Find and book your dream villa in Rhodes
An island rich with history, beautiful landscapes and fascinating museums, Rhodes is the perfect place to experience the best of Greece in miniature. Book a villa in Prasonisi for a relaxing beach getaway, or to test your abilities in watersports. If you're more interested in the fascinating history, architecture and museums of the walled city, book a holiday rental in the Old Town of Rhodes to get the most out of your stay.
When to go
Greece is generally very warm, and Rhodes is no exception, as one of the most southern Greek islands. This means any time from April to as late as November can make for a really pleasant holiday in Rhodes. The summer months between June and September are the hottest – although possibly too warm for anyone particularly sensitive to the sun – and also the busiest, with the holiday season booming. This means the restaurants and bars will all be open, but you might prefer to make your trip at a quieter time if possible, to avoid too many crowds.
How to get there
Rhodes has an airport, in the Paradisi region not too far from Rhodes Town. The airport receives domestic flights from Athens and Thessaloniki, and lots of international flights from Europe in the summertime. This is probably the easiest way to get to Rhodes directly, because it is an island separate from mainland Greece. However, if you're going to mainland Greece or island-hopping you can sail to Rhodes from most major ports in Greece. There are ferries between Rhodes and Athens, Heraklion, Crete, Kos and more that run regularly, especially in the summer, but be warned that the journey between Rhodes and Athens can take up to 18 hours. You can also sail between Rhodes and Turkey if you want to expand your Mediterranean adventure to a new country!
How to get around in Rhodes
To get around the whole island of Rhodes, you will need some form of transport such as a rental car, public transport or a bus tour. There are good public bus services across the whole island that the tourist office can provide information on; the city buses also offer six tour routes, which could be a good way to see the main sights of Rhodes on a budget. Several holiday companies run day trips and tours around Rhodes and the surrounding islands, which can be a good value way to see the nearby islands of Lindos and Simi. If you like to be more in control, you should probably rent a car: this is not too expensive, but make sure you use a reputable company to be properly insured in case of accidents. Within the walled city of Rhodes itself, you can walk pretty much everywhere; cars are not even allowed within the walls unless you have luggage with you.
Where to stay in Rhodes
Prasonisi
This area's name literally means "green island", and it has the beautiful landscape to live up to it. This area is only attached to Rhodes during the summertime when water levels are lower, and in the winter, it becomes its own island. There is a specific holiday resort here on Prasonisi where you can book a hotel, go for a meal and do your shopping. This is the perfect place to stay if you want to try out watersports, as it has a great reputation for windsurfing and surfing. This is a really popular area of Rhodes for tourists during the summer, so it's great for travellers who want to book accommodation in a lively, bustling part of the island.
Old Town
This is the perfect area for history-lovers to book their holiday apartment. The island of Rhodes has had a tumultuous history, being ruled by the ancient Greeks, Ottomans, Byzantines, Italians and Jews over the years: the old walled city makes all this history evident straight away. There are remnants of each era of the city's existence all around you, making this a truly magical place to stay. The cobblestoned streets are rich with history at every turn and the measures in place to protect the town's history make it a really peaceful place to stay, too.
What to do in Rhodes
Acropolis of Rhodes
Like its Athenian sister, the Acropolis in Rhodes is a beautiful theatre dating from the ancient Greek era. This acropolis is partially reconstructed, so you can imagine more easily what it would have been like for contemporary visitors. You can also visit the Temple of Apollo here. These sights offer a unique and fascinating insight into the classical world and its culture of religion and entertainment. At the top, there are brilliant views of Rhodes. Keep this one for the late afternoon if you're visiting Rhodes in the summer, because there is not much shade and the heat can be very intense in the middle of the day.
Archaeological Museum of Rhodes
A visit to Greece is not complete without exploring the remnants of Greek's rich classical history, and Rhodes is no exception. The Archaeological Museum has lots of beautiful ancient artefacts from Rhodes and the surrounding areas for tourists interested in the ancient Greek civilisation, but the building itself is also a point of interest, having been built in the 15th century.
Aquarium of Rhodes
For a break from the historical sights, the aquarium is a great way to relax and also possibly avoid the hottest temperatures if you're visiting Rhodes in the summer. The building is a beautiful example of Art Deco architecture, built in the 1930s when Rhodes was ruled by Italy, and has lots of examples of native Greek marine life. This is a great place to visit with children, both to help them escape the heat and spark their interest in something different.