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Best things to do in Rhodes

Serving sandy stretches with a side of historical sites, Rhodes isn’t short on things to see or do.
Sunshine on your mind? The Greek god Helios worked his magic in Rhodes – over 300 ray-filled days are yours for the taking. And that’s just for starters. Whether you’re heading here for the history and culture, the delicious dishes (anyone for moussaka?) or the Blue Flag sands, we’ve lined up the best things to do in Rhodes.

Read on for destination inspiration, then book your dream Greek getaway.

Meander around medieval Rhodes

Love a lost-in-time town? You’re in good company. Rhodes Old Town is both sides of the coin – a holiday resort and a historical hotspot dating back to 408 BC. Lose yourself wandering around the labyrinth of cobbled streets and soaking up the UNESCO-rated sites like the Street of Knights, the Palace of the Grand Master and Hippocrates Square. Hungry? You’re in luck – traditional taverns here serve tasty plates like souvlaki – chicken or pork cooked on a skewer – and baklava, a filo pastry dessert filled with nuts and honey.
Two people wandering the cobbled streets of Rhodes Old Town.

Walk in the footsteps of Romans at Lindos Acropolis

This dinky but delightful seaside town, just under 30 miles from Rhodes Old Town, has heaps of history. We’re talking Roman mosaics and Byzantine churches, but it’s the Acropolis that steals the show. It’s perched on a rocky hilltop, and a steep-stepped path leads you 116 metres high to the top. Here, ancient remains of a Temple to Athena Lindia (a Goddess of wisdom and strength), old fortress walls and towering columns greet you. Love a sweeping sea view? This place is positioned perfectly for a shot of the Aegean waters below – no need to thank us for your Insta likes!
Temple of Athena, Lindos.

Play on Prasonisi Beach

Beaches don’t get much better than this. This golden stretch of sand, on Rhodes’ southwest tip, links Cape Prasonisi to the mainland in summer. In winter, the sand disappears as the tide rolls in, uncoupling the cape from the shore – cool, right? And that’s not all. This place is a great spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing. A slower pace more your style? Take a dip in the Med or the Aegean Sea (yep, you can swim in both without leaving the beach) as Prasonisi is the seas’ only meeting place.
Aerial view of Prasonisi Beach.

Visit the Valley of the Butterflies

Break from beach days and make a beeline for the Valley of the Butterflies, nestled in Europe’s only natural Oriental Sweetgum forest. Millions of butterflies (like the orange and black-striped Tiger moth) call this place home every year, attracted by the trees’ sweet-smelling resin. Stroll through the forest, and you’ll find it’s like something out of a fairytale – think wooden bridges, winding cobblestone paths and natural waterfalls. The best time to see it all? Head here from mid-May onwards, when the millions of insects are most active.
Two people exploring Butterfly Valley.

Snap a sunset shot at Monastery Tsambika

Sorbet skies? We’re on cloud nine – this place is one of the best for sweeping views of Lindos, Kolymbia and even Rhodes Old Town at sunset. Perched 3,000 metres above sea level and on top of the mountain it shares its name with, Monastery Tsambika is a must for your Rhodes itinerary – and not just for its vistas. Once the site of a miracle – legend has it an Ottoman Empire general prayed to the Virgin Mary for his wife to conceive a child – women from the island make the trip up the mountain (300 steps to be exact) to ask for a blessing. If their prayers are answered, it’s tradition to name the baby after the monastery – Tsambika for girls, Tsambikos for boys.
View of Monastery Tsambika.

Set sail for Symi

This tiny island – a day-trip distance from Rhodes – embodies Greece’s go-slow energy. Hop onboard a kaikia (a traditional Greek wooden boat) and cast off for Venetian-style pastel houses tumbling down the hillside, bright blue seas and secluded shingle shores. Our top spot in Symi? Climb the 500 stairs to the sleepy but charming Chorio and wander around its web of narrow stone streets, designed that way to confuse pesky sea pirates in days gone by. Worked up an appetite? Head to the marina for a tasty plate of locally sourced Symi shrimp.
Boats docked up with rows of colourful houses in the background.
Bags packed? We don’t blame you.

Browse our holidays to Rhodes and see more things to do in Rhodes.

Want even more holiday inspo? Read about the best beaches in Greece, the best hotels in Greece and which is the best Greek island.

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Author: Laura Wilkinson

Last updated: 01.10.2024

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