a game species. However, archaeological findings from the 7th century BC prove that this species of deer has lived on the island since ancient times. But the port is not only special for its deer.
It is also the unique architectural buildings that surround it and attract the visitor’s attention. Some of them are the Nea Agora, the Bishop’s Palace, the Church of the Annunciation, the Central Post Office, the Town Hall and many other buildings, all built during the Italian occupation of the island.
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2 Medieval Rhodes Town
But now it’s time to pass through the castle gate. The Thalassini Gate, which is located on the harbor side. The largest gate of the castle is the D’Abouaz Gate. The present form of the castle is largely due to the Hospitallers, or in other words the Knights of the Order of St. John, who occupied the island from 1309 to 1522. In 1522 Rhodes was occupied by Suleiman the Magnificent and remained in Turkish hands until 1912. Then all the Dodecanese came under the rule of the Kingdom of Italy.
There are 11 gates in the old town of Rhodes. Three of them are 20th century constructions.
Inside the castle you will visit the Palace of the Grand Master, one of the most famous attractions of the castle. You will also walk along the famous Knights’ Street. It is a cobbled medieval street with 7 lodgings corresponding to the countries of origin of the Knights of Ioannina. A trip to Rhodes is truly a trip through time.
The medieval town of Rhodes is bustling with life, with 6000 islanders living and working within its walls. A stroll through the shops begins at Hippocrates Square. You’re sure to get that classic souvenir photo at the Castellana Fountain. Lose yourself in the alleys of the Castle for the classic photos and sit down in a shop for a coffee and/or a drink. Go for the ones in Menecleous Street.
Travelling to Rhodes means quality accommodation. That is why we recommend the 7 Palms Hotel near the Medieval Town, which makes your safe and comfortable stay a priority.
3 Places to visit in Rhodes: Lindos
Lindos is perhaps the most picturesque place in Rhodes. You cannot make a trip to Rhodes without visiting Lindos. Many people even choose it as their accommodation. Because of its architecture, it strongly resembles a Cycladic settlement.
Although because of the different cultures that have passed through, we would say that it has a medieval, Byzantine and Arabic style. Its jewel is the ancient acropolis. Built on a rock 116m high with the magnificent ancient temple of Athena Lindia, which took its final form around 300 BC.
Megali Paralia in Lindos is on the left side of the village and you can easily walk there. It is quite cosmopolitan due to its size and easy walking distance from the settlement. The beach has a very nice view of the castle. It has a long coastline, it is shallow and sandy with turquoise water.
You can read more articles about the Greek Islands in this category
4 Agios Pavlos beach
The bay of Agios Pavlos, located on the other side of Lindos, which I fell in love with. Not only because it is incurably romantic, because when you see it from above it is heart-shaped, but because I really enjoyed swimming in its calm turquoise waters. From one end of the bay to the other.
The beach is organized at both ends of the bay, but the space is too small to easily find a place to sit. So if you can’t find a sunbed, the solution is to find a spot near the rocks, lay out a towel and enjoy this unique place. Oh, and at one end is the small chapel of St. Paul. Every year over 5000 weddings take place there. People from all over the world come to Rhodes to exchange vows of eternal love. So you’re bound to meet someone. I have a couple.
Find the best acomodation for your stay in Rhodes Island by clicking this link
5 Anthony Queen Beach
Hey, yeah! A swim at Anthony Queen Beach is a must. Although it’s quite crowded, the beach is beautiful and the bottom is even more beautiful. The beach is pebbled with natural shade provided by the pine trees and high cliffs, giving it an extra picturesque feel.
The beach was named after the famous actor Anthony Quinn, who fell in love with this small cove during the filming of the movie “The Cannons of Navarone”, in which he played the leading role. This piece of land was granted to him by the Greek state for a fee, but he never acquired ownership of it.
