Where you should holiday in Rhodes

Rhodes Town

Rhodes Town is packed with history, with the UNESCO-accredited Old Town taking centre stage. Inside the Medieval walls, you’ll find perfectly-preserved streets and open-fronted shops, all topped off with vine-clad awnings. Head along the picturesque harbourside, past the former site of the legendary Colossus of Rhodes, and you’ll reach the modern town centre.

This place is a great day trip for families, and a must-do if you visit Rhodes, but it doesn’t have the beach or hotel scene which you’ll find further south. It’s ideal for intrepid urban explorers, who love nothing more than losing themselves in a web of trendy shops and authentic eateries. The nightlife has a different feel to Faliraki so you can expect cocktail bars and stylish clubs.

Lauren Park, Thomson’s service delivery team leader for Rhodes, describes Rhodes Town as the most “cosmopolitan” part of the island. “It’s ideal for young couples and older people coming on holiday, as well as groups,” she said. “It’s a place where modern meets old, with boutique shops in the new town and bars, tavernas and restaurants hidden away behind the ancient city walls.”

The Kipriotis Hotel is a brilliant spot if you’re looking for a stylish base close to the action.

Kolymbia & Kalithea

Kolymbia and Kalithea are tailor-made for sun, sea and sand seekers, ticking all the classic holiday boxes. Kolymbia boasts a huge, crescent-shaped beach, backed by tree-cloaked hills and well-placed hotels, and in Kalithea you’ll find a similar set-up. For lazy days on a lounger, look no further.

The hotels here roll together swimming pools, buffet restaurants, sports programmes and glitzy evening entertainment, plus some of the best all-inclusive packages in Rhodes. You won’t be surprised to hear it’s a big hit with families, who get all their must-haves at places like Holiday Village Rhodes and Family Life Aegean Blue. Both are just a stone’s throw from the beach, and they each have waterparks where little ones can lark about.

If you do fancy a spot of exploring, both Kolymbia and Kalithea are just a short drive from Rhodes Town to the north and Lindos to the south.

Faliraki

Before you run a mile at the thought of a relaxing break in Faliraki, give us a chance to fill you in on a few did-you-knows.

For example, did you know it has the biggest waterpark in Rhodes? Did you know it’s starting to become popular with more than just partygoers? Rep Lauren has worked out of the bar-studded settlement for a couple of years, and says things are changing.

"Faliraki has a reputation as an in-your-face party town, but it’s not really like that anymore. Now there are more families coming here, but there is still good nightlife around. It has changed from a few years ago, but it still offers home comforts food-wise and familiarity for tourists. I think it will get even more family-focused moving forward."

Don’t get us wrong, the party scene is still up there with the best around and you can still get the same penny-pinching drink deals if you head to the neon-lit bar street. What more could you ask for?

Have a browse of our hotels - the Blue Sea and the Hotel Sun Palace which are both near to Faliraki’s town centre.

Pefkos

Pefkos is probably the smallest of the lot on our list, but it’s more than deserving of a mention. You won’t find supermodern hotels or lively nightlife here, instead it’s a mix of secluded coves and quaint, family-run places.

It’s the furthest south of our five picks, which means sandier beaches and slightly higher temperatures. If that’s still not enough, one of the biscuit-coloured sweeps has a Blue Flag tick to its name. Appearance-wise, picture a traditional blue and white colour scheme, tavernas serving platters of Greek meze, and sea vistas framed by pine trees and craggy hills. The pick of our Small and Friendly hotels here are the Pefki Islands Resort and Evi Studios and Apartments, which both fit the laid-back and leisurely bill.

Lindos

Last but by no means least is Lindos, another of the island’s most culture-packed locations.

Unlike Rhodes Town, things are much slower-paced here. Hillside villas and traditional cafés take the place of contemporary hotels and bars, making it perfectly-suited for go-slow getaways.

In a nutshell, “Lindos is a slowed-down place, which shows off the best of traditional Greece. It has some hotels, which are quite traditional, but is best-known for its villas. People come here to immerse themselves in the Greek way of life. It also has sandier beaches than the north, plus more scenic surroundings.”

That’s how Rhodes rep Lauren describes it, and we think she’s hit the nail on the head. The two standout features are the stunning clifftop acropolis, and the postcard-worthy St Paul’s Bay – one of the most popular wedding destinations in the whole of Greece.

Have you figured out the right destination for you?

Take a look at more of our holidays to Rhodes.

For more Greece holiday inspiration, check out Which Greek island is for you?or take a look at our A to Z guide to Greece.

Author: Shaun Ringwood