Rhodes island holiday travel tips

If you can’t find any cheap flights to Greece and instead travel by boat to the scenic Greek Island of Rhodes for your holiday, one of the first postcard views you’ll see is the beautiful Mandraki Harbour pictured below.

Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese island chain and the fourth largest of all Greek islands, and is a paradise for holiday travel.

According to Greek legend, this was where the famous Colossus of Rhodes was built to become one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

The awesome Grand Master’s Palace dominates the background and in the foreground is the domed New Market.

🏝️ Rhodes: The Pearl of the Mediterranean

Mandraki Harbour in Rhodes is usually crammed with sea vessels during the Greek summer, predominantly international yachts.

The harbour also accommodates local ferry and excursion boats with daily holiday cruises that travel to Symi, Lindos, Kallithea, different beaches, bays and nearby islands such as Kos.

Two bronze statues of a stag and a doe guard the entrance to Mandraki Harbour, which was once straddled by the massive Colossus of Rhodes before the huge bronze statue of the Greek god Helios was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC and disappeared - according to legend.

Rhodes is 260 nautical miles from the Italian port of Piraeus. You can also get direct holiday flights from many European capitals as well as Athens, Thessaloniki and various Greek islands.

The Island of Rhodes has an excellent international airport on its west coast about 15 kilometres from the City of Rhodes.

You can find cheap holiday flights to Rhodes but the island is expensive and it’s not easy to find discount hotels.

Rhodes is a getaway for the European rich or for anybody who can afford to spend a week or two soaking up a holiday suntan. Cheap meals and discount hotels are scarce on Rhodes, an island often called the Pearl of the Mediterranean.

Superb beaches surround the entire island and beach access is free. You’ll find waves and windsurfing on the west coast and placid, safe waters on the east coast.

⚓ Mandraki Harbour

Mandraki Harbour is a bustling hub during the Greek summer 🇬🇷, filled with:

• 🚤 International yachts.
• 🛳️ Local ferries and excursion boats.

🌊 Daily Holiday Cruises

From Mandraki, you can set sail to:

• Symi 🌈
• Lindos 🏰
• Kallithea 🏖️
• Various beaches 🏝️, bays 🌅, and nearby islands like Kos.

🦌 Iconic Entrance

Two bronze statues of a stag and doe proudly guard the harbour entrance.

• 🗿 Historical Significance:
  • Mandraki was once home to the Colossus of Rhodes, a massive statue of Helios, the Greek sun god 🌞.
  • Unfortunately, it was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BC and vanished into legend.

✈️ Getting to Rhodes

Rhodes is 260 nautical miles from Piraeus 🛳️ and easily accessible via:

• 🛫 Direct flights from many European capitals.
• ✈️ Flights from Athens, Thessaloniki, and various Greek islands.

🛬 International Airport

Rhodes boasts an excellent airport 🌐 on the west coast, just 15 km from the City of Rhodes.

💰 Travel Tips

• 🛏️ Accommodation:
  • Discount hotels are hard to come by.
  • Luxury accommodations are more common, making Rhodes a destination for the European rich 💎.
• 🍴 Food: Cheap meals are rare, but the local cuisine is worth the splurge.

🌞 Island Highlights

🏖️ Beaches for Everyone

Rhodes is surrounded by superb beaches, all with free access!

• 🌊 West Coast: Perfect for waves and windsurfing.
• 🏖️ East Coast: Offers calm, safe waters ideal for relaxing.

🌟 A Sun-Soaked Paradise

Known as the Pearl of the Mediterranean, Rhodes is ideal for:

• 🏖️ Soaking up a golden suntan 🌞.
• 💦 Exploring pristine beaches and turquoise waters.

Whether you’re sailing into Mandraki Harbour, lounging on its stunning beaches, or indulging in its rich history and luxury, Rhodes promises an unforgettable Mediterranean escape. 🌊🌴😊

🏝️ Rhodes: A Mythical Island of Sun and Adventure

The landscape of Rhodes is mountainous and predominantly green with pine trees, creating an idyllic holiday setting. The weather is mild to sunny throughout the year.

Bicycles, motorbikes and mopeds are a common mode of holiday travel in Rhodes and there are rental companies everywhere.

It’s worth haggling with local car hire companies as you can often knock their price down. Most of the locals speak English plus one or two other languages so it’s not difficult getting local information during your holiday travel.

