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ISLAND INFO
Rhodes Island
According to Greek mythology, Rhodes Island rose out of the sea as a gift to the Sun god, Helios, who clothed it with light,
there it's coming "island of the sun". It still enjoys more than 300 sunny days yearly, Officially the sunniest place of Europe.
Summer seems to last forever on Rhodes, the largest and greenest of the Dodecanese islands.
Rhodes being at the crossroads of two major sea routes of the Mediterranean between the Aegean Sea and the coast of the Middle East, as well as Cyprus and Egypt
it has experienced many inventors in the past. Today it is still subject to invasion, but now the intruders are tourists, who come to revel
in what is reputedly the sunniest Greek island,to walk in the well preserved medieval city of the Knights of St. John, to have fun and
know its cosmopolitan life, to enjoy the sun and and swim in the crystal clear waters of its sandy beaches and to visit its beaudefull natural spots.
The rest of the relatively large island offers miles of beaches, interesting archaeological sites and natural beauty spots. The best
beaches are on the east coast, between Faliraki and Lindos. Lindos is renowned as a particularly picturesque town that has been designated a
protected historic settlement.
Rhodes Town
The capital of Rhodes
is located at the northernmost tip of the island. There are actually three cities on this site -modern, ancient and medieval. The modern town has a
cosmopolitan character, many late 20th century buildings and hotels. The ancient town, which was founded in 408 B.C. according to plans by Hippodamos of Milesios, the first town planner,
with the ruins of the temples of Zeus, Athena Poliados and Apollo, the Stadium, Gymnasium and the Theatre, which has been restored. In ancient times the harbour was guarded by
the legendary Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, but now some statues of deer have taken its place. The medieval city is still surrounded by
the high walls erected by the Knights.It is divided by an inner wall into two unequal parts, the smaller Collachio and the larger Burgo or Hora. Collachio is further split by
the Street of the Knights, both of whose sides are lined with the sombre stone facades of the Inns of the Tongues or nationalities that belonged to the order of
the Knights Hospitalers of St. John. At the end of the street stands the palace of the Grand Masters, which today houses a collection of 16th and 17th century
furniture and Roman mosaic floors from Kos. The Hospital of the Knights, another of the town's most magnificent buildings, has been converted to the Archaeological Museum.
Burgo / Hora lies to the south of Collachio; its walls once enclosed the humbler residences, the marketplace, the Synagogue and Jewish quarter, Orthodox and Catholic
churches, public buildings and army barracks. In 1988 the Medieval Town was designated as a World Heritage City.
Places to visit
Lindos Acropolis (47km)
Most tourists on Rhodes head for Lindos, a holiday resort centred on a small medieval village, topped
 with a fortified ancient Acropolis. Sugar-cubed houses clustered beneath above a horseshoe bay make Lindos one of the
most photogenic of resorts. The narrow, cobbled streets are pedestrian only and many houses boast beautifully laid out black
and white pebble courtyards. This beautiful place sometimes is so packed you must queue just to pass along the
narrow, pebble-paved, serpentine streets.The Acropolis is reached through a series of steps, which can be ascended on donkeys.
The main attraction is the ancient Acropolis enclosed by the walls of a Crusader fortress which is impressive.
Inside are the Doric Stoa, propylaean ruins, the sanctuary of Athena and the Byzantine church of St John. The ruins of
an ancient theatre have been discovered on the slope below the Acropolis. Many cafes and tavernas can be found in the
small village and on the beachfront.
Ancient Ialyssos (8km)
In the northern part of the island, the ancient city of Ialyssos
extended around the hill of Philerimos. The area it was inhabited in the prehistoric period.
Remains of a Minoan settlement, Mycenaean cemeteries, Archaic temples, Byzantine church and Knights period
medieval monastry have been found in the area.
Ancient Kamiros
Built around the 7th century B.C., this ancient city of Rhodes contains the remains of a
civilization that is dated nearly 3,000 years old. The district of Kameiros stretches along the
northwest coast of the island close to Cape Agios Minas (ancient Mylantion) in the
foothills of Mountain Akramytis. In prehistoric times the Mylantian gods, who taught mankind
milling and kneading, were worshipped here. The earthquake of 226 BC destroyed the city
The Hellenistic city was built on three levels according to the Hippodamian system. On the
summit of the hill was the Acropolis with the Temple of Athena and the Stoa. On the
middle terrace was the settlement and lower down the Hellenistic temple, Doric Fountain-house,
Agora and Peribolos of the Altars. The area was embellished with numerous votive
offerings, stelai and plinths with statues.
he earthquake of 142 BC destroyed the city
for the second time.
