Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands. Due to its desirable mix of dense wooded valleys, ancient history, an abundance of great beaches and a lively night scene, Rhodes has long been a popular European summer holiday destination.
Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands. With an abundance of beaches, ancient history, lively nightlife, pretty towns and villages and stunning wooded valleys, there is so much to do on the island of Rhodes.
If you are lucky enough to be visiting Rhodes this year, take a look at five places you simply can’t afford to miss.
Rhodes, the capital of the Dodecanese, brimming culture, nightlife and relaxation in equal measures, is an experience for all who step foot on it. It is this emerald island’s blend of traditional and cosmopolitan which makes it thoroughly unique and appealing to a broad range of travellers.
In short, on the island of Rhodes you’ll experience things you won’t experience elsewhere.
Take a look at three things to do on Rhodes that you can’t do anywhere else.
Wine and dine in Mavrikos
Restaurant Mavrikos was founded in 1933 by Grandpa Mavrikos and has long been considered as Rhodes’ most exquisite diner. Chefs Dimitris and Mihalis blend traditional Greek cuisine with some avant-garde innovation, the net result being dishes such as lamb’s liver chunks with chilli and pork belly with grape molasses at your disposal.
Located in the town of Lindos, locals and visitors alike head to this elegant, arched restaurant, which is well known for serving some of the best food on the island.
A stroll down the cobblestone of the Street of the Knights
In 1988 the medieval city of Rhodes was listed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within Rhodes’ Old Town lies the cobblestoned Street of Knights, one of the best preserved medieval streets in Europe. This ancient street has an unrivalled atmosphere, enhanced somewhat by the medieval inns that in bygone eras provided a bed and entertainment to the soldiers of the Order of the Knights.
At the far end of the street lies the Museum Square, home of the Hospital of the Knights which is now Rhodes’ Archaeological Museum.
You could be forgiven for spending more time than you’d perceived meandering round the ancient marvels and clusters of boutiques, cafes and bars that eventually lead down to the harbour – an experience you won’t find anywhere else.
Windsurfing in Prassonisi
The point where the Mediterranean is spilt from the Aegean provides perfect windsurfing conditions. Testament of the ideal windsurfing conditions on Rhodes’ most southerly cape is the Prassonisi Windsurfing School. Here you can get to grips with windsurfing in one of the most exhilarating locations in Europe in this friendly, professional school.
If it’s white-knuckle waves you’re after, this point where two seas meet, certainly won’t disappoint – an experience like no other.
When staying on the island of Rhodes there really is one top excursion which every tourist should endeavour to visit – the pretty village of Lindos. Beware though, as there is hardly a flat piece of land in sight and walking around Lindos requires a certain level of fitness.
With wonderful beaches and fascinating archaeological remains, this perfectly picturesque town is everything a quaint Greek island village should be.
Here’s a few great things to do in Lindos, Rhodes.
Great food in tavernas can be enjoyed in the never to be forgotten surroundings amongst real villagers who go out of their way to make visitors welcome. It is a good idea to learn a few Greek words when visiting Lindos, as the locals will really appreciate your efforts.
Narrow twisting streets and white-washed houses offer fantastic photo opportunities so you can share your authentic Greek experience with people back home. Top class restaurants and quaint and quirky shops offer fabulous ways to relax and unwind. For those who don’t fancy meandering round this steeply ascending and descending village, often in sweltering temperatures, you can always climb onto a donkey’s back and discover Lindos in real authentic fashion, which is much less demanding on the legs!
One of the town’s most popular sights is the ruin of the Doric Temple of Athena Lindia, which dates back to 300 BC. St. Paul himself is said to have landed at Lindos during a storm. As a consequence, a whole bay is named after him, as is one of town’s churches. Speaking of churches, Lindos’ 13th century Greek Orthodox Church of St. John was built on the remains of another church, which dates to the 6th century. There is much history attached to Lindos. Its vibrant past has seen the village occupied by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, The Knights of St John, Ottomans and Italians, all of whom have left a mark on the town.
As you soak up the Greek sun on one of Lindos’ fine beaches overlooking the sweeping bay you may indeed wonder whose footsteps from history you are treading in?
Lindos on Rhodes – A top contender for the paradisiacal worldwide travel destinations (if there was such an award).
The town of Lindos has justifiably been referred to as being the jewel of Rhodes. This picturesque and historic seaside town has seen stonemasons through the ages as well as fighting men and warrior kings. These heroes’ legacies are still visible in the ancient ruins left behind to remind us of who once trod on the island long before we laid out our towels on the beach.
Lindos was founded in the 10th century B.C. by the Dorians, who were led by King Tiepolemus of Rhodes. The town was a major trading centre and meeting place between the Greeks and Phoenicians. It is said that the Apostle St. Paul landed here when a storm forced him to take shelter in a bay on the island.
Today Lindos is a great place to idle away the day on the beach and visit a taverna or two. Photo opportunities abound as old men leisurely ramble around on donkeys, with white-washed houses, the deep blue sea and equally as azure sky creating a perfect background that can only found in Greece. When it comes to paradisiacal worldwide travel destinations, Lindos has to be a contender.
