Rhodes Travel Information
With more sunshine hours than any
other of the Greek islands, Beautiful beaches and a fascinating history,
you can see why Rhodes is such a popular holiday destination.
Rhodes
Greece
Rhodes is an island of endlessly blue skies and
soft sandy beaches lapped by crystal clear seas. The resorts combine
ancient buildings and sightseeing with plenty of shops, bars, and
nightlife to ensure you can party until the early hours!
Get a
quote on a holiday to Rhodes at Hessle Travel.
|
|
Rhodes Travel and Flight
Information
|
Getting There
There are many charter flights to Rhodes with
various tour operators. To search for flights to Rhodes you can visit
our 'Late Deal' page.
If you are looking for an inclusive holiday
to Rhodes you can also search online. Just visit our 'Holidays' page for
either last minute deals or you can fill in our holiday search form.
Sightseeing
Rhodes Town is not to be missed as it is one
of the oldest walled cities in Europe. The streets are thick with
history around the Castle of Knights. Don't miss the charm and warmth of
the resort of Lindos, beneath its Acropolis, or you can even take a
short trip to Turkey as Rhodes is only 4 miles away.
Rhodes Town
Resort
Rhodes Town is
amongst the most visited of Greek capitals. Rhodes Town thrives on
innumerable boutiques, cafes and plentiful restaurants. Weary sightseers
head to the long sand and shingle beach in relief to swim and sunbath.
Transfer Time from Rhodes Airport - Approx 30
mins
Measuring 1 ml from N to S and ¾ ml from E to
W, Rhodes Town is the main town and largest resort on the island. It
comprises 2 parts: New Town, which is the commercial centre, and the
walled Old Town, which is picturesque and steeped in history. Both are
compact and easily explored on foot. New Town is cosmopolitan and
spacious, with many tree-lined squares; its busy fruit and vegetable
market overlooks bustling Mandraki Harbour, which is full of fashionable
yachts and day-trip boats. Despite the growth in tourism, Old Town has
retained much of its original character, and wandering its streets is
like stepping back in time, although parts of it are saturated with the
usual tourist shops and overpriced bars. Much of its architecture dates
from the time of the Knights of St John (14th to 16th centuries) and the
period of Turkish rule (16th to 20th centuries). Rhodes Town has been
declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
LOCATION
On the NE tip of the island. 5 mls NE of
Ixia. 11 mls NE of the airport. 14 mls S of the Turkish coast.
POSITION
Occupies a relatively narrow point of land,
with coasts facing E and W. Backed by undulating, barren countryside.
ACCOMMODATION
Wide range, from A-class hotels to very basic
pensions in Old Town. Many hotels are well-established and are now
showing their age.
ENTERTAINMENT
Daytime: lazing on the beaches. Water sports
include windsurfing, pedalloes, jet-skis and kite-skiing. Exploring Old
Town, including the Street of the Knights, Palace of the Grand Masters,
various interesting churches and mosques and the archaeological museum;
Mandraki Harbour, with its old windmills, fortress and lighthouse; sound
and light show at the municipal gardens; climbing Monte Smith Hill to
see the ancient acropolis, stadium and Temple of Apollo while taking in
the views; Rodini Park and Tomb of Ptolemy; aquarium.
Nightlife: wide
selection of bars in New Town, numbering more per square yard than the
centre of London; discos and numerous nightclubs ranging from the cheap
and tacky to more upmarket bouzouki (offering traditional musical
entertainment); casino; tour of Rhodes Town by night. You can party all
night in Faliraki and Lindos, or if you prefer you can have a more
relaxed evening in the cosmopolitan air of Rhodes Town.
There is also many fine beach bars scattered
around the island.
EATING
Many restaurants offering international,
Greek, Italian and Chinese fare; fast-food options. Small sandwich bars
on every corner.
SHOPPING
New Town offers a wide variety of shops, from
cheap souvenir outlets to expensive Italian boutiques as well as some
well-known high street names. Along the main street in Old Town you can
find many gold and leather shops. For shopping, Rhodes Town is a must,
with narrow winding streets and shops galore. The modern section of
Rhodes Town has more than enough designer boutiques to satisfy any
shopper.
EXCURSIONS
Full day: charming town of Lindos, with its
ancient acropolis; island tour, including Petaloudes (Valley of the
Butterflies); boat trip to islands of Symi or Nissyros and to Marmaris
in Turkey; scuba-diving excursion; water park at Faliraki (courtesy bus
transfer from Mandraki Harbour).