The valey of Butterflies(27km)
In the western side of the island of
Rhodes, approximately five kilometers south
east of the village of Theologos (or Tholos),
lies the Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes),
a biotope unique in the world.
The Valley runs the river Pelekanos, which is fed by small, rushing
waterfalls. This is one of the most attractive
destinations on the island
Seven Springs(47km)
Seven Springs (Epta Pyges) is a cool, magical green
landscape, a real oasis even in the heat of
high summer.(30km)
Towns-Villages
Lindos
A walk among its narrow paved streets reveals the austere
beauty of the traditional island architecture, and winding alleys bring you
imperceptibly to the ancient acropolis. From this high vantage point, the sea
spreads out before you to the grey line of the horizon. The seashore round about,
golden in the light of the sun, completes the magic of the landscape. And when the sun
sinks into the waters of the Aegean, nights of enchantment await you.
Ialyssos
Blue waters, a seemingly endless organized beach, the pleasant cool summer climate and
mild winters, big hotel complexes as well as smaller friendly ones, shops of all kinds,
and many night-clubs all contribute to make Ialyssos bay one of the most
popular resorts on the island. Thanks to the ideal conditions of the region, important
international windsurfing competitions often take place here.
Ixia(7km)
Ixia lies at the North West part of Rhodes at a distance of about 7 Km from the city of Rhodes close to Rhodes International
Airport. Some of the best hotels in Rhodes can be found here.There are only a few pubs and bars that close at midnight, but most
hotels provide family entertainment programs, and its proximity to Rhodes Town means that all the amenities of a large town
are only a short taxi ride away. The beach is mainly organized and during the summer season it gets rather windy with large
waves, so is suitable for wind surfing and sailing. Ixia also offers spectacular sunsets.
Afandou(18km)
Afandou village is the second largest on the island but not yet completely spoiled by tourism. It is still a working village
though tourism is the staple trade. Dozens of tavernas and holiday bars line the busy main street though there is no nightlife as
such unless you enjoy very loud music and karaoke.
Kalathos(45km)
A small traditional village 6 km by road of Lindos, local population approx 400 resindents, which has kept its
beauty.There are a a lot of restaurants and Greek tavernas, to choose from.The Village is on the main Lindos to Rhodes
town road, with regular bus service between during the day. Kalathos is a very good base to explore the surrounding areas either by bus or rent a car.
The shingle
beach is a 15 minutes walk from the village of Kalathos over half a mile long with an array of sunbeds and tavernas.
Falirakii(12km)
Once a tiny fishing village now the most popular holiday resorts on the island, especialy for young peopole. On its vast golden beach you can give yourself up to the enjoyment of blue waters and the caress of the hot sun.Jet
skiing, go karting, even bungy jumping are on offer to the daily influx of frolicky
young visitors whose idea of fun is making as much noise as they possibly can. And
noise there is, brain-addling at night as the bars and clubs wind up to full power.
Drinks here are expensive and street touts for the clubs and bars can be persistent and aggressive
Pefkos
Pefkos(pine tree) is an attractive village and holiday resort. There is a
beautiful small beach of soft golden sand.
Apart from summer homes belonging to people
from Lindos, this relatively low profile resort area is made up of small hotels and
rooms to let, occupied chiefly by groups of Scandinavians, British, Germans and
Austrians. The main streets of Pefkos (or Pefki), back from the shore, have
everything: mini market, pharmacy, cafe, bars, restaurants.
Asklipios
A picturesque village in the South East part of Rhodes with two spots worth seeing. A medieval castle and the Byzantine church of
Theotokou at the center of Asklipios square with intresting Byzantine wall paintings and a small folklore museum.
Monolithos
Monolithos is a small village at a distance of about 10 Km South East of Apolakia and 30Km from Prassonisi. Worth seing is the
Venetian castle of Monolithos, just outside the village on a 300 feet rock. From the base of the hill one has to continue by foot
up the narrow pathway with steps of the Castle. On the top of the rock there is a
small church Also of interest and beauty is the small and peacefull pebble beach of Fourni below Monolithos.
Beaches
Rhodes Town Beach
Next to the harbour and after the Rhodes Casino starts Rhodes town beach. A long
pebble
beach with a lot of umbrellas and sun beds in frond of the
numerous big hotels that run up to Kritika
Kalithea Bay(7km)
 This is all-inclusive hotel holiday territory Such is the dominance of self-contained holiday hotels that some may try to give the
impression the beaches are strictly private - there are no private beaches on Rhodes. The beaches are pebble though a few patches of good sand can be found at Kalithea.
