Dodecanese
Rhodes
A medieval walled city, sun-drenched beaches, and 300 days of sunshine a year.
Getting around
Car recommended
Cost
€€€
In peak season
Busy in peak
Best months
May, Jun, Sep, Oct
From Athens
Flight or ferry
In pictures
Rhodes
Rhodes has it all on paper — a UNESCO-listed medieval old town that's one of the best-preserved in the world, beautiful beaches on the west and east coasts, a lively capital, and near-guaranteed sunshine. The island is large enough to have distinct characters in different areas. The catch is that it's a major package-holiday destination, so parts of it feel very tourist-industrial.
How it scores
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Food
- Culture
- Nature
- Family
- Accessibility
- Value for money
The catch
Faliraki and the resort strip is pure package-holiday territory. The medieval town gets very busy midday with cruise passengers.
Hidden gem
The abandoned village of Eleousa in the interior — Mussolini-era ruins reclaimed by pine forest.
Where it sits
Dodecanese, Greece
Rhodes — frequently asked
- When is the best time to visit Rhodes? +
- The best months to visit Rhodes are May to October. Avoid late July and August if you can — the island is crowded in July and August.
- How do you get to Rhodes from Athens? +
- Rhodes has an airport, so you can fly direct from Athens in under an hour or take the ferry (about 18 hours).
- Is Rhodes good for couples? +
- Rhodes is a charming pick for couples, especially shoulder season.
- Is Rhodes good for families with kids? +
- Rhodes is a great choice for families — calm swims, walkable towns, and short transfers.
- Is Rhodes expensive? +
- Rhodes is affordable by Greek-island standards — value-for-money is on the weaker side, so set expectations.
- Do you need a car on Rhodes? +
- You'll want a rental car on Rhodes — distances are longer and the best beaches are spread out.
- What's the catch with Rhodes? +
- Faliraki and the resort strip is pure package-holiday territory. The medieval town gets very busy midday with cruise passengers.