16 of the best resorts in Rhodes

Warmed by the hot Mediterranean sun and with an impressive centuries-long history, one of the most fertile islands in Greece, it simply could not be deprived of the attention of tourists. Excellent beaches, monuments from Antiquity, sincere hospitality of local residents, ancient cities with narrow streets, delicious cuisine and a mild climate - as you can see, the island has a full range of qualities that can make it a real treasure of the tourist world.

Local resorts are quite diverse: tourists who plan a respectable vacation, young people who come here for parties from dusk to dawn, and families with children will find a place for themselves. We have tried to collect for you the best resorts in Rhodes for your holidays, in order to help you decide where it is better to go on vacation this year.

Rhodes

One of the most famous resorts. It was founded in deep Antiquity, which provided it with a more than glorious and rich history. It is conventionally divided into the Old Town and more modern quarters, which are located a little to the north. Of course, the main array of attractions is located just in Old Rhodes, while the port and fashionable hotels, lined up in orderly rows along the beautiful embankment, stand apart.

In a separate area, the Acropolis is usually distinguished, which crowns Mount Monte Smith. Many great civilizations have left their mark on the architectural appearance of the city. Especially many traces were left by the Middle Ages - powerful fortress walls, the magnificent Suleiman mosque, Turkish baths - all this is perfectly preserved today. The ancient port of Mandraki and the windmills, which stand a little to the side, are also must-see.

Perhaps, one of the most interesting in terms of tourism is Socrates Street, on both sides of which there are noisy bazaars. It is here that many of the capital's historical monuments are located. It is also worth visiting the Valley of the Butterflies, an amazing place where waterfalls always murmur and groves rustle, in which not predators live, but the stunning beauty of butterflies.

Kallithea

The hilly beauty Kallithea fully corresponds to its more than poetic name - "beautiful view". The view is really beautiful: with clean greenery and a sharp descent to the sea, turning into a soft sandy beach. Perhaps this sharp descent is the only drawback of Kallithea, since you have to go up and down the steep stairs. The village is also adjacent to a number of beaches that are owned by hotels.

Many of them have been awarded the Blue Flag. Particular attention should be paid to the beach at the Alexander The Great hotel. This is a wide strip of land, bordered by coniferous forest, eucalyptus and palm trees, which are somewhat out of this landscape. At the same time, the territory is a little deserted, since the local coastline is free of water traffic. Throughout Kallithea, there are numerous taverns where you can eat deliciously, but not go poor.

Especially popular is the Diaz tavern, which stands right at the exit of the village. It is famous not only for its hearty, colorful cuisine and, without exaggeration, huge portions, but also for the beauty of the bay view. Please note that local establishments do not open until noon, and therefore you can immediately forget about a Mediterranean-style breakfast or aromatic morning coffee.

Faliraki

The city is located near the Greek capital, but it is relatively small and modest. Until recently, Falikari was a run-down fishing village, but gradually it turned into another small Mediterranean resort with modern hotels and an inexhaustible stream of guests. In addition, it is here that the most beautiful beach of the island is located. The "golden" beach is crowded. As you move from north to south, it becomes less comfortable, as in some places rocky areas come across.

Be prepared for the fact that a meeting with nudists can await you in its southern extremity - here they can rest quite officially. If you want to relax in a more "intimate" way, go to the Kalithea bay. It is quite hilly and is favored by water sports enthusiasts. There is also a beach area and a water amusement park to the side, where you can splash with pleasure even all day long. If you have not had time to get tired during the day, and your soul craves for music, go to the center of the resort at nightfall. Erma Street is called "Bar Street" for a reason.

Afantou

The local coast is practically devoid of any vegetation, and therefore the village of Afantu looks even more contrasting, literally drowning in the tart aromas of pine, cypress and oak. The giant trees have lived here for more than one hundred years, however, like the village itself. It is believed to be one of the oldest in Rhodes. Now it is a traditional Greek-style settlement. From the previous years, the Church of the Virgin Mary remained here, decorating the main square.