The Baths built here by the Italians (no longer in operation), as well as the obvious delights of mezedes and the tiny
inlets and coves with their sculptured rocks and clear green water make this place attractive and picturesque.
The Kalithea spa Building complex is a distinguisshed Cultural Monument This is the reason why the minibeach below the Baths
is occupied by tourist which arrive here with smallboats from Rhodes. Once you have visited the Baths, drive on
towards Faliraki and take the first dirt track to the left. Then, by following the signs guiding you to the various small
eating holes in the area, you will reach a series of pine-covered bays and coves, with stone pools and rocks you can dive from. The sea here is deep
be careful, you need to be a good swimmer.
Vlycha
The picturesque Vlycha Beach, within easy reach of the historic town of Lindos, features everything you would expect of an
idyllic beach warm sand, crystal clear blue waters, plenty of sun beds and umbrellas and canteens serving cool dinks and great
tasting snacks.If water sports are what you are after, Vlycha has a good variety to choose from, everything from banana boat rides, to off shore snorkeling.
Afandou(20km)
A sandy beach with some pebbles, and sea that deepens quite abruptly. Some sections of the beach are commercially organised while
others are not. Among the foreigners this is a favourite spot with Brits and Germans.
There is a small number of small restaurants, beach sports centres and fish tavernas. On the coast road you will also
find the Rhodes golf course with an 18-hole golf course and a tourist train to carry visitors between village and the beach, a distance of 2km.
Faliraki(12km)
More than 5 kilometers wide, Faliraki is the most popular and the most highly organized beach on Rhodes
On its vast golden beach you can give yourself up to the enjoyment of blue waters and the caress of the hot sun.
Faliraki is like one big funfair, with a vast, multiethnic crowd tirelessly in
pursuit of pleasure, day and night .The pleasures of the place are not confined to the morning hours,
the night life at Faliraki offers a great variety of choices - the pleasure of a good meal in one of the
many little tavernas along the beach, the exciting rhythms of the bars and discos, the
serenity of a walk by night beside the unruffled sea.Here you can find anything you can possibly
ask for - water sports, cafeterias, night clubs, restaurants, bungee-jumping, places for shopping and more.
At the impressive Faliraki Water Park, which is currently the biggest in the whole of Europe, you can enjoy water slides, a lazy
river, black holes, rafting slides, the giant slide (about 140m long), kamikaze slides, a huge wave pool, an aqua-gym,
poll-cafes and much, much more. A part of the water park is especially designed for
children. 35 fully trained and certified lifeguards guarantee for your safety.
Ladico Bay(15km)
.jpg) This beautiful small beach lies 15km from Rhodes town and just 3 km from Faliraki is a must see in Rhodes.
This is just a tiny cove, but offers everything you could possibly want! Fine sand, small rocks, sun beds, umbrellas,
hills all around, emerald water, showers and finaly a taverna. It is very popular among Italians and Greeks, especially in August when it
becomes very crowded. In recent years, the sun beds have spread over to the opposite shore with the rocks, ideal for
those looking for some peace and quiet.
Tsampika(26km)
Tsampika is one of the most beautiful beaches on Rhodes. A long, broad beach with fine, golden sand and dozens of
colourful little flags marking out the various eating establishments and beach sports centre. Apart from these, and a
mini-market next to the bus stop, there is absolutely nothing else here, nothing except crowds of people of all ages and
nationalities, who come to swim in the emerald crystal-clear water and admire the imposing rock with the Monastery of the
Virgin of Tsampika The steep descent of 1,500 metres or so rules out tourist buses and other public transport, but the beach
nevertheless teems with tourists and sunbeds are jammed together like playing cards particularly along the northern stretch.
How to get there
- By air:
There are daily flights from Athens to Rhodes,
50 minutes flight, Crete and Santorini.
The airport of Rhodes has daily charter
flights from many European cities as
well as Cyprus, Tel Aviv and Cairo. The
airport of Rhodes is located on the
eastern edge of the island 15km from
Rhodes town reachable only via
taxi service
- By Ferry:There are
2-3 scheduled (departure time afternoon
about 19:00hours) daily ferries
connections from Piraeus port to Rhodes in
a 13 to 20 hours ferry trip.
There are also connections with its neighbourhood
Dodecannese islands, with Thessaloniki,
Crete and international ports as
Limassol (Cyprus),Haifa (Israel),
Alexandria (Egypt) and Ancona (Italy).
Crete islands .
Cruise s
Rhodes island is very popular island and is
always part of any Greek island or
Mediterranean cruise. It is easily combined
with Kousantansi (Turkey), Patmos and Crete.
Island Hopping:
Rhodes is combined with Crete and Karpathos
islands in our packages.
Other island combination upon request.
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