About Rhodes

Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese islands and one of the largest in the Aegean sea. It is situated approximately 17,7 km from the coasts of Turkey. The population is about 130.000 persons , of which approximately 60-70.000 reside in the city of Rhodes. Rhodes called from its local people the Rose of the Aegean and deserves its name because is one of the most beautiful Greek islands. Rhodes has the oldest tourist history from all the islands of Greece and is famous all over the world, this wonderful Greek island together with the islands of Kos, Crete, Mykonos, Santorini and Corfu attracts the most tourism in Greece. Many Hollywood films have been filmed here ,that helped more the global advertisement of Rhodes and its beauties. The island of Rhodes has an excellent tourist infrastructure with modern Hotels of every category .During the summer hundreds of charter flights landing at Rhodes airport in Maritsa. Rhodes town is divided to the new town and the old town from the big medieval wall. The beauty of Rhodes town is the old town with the medieval castles ,houses and streets. At the port the visitor will find Mandraki with its circular Market and the Cafes at the seafront ,further on are the Art Deco buildings of the Metropolis from the times of the Italian occupation. At the entrance of the port are the famous two columns with the two Deers at the place where supposed to be the colossus of Rhodes .The ancient city of Lindos is another of the main Attractions of the island.

The Greek island of Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese group of islands and is a popular destination for tourists, especially as it has around 300 days of sunshine every year. The island lies in the eastern Aegean Sea and is to the north of the island of Crete and to the south east of Athens. The island has all the facilities to make it the popular tourist destination that it has become and includes a beautiful coastline and has plenty of culture and a lively nightlife.

Major national, European and world congresses are held on Rhodes each year. All congress facilities ranging from ancient theatres to the medieval palace or ultra-modern buildings meet the necessary operating and technological specifications.

Fairs

The Municipality of Rhodes

Every two years the International Cartoon Fair takes places for ten days in October with the participation of cartoonists from all over the world. The best are awarded prizes.

holiday in MarmarisAlso every two years is the International Women Artists of the Mediterranean Peace Forum held in September in which women artists from all countries of the Mediterranean participate. It includes exhibitions and cultural events.

The Municipality of Petaloudes

From 11th - 23rd August every year takes place in Rrhodes the Panhellenic ( all Greece) Handicrafts Fair and is held in Kremasti. Many cultural events are organized in parallel with the fair.

Surrounding islets:

To the southwest lie the islets of Karavolas and Ktenies with wild natural beauty while to the west is a group of islets in the triangle between Alimia - Halki - Rhodes. The islets of Makri, Strongyli and Strongylo lie of Rhodes' western coast.

Geographical location of Rhodes: the wonderful island of Rhodes as we can see in a map of Greece located in the south east Aegean in the Dodecanese south of Kos and east of Karpathos. Very near to the north east part of the island are the Asia Minor coast.

Travel to Rhodes island:

Rhodes also has connections to the islands of Karpathos, Kasos, Kastellorizo, Mykonos, Santorini and Heraklion on Crete.

By ferry: From Piraeus daily all year round. Sailings are more frequent during summer months. Travel time is 12 hours with ordinary ferries and 7 hours with Super Fast Ferries. Connections too with Thessaloniki once a week between April and October. Travel time is 22 hours. Connections too with Alexandroupoli once a week between April and October with travel time at 27 hours.

Marmaris ferry to Rhodes: fast catamaran and car ferry services operating between Marmaris and Rhodes both for individual travelers and groups. Fast catamarans (deniz otobüsü) and ferries ( feribot ) connect Greek islands to Turkey.  Fast catamarans run from Marmaris to Rhodes every day and also  from Rhodes to Marmaris every day.

Ferry connections are also available with Astypalea, Kalymnos, Kos, Leros, Nissyros, Patmos, Symi, Tilos, Karpathos, Halki, Naxos, Syros, Milos, Lesvos, Limnos, Samos, Hios, and Aghios Nikolaos and Siteia on Crete.

