Steeped in history, the island of Rhodes is a tourist's paradise so diverse that it has something for every type of holidaymaker, regardless of budget. A holiday in Rhodes will help you capture the essence of Greece with temperatures close to 30°C in the summer, golden sun-drenched shores and a delightful turquoise coast, with flights from the majority of UK airports taking less than four hours.
Its sun-kissed coastline helps Rhodes to attract a wide range of holidaymakers…
Whether you're looking for peaceful, unspoilt beaches, a cosmopolitan town or a cultural experience, Rhodes has plenty to offer all ages and types of holidaymaker. Families will be engaged by the beautiful beach resorts with their scattering of shops and restaurants, while couples on a bigger budget will head closer to Rhodes Town with its variety of bars, mini-markets and excellent conditions for watersports. The ancient city is also popular for a more traditional glance at Greek life coupled with a real holiday atmosphere.
With six contrasting resorts in close proximity and temperatures remaining warm throughout the year, peaking around 30°C in July, Rhodes offers real choice and variety. This is very much a summer only destination for holidaymakers with flights from the UK unavailable during the winter months. The most popular beach resorts are Lindos, Ixia, Kiotari, Pefkos, Faliraki and Ialyssos, each one with its own unique features.
Families and couples looking for a relaxing holiday in a peaceful area should focus on Kiotari and Pefkos. Kiotari is the most active of the two with a handful of bars and beachfront tavernas as well as a scattering of shops throughout the area. There is also a bus that runs to Rhodes Town and the area is popular with locals who want to escape the hustle and bustle. The beach is large, combining sand and shingle, which contrasts with Pefkos that has a more of a soft yellow sand beach set among pine-clad hills and with a tiny white church at its centre.
Lindos is the liveliest resort on the island with a wonderful sandy beach that is popular with watersports enthusiasts. Nightlife in the area is infamous and there are a host of beachfront tavernas, discos and restaurants serving up international cuisine. The resort is also adjacent to the ancient Lindos Acropolis, one of the most famous outside Athens, positioned high above the whitewashed houses.
Ialyssos, a mere 15 minutes transfer from the airport, is vastly popular. The ancient city combines Greek life with a party atmosphere with numerous historical sites such as Philerimos Hill, where the ancient city of Doris was built. Ialyssos has a vast pebble and shingle beach and a host of shops, bars and restaurants. It is also closely situated to Rhodes Town, which is where the heart of the island truly lies. The town has it all with the Palace of Grand Masters in the medieval area, at the end of the Street of Knights. The palace has a formidable citadel and there are many impressive rooms. Even now a wall separates Rhodes Town and there are many historical sights to visit such as the church of our Lady of the Castle, the Sultan Mustafa Mosque and the castle built by the Knights of Saint John. The area also has an array of shops selling jewellery, pottery and leather goods, a beautiful harbour and a thriving nightlife.
Ixia, which has gained a reputation as a windsurfer's paradise, has a cooling breeze that makes for pleasant conditions on the sand and shingle beach.
Perhaps the most famous party resort in Rhodes however, is Faliraki. There are numerous attractions in the area to keep you entertained by day including a water park, sky surfer, Luna Park and go-karts. However, by night the area really comes alive with discos, nightclubs and bars to satisfy every musical taste.
If you are staying in Rhodes it's also well worth taking a boat trip to the beautiful island of Symi, which has one of the most picturesque harbours in Greece with tier on tier of houses, some white, some pastel yellow. Ferry journeys to Turkey are also popular and run regularly to Bodrum, Fethiye and Marmaris during the summer season.
