What activities are there to enjoy in Rhodes, and what did we get up to there?

Are you planning a trip to other islands? Have a look at our other guides and find out what to see in Greece.

• 👉 Rhodes in 7 days. My tip for the perfect itinerary

Beaches and swimming

Rhodes is one of the most popular seaside holiday destinations in Europe. The island offers everything from huge holiday resorts with luxury accommodation to secluded little beaches tucked away beneath cliffs, far from civilisation.

• The north-eastern coast features large holiday resorts with huge hotel complexes – Faliraki, Kolymbia, Lindos– as well as the famous Anthony Quinn Beach and Kallithea Springs
• The east and south-east coasts have quieter resorts such as Pefki, Lardos, Kiotari and Gennadi
• The western part is popular with kitesurfers, windsurfers and anyone who loves waves – Ialysos and Ixia

The Mediterranean Sea to the east is calmer, whilst the Aegean Sea to the west is often windy and choppy.

The beaches on Rhodes are usually pebbly or consist of coarse sand mixed with small pebbles, but you can also find pure sandy beaches on Rhodes.

Sandy beaches

Most beaches on Rhodes are pebbly, but if you’re looking for comfortable,purely sandy beaches, there are some great spots on the island for you too!

• Kolymbia – the beaches in this popular resort are stunning, with fine golden sand; the southern beach in particular is one of the best on Rhodes
• Pefki– the beaches in this small, quiet resort, home to many excellent resorts, are for the most part pure sandy beaches
• Tsambika – considered by many to be the most beautiful and one of the largest beaches on Rhodes outside the major resorts
• Prasonisi– an iconic beach on the remote southern tip of the island

The most beautiful beaches

It’s always very subjective to pick out a few of the most beautiful beaches. We’ve visited absolutely every beach on Rhodes and these are the top 5 we liked the most:

1. Fourni BeachbelowMonolithos Castle
2. Kolymbiain a quiet resort
3. Anthony Quinn Beach
4. Prasonisiat the southernmost tip, with a lovely walk to the lighthouse
5. Windy Beachright in the town of Rhodes

Which beaches in Rhodes did you like best? Let us know in the comments below this post.

Ideal beaches for children

If you’re looking for sandy beaches with a very gentle slope into the sea, then take a look at the ‘What to see’ section for these places:

• Beaches in Faliraki
• Tsambika Beach

Top 10 beachfront hotels

Prices for sun loungers and parasols

How much does it cost to hire a sun lounger and parasol in Rhodes? Prices vary from beach to beach, but generally speaking, you can expect to pay between 15 eur and 30 eur for a set of two sun loungers and a parasol for one day.

We found the highest price at Anthony Quinn Beach and the lowest prices in the more remote southern areas, where, exceptionally, we came across a set of two sun loungers and a parasol for 12 eur.

Water attractions

In all the island’s major resorts, you’ll find a range of water activities on offer on the beaches for both children and adults.

You can enjoy classic banana boat rides, parasailing (paragliding behind a boat), jet ski hire, water skiing or simply pedal boat hire. What are the approximate prices?

• Parasailing – 60 eur
• Banana boat ride – 40 eur
• Pedal boat hire per hour – from 20 eur
• Water skiing – 60 eur

Near Faliraki, you’ll also find Greece’s largest water park.

Sights and culture

Rhodes is a great place to combine a beach holiday with sightseeing.

We are still in Greece, so here too we can come across many traces of antiquity and ancient monuments, as well as the remains of the Order of St John from the 14th century and a castle dating from the Venetian Republic (15th century).

Medieval towns

Rhodes, the largest city, has a magnificent Old Town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which we rank amongst the top five most beautiful towns in the whole of Greece.

You mustn’t miss Lindos either, a town with its characteristic white houses and a monumental Acropolis perched on a high rocky promontory.

Ancient monuments

Almost every Greek island boasts ancient monuments, and Rhodes is no exception.

The best-preserved archaeological sites can be found in the following places:

• Kamiros
• Acropolis of Rhodes
• The Acropolis of Lindos (there are fewer ancient remains here, as they were significantly rebuilt during the construction of the fortress in the 14th century)

Castles and fortresses

The coastline of Rhodes was dotted with fortresses dating back to Byzantine times, but most of the ruins date from the 14th or 16th centuries.