The beach has an uncomplicated but attractive landscape. The emphatically flat relief contrasts gently with the sharp outlines of the mountain ranges. From the village you can get here by a small train, the route of which includes all local attractions. In addition, the largest golf course on the island is located near the beach.

The beach itself has the longest length on the island. It is due to its spaciousness that it does not get crowded here even at the very peak of the season. Pay attention to the features of the local seabed. It can be considered rather deep-sea. Local waters are usually cooler than in other parts of the coast, but active water recreation is presented at the level.

Kalaphos

The village of Kalafos lies in the east of the island. She, like a couple of centuries ago, stubbornly stands right on the main road to Lindos. Overall, the resort is suitable for those looking to taste the traditional Greek way of life. There are not very many local people here, however, as well as attractions. Bars, restaurants, several classic taverns and a club have opened for tourists. But even this did not manage to break the general relaxed atmosphere of the place frozen in time.

The local beach matches the village. The well-developed infrastructure does not make it a crowded, bustling place. On the contrary, it has a reputation for being one of the quietest and longest beaches on the island. The beach is small pebbles and clean sand underfoot, cries of seagulls and crystal water.

Ask the locals where it is better to relax with children, and where to dive - the beach line is not uniform. There are places with shallow water and a very deep bottom. You can also rent water sports equipment here.If you want to dilute the silence of this place, feel free to go to Lindos with its boutiques and vibrant nightlife.

Kolymbia

In the past, timid Kolimbia blooms right before our eyes, sandwiched between fashionable Lindos and the city of Rhodes, burning with all the lights. This small village, inhabited mainly by fishermen, appeared here a little less than a century ago. However, even at the time when Italy owned the island, the town of San Benito was located on the same place, which was already in some demand among vacationers. Today, this demand was fueled by the giants of the hotel business, who saw the potential of Kolimbia and began to open their hotels here, attracting tourists from Europe.

They did it well - today Kolimbia enjoys a reputation as a resort offering respectable rest. Fortunately, no one began to impose on Kolimbia the image of a party town - couples in love who want to enjoy time with their soulmate still come here, and families with children who do not need music from dusk till dawn and funny friends. This place is filled with silence, greenery and beautiful seascapes. Do you need something else for a real rest?

Pefkos

Pefki or Pefkos is another compact resort village in the east of Rhodes. The last three decades have greatly changed its appearance - an excellent young resort has emerged from an inconspicuous fishing village, which has already managed to fall in love with many tourists. As before, it lies comfortably on the hills through which the road from Lardos to Lindos runs. It got its name from the dense pine forests that cover the local hills. Pefkos is famous for its exceptionally clean beaches and traditional recreation. The main beach has received a Blue Flag.

The local infrastructure is perfect for those who just want to soak up the sun and swim in peace, and for those who like active water recreation. Pefkos has everything you need for a comfortable stay: hotels of all classes, restaurants, coffee, taverns, souvenir shops and markets. If you want to get a richer excursion program, you can always go to neighboring Lindos to climb the local Acropolis, admire the artful frescoes depicting the Virgin Mary and just wander around the Old Town.

Kiotari

Kiotari is a tightly knit village in the southeast of Rhodes with excellent sandy beaches, lagging greenery and good sea. The area is conducive to picnics and leisurely recreation. That is why Kiotari is so fond of those tourists who count on a quality family vacation. This village can hardly be called the epicenter of excursion or party rest.

Basically, entertainment is concentrated here, which are somehow connected with water sports: riding bananas, catamarans and similar pastime options are presented in abundance. Hiking in the surrounding area is another good option to while away the time. Warm sea air, colorful greenery, the opportunity to take a break in taverns that are scattered everywhere, and after a hearty snack, continue your journey.