Tourists and backpackers low on travel money in Rhodes can find buses networked across the entire island (main terminal is located on Eleftherias Square).

Rhodes even has Tourist Police whose job is to basically make sure all the tourists are happy and enjoying their holiday travel.

Travellers from most western countries can holiday on Rhodes for up to three months without a visa.

According to Greek mythology, Rhodes began when the god Zeus became master of the world. He forgot to give a portion of it to the sun god Helios, who asked instead for any land which was to rise out of the sea.

As he spoke, Rhodes apparently bubbled to the surface of the Aegean Sea, covered with flowers, and the sun god has since bathed it with his own radiance to make it the most popular tourist island in the region.

Myth also has it that the name sprang from the love of Helios for the nymph Rhodes, daughter of the sea god Poseidon, and that the first inhabitants were a strange and magical race of men called the Telchines, who were gifted metal workers.

🌳 Breathtaking Landscape

The island of Rhodes is:

• 🏔️ Mountainous and predominantly green with lush pine forests 🌲.
• ☀️ Blessed with mild to sunny weather year-round, making it a perfect holiday escape.

🛵 Getting Around

• 🚲 Bicycles, 🛵 motorbikes, and 🛺 mopeds are popular holiday transport modes.
• 🏢 Rental companies are everywhere, and it’s worth haggling for a better deal 💬.
• Most locals speak English 🌐 and often other languages, making it easy to get advice and information.

🚌 Budget Travel Tips

• Buses are an affordable way to explore the entire island 🌍.
  • 🚏 The main terminal is located at Eleftherias Square.
• For those short on funds, Rhodes is backpacker-friendly with a connected public transport network 💸.

👮 Tourist Support

• Rhodes has a Tourist Police 👮‍♂️, ensuring visitors are happy and enjoying their stay.
• ✈️ Most western travelers can stay for up to 3 months without a visa 🛂.

🌞 A Mythical Beginning

Zeus and the Birth of Rhodes

According to Greek mythology 📜:

• After becoming master of the world, Zeus forgot to assign land to the sun god Helios 🌞.
• Helios asked for any land rising from the sea 🌊, and Rhodes emerged, covered in flowers 🌸, becoming his radiant domain.

💕 A Love Story

The name Rhodes is said to come from Helios’s love for the nymph Rhodes, daughter of sea god Poseidon 🌊.

🔨 The First Inhabitants

The first residents of Rhodes were the Telchines, a mystical race gifted in metalwork ⚒️.

🏖️ Why Visit Rhodes?

Whether you’re drawn by its mythological roots, stunning landscapes, or budget-friendly options, Rhodes offers something for everyone. Soak in the sun ☀️, breathe in the pine-scented air 🌲, and enjoy the rich history of this Aegean gem 💎!

🏛️ Rhodes: A Living Museum of History and Culture

In reality, Rhodes has a fascinating history dating back before Troy and has at various times been a commercial, cultural and military power across the Mediterranean.

The Town of Rhodes was created as the island capital during the Peloponnesian War in 408 BC when the island’s three major cities of Lindus, Ialysus, and Cameirus banded together to build a beautiful new city at the northern tip of Rhodes.

Perhaps the most visible remnants of history are the impregnable walls (up to 12 metres high), gates, hospitals, churches, palaces and inns which give Rhodes its unique character.

This was mostly the architecture of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem, who took unpopular control of the island in 1309.

The Knights ruled Rhodes for 213 years until they were overthrown in 1522 by Suleiman the Magnificent from Turkey.

The island was held by the Turks till the beginning of the 20th century when it was occupied by Italy and then Britain before the flag of Greece was finally raised over the Governor’s Palace on March 7, 1948. In 1988, Rhodes gained a UNESCO World Heritage listing.

One of the most impressive buildings in the old city is the 14th century Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes. This enormous palace houses relics from the medieval period as well as ancient sculptures and ornate first century floor mosaics.

Located in the south-east Aegean Sea, Rhodes island is very close to Turkey.

The town of Rhodes is nowadays a magical burrow of narrow lanes skirted by ancient houses with an abundance of arches, elegant gardens and shops from a bygone era. About 6,000 people live within the walls of the Town of Rhodes, which has restaurants, bars and cafes scattered throughout to ensure you’re well fed and merry during your holiday travel.

