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
The medieval old town of Rhodes is one of the best-preserved walled cities in Europe — the Street of the Knights, the Palace of the Grand Masters, and the Ottoman mosques and hammams that mark its later history create a layered, genuinely absorbing walk through two thousand years in an afternoon. Outside the walls, the island stretches out with good beaches on both coasts and the remarkable hilltop village of Lindos, whose Acropolis looks out over two perfect bays from a dizzying height. Rhodes receives nearly 300 days of sunshine a year, making it one of the most reliably sunny destinations in the Mediterranean. The island is large enough that different areas have very different characters. Avoid the Faliraki resort strip, which has little connection to any version of Greece.
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.