We visited these castles and describe them in more detail:

• The Palace of the Grand Masters – a fully preserved castle and the seat of the Order of the Knights of Malta (the Knights Hospitaller), who ruled the island from the 14th century
• The Acropolis of Lindos – a monumental 14th-century fortress built on the site of an ancient city dating from the 4th century BC
• Archangelos – a small Johannite castle towering above a beautiful inland town full of white houses
• Feraklos – once a vast Johannite castle, now a beautiful ruin right by the sea near the resort of Charaki
• Asklipeio – a Knights of St John castle in a small inland village with breathtaking views over the valley
• Monolithos – a famous castle in the stunning wooded landscape of western Rhodes, dating from the era of the Venetian Republic
• Kritinia – a well-preserved ruin with sea views dating from the Venetian Republic

Snorkelling and diving

Although the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas are not among the world’s top-class destinations for snorkelling or diving, the waters around the island of Rhodes certainly offer plenty of attractions for recreational activities.

The coves on the east coastareabsolutely ideal forsnorkelling, with calm waters and a very rugged seabed, where you’ll see dozens of species, mainly smaller fish, but with a bit of luck you might also spot moray eels, octopuses and other fascinating sea creatures.

Best snorkelling spots:

• Agathi Beach
• St Paul’s Bay in Lindos
• The coves and beaches of Kallithea Springs
• Traganou Beach

Anthony Quinn Bay and Ladiko Bay are also often recommended for snorkelling, but due to heavy boat traffic and crowds, the conditions for snorkelling there are very poor.

You won’t usually find snorkelling equipment hire directly at these spots, but you can buy a basic snorkel and fins for 10 eur at any local souvenir shop or supermarket.

In almost all resorts, you’ll also find options for day cruises that include several stops for snorkelling.

Freediving isprohibited in the waters around the island, but you can go on dives with one of the certified agencies, which also provide training for beginners. Prices are roughly as follows:

• Scuba diving lesson for beginners, including one dive – approx. 60 eur
• Each additional dive – approx. 30 eur
• Full scuba diving course – approx. 280 to 300 eur

Examples of PADI centres in Rhodes:

• Lepia Dive Pefkos(near the town of Lindos)
• Waterhopper, Rhodes Town
• Trident, Rhodes Town
• H2O Diving Centre, Faliraki
• Big Fish Dive, Faliraki
• DiveMed Plimmiri

Boat trips

Particularly in the seaside resorts along the east coast, there is a huge range of sightseeing cruises on small boats on offer.

There is always a wide variety of different types of cruises to choose from. Prices vary depending on the individual company, and we have listed only approximate figures here to give you a better idea:

• a sightseeing cruise with stops for snorkelling or swimming (3–5 hours) – from 45 eur
• evening cruise to watch the sunset (2–3 hours) – from 25 eur
• point-to-point cruise (usually to Lindos) – from 20 eur

Nature and treks 

Rhodes is perfect for hiking and nature walks.

You can head to well-known tourist spots, but also to places where you’re likely to be all on your own. Although you can reach the most famous spots by bus, we definitely recommend hiring a car for trips into the countryside.

Book a car hire in Rhodes

We discovered these walks and natural wonders in Rhodes ourselves.

Tourist attractions also accessible by bus

For detailed information, click on the links below:

• Butterfly Valley – easy walks through a wooded valley teeming with millions of butterflies
  • Bus service twice daily from Rhodes Town, Ialysos, Ixia and Kremasti
• Seven Springs– easy walks along forest streams and a reservoir, with the option to walk through a narrow tunnel built for a water channel
  • Bus twice daily from the towns of Rhodes, Faliraki, Kolymbia, Lindos, Pefki, Lardos, Kiotari, Gennadi and Archangelos
• Prasonisi– a stunning trek through barren countryside from the beach to the lighthouse
  • Bus twice daily from Rhodes, Faliraki, Kolymbia, Lindos, Pefki, Lardos, Kiotari, Gennadi and Archangelos

More secluded spots away from the tourists

You can also head out for a hike in the deep pine forests and mountainous countryside.

We visited three places that completely captivated us.

• Mount Atavyros– a challenging full-day trek with a very steep ascent
  • a 12 km circular route from the village of Empona
  • total walking time approx. 5 hours
  • find a hotel in the village of Empona

• Jacobs’s Canyon– a beautiful, forgotten trek through a deep canyon and pine forests
  • A 5 km circular walk
  • total duration approx. 2 hours

• Profitis Elias– a popular mountain pass with a hotel and several short treks through mountain meadows and pine forests
  • the most popular trek is the 2.5 km route to the village of Salakos (a total of 5 km there and back)
  • Book your stay at the Elafos mountain hotel

Surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing

The windy western coast of the Aegean Sea offers ideal conditions for water sports. There aren’t usually very big waves in Rhodes, so traditional surfing is generally best suited to beginners. On the other hand, the mostly calm seas, wide bays, open beaches and steady winds are absolutely ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Rhodes is undoubtedly one of the best places in Greece for these water sports.

