An important site in ancient Greece, the Acropolis of Lindos is one of the most important historical monuments on the island of Rhodes in the Dodecanese Islands. Parts of the site were built more than 2,500 years ago, and this remarkably well-preserved ruin draws tourists from all over the world.
Anthony Quinn Bay, named after the actor who filmed The Guns of Navarone on Rhodes in 1961, is one of the most popular spots on the island for sun seekers. The picturesque pebble beach features shallow emerald green water—perfect for swimming—framed by dramatic coastal rocks that form underwater reefs teeming with fish.
Hailed as one of Greece’s prettiest islands, Symi is characterized by pastel-colored town houses and a quaint harbor full of wooden fishing boats. Restaurants serving fresh seafood and Greek delicacies line the seafront, while the heavily forested inland offers an abundance of walking and cycling trails.
Keeping watch over the northeastern tip of the island, the remains of the ancient Acropolis of Rhodes dominate the Dodecanese capital's skyline from atop Monte Smith hill. Highlights of the active archaeological complex include the exquisitely restored and partially reconstructed Temple of Apollo and the Temple of Pythian Apollo.
Though originally constructed in the 14th century by the Knights of St. John, the current Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes is a Mussolini-era reconstruction built after the original was destroyed by a 19th-century explosion. The lavish palace now serves as a museum displaying furniture, statues, and ancient mosaics.
The beautifully preserved walled old town, the historic core of Rhodes, is the oldest continuously inhabited medieval city in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The medieval center is still encircled by its original fourteenth century fortification walls, which took more than 200 years to construct.
In use since ancient times, Mandraki Harbour was reportedly the site of the Colossus of Rhodes. Today, statues of Elafos and Elafina, symbols of the city, mark the entrance to the harbor, which is used by yachts and boats cruising to nearby islands, while a jetty is home to three historic windmills and the Fort of St. Nicholas.
Hemmed in by a crescent of jagged rocks, Tsambika Beach is an idyllic stretch of golden sand and crystalline water that is considered one of Rhodes’ most beautiful beaches. A popular stop for boat cruises around the island, the beach is well-served by beach bars and eateries—but with no town nearby, the focus is firmly on the sun and sea.
A minuscule cove protected by cliffs, St. Paul’s Bay is reputedly the spot where the Apostle Paul first set foot on Rhodes in AD 51. One of three beaches in Lindos, the water here stays warm as late as October, and the bay is both shallow and protected from winds, which makes it ideal for swimming.
Each summer, thousands of colorful butterflies congregate in the humid Petaloudes Valley, earning it the nickname Valley of the Butterflies. It’s one of the island’s most remarkable natural attractions, where you’ll find several species of the winged beauties, as well as the only natural Oriental Sweetgum forest in Europe.
Standing at 2,619 feet (798 meters, the pine-clad peak of Profitis Ilias is one of the highest on Rhodes and offers sweeping views over the island's Aegean coastline. Head to the top to admire the scenery and explore the hiking trails, drink from the Koskinsiti spring, and visit the Monastery of Fountoukli’s historic St. Nikolaos Chapel.
Claiming the title of Rhodes’ longest stretch of sand is sun-soaked Afandou Beach, which stretches for 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) along the northeast coast. One of the island’s most popular beaches, the Blue Flag–awarded Afandou features a sand-and-pebble beach, calm shallow waters, and shaded alcoves lined with palm trees.
With almost 25 acres (10 hectares of water slides, swimming pools, and a lazy river, Waterpark Rhodes is the largest of its kind in Greece and an ideal spot for family-friendly fun. Shoot down the extreme water slides or gently bob in the wave pool—there’s something for everyone from thrill-seekers to tiny tots at his vast water park.
One of Rhodes’ most tranquil spots, the Seven Springs (Epta Piges) comprises seven natural springs that feed into a small man-made lake, built by the island’s Italian occupants to provide water to the nearby villages. The springs offer a welcome relief from the Mediterranean heat, as well as a habitat for a surprising variety of wildlife.
The volcanic island of Nisyros (Nisiros, a craggy and fertile speck in the Aegean Sea, lies north of Rhodes and is part of the Dodecanese Islands, along with Kos and Tilos. An unspoiled treasure that has avoided the onslaught of mass tourism, Nisyros offers hot springs, fishing towns, Byzantine chapels, and ancient ruins to explore.
With its white sand, turquoise waters, and refreshing lack of tourists, Limnionas Beach is where you can plop yourself directly into one of the postcard seascapes for which Greece is famous. Set in a cove along Limnionas Bay, the beach is protected from strong winds and rough seas, making it a haven for boat excursions and snorkeling.
Overlooking the Aegean Sea and the neighboring island of Halki, the crumbling stone shell of Kritinia Castle crowns a 430-foot (131-meter) hill above the village of Kritinia. Originally built in the 15th century by the Knights of St. John, the castle features a ruined chapel and the coats of arms of Grand Masters.
Dating back to 1577, Kahal Shalom Synagogue is among the oldest synagogues in Greece. A museum in the former women’s prayer gallery documents the history and legacy of the Rhodes’ Jewish community, from ancient settlements to the mass deportations to Auschwitz in 1944.
Hailed as one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval streets, Street of the Knights (Odos Ippoton) stretches from the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes to the port. The lane was once home to the Knights of St. John, who lived in streetside inns.
One of the largest water parks in Greece, Lido Waterpark offers upwards of 18 acres (7 hectares of wet and wild fun. Cool off while you zoom down water slides, splash in the wave pool, float along the lazy river, and relax in the hot tub. Smaller tots have a dedicated interactive area with gentle wading pools and waterfalls.
This archaeological museum showcases priceless objects excavated during digs on the island of Rhodes. Housed in an imposing medieval hospital built by the Knights of St. John, the collection encompasses everything from ceramics and marble statues to mosaics and funeral urns.
Perched atop a tall sheer rock face overlooking the Mediterranean, Monolithos Castle (Kástro Monolíthou) was built by the Knights of Saint John in 1480 to guard the shores from invasion and is renowned as one of the island's most impenetrable fortresses. Today the castle lies in ruins, overlooking the distant shores of mainland Greece.
Stretching about half a mile (1 kilometer) along the northeast corner of Kos, Lambi Beach is a popular swimming and sunbathing spot near the island’s main town and port. Lined with sand and pebbles, the beach offers chairs and umbrellas for rent, water sports, restaurants and snack bars, and views facing the Turkish coastline.
The ancient city of Kamiros stretches along the northwest coast of Rhodes. Once among the most prominent cities in the Dodecanese Islands, it thrived off local figs, wine, and oil production. The Hellenistic ruins of Kamiros, including the remains of the agora, temple, and reservoir, were rediscovered in 1929.
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