"Crossroads of Civilisation" Rhodes (Island) by M0B1US

Rhodes (Island) Travel Guide: 1,116 reviews and 2,304 photos

Palace of the Grand Masters seen from the harbour

Highlights

Rhodes has been an important crossroads of civilisation since the stone age and has been colonised against a succession of civilisations and powers including the Minoans, Achaeans, Dorians, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Knights of St John, Ottomans, Italians - it sure has been busy here...

For me, Rhodes has the best of both worlds when it comes to a summer holiday on an island, and that is a great climate with plenty of fascinating things to see and do!

Most people tend to go to Rhodes for the beaches first and the other stuff when they're bored, or sunburnt!

We on the other had spent only a few hours on the beach all week - and that was only because we had to wait for someone to fix the hire car!

We just didn't have time. There was too much other stuff to do, places to explore, people to meet, delicious food and drink to sample - we certainly had our work cut out...!

Now we did get a lot crammed into a week, but I much recommend that you come here for two weeks if you can manage it.

Quick Tips and Suggestions

Lindos Panorama

If you're into your ancient and mediaeval history, you are going to be in heaven here as you literally can't move without tripping over an ancient ruin here or an entire intact city there...

The oldest major sites all hail from the Dorian era and these are the cities of Kamiros and Ialysos on the west and the spectacularly sited acropolis of Lindos. Another important site is the Hellenic city of Rhodes overlooking the modern day city.

The other major monuments on the island belong to the Knights of St John, of which the Old Town of Rhodes is the largest inhabited mediaeval walled town in the world - it truly takes your breath away!

Fortifications built by the knights dot the island at regular intervals and, if you can, try and get to the stunningly sited castle of Monolithos which stands eyrie-like on a 240m 'monolith' of stone.

Although people think of Rhodes as a dry island (no, not the non-alcoholic kind!), there are a number of fertile springs in the interior such as Petaloudes, the Valley of the Butterflies and Epta Piges, Seven Springs - both of these make for an idyllic excursion though Petaloudes does get rammed with tourists and is better visited either very early or very late...

If you can, try and visit another island such as Nisyros, Tilos or Symi - if you can, arrange it to stay overnight at least. Personally I wouldn't recommend doing a day trip to Turkey as it is Tackville in extremis! But it's your holiday and not mine... ;-)

Getting Around

Shopping in the Old Town of Rhodes

Rhodes Old Town is a joy to get around by simply walking its lanes and alleyways. The same can be said of the spectacularly sited town of Lindos too.

A brilliant way to get around to the main tourist centres of Rhodes is by boat or ferry, as arriving in these places by sea is a simply magical experience!

Why not go further afield to some of the nearby Greek Islands, we were able to get to Nisyros and Tilos, but other islands like Symi and Chalki are also within easy reach.

Another popular trip is a day's shopping junket to the Turkish tourist honeypot of Marmaris...

The best way to get around the island and see everything you want to when you want to and for as long as you want to is to hire a car, which we did. This is a fantastic way to get around and see everything you want to - but beware as the Greek drivers are somewhat dangerous, apparently being the worst drivers in the EU!

I would think twice about hiring scooters because of the safety aspect, but if that is your thing then it is easy to hire them.

There is also a decent if sporadic bus service that links the major population centres.

Last visit to Rhodes (Island): Jul 2004
Intro Updated Sep 4, 2004
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Reviews (22)

At least you can enjoy a nice cold Turkish Beer! - Rhodes (Island)

Day Trip to Marmaris Tourist Traps (3)

Organised day trips like these just aren't worth it! Firstly they cost more than if you were to do it yourself - but... more travel advice

Tour of the City Walls Things to Do (7)

If you fancy walking the tops of the walls of Rhodes, you should figure this into your itinerary as quickly as possible... more travel advice

The Moat near Amboise Gate - Rhodes (Island)

Town Walls and Moat Things to Do (7)

These enormous and impregnable walls ring the Old Town and stretch for 4km (plenty far enough to walk on a hot day!).... more travel advice

The Byzantine Museum Things to Do (7)

To call this a museum is somewhat of a misnomer - more like an empty church shell with some religious Christian artwork... more travel advice

Sports & Outdoors (1)
I got to hold the Olympic Torch!!!
Warnings Or Dangers (1)
Confusing Signs
Local Customs (1)
Mythos - Greek Beer
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Comments (9)

Maurizioago Jun 3, 2009 at 1:40 AM Report Abuse

Nice pae. I'm going to Rhodes Island next month. Ciao!
balhannah Apr 25, 2009 at 1:28 PM Report Abuse

I think I will have to take the Donkey as I'm nowhere near as young and fit as I used to be. Intend to do a lot of walking, but with Asthma, hills are a killer.
gilabrand Jun 14, 2007 at 1:47 AM Report Abuse

These are excellent and well-written tips, enhanced by a wonderful sense of fun!
popiejopie May 3, 2007 at 11:21 AM Report Abuse

To my opinion, Mythos is created with GERMAN help! I can't imagine an English "pilsner-type" beer! (German Brewery Henninger Brau of Frankfurt)
Dabs Jan 13, 2007 at 8:03 AM Report Abuse

It was pouring rain when we visited Rhodes, it's absolutely lovely when the sun is shining! And probably a lot more fun to walk around in...
VeronicaG Jan 10, 2006 at 9:36 AM Report Abuse

It's been a long while since I visited Rhodes--thanks for the memory! I love your opening pic...
whitecliff62 Dec 20, 2005 at 11:38 AM Report Abuse

Well this brings back great memories for me, i can remember going to the top of the Acropolis on a donkey many years ago, and there still there are they WOW
iandsmith Apr 20, 2005 at 3:16 AM Report Abuse

Great pages, 5's all round from me! So unlike my experience where I had to climb over the wall at Lindos! And, I have to disagree - the day on my scooter was fantastic. (Pleased to see you mentioned my mountain!!)
Eilian Jul 19, 2004 at 6:29 PM Report Abuse

I could not resist the temptation to see where you've been when in Rhodes... Wooooohooooo! moreMORE! :p