Things to do in  Rhodes

Aside from constant summer sunshine, Rhodes is famed for UNESCO-listed Rhodes Old Town: Europe’s oldest inhabited medieval city and home to the pristine Palace of the Grand Masters of the Knights of Rhodes. The island also boasts the whitewashed, Acropolis-crowned village of Lindos, beautiful beaches, lush valleys, and pine-coated hills.

You need a minimum of a week. This allows time to experience Rhodes’ best bits, with tours of history-steeped Rhodes Old Town and picturesque Lindos; and outings to wineries, classical ruins, and spots like the verdant Valley of the Butterflies. Stay longer to enjoy Rhodes’ other star turn—its sun-baked beaches.

Rhodes Old Town was largely the work of the Knights of St. John, who occupied Rhodes from 1309 to 1523. They constructed the city from what was a fortified Byzantine settlement, protecting it with robust walls and building its imposing Palace of the Grand Master and inn-lined Street of the Knights.

Many consider Lindos to be Rhodes’ prettiest spot, thanks to its shimmering, bougainvillea-festooned houses, paved lanes, and timeworn Acropolis. Others cite Rhodes Old Town, with its cobblestoned lanes, sturdy walls, and crenelated Grand Palace. Close behind is rural Rhodes, where pine forests, wineries, red-roofed villages, and silvery olive groves reign.

For looks, it’s hard to beat St. Paul’s Bay. This gorgeous half-moon of sands is washed by teal-blue waters and overlooks Lindos Acropolis but can get busy. Other beauties include Tsambika; the soft, picturesque, and often crammed Pefkos; and, for spectacle, sandy Prasonisi, which is harder to access and quieter.

It can be cheap or expensive, depending on your plans. Generally, Rhodes is cheaper than trendy Greek islands like Santorini, but pricier than others like Crete. Accommodation and food costs mirror those across the Mediterranean, but you can go glam with luxe hotels and activities. There are numerous budget-friendly resorts, too, like Faliraki.