6 Wells of Kallithea
If you have seen the movie “The Decoy” with Aliki Vougiouklaki, then you have noticed the springs of Kallithea. Of course, it is not the only movie that was used for filming. Many Hollywood productions have found a suitable setting for their filming in this place. It was built in 1929 and is close to Anthony Queen Beach, so you can mix and match.
The springs of Kallithea belong to the municipality of Rhodes and are located 9 km from the city center. After years of renovation of this beautiful seaside monument, the doors of the Springs opened on July 1, 2007. Lush gardens, pebble mosaics and crystal clear waters make Kallithea the perfect location for a magical getaway. After all, the waters of Kallithea have an average temperature of 25 degrees Celsius during the summer months.
7 Tsampika Beach
A vacation in Rhodes without swimming at Tsampika Beach is unthinkable. It is one of the closest beaches to the city. And it is much preferred by the locals for their afternoon swim after work. I don’t know why, but I fell in love with this beach. Maybe because we went swimming at 7pm and the water was still so warm and it was much quieter from visitors since it was a weekday.
Because I love the silence is probably why I look back on it the most. Also, it’s sandy and quite long with turquoise water. On the plus side is the view from the homonymous monastery of Panagia Tsampika, which dates back to the 16th century.
8 Monolith Castle
A place that few people visit during their vacation in Rhodes, due to its distance from other parts of the island, is Monolithos Castle. And that is why it is at the top of my list. I have said that I am a lover of peace. Monolithos is located 73 kilometers southwest of the city of Rhodes.
It is a very picturesque village with narrow streets and stone houses. It owes its name to the huge monolithic rock overlooking the village, with a castle dating back to the time of the Knights.
The purpose of the castle was to guard all of southern Rhodes and to protect the inhabitants from pirate attacks. Due to its location and excellent natural fortification, it was one of the four strongest fortresses of Rhodes and was probably never captured.
I found that out myself, of course. It is a long walk to get there and you have to be very careful when you visit the inside of the castle because there are many steep places where you can get hurt. Due to its excellent location, the wind was quite noticeable. But the view took my breath away. It was the most beautiful and wild view I have seen during my stay on the island.
9 Monte Smith Hill
Coming to Rhodes means enjoying the panoramic view from Monte Smith Hill. All along the island’s long beach and foaming waves. The best time to climb the hill is in the afternoon. The views of both the sea and the town are breathtaking, and romantics will enjoy an unforgettable sunset.
The hill was named after the English admiral Sidney Smith, who set up his observatory here in 1802 to monitor the movements of Napoleon’s fleet. And the truth is that the English admiral made an extremely successful strategic move, as the view from the top of the hill is breathtaking, both of the old and new town of Rhodes, as well as the sea, the nearby islands and the coast of Asia Minor.
At the top of the hill are the ruins of the ancient Acropolis of Rhodes, while on its southern side are the remains of important antiquities, in a beautiful and lush archaeological park.
10 What to see in Rhodes: The Valley of the Butterflies
A visit to the Valley of the Butterflies is a wonderful experience for those who love a peaceful escape in a tranquil natural environment. It is located in the area of Ano Kalamonas and is 23 km away from Rhodes town.
The most interesting part of the valley is 1,000 meters long and begins at the Museum of Natural History and ends at the Monastery of Panagia of Kalopetra. The place has a rich vegetation of various shrubs and trees such as firs, pines and plane trees, which in combination with the rushing rivers and small flowing waterfalls create an ideal environment.
This is what attracts millions of butterflies of the species “Panaxia quadripunctaria”, which find shelter in the trunks of trees and rocks from June to September. The trails are beautiful and well maintained. You might get tired of the stairs, as the path to the monastery is also quite steep. But it’s worth it if you want to see something unique in Greece.
I could give you even more reasons to come to Rhodes, such as the unique island, if you are a fan of water sports, or if you like to get away to nearby islands such as Halki and Symi. For this and all the above, I will never cease to believe that a vacation in Rhodes is one of the best options in the Greek summer.
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