The Acropolis at Lindos was a complicated building for archaeologists to fathom due to the fact that the first people who built upon the site got it spot on. Successive regimes rebuilt, added, fortified and rebuilt again. Today it is the building work completed by the knights of St. John which dominates the building. Snippets of archaeological marvels from the 4th century B.C. are however also visible on the ancient building.
Other famous sites to see in Lindos include the 13th century Greek Orthodox Church of St. Peter, the Doric Temple of Athena Lindia, the ancient Greek Theatre, the Church of St. Paul and the Byzantine Panagia Church and bell tower, to mention just a handful.
Lindos is a truly historic and extremely interesting place to visit and has the added bonus of being blessed with great beaches accompanied with many atmospheric and friendly bars and restaurants.
With all the above in mind, you may want to take a look at Vintage Travel’s luxury villas in Rhodes!
If you are visiting the island of Rhodes this summer, you should be pleased to know that there is plenty happening festival wise. A truly mixed bag of festivals, it is safe to say that there will be something to cater for everyone of this popular Greek island throughout the summer.
Rhodes Rock 2013
Highlights to look out for include, “Rhodes rock” where live bands will pay tribute to some of the greatest rock acts that ever existed, including the mighty Pink Floyd, the dynamic Led Zeppelin and the Jimi Hendrix experience. Legendary artists from the present and past will have their tunes blasted out across St. Paul’s bay in the historic town of Lindos. The “Rhodes Rock” festival 2013 is taking place from June 6 until June 15.
Medieval Rose Festival 2013
Holidaymakers on Rhodes may have the chance to learn a little of the history of Rhodes as the annual Medieval Rose Festival takes place throughout May and June. Historic reproductions will be held, covering a period from 1306 to 1522. All the fairs and shows at this medieval extravaganza make for one giant, colourful and unforgettable spectacle.
Festival to commemorate St. Paul and St. Peter
On June 29 a festival near Lindos takes place, which commemorates the martyrdoms of St. Paul and St. Peter. Paul is credited with the authorship of more than half of the New Testament, and he was the leading missionary and teacher of Christianity in the time of the religion’s infancy. St. Paul visited Rhodes when travelling on his third great mission. It is believed that after two years of house arrest in Rome that St. Paul was beheaded under Emperor Nero’s regime. St Peter suffered an even more terrifying ordeal as he is said to have been crucified upside down.
Flower Festival 2013
May 29, 2013 sees the beautiful Flower Festival transform the old town of Rhodes into a world of scent and colour. The Rhodes Flower Parade has wonderful flower displays and is an extreme eye-catching and buoyant event.
With a festival line-up this colourful, cheerful and diverse, it certainly seems that the historic island of Rhodes is the place to head during early summer 2013.
Perhaps you might be interested in viewing Vintage Travel’s collection of luxury villas with pools in Rhodes?
Historical sites, rapturous views and a periphery of golden sand – Why Rhodes remains a popular tourist destination!
There was once a huge statue that stood in the port of Rhodes known as the Colossus. It was a representation of the Sun God, Helios and today is remembered as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The statue stood more than100 feet high at the harbour’s entrance and was no doubt an imposing sight to any would-be assailants.
Unfortunately the Sun God was brought down by an earthquake just 56 years after it was erected between 303 and 291 B.C. Its authority, splendour and influence has lived on, as even the Statue of Liberty in New York is said to have been modelled on the Colossus of Rhodes.
Located off the south-western tip of Asia Minor, where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean, the island of Phodes was an important economic centre in the ancient world.
Due to the position and strategic importance of Rhodes, the island has suffered in the hands of many rulers and invaders.
The Venetians fortified Rhodes town in medieval times and the old part of the town is today regarded as being one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe.
Tiberius Caesar, the frighteningly menacing ruler of the Roman Empire came to Rhodes to retire in the year 6 B.C. Tiberius’s retirement to the island was sparked by his unhappy marriage with Julias, whose promiscuity and outrageous public behaviour brought shame and embarrassment to the Cesar.
Rhodes’ tumultuous and fascinating history undoubtedly augments the island’s charm, intrigue and constant flow of tourists. With its generous smattering of interesting historical sights, it’s periphery of beautiful golden beaches and pebbly coves set against a backdrop of a pine forests, mountains and panoramic views as far as the eye can see, Rhodes is an incredible place to spend a holiday.
Maybe you might consider one of Vintage Travel’s villas in Rhodes, if you are planning a visit?
From excursions to Turkey to day-long cruises along the coastline discovering some of the most beautiful and secluded bays you may have ever seen, the island of Rhodes provides its visitors with a plethora of boat trips, cruises and ferry excursions.
If discovering the waters that surround the island where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean Ocean, sounds appealing then read on, and take a look at three great boat trips in Rhodes.
