12 of the best things to do in Rhodes

1. Explore Rhodes's old town

With its massive medieval walls enclosing a labyrinth of cobbled alleys and the Palace of the Grand Master, Rhodes’s old town is like a time capsule.

Dive deep into the tangle of UNESCO-listed streets to discover mosques, synagogues, cafés and shops on a private tour with knowledgeable guide Dimitris, then stroll along the ramparts marvelling at views of the old town’s domes and minarets spread out below.

Don’t miss: Trying a moist slab of the local portokalopita orange cake from the Old Town Corner Bakery.

2. Discover lovely Lindos

Crowned by a 4th century BC acropolis that gazes out over the deep blue waters of St Paul’s Bay, Lindos is best explored in the mid-afternoon when it’s cooler and the cruise ship crowds have gone home.

Stroll the steep paved streets of the fortified city, which owes much of its current architecture to 14th-century Knights of St John, to discover the ancient Temple to Athena Lindia, age-old tombs and Byzantine chapels. Then, cool off in the sparkling waters of the bay below.

Don’t miss: Dinner at Mavrikos, a century-old family-run taverna, where celebrities from Gregory Peck to Jackie O have dined.

3. Hang out with the wildlife in Butterfly Valley

Reached via a winding road dotted with silver-leaf olive groves, Butterfly Valley is a unique nature reserve where Jersey Tiger moths flock in their thousands, covering trees with their fluttering black- and red-striped wings from May to September.

This vast nature reserve, where the island’s endemic fallow deer run wild, also has plenty of other attractions, including forest hiking trails, natural springs and waterfalls – great for a family day out.

Don’t miss: The stunning views from the 18th-century Kalopetra Monastery.

4. See the sights from Monolithos Castle

From afar, the 236m-high (774ft) thumb-shaped rock of Monolithos, crowned by two ancient chapels and the ruins of 15th-century castle built by the Knights of St John, looks like something out of a fairytale.

Reached via several hundred steps carved into the cliff face, it’s a stiff climb to reach the top of this pine-studded protrusion. It’s worth it for the spectacular views over the Aegean Sea and out to Halki island.

Don’t miss: A visit to Siana village next door, where they make the island’s punchy white spirit, Souma.

5. Try your hand at kite-surfing

The cross-shore winds of Rhodes’s southeast coast create some of the best wind- and kite-surfing conditions in the Dodecanese islands – easily verified when you count the number of colourful sails and kites filling the shoreline.

Prasonisi has some of the strongest breezes and flat water, while Ialyssos and Paradisi in the north have heaps of surfing centres offering equipment and lessons.

For a different kind of splash, head out on a boat tour from Mandraki Harbor – or better yet, hire your own yacht with a private skipper – to create your own Mamma Mia moment.

Don’t miss: Watching pro windsurfers fly over the water at Prasonisi Beach.

6. Enjoy the view from a Byzantine monastery

Renowned for an icon that’s said to grant fertility, Tsambika is one of the island’s best known Byzantine monasteries and easily one of the best things to see in Rhodes. Even if you’re not visiting for its mystical history, it's worth climbing the 292 steps for breathtaking views over the surrounding countryside.

In the north of the island, high on a hilltop where peacocks roam, Filerimos is worth visiting. It’s an easy hike from the 5th century BC site of ancient Ialyssos.

Don’t miss: Sampling the monks’ famous herb drink in the canteen at Filerimos monastery.

7. Sample Rhodes’s best local produce

Olive groves carpet every spare inch of countryside in Rhodes, so it’s no surprise that olive oil production is big here.

But it’s the island’s honey that steals the show. Rich, smooth and a staple ingredient in nougat and melekouni (soft sesame bars), its sticky sweetness is hard to resist.

Then there’s the wine. Rhodians have been stomping grapes since the 7th century BC and you’ll find delicious drops of local varieties like athiri, muscat and mandilaria in many restaurants.

Don’t miss: Live-action honey making at the Bee Museum of Rhodes.

8. Take a dip in the springs of Kalithea

The mineral-rich springs that have gushed from the rocks at Kalithea since ancient times are said to have healing properties – drawing royals and celebrities to take the waters here since the 1930s.

Swimming in the bay that’s still watered by Kalithea’s health-giving springs is one of the best things to do in Rhodes. Take in the view from Kalithea’s pretty art deco rotunda, which opens on to one of Rhodes's loveliest bays and has been the backdrop for countless films including 1961 war epic, The Guns of Navarone.

Don’t miss: Coffee and cake in Kalithea’s beachside cafe.

9. Join a jeep safari to explore mountain villages

Away from its glorious coastline, Rhodes is dotted with tiny mountain villages that are best discovered on a jeep safari.

Surrounded by a sea of vines, Embonas, the centre of wine production on the island, is the perfect spot for a wine tasting lunch, while Archangelos is renowned for its shops selling ceramics, which have been made here for centuries.

Don’t miss: Lunch at Cookhouse Paraga, a taverna in the mountain village of Apollona that’s famed for its traditional dishes.

10. Splash about in Faliraki Waterpark

At the heart of one of the island’s liveliest seaside resorts, Faliraki Waterpark is one of Rhodes’s best activities for families. 

Spread over a vast plot of land just a short drive from Rhodes Town, this magical park is great for all ages: terrifying rides like the Free Fall are marked with red stickers, while less challenging attractions are indicated with orange or yellow signs.

With several restaurants on site there’s no need to go hungry here, either.

Don’t miss: A stroll along Faliraki’s lively seafront.

11. Lounge on lovely beaches

Whether you’re a serial sunbather or want to head beneath the waves, Rhodes’s beaches won’t disappoint.

With its big resorts and excellent facilities, Faliraki’s lounger-lined stretch of sand is popular with families, while snorkellers love the fish-filled waters of Anthony Quinn Bay.

Would-be Robinson Crusoes seeking remote beaches will prefer Agathias with its silk soft sands and scattering of feet-in-the-water tavernas, or Stegna’s secluded coves backed by small cafes and framed by citrus groves.

Don’t miss: Hiking out to see Prasonisi’s picturesque lighthouse.

12. Visit Turkey for the day

Ticked off all the best things to see in Rhodes? With four ferries running daily in the height of summer, it’s possible to spend the day sightseeing in the Turkish town of Fethiye, with its Lycian tombs and bustling market, or visiting Marmaris’ medieval castle and lively marina before returning to Rhodes the same evening (remember to bring your passport).

Closer to home, the Greek islands of Symi and Halki are just over an hour’s ferry ride away from Rhodes, and ferries to Kos and Kastellorizo take around two hours.

Don’t miss: A private cruise from Lindos with a barbecue lunch included.