In the evenings, musicians perform live in some bars, but by midnight these establishments also close. The village falls asleep. To enjoy an excursion vacation, you have to make a rather long trip, say, to Rhodes or Lindos. Of course, buses run regularly here, but it will be much easier and more enjoyable to rent a car.

Gennadi

This town is not difficult to distinguish from other resorts thanks to the traditionally strong white walls that surround all local buildings. The snow-white fortress houses did not appear just like that - for a long time the settlement suffered from the raids of pirates, and therefore the colorful courtyards and their wealth had to be hidden behind stone barriers. Of the fragments of the past, only the Church of St. George remains in the city. Almost all coves and beaches of Gennadi are sandy.

Traditional Greek taverns nestle along the main road that runs through the city, serving hearty food and spicy oriental wines. Be sure to try pasta (a casserole made from minced meat and pasta) and moussaka (a casserole made from a variety of vegetables and lamb), as well as ouzo, a local aniseed vodka. All local beaches have a developed infrastructure, so you don't have to worry about the quality of your vacation.

In the immediate vicinity of Gennadi lies the Green Island, which is definitely worth a visit to fans of windsurfing and night discos. Everyone knows the island with its huge red lighthouse. You can also climb the mountains to find yourself in the village of Asklipio - it has its own medieval castle, as well as a folklore museum.

Tsambika

This settlement is famous for two things - the most beautiful beach and the monastery of the same name, which houses the greatest shrine of the island - the icon of the Virgin Mary. Every year, numerous tourists flock here to swim in the emerald waters and ask for blessings. The local beach is very long. Golden sand, slightly greenish waters and numerous multi-colored flags delight the eye.

All of these flags are kind of pointers on the approaches to cafes, taverns and restaurants that are trying their best to lure guests. Numerous sports centers are also scattered along the coast. Tsambika monastery consists of lower and upper. The lower one is a graceful church with a white stone bell tower.

It is here that a miraculous relic is located, to which married couples regularly go to ask for welfare, or childless women. To get to the upper monastery, you need to overcome more than 300 steps. A reproduction of the famous icon is kept here.

Lardos

The village lies almost by the sea, on one of the most popular beaches of the island, and therefore it is not surprising that such a lively atmosphere reigns here. The beach is superbly organized and also awarded the Blue Flag. Lardos is ready to offer all the necessary infrastructure elements for a comfortable stay. Also in the village you can use the services of a dentist and a surgeon, which is a big plus, since you never know what will happen on the way, and the opportunity to get professional help is always relevant.

You can also rent a car or motorbike here to see the more distant corners of Rhodes. A beautiful fountain is installed in the central square of Lardos, however, its peculiarity lies not so much in its architectural appeal, so much in the fact that the purest spring water gushes from it. Locals and tourists alike often make appointments in this square.

There is always a table for a weary traveler and a cup of aromatic coffee or even ouzo. Locals will not mind playing backgammon or other board games with a new enemy.In the evenings, karaoke bars open, and live music can be heard from everywhere.

Prasonisi

The Green Island or Prasonisi is known as the "kiss of the two seas". It is here that the border lies, on which the waters of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas join together, whose composition and disposition are so different that this border can be easily seen with your own eyes. The warm and usually calm Mediterranean Sea merges with the eternally dissatisfied, cool Aegean Sea, moving from pale turquoise to deep blue. Cape Prasonisi itself is periodically separated from Rhodes.

This usually happens in autumn and winter, when the narrow isthmus connecting the rocks with the island is flooded, turning Prasonisi into a small independent island. Despite its name, Prasonisi can hardly be called particularly green. It is rather rocky. There is a lighthouse and a caretaker's house on the cape.

The views are truly breathtaking, but few get to the lighthouse as it requires a powerful SUV. There are a couple of restaurants and hotels in the vicinity of the cape, but it is rare to see crowds of tourists here. Usually surfers stop here, who go to Rhodes just for the sake of conquering the waves.