BEACH
2 main beaches, with plenty of snack bars,
showers and toilets: the one on the W coast is coarse shingle, often
very windy and popular with windsurfing and kitesurfing; the other, on
the tip of the headland, is sand and shingle. Sunbeds and sun umbrellas
available for hire.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Rhodes Town is the main terminus for buses to
all the villages and resorts. Taxis easily obtained anywhere in the
city. Car hire.
SUITS
Something to suit all tastes and budgets, but
primarily appealing to history-lovers and those seeking sun, sea and
sand. Some lively night-time entertainment, but dedicated partygoers
will be better off staying in Faliraki, 7 mls away.
Lindos
Resort
When you visit Lindos it is like walking into
an oil painting. Brilliant white houses climb the hill from the bay to
the clifftop ruins of the acropolis, affording breathtaking views. A
sheltered sand and shingle beach slopes into the sea.
Transfer Time from Rhodes Airport - Approx 1
hour 30
Lindos is probably
both the most scenic and most photographed village on the island. With
whitewashed houses perched on the hillside like sugar cubes, just below
the imposing ruins of the acropolis and the medieval walls built by the
Knights of St John. The area has been inhabited for around 4,000 years
being occupied by the Romans, Byzantines, Turks and Italians at various
times.
By the 1960s
tourists started to arrive and today the town is totally committed to
holidaymakers. The resort measures about 500m by 200m, its centre is a
maze of cobbled streets with small, family-run shops, bars and
restaurants. The village is pedestrianised, with the only means of
transport, donkeys and motorbikes.
The area is classed as a Greek national
monument and any development is strictly controlled by the government.
Vliha is a small resort situated around Vliha Bay, consisting of a few
hotels, restaurants, souvenir shops and a supermarket.
LOCATION
In the middle of the east coast. 47km (29
miles) south of Rhodes Town and its airport. Vliha, where the large
hotels are situated, is 3.2km (2 miles) north of the actual village of
Lindos.
POSITION
Clinging to a hillside below the ancient
acropolis. Lindos Bay is to the north and St Paul's Bay to the south.
ACCOMMODATION
Most holiday accommodation in the village
itself tends to be in older-style houses and is very basic. As Lindos is
a protected village planning permission for new building work is rarely
given and facilities such as swimming pools and air conditioning are few
and far between. The larger hotels on Vliha Bay without this restraint
have a varied range of modern facilities.
ENTERTAINMENT
Daytime: Beach and water based activities,
including water-skiing, jet-skiing, paragliding, banana boats and scuba
diving. Explore the town, ancient acropolis, amphitheatre and the local
church.
Nightlife: Numerous bars and a few
nightclubs, although the noise is limited after 11pm.
EATING
A variety of restaurants and tavernas to suit
a wide range of tastes. Several fast-food options selling crepes or
stuffed filo pastry.
SHOPPING
Lindos has a large selection of supermarkets
and the usual tourist shops. Common items include jewellery, leather
sandals, natural sponges and traditional ceramics. Vliha has some basic
shops near the hotels.
EXCURSIONS
Half day: Rhodes Town for sightseeing and
shopping.
Full day: Island tours, water park at
Faliraki, boat trips to Symi Island and Marmaris in Turkey. cruise with
beach picnic; water park at Faliraki.
BEACH
Lindos has two beaches, the main one of
which, on Lindos Bay, is considered by some to be the best on the
island. With a long sweeping stretch of beach, swimming is safe and
there are watersports, loungers and beachfront tavernas. It can be very
crowded during the summer.
The beach on St
Paul's Bay, is south of the village and almost completely encircled by
rocks which form a large natural pool. Vliha Bay has a sheltered
coarse-sand beach with sun umbrellas, sunbeds, water sports and a couple
of tavernas.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
A bus service between Lindos and Rhodes Town
runs 16 times throughout the day, more frequently in the morning. Taxi
rank in the main square.
SUITS
Varies from an upmarket clientele in the
properties outside of the village, to budget travellers within the
village. The larger hotels cater well for families.
Faliraki
Resort
Faliraki is a bubbling resort, ideal for
people wanting great nightlife and a superb beach. The beach is arguably
the best beach in Rhodes and there is a good selection of watersports.
In the evening, with over 60 bars and tavernas to choose from, there's
something for everyone with a great choice of international food on
offer.
Transfer Time from Rhodes Airport - Approx 1 hour 15
One of the busiest
and liveliest resorts on the island, although it is now a shadow of its
former wild self since the number of youth operators has diminished in
the resort. Ideal for spending days on the beach and going wild at
night. Many of the bars are being replaced by brand name restaurants
such as Pizza Hut etc.
LOCATION
On the NE coast. 6 mls S of Rhodes Town, 12
mls SE of Rhodes airport.
