To Rhodes flight information
Arrival airport |
Rhodes International Airport |
---|---|
Time zone |
UTC+3 |
Currency |
Euro (EUR) |
Low season |
March |
High season |
July |
Spoken languages |
Greek |
Arrival airport |
Rhodes International Airport |
---|---|
Time zone |
UTC+3 |
Currency |
Euro (EUR) |
Low season |
March |
High season |
July |
Spoken languages |
Greek |
Welcome to the island of sunshine! The Greek island of Rhodes (Ρόδος in Greek) has an astounding 300 sunny days per year, meaning some 3,000 hours of sunshine for locals and visitors to enjoy all year round. Small wonder that Helios, the ancient Greek sun god himself adorns the island’s flag, crowned with, what else, the shining aureole of the Sun. Or that Rhodes draws a continuous flow of holiday-makers, including honeymooners and whole families, culture vultures and party-goers, windsurfers and city slickers, backpackers and flashpackers. The fourth largest Greek island and the largest of the Dodecanese (Twelve Islands), Rhodes is home to Europe’s biggest and oldest inhabited medieval old town, the world's first landscaped park, golden sand beaches washed by the crystalline waters of the Aegean Sea, and clubs that never seem to close.
According to the Greek poet Pindar, Rhodes was named after the sea nymph Rhodos, daughter of the sea god Poseidon and wife of Helios. Some say this is also the reason why the island is always in the warm embrace of the sun. Divine or not, the capital of the Dodecanese certainly has a long and glorious history. Lying at the crossroads of Europe and the East, Rhodes has been a key player in the cultural, economic and political affairs of the Mediterranean since its first Bronze Age settlements. A stark reminder of the island’s grandeur became the Colossus of Rhodes, a massive 33-metre bronze statue of, you guessed it, Helios, that once stood by the port of the city of Rhodes and ranked among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In the Middle Ages, all eyes were on Rhodes once again when the crusading Knights of the Order of Saint John took over the island from the Genoese in 1306, and turned it into a major medieval stronghold. As Romans, Crusaders, Venetians and Ottomans have come and gone, they have all become part of the fascinating puzzle of people and cultures that Rhodes is today.
Step into the Middle Ages in Rhodes’ magical Old Town, this sprawling medley of medieval fortresses, skinny alleys, quaint houses and fountains, and an air of history and mystique. Europe’s largest medieval city, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, is one huge open-air museum of Rhodes’ vast and varied cultural heritage twenty-four centuries in the making. The Old Town unites two worlds: the Upper Town is home to the Palace of the Grand Master, the Great Hospital and the Street of the Knights, while the Lower Town blends Gothic architecture with remnants of the Turkish rule, such as the Ibrahim Pasha’s Mosque, the Moslem Library or the Yeni Hammam Public Baths. The starting point of any sightseeing walk should be the Palace of the Grand Master, a robust fortification at the end of the Street of the Knights. Built in the 14th century by the Knights of Saint John and restored by the Italians in the early 20th century, the palace boasts an impressive collection of 16th- and 17th-century antiques, as well as Greek and Roman statues and mosaics from the Late Hellenistic, Roman and Early Christian periods. Located in the stunning 15th-century Knights' Hospital, the Rhodes Archaeological Museum is a treasure trove of Roman, Mycenaean and Hellenistic mementos unearthed in Rhodes and other islands of the Dodecanese. Don’t miss the statue of Hippocrates, not one but two splendid representations of Aphrodite, Aphrodite of Rhodes, and Aphrodite of the Sea, and the famous grave stele of Kalliarista. Three kilometres from the city centre, on the hill of Monte Smith, the Acropolis of Rhodes towers above the city. Take a walk in ancient Greece among the remains of the Temple of Apollo, the Temple of Athena Polias and Zeus Polieus, the Nymphaeums and the Artemision. Return to the present in the Museum of Modern Greek Art. The New Art Gallery on G. Charitou Square is a crash course on contemporary Greek art history, showcasing paintings, sculptures and drawings by hundreds of local artists. Main highlights include Apartis Thanassis’ El Greco, Nikos Engonopoulos’ The Oath and the Wounded Soldier by Christos Kapralos.