High-speed boats are available during summer for Symi, Tilos, Nissyros, Halki, Patmos, Lipsi, Kos, Kalymnos and Leros. Catamarans depart each morning from the port of Rhodes Town for Kos, Kalymnos, Leros, Lipsi, Patmos, Tilos and Nissyros. Daily sailings with Flying Dolphins to the islands of Nissyros, Tilos, Kos, Symi and Halki. Dolphins usually depart from Mandraki in Rhodes Town. There are also departures for Panormitis on Symi and Lindos with boats offering one-day outings.

The modern marina welcomes and serves tens of yachts every day.

Buses

Rhodes town has connections to the main sights, villages and resorts at regular intervals throughout the summer and less frequently during winter.

Mini Trains

The Municipality of Rhodes

The tourist mini train sets off from the Town Hall on the hour and takes a tour round the city walls passing by the Acropolis of Rhodes on Monte Smith and returning via the Psaropoula area and the Aquarium.

The Municipality of Kallithea

The tourist mini train sets off from Faliraki, continues along the coast covering the whole hotel and tourist zone in the area.

The Municipality of Afandou

The tourist mini train sets off from the central square, covers the whole length of the beach and terminates at Afandou Golf Club.

Parking

Parking can be found in various locations around Rhodes Town. A blue line on the asphalt means that a parking ticket should be purchased from the Municipal Ticketing Machines while a yellow line means parking is prohibited. A white line means parking is unrestricted.

Places to visit in Rhodes: Mandraki Harbour, Archeology Museum The Palace of the Grand Master, Road of the Knights, Hippocrates Square, Sultan Süleyman Mosque, Fethi Paşa Library, Acropolis and Apollon Temple, Ladiko ve Anthony Quinn Bays, Butterfly Valley,Lindos 