Boat trips in Rhodes – Bay of Anthony Quinn
Originally named Vagies Bay, this stunning small bay has been known as the Bay of Anthony Quinn since the actor was filmed here for the Guns of Navarone in 1961. Visitors to the bay disembark their boat via a small jetty protruding past the swimmers.
Asides from relaxing and sunbathing on the beach, exploring the rocky cliffs and crevices that surround the cove and swimming in the transparent waters, visitors can be refreshed at the bay’s small taverna, with a delicious Greek feta salad and a shot of ouzo, or two!
Boat trips in Rhodes – Lindos
This one-day cruise takes guests from Rhodes Town to the ancient archaeological site of Lindos. This picturesque village, with its Acropolis towering above, never fails to capture the hearts of all who visit it.
Guests spend approximately 3 – 4 hours at this mesmerising Greek village exploring the ancient Acropolis or relaxing on the golden sands. The return journey includes a stop at the Tsampica Beach for a refreshing dip in the deep azure waters.
Boat trips in Rhodes – Marmaris
Spend a two-hour sail aboard a hydro or Catamaran boat sipping ice-cold beverages while taking in the marine marvels of the ocean until you arrive at the lively Turkish market town of Marmaris, where you will spend six hours musing among the hustle and bustle of this colourful town, which is plentiful of good restaurants, serving delectably fresh seafood.
With its pretty coastline, friendly locals, delicious food and wine, and a bustling market where haggling for a price is almost imperative, taking a boat trip from Rhodes to Marmaris provides an unforgettable day out.
“She has come, the swallow has come, bringing fine seasons and fine years, white on her belly, black on her back.”
These words are from the ‘Swallow Song of Rhodes’, one of the most famous songs of Ancient Greek folk song, and one that is still performed by the children of Rhodes every springtime. In Greece, as in many parts of Europe, the advent of the swallow marks the beginning of spring, a sign of hope, fertility and life.
Rhodes, with children across the island singing this song with fervour and passion, is a spectacular place to visit during the spring, particularly when you consider what activities you can do on this beautifully picturesque island. Take a look at three great activities in Rhodes in Spring.
Cycling
Ever since the 1930s when a cycling track was introduced on the island, cycling has been a popular sport on Rhodes, with there being numerable guided and self-guided tours put on across the island. Being warm but not excessively hot, and with colour, life and sweet-smelling fragrances sprouting across the island, the spring is possibly the best time to explore this fascinating island by bike.
With the island’s enthusiasm for cycling firmly established, a plethora of paths that cater superbly for cyclists run throughout the island, enabling cyclists to witness the exceptional beauty and diversity of the island from the saddle.
Boat trips and sailing
With its fantastic spring climate and ideal wind conditions, sailing enthusiasts can take to waters earlier on Rhodes than they are able to in many other European destinations. From cruises on skippered yachts to ferry rides, to neighboured Kos, Symi and even Turkey, to leisurely boat trips on catamarans across the crystal-clear waters that surround the island, Rhodes can only be described as a sailor’s paradise, particularly during the spring.
A visit to Rhodes Town
Admittedly, a visit to Rhodes Town can be accomplished any time of the year, but without the crowds of tourists the summer months attract and with pleasantly warm and sunny weather, spring is an especially great time to visit this wonderfully preserved medieval town with its ancient fortified walls and quaintly cobbled streets.
Be blessed with a fruitful New Year on the island of Rhodes.
Being usually sunny, having an under-average rainfall and with temperatures often reaching over 20-degrees Celsius, one could do a lot worse than spending New Years eve in Rhodes 2011. Although whilst even on the sunny Greek islands the weather cannot be guaranteed, the excitingly spectacular celebrations that take place every New Year on Rhodes can be cast in iron.
Like much of the rest of Greece, New Year is taken seriously on Rhodes and the celebrations prove it. Many free concerts are put on at various venues across the island. One cannot avoid seeing spectacular firework displays light up the night sky at midnight and into the early hours of the morning. Parties, musicals and shows are put on in every city, town and village, most of which do not start until midnight.
Whilst more traditional celebrations also dominate the immensely memorable New Year scene on Rhodes, such as the ceremonial Feast of Saint Basil, whereby the cutting of the New Year’s Eve cake is one of the oldest traditions Rhodes and has maintained a remarkable longevity.
This ritualistic procedure involves a coin being placed inside the cake and the head of the house cutting the cake into slices. The member of the family who receives the piece of cake with the coin in will have a lucky new year.
The theme of ‘luck’ is heavily focused on Rhodes during New Year, as the Greeks believe that good fortune is associated with this time of year.
Another quirky New Year tradition on Rhodes that dates back centuries is that every child who is named Vasilis on the island receives a horde of gifts and wishes of luck and prosperity from friends and family.
Given their fervent belief regarding New Year as a lucky time of the year, gambling at New Year is a popular pastime on Rhodes and is featured heavily in the bars, with card games being played often until dawn.
If you fancy joining in the Rhodes New Year party, which unites the whole island, then be sure to book a ticket to this captivating island this New Year.