The best conditions are found in the very south of the island at the Prasonisi headland, and also on the north-western side of the island at the beaches of Ixia and Ialysos, near the capital, Rhodes Town. 

There are several surf centres where you can hire equipment, as well as schools for beginners. Approximate prices:

• Windsurfing/kitesurfing school – 2 x 3 hours approx. 250 eur
• Private lesson – approx. 40 eur
• Windsurf/kitesurf hire – approx. 30 eur per hour

Equipment hire and schools

Prasonisi:

• Prasonisi Centre
• Pro Centre
• Wind 4 Fun

Book accommodation in Prasonisi

Ixia and Ialysos:

• Surfers’ Paradise
• Surfline Rhodes
• Windsurfer’s World
• Pro Centre
• Ialysos Surf Club
• Kite Pro Centre

Theologos

• Surfing Bird

Day trips to the neighbouring islands

There are several smaller islands around Rhodes that are ideal for day trips, or even longer trips lasting several days.

• The island of Chalki– a somewhat overlooked island about a 45-minute ferry ride away, with three small beaches, a charming little town and a rugged, very hilly landscape. We have put together a separate guide for this island:
  • How to get to Chalki
  • Top places to see on Chalki
  • Accommodation tips on the island
  • Organised trips cost from 45 eur and boats usually depart from Mandraki harbour in Rhodes Town (journey time approx. 1.5 hours)
  • Regular ferries depart only from Kamrios Skala harbour in the west of the island (28 eur for a return journey)

• The island of Symi – a beautiful, rugged and picturesque island with plenty of coves, mountains and valleys, ideal not only for day trips but also for trips lasting several days
  • Organised trips cost from 30 eur and boats usually depart from Mandraki harbour in Rhodes Town (journey time approx. 1.5 hours), but also from Faliraki or Lindos
  • You can usually expect several stops at various locations around the island of Symi
  • Organised trips are full-day excursions
  • Regular ferries sail from Rhodes Town to the ports of Symi Town and Panormitis (approx. 40 eur for a return journey)
  • Book a hotel on the island of Symi
  • Book an organised tour via getyourguide.com
  • Book a ticket for a regular ferry via directferries.com

• Kastelorizo– a small islet off the Turkish coast, seemingly far from Rhodes, but you can easily take a relaxing 3–4-hour trip there or even a multi-day excursion
  • The fast ferry runs only a few times a week; the crossing takes 2 hours and a one-way ticket costs 30 eur
  • Olympic Air / Aegean Air operate daily flights; the flight takes 25 minutes and a one-way ticket costs 80 eur
  • Book your ferry at directferries.com
  • Book a flight at aegeanair.com
  • Book accommodation on the island of Kastelorizo

A trip to Turkey

Rhodes lies in the easternmost part of the Aegean Sea and is less than 20 km as the crow flies from the Turkish coast.

Regular ferry services run twice a day, taking you directly to three Turkish resorts. The ferries sail to Marmaris (approx. 1 hour’s journey), Fethiye (1.5 hours) and the resort of Bodrum (2.5 hours).

Set off on a leisurely day trip across the sea, pop over to Asia, soak up the oriental atmosphere over a cup of authentic Turkish tea and buy some souvenirs at the Turkish bazaar. 

Return one-day ferry tickets cost between 40 and 50 eur, and you can find further details, including links to timetables and online ticket purchases, in the section‘How to get to Rhodes’.

Of course, you can also take a ferry to Turkey as part of an organised tour with a travel agency. Virtually all tour operators organising holidays to Rhodes offer a one-day optional excursion to Turkey. The surcharge is usually around 90 eur.

Don’t forget that you must have a valid passport for a trip to Turkey – an EU identity card will not suffice!

Entertainment and nightlife

Rhodes is a place where there’s something for almost everyone. During the summer months, the fun never stops in most places; visitors can choose from a wide range of music festivals and concerts, beach discos and bars.

Also popular are the so-called full moon parties – huge music festivals held on the town beaches in selected resorts, most commonly in Faliraki, Rhodes Town, Kolymbia and Gennadi.

In almost every major town, you can also find a golf course or a go-kart hire facility. 

Cultural events in the capital offer a more relaxed form of entertainment, such as open-air theatre or the regular Rose Festival in the historic part of Rhodes. Another important holiday is 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The holiday is marked by evening celebrations featuring dancing and good food, and is celebrated even in the smallest villages.