This is one of the best known Greek islands and holidaymakers have been coming here for many decades. It is a beautiful island, but the many years of tourism has definitely taken its toll. Everywhere in Lindos and Rhodes town you will see bars, discos, and restaurants with food from all over the world. On the one hand this might take away a bit of the "Greekness" of the island, but on the other hand you have everything you want here. Struggling to find somewhere to exchange money or trying to communicate through bodylanguage on a small island might be charming, but sometimes it is wonderful to have all the facilities, especially if you are travelling with children, or just want to have a fun holiday by the sea.
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| Rhodes Island - Greece |
Many locals are involved with tourism in one way or the other, but there is also a lot of farmers on the island. They grow grapes and keep goats. Because it is a large island, many also have "ordinary" occupations: civil servants, shopowners, office clerks etc. There is also a large military base on the island.
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| Rhodes Island - Greece |
What to see in Rhodes:
The capital, Rodos, is in itself very beautiful. Just walk around in the Old Town and see where the streets take you. Mandraki is a nice area, and from the hill of Monte Smith you get a wonderful panorama view. It is in the harbour of Mandraki the two famous bronze deer stand where the colossus of Rhodes once was. The old part of the town is from the Middle Ages and you can visit the castle of the Grand Master as well as walk on the road of the Knights and visit the Castle of the Knights.
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| Rhodes Island - Greece |
The white town Lindos is well worth visiting. The acropolis here was only surpassed by the acropolis of Athens, and you can still see its ruins.
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| Rhodes Island - The white town Lindos - Greece |
The healing baths of Kallithea are on the Eastern side of the island.
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| Rhodes Island - Kallithea - Greece |
On the West side of the island there are several picturesque villages. If you like ancient history the "Pompey of Greece", Kamiros, is definitely a place to go. The monastery of Filerimos is also a place worth a visit.
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| Rhodes Island - Monastery of Filerimos - Greece |
Sianna is often considered the most picturesque village.
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| Rhodes Island - Sianna - Greece |
The Valley of Butterflies (Petaludes) is full of butterflies and is very pretty.
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| Rhodes Island - Valley of Butterflies - Greece |
What to do
Rhodes has many options for grown ups as well as children. There are lots of watersports, as well as tenniscourts, golf and horseriding. In Afandou there is a Casino which is Greece's third in size. You can also dive in Kallithea. The island is also great for exploring on your own.
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| Rhodes Island - Castle of the Knights - Greece |
Rhodes Beaches
The best beaches are situated on the east coast. It is not too windy there and most beaches there are suitable for families with children. Surfers prefer Prasonisi in the South. At Cape Ladiko there is a small bay with the incredible name Anthony Quinn which is very nice. This is where The Guns of Navarone was filmed. There are also many, many more beaches.
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| Rhodes Island - Castle of the Knights - Greece |
Rhodes Nightlife
You'll find loads of bars, pubs, discos and clubs here on Rhodes. There is something for every taste, both foreign and Greek. The wildest partying goes on in Rhodes town mainly at the new town and Lindos, but there are also many nice places in the quieter parts.
Food
The local wine and sparkling wine worth a try. The Greeks call the latter champagne, but it is much cheaper than the real thing.. There is also a local drink called Soima made of grapes, as well as a special kind of honey. There are taverns all over the island. The real traditional Greek taverns are in the smaller villages, and in Rhodes town and Lindos there is a wide range of international as well as Greek restaurants.
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| Rhodes Island - Harbour of Mandraki - Greece |
Shopping in Rhodes
You can get all kinds of things here. There are ordinary shops where you can buy clothes, shoes, books, things for the beach, glasses and so on. Then, there are the souvenir shops where everything Greek can be bought: leather belts, gloves, bags, icons, embroideries, copies of ancient art etc.
Getting Around
The roads on Rhodes are quite good, so you can get around easily with a car or a bike. There is also a good local busnetwork, as well as many taxis. Several boats can take you on excursions to beaches.
Getting There
There is an airport on the island of Rhodes where almost all charter flights land. The airport also has flights within Greece to both islands with airports as well as with Athens Greece and Thessaloniki. The island is also connected with the rest of the Dodecannese, as well as Crete, the Cyclades, Pireus and Alexandroupolis. There are also ferry connections with Cyprus and Israel
Facts about Rhodes
Size: 1400 sq. km
Population: about 100.000
Cashmachine: Yes
Internet cafe: Yes
Highest Mountain: Ataviros
Airport: Yes
Tour Operators: Argo,Libra, JMC, Apollo, Ving
Phone numbers
International code: 0030
Local code: 22410
Hospital: 8000
Port Police: 28666
Tourist Information:23655
Bus company: 36370
Tourist Police:2241023329
Airport: 2241083200
(In 2 Greece)