Kremasti

This charming town lies to the north. It is by no means impressive in size, but it gets its share of tourists thanks to its proximity to the airport and a stunning nature reserve called the Valley of the Butterflies. Due to the peculiarities of the local microclimate and the presence of odorous resins, the whole valley is filled with the sweetish aroma of vanilla, which attracts numerous butterflies.

Kremasti combines the sincere hospitality of a Rhodes village with the features of an excellent modern resort with developed infrastructure and top-class hotels. Local winds always blow strongly, and the sea is deep and capricious, which is why this town is so popular among lovers of active sea recreation. In addition, the beach is pebbly, which makes it not very suitable for families with children.

However, there are still enough couples who count on the comfort and peace of mind. Like other resort towns, Kremasti is not ready to boast of a rich architectural heritage, however, in the city itself there is an Orthodox church of the nineteenth century, and outside the city on the Filerimos hill there is a monastery, on the site of which a city was located in Antiquity, from which numerous artifacts have survived here.

Pastida

This village is located some distance from the coastline. It is noteworthy that the very name of the village is translated as "castle". She stubbornly clings to the foot of Mount Filerimos. Local olive groves and citrus trees make the air literally ring with a rich aroma, and in combination with the salty sea air, being here itself has a beneficial effect on the body. In general, this is a fairly quiet place with a very measured rhythm of life.

Here you can easily hide from the noise to enjoy the scenery, sit in a tavern on the main square, or just stroll between the snow-white houses. The local climate is very mild - there are more than 300 sunny days a year. However, even in winter, the temperature here rarely drops below 18 degrees, while the average Dos temperature in winter is about 12 degrees. The difference is palpable.

Ialyssos

This resort is also known by many as Trianda. Today it is the largest tourism center in Rhodes, which, however, has managed to retain its provincial flavor. The beach is marked with the Blue Flag, but despite this, it can hardly be called a paradise for a beach holiday. Strong north winds blow here, creating ideal conditions for conquering the waves. Windsurfing competitions open here every year.

The beach itself is pebbly, and there are many rather sharp stones on the seabed. The water is noticeably colder than on other parts of the coast. A number of buildings from the Antiquity period have survived in the city. In particular, the ruins of the temples of Zeus and Athena. To see them, you have to climb Mount Filerimos. The path here is rather difficult, and that is why the locals nicknamed it "The Way to Golgotha."

Do not forget to take your camera with you - picturesque views of almost the entire coast open from the mountain. In the city itself, there is a Byzantine church with valuable medieval icons, as well as a number of neoclassical mansions. The latter were once built for themselves by wealthy Greek merchants.

Ixia

This town stands on the sun-kissed west coast, lazily stretching along the Aegean Sea. Like other resorts in this region, it is not very suitable for families with children due to its climatic and landscape features, but it perfectly satisfies the needs of windsurfers. Local winds, called trade winds, create ideal conditions for catching waves. It is not surprising that with such a combination of factors, the beaches of Ixia began to be called the Greek Miami Beach.

It is noteworthy that the local pebble beaches, although they do not seem so comfortable to relax, can help with general relaxation and easily replace expensive spa treatments. The fact is that the sun usually heats the pebbles to 40 degrees. And this has a beneficial effect on blood vessels and helps warm up the back. The entire coast is literally dotted with numerous restaurants.

The main fun begins at sunset, when bonfires are lit on the beaches and music starts playing from cafes and bars. Traditional Greek nights with live music are popular with guests of Ixia. However, it is a stretch to call the city a party town. Usually, fans of this type of vacation either stop immediately in Rhodes, or at least periodically visit there.

The best resorts for families with children

When choosing a resort for families with children, first of all, pay attention to the type of beach presented in this resort. In other resorts, almost all resorts offer similar sets of services. It is also worth checking in advance if the hotel you plan to stay at has a kid's club. But finding a hotel that suits your needs is always possible.

As a rule, for a vacation with young travelers, it is recommended to choose sandy beaches with a gentle slope