Just like the capital’s Old Town, Rhodes’ cuisine has been moulded by founders, invaders and settlers alike while it has also preserved its inimitable Greek identity. Precious olive oil dripping from everything? Check. Fresh, mouth-watering ingredients? Check. Flavour combos you could eat all day every day? Check. Thanks to the island’s fertile grounds, olives and wheat grow in abundance, with the latter fuelling locals’ undying love of pasta, in all shapes and sizes. In no small part thanks to multiple periods of Italian occupation, pasta dishes, made with makarounia, matsi, koulouria, trachana or hilopites, lie at the heart of local gastronomy. Vine leaves, red pumpkins, onions, caper and green beans are also put to excellent use in Rhodes’ kitchens, along with market-fresh fish and seafood. Locals have a soft spot for desserts, too, especially those made with cereals, nuts, fruits and of course, world-famous Rhodes honey. Have a filling breakfast at Koukos, a homely guesthouse on Mandilara Street that offers everything that’s worth tasting in Greek and Dodecanese gastronomy. Koukous Nest is a solid choice, but so is any other crispy pie or pastry that comes out of their wooden-fired oven. Family-run Hatzikelis cooks up superb fish and seafood dishes by the harbour, including shrimps with ouzo cream and seafood dolmades, aka vine leaves stuffed with chopped cuttlefish, shrimp, calamari and herbs. Don’t miss it. Another gem, Marco Polo Café is tucked away in an opulent, 15th-century boutique hotel in Rhodes’ Turkish Quarter. Raved about by guests and interior design magazines alike, the restaurant’s exotic garden is a perfect couple’s hideout and a great place to take a deep dive into local gastronomy.
Time for a much-deserved break from your sightseeing tour? Hit the boutiques peppered around Rhodes’ Old Town for a different but just as exciting expedition. The souvenir shops of Aristotelous Street and Sokratous Street sell everything from sun hats to hand-painted pottery, and usually stay open until late in the evening. Jewellery of all materials and styles, including antique reproductions, and high-quality leather goods are some of the best things to buy here. Moving on to edible – and drinkable – souvenirs, the Oi Apolloniatises Store on Apostolou Pavlou stocks pastries, liquors, fruit preserves and melekounia produced by the Apolloniatises, aka the Women’s Cooperative of the village of Apollonas. Being nothing short of a bee paradise, Rhodes also produces some of the finest honey on the planet. Local thyme honey contains more antioxidants than any other thyme honey, a research by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki has shown. A word to the wise: buy in bulk. Rhodes might be famous for being the land of sunshine but it’s no less action-packed after the sun sets. Escape the crowds and recover from your medieval time travel at Socratous Garden on Sokratous Street. This intimate garden restaurant and bar is one of the Old Town’s best-kept secrets, offering reasonably priced eats and sips, and a tranquil oasis in the bustling heart of Rhodes. Added bonus: Coco, the resident parrot. Practically all seaside resorts around the capital have a lively nightlife scene, ideal for anything from candlelit dinners through cocktail-sipping to thumping parties. If caves haven’t been on the top of your list of places to hit on a night on the town, you might be in for a surprise. Sealed in a cave but easy to reach, Kallithea beach’s Oasis Beach Bar is probably one of the most exotic places you can grab a pint in. Albeit in a more orthodox setting, Macao Cocktail Bar on Rhodes’ Archelaou Street serves up clever cocktails, a stylish decor and solid lounge vibes.
Reconnect with nature and get acquainted with Rhodes’ flora and fauna in Butterfly Valley (Petaloudes). The unspoilt nature reserve is located some 27 kilometres from the island’s capital, enchanted by wooden bridges, cobblestone pathways and serene waterfalls. True to its name, from June to September this dreamy valley is covered by millions of Jersey tiger (Panaxia Quadripunctaria) butterflies. Thirty kilometres southeast of Rhodes city, another piece of paradise awaits. Seven Springs, or the Epta Piges, stretches between Colymbia and Archipolis and abounds in romantic forest trails, shady pines and swaying palm trees, and as the name suggests, natural springs that rush through a valley into a small, charming lake. While on your greenscapade, don’t miss out on Rodini Park, just a stone’s throw away from the city. Said to be the world’s very first landscaped park, this lush oasis has been a popular chill-out spot since Roman times and a family favourite, thanks to its huge playground and mini zoo. And of course, in true Greek fashion, there’s a dizzying array of beaches to soak in that famous Rhodes sun, from sandy through windy to party. Named after the famous actor, Ladiko Anthony Quinn beach is one of the most picturesque and most popular beaches of the island. Fun fact: while filming The Guns of Navarone, Quinn fell in love with the site so much he even tried to buy it. Can’t say we blame him. With its soft sand and comfy sun loungers, Tsampika on the east coast of the island is more ideal for families with children. If you prefer taking your vitamin D with some peace and quiet, stretch out on the golden sands of Agathi. With its emerald waters and basic amenities, this tiny pocket of a beach is big on seaside charm and chill vibes. Prassonissi at the southernmost tip of the island is a true surfer’s paradise. July and August see flocks of windsurfing and kitesurfing enthusiasts catching waves and enjoying the dry, strong meltemi winds.
Rhodes’ climate is Mediterranean, with temperatures ranging between roughly 12°C in January and 30°C in August. Winters are mild and bring frequent rainfalls, and the occasional snowfall on inland hills. Summers are hot with practically no precipitation, plenty of sunshine and even shorter periods of intense heat.
Rhodes International Airport is located in Paradisi, 15 kilometres west of the city of Rhodes. To reach the capital, get on the airport bus that leaves outside the terminal building in front of a small outdoor coffee shop. Tickets are available for purchase from the bus driver. Taxis and car rental options are also available.