Beaches in Rhodes Greece

Most beaches on Rhodes have been awarded the European Union blue flag - an environmental award for clean beaches and crystal clear waters and they are world famous like the Santorini beaches.
The Municipality of Rhodes
At the northern tip of Rhodes town is its cosmopolitan beach, one of the most photographed in Greece. It is known as Elli Beach. The towering hotels, Casino and Aquarium are ranked along the longest beach on the island dotted with multi-coloured umbrellas, many canteens and dive boards known by the name of trampolines.
The Municipality of Ialyssos
At Ixia and Ialyssos there are organized beaches with sand, pebbles and waters that suddenly deepen. They are excellent for those who love to swim. Due to the northerly winds which normally blow here they are ideal for lovers of windsurfing like in the east
Beaches of Kallithea
At the baths at Kallithea there is an organized beach with small bays where there pines stretch down to the sea, rock pools and stones sculpted by the sea. Each bay has deck chairs and a canteen.
In the same area are the sandy beaches of Reni and Kokkina.
At Faliraki is an extensive stretch of sand more than 5 km long. Here the major hotels dominate with their organized beaches and a range of water sports. There are also many quiet spots too. Faliraki has beaches to satisfy even the most demanding visitor. Katharas Bay which combines a sandy beach with precipitous rocks is perhaps the most picturesque bay on the island and the area is also known as Nudists Bay. At Traganou Beach the sea penetrates impressive caves that have been carved out of the living rock.
One can also get to Faliraki by boat from Mandraki port in Rhodes Town.
After Faliraki at Ladiko there is a small bay that has just above everything: fine sand, pebbles, trees on the surrounding hills, deckchairs, showers and taverns. Behind Ladiko is Anthony Quinn Beach. The well-known actor Anthony Quinn bought a large property in the area during the filming of "The Guns of Navarone" which today bears his name. Swamped in greenery reflected even in the water, this beach with its impressive colours is one of the most beautiful on the island. There is a small pier for boats while many yachts also drop anchor further out to sea.
Afandou beaches
At Afandou there is a large beach with sand and pebbles. The sea deepens suddenly here. There are a few canteens, kiosks, fish taverns and water sports on offer. Along the coastal road is Rhodes Golf Course. A mini train and buses connect the village of Afandou with the beach.
At Kolympia there is an organized beach with sand, fine pebbles and pedalos. Left and right of the main beach are hotels. In the natural harbour one can enjoy fresh seafood served up where the waves break on the beach.
Archangelos Beaches
Tsambika is one of the prettiest beaches on the island. Large, it has wide stretches of fine, golden sand. Many people of all ages and nationalities come here to swim in its clear, green waters. High above on an imposing rock is the Monastery of Panaghia Tsambika from whence the beach took its name.
Stegna is a beach ideal for all those looking for quiet. A picturesque harbour with sand and pebbles, water sports and a few taverns right at the waters edge and rooms to let.
Haraki is an idyllic small bay with umbrellas and other tourist facilities. The right-hand side of the beach has large pebbles while the left-hand side has sand only.
Shortly before Haraki lies Agathi, a small, beautiful sandy beach sheltered from the wind. It is ideal for camping having a cave at one end where one can camp out overnight.
Beaches in Lindos
At Kalathos is a large beach some 4 km long with sand and fine pebbles. At one point along the beach is a washed up shipwreck.
Vlicha is a large beach just before Lindos. Its crystal clear waters gradually get deep. The most important hotels in the area stand at the sides and in the centre of the beach.
Lindos is the best known beach on the island. The picturesque bay at Lindos is divided into two different stretches of sand. One on the left side of the beach and the other as one directly below the acropolis accessed along Palla St. and known as Palla Beach. Everywhere are deckchairs, umbrellas, taverns and crowds of people. The water here is very shallow and thus ideal for children.
Aghios Pavlos Beach in a sheltered bay has two stretches of sand, that on the right being organized while that on the left is ideal for those who prefer quiet. There is a chapel at the end. Pebbles, sand, rocks for diving and greenish waters are the characteristics of this beach.
The verdant coastal resort of Pefki has an organized beach and modern hotel complexes.
Sheltered Glystra Bay with its lovely windless beach lies close to Lardos. A small and charming beach it has fine sand and is preferred by all those who love quiet and calm.
South Rhodes beaches
Kiotari is a modern tourist resort along the length of an impressive, seemingly endless stretch of sandy beach. Holidaymakers here are usually families or couples looking for quite and good sea. It is worth stopping off for a swim at the wonderful beach with its clean, golden sands and trying the traditional dishes served at restaurants where attention is paid to detail.
Gennadi has sand and small pebbles as far as the eye can see but also the loudest beach parties on the island. The beach has two sides: intensity and quiet.
Aghios Pavlos has wet sand difficult to walk on, cedars and is usually deserted. It is the ideal place to spend some time alone. To get to the beach take the dirt track through the cypress trees opposite the Italian Monastery with its impressive bell and clock tower.
At the southernmost tip of the island is Prasonisi, wavy on the right and windless on the left, and surfers everywhere. On either side of the sandy causeway linking Prasonisi with Rhodes are small bays. Depending on wind direction there are waves on one side or the other. The island can be reached on foot or by swimming - this depends on the season and the water level. The sea on both sides often mingles covering the land and creating images of outstanding beauty. This is a paradise for surfing particularly in July and August when strong winds blow.
Fourni is a small quiet beach with pebbles and choppy seas, ideal for those who love authentic beauty. Along the beach one can also find wild bays and a single rock in the shape of a boat which dominates the view out to sea. Every so often sea turtles (Caretta caretta) appear on the beach.

beaches of Attavyros
A short distance outside of Siana village is Glyfada beach, one of the less well known beaches on the island and ideal for those who enjoy exploring. Its many pines stretch down to the rocks along the coast and their reflection gives the waters a wonderful hue.
Skala Kameirou beach with its charming little harbour and fish taverns is ideal for fishing.
The Municipality of Petaloudes
A sandy beach, summer breezes, and specialized facilities all make Tholos an ideal place for fans of windsurfing.