The quiet seaside resort of Kolymbia on the east coast of Rhodes is one of the most popular destinations for tour operators on the island. In Kolymbia you'll find plenty of medium-sized and larger hotel resorts and endless sunny beaches.

The town itself is very small and practically consists of just a single street lined with mature eucalyptus trees with a few tavernas, shops and a supermarket. Most of Colombia is occupied by hotel resorts.

Colymbia is also popular for its pretty hilly surroundings.

Beaches and swimming

The coastline in Colymbia is divided in two by a small rocky peninsula, which offers nice views of the sea and the mainland and is easily accessible from the centre of Colymbia (about 5 minutes walk).

Although all of Colombia's beaches are lined with hotel resorts, entry is free for all visitors.

North beach

The northern beach is more spacious, pleasantly wide and quieter. It has a predominantly sandy surface mixed with round pebbles. Even the entrance to the water is sand and shingle.

Further north, Kolymbia beach loosely connects to the longer and more natural Afantou beach without much facilities.

The southern beach

The southern beach is more than 1 km longer than the northern beach, but much narrower and can be crowded in high season. Due to its location in a bay, the sea water is usually calm.

Especially the wider end closer to the town centre is one of the few pure sandy beaches in Rhodes.

Just below the rocky promontory separating the two beaches you will find another smaller beach in a very quiet bay.

At all beaches you can rent a sunbed and umbrella (approx. 20 eur for a set of two sunbeds and an umbrella) and everywhere you can take advantage of the rich offer of water sports or pedal boat rentals.

The beach bistros are more in the nature of small stalls. For classic tavernas you have to walk about 5-10 minutes to the centre of Colombia.

Quiet atmosphere in the centre

Kolimbia is a large, but incomparably quieter resort than the more famous Faliraki.

The beautiful central street, lined with mature eucalyptus trees, is lined with plenty of restaurants, shops and offers excursions around the island as well as snorkelling cruises.

The rest of the resort is filled mostly with hotels and resorts.

Worth a visit is the small chapel of Agios Nikolaos just off the south beach, which offers a nice view of the sea.

If you have a rental car, or like to hike up a steep hill, be sure to head to the Panagia Tsambika Monastery on the hill separating Kolymbia and Tsambika Beach.

Holidays with a tour operator - the best hotels

Kolymbia ranks first in popularity with tour operators from all over Europe combined. It is here that the largest number of holiday offers head, even more than to the larger Faliraki.

When planning a holiday with a travel agent to Koylmbia, we would choose from these top rated hotels right on the beach. View the best weekly deals:

• Delfinia Resort **** - a smaller resort with good prices about 200 meters from the beach
• Atlantica Imperial Resort ***** - the best and largest resort right on the south sandy beach, plus a great grassy beach for hotel guests only
• SENTIDO Port Royal Villas & Spa ***** - the best resort by the northern beach with a more intimate atmosphere and nice villas ideal for

For hotels further away from the beach, expect a 15-20 minute walk.

Accommodation for individual travellers

Although the resort is mainly used by organised tours, you can of course also stay here as an individual traveller. What are the best value for money hotels or apartments in Colombia? Take a look at our selection.

However, precisely because local hotels specialise mainly in renting out accommodation to tour operators, the prices are noticeably higher than, for example, in the resort of Faliraki.

As a result, normal prices range from 150 eur per night in high season. Resorts with the best prices include Myrina Beach **** or Kolymbia Bay Art ****.

Transport to Kolymbia

You'll find Kolymbia on the east coast of the island about 35km from Rhodes Airport.

Parking

Travelling by car is very easy as the resort is close to the main ring road around the island.

Parking is free anywhere on the street and there is usually plenty of parking on the main Eucalyptus Avenue. The beach can be reached within a 5 minute slow walk.

Find out car rental prices in Rhodes

By bus

Travel by bus is possible from Rhodes, Lindos, Archangelos, Kolymbia or Faliraki.

Buses passing 1-4 times per hour on the route Rhodes - Faliraki - Lindos - Kiotari stop only on the main road about 2 km from the beach.

There are fewer buses going directly to the centre of the resort and to the beaches:

• Rhodes Town - 1-2 times per hour, price 4 eur
• Faliraki - 1-2 times per hour, price 2,20 eur
• Kallithea Springs - 1x per hour, price 4 eur
• Lindos - 7 times a day, price 4 eur
• Tsambika Beach - 4x per day, price 2,30 eur

For timetables, visit ktelrodou.gr/kolymbia-beach.

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Rhodes.