Frequent buses take tourists just out of the town of Rhodes to Monte Smith, site of the ancient acropolis where the stadium and theatre have been restored along with a few remains and reconstructed columns from the temples of Zeus, Athena and Apollo.

📜 A Fascinating Past

• Rhodes boasts a history dating before Troy 🏺, emerging as a commercial, cultural, and military power across the 🌊 Mediterranean.
• 🏙️ In 408 BC, during the Peloponnesian War, the island’s three major cities (Lindus, Ialysus, and Cameirus) united to establish the Town of Rhodes 🌟 at the northern tip of the island.

🏰 Historical Highlights

• Rhodes is famed for its impregnable walls, gates, and structures:
  • ⛪ Hospitals, churches, palaces, and inns designed by the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem ⚔️, who ruled from 1309 to 1522.
• 🕌 After being overthrown by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1522, the island was held by the Turks until the early 20th century.
• 🇬🇷 Finally, the flag of Greece was raised on March 7, 1948, marking a new chapter in Rhodes’ story.
• 🌍 In 1988, Rhodes’ historical legacy earned it a UNESCO World Heritage listing.

🏛️ Palace of the Grand Master

• A 14th-century marvel, this enormous palace houses:
  • Medieval relics ⚔️.
  • Ancient sculptures 🏺.
  • Ornate 1st-century floor mosaics 🖼️.

🏡 The Enchanted Town of Rhodes

• Today, Rhodes Town is a magical labyrinth 🌌 of narrow lanes, ancient houses, and elegant arches.
• 🌿 It features gardens, shops, and restaurants, ensuring visitors are well-fed and entertained 🍽️🍷.
• About 6,000 residents live within the historic walls, adding life and charm to this timeless locale 🏘️.

🚌 Traveling Back in Time

• Frequent buses 🚍 take tourists from Rhodes Town to Monte Smith, home of the ancient acropolis 🏛️.
  • Here, you’ll find restored stadiums 🏟️, theatres 🎭, and columns from temples of Zeus, Athena, and Apollo 🏺.

🌊 Proximity to Turkey

• Located in the southeast Aegean Sea, Rhodes lies just a short distance from Turkey 🗺️.

✨ Why Visit Rhodes?

Step into a world where ancient history meets modern charm. From its iconic walls and medieval architecture to its vibrant gardens and restaurants, Rhodes is an island where every stone tells a story 📖.

🏖️ Lindos: A Gem of Rhodes

One of the most beautiful villages of Rhodes is Lindos, where an acropolis rises above traditional white houses within the picturesque, beach-lined harbour of Ayios Pavlos.

“Must see” tourist attractions include the Castle of the Knights, the Great Stoa, an ancient theatre, the byzantine church of St John, the Temple of Dionyss and the Temple of Athena Lindia from the 4th century BC.

About 700 people live in Lindos, where homes date as far back as the 15th century. The beach area has plenty of restaurants and tavernas, along with watersports of all kinds.

Rhodes island has superb weather, boisterous nightlife, stunning beaches and a rich heritage, making it an enviable holiday travel destination throughout the year.

🌅 A Village of Timeless Beauty

• Lindos is one of the most picturesque villages on Rhodes, renowned for its acropolis 🏛️ rising above traditional whitewashed houses.
• Nestled by the scenic beach-lined harbour of Ayios Pavlos, this village offers breathtaking views and a tranquil atmosphere 🌊.

📍 Must-See Attractions

• 🏰 Castle of the Knights: A medieval fortress with stunning architecture.
• 🏛️ The Great Stoa: An ancient colonnaded structure.
• 🎭 The Ancient Theatre: A window into Greek performance history.
• ⛪ Byzantine Church of St. John: A spiritual landmark with historical significance.
• 🏺 Temple of Dionysus: A tribute to the god of wine and festivity.
• 🏛️ Temple of Athena Lindia: A 4th-century BC marvel dedicated to the goddess Athena.

🏡 Life in Lindos

• About 700 residents call Lindos home 🏘️, with many living in houses dating back to the 15th century.
• The beach area is vibrant and offers:
  • 🍽️ Restaurants and tavernas for delightful meals.
  • 🏄 Watersports for adventure seekers.

🌟 Why Visit Rhodes?

• Rhodes boasts superb weather ☀️, lively nightlife 🎉, stunning beaches 🏖️, and a rich cultural heritage 🏺.

• These qualities make it an enviable holiday destination year-round 🌍.