POSITION
Spread along a sandy beach of the same name
ACCOMMODATION
The larger A-class hotels offer a wide range
of facilities. Very basic, small hotels and rooms are available in the
centre.
ENTERTAINMENT
Daytime: beach- and water-based activities;
water park. Nightlife: a few quieter bars on the outskirts of the
resort; centre consists of very lively and loud bars and discos.
EATING
Plenty of tavernas and restaurants serving a
wide range of international and traditional Greek dishes. Also many
snack bars where you can sink your teeth into a souvlaki at sunrise.
SHOPPING
Local shops offer cheap tourist souvenirs.
Better shopping options in Rhodes Town.
EXCURSIONS
Half day: scuba diving; Rhodes Town for
shopping and sightseeing; Rhodes Town by night (evening). Full day:
island tour including Petaloudes (Valley of the Butterflies); boat trip
to island of Symi; E-coast cruise; Turkey excursion, boat trip to
Lindos.
BEACH
2½-ml-long sandy beach extending the length
of the resort with a full range of water sports; sun umbrellas and
sunbeds available. Packed like sardines at the height of the season
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Regular bus service to Rhodes Town; limited
services to other resorts. Main taxi rank in the centre of the resort.
SUITS
Larger hotels on the outskirts cater for all
market types, especially families, while the centre is really only
suitable for the young.
Pefkos Resort
With the sightseeing attractions of Lindos
just 3km away down Rhodes' southeast coast, Pefkos should hardly be
considered remote. Yet it seems a world away from the bustle of its
bigger neighbour. The beach is a fine expanse of soft sands and the
village offers a very good range of restaurants, from traditional Greek
to fish and chips.
Transfer Time from Rhodes Airport - Approx 1
hour 45
Originally just a
few houses and holiday homes, Pefkos has expanded considerably in recent
years to become a thriving tourist resort with a peaceful, relaxed
atmosphere. The compact centre has small, tourist-orientated
minimarkets, tavernas and accommodation. Small winding lanes lead off
the main village road towards the beach and are lined with low-rise
properties surrounded by olive and citrus trees, roads on the inland
side of the main road are steep and narrow.
LOCATION
Midway down the east coast. 4km (2.5 miles)
south west of Lindos and the same distance south east of Lardos. 50km
(30 miles) southwest of Rhodes Town and the airport.
POSITION
Set around a sandy bay, spreading in a line
along both sides of the main road to Lardos, backed by rocky hills
dotted with olive trees, hardy foliage and goats. The inland side of the
main village road descends steeply into the village, with flatter
terrain between this main road and the beach front.
ACCOMMODATION
Mainly small, low-rise, family-owned
apartments and hotels.
ENTERTAINMENT
Daytime: Beach and water-based activities
including diving and glass-bottomed boat trips. Go-karting in Lardos.
Nightlife: A small
selection of bars and tavernas, Greek folklore nights at the hotels.
Those seeking more sophisticated nightclubs and bars should try Lindos.
EATING
A choice of tavernas offering Greek, British
and international menus, there are a couple of Chinese restaurants and
an Indian option.
SHOPPING
More or less limited to basic tourist needs,
with a number of minimarkets selling basic groceries, international
newspapers and general tourist paraphernalia. A small patisserie/bakery.
A couple of jewellers. Nearby Lardos has more substantial options but is
still fairly limited.
EXCURSIONS
Half day: Picturesque village of Lindos.
Full day: Island
tour, boat to Symi island, water park at Faliraki.
BEACH
The main Pefkos Beach is around 550m from the
main road, accessed via 14 steps and a ramp, comprising a long, narrow
strip of dark-coloured sand with shallow water, backed by low rocks and
bushes. Sunbeds and parasols are available, and there are a couple of
beachfront tavernas, with more choices nearby.
Several similar but
smaller beaches are dotted around the bay. Lardos Beach has coarser,
greyer sand and watersports facilities. Lothiarika Beach is around 40m
wide with coarse sand and pebbles, the water is shallow but deepens
quickly. It is backed by scrubland with some olive trees and a couple of
tavernas.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
A bus service to Lindos and Rhodes Town. Boat
services to Lindos. Taxis widely available
SUITS
Particularly a budget and mid range clientele
looking for a peaceful and relaxing holiday. Mostly British visitors,
also some French and Scandinavian. English is widely spoken.
Weather in the
Holiday Season for Rhodes
Daily average temperatures (Approx) 'C
APR 20 MAY 25 JUN 29
JUL 32 AUG 32 SEP 29 OCT 25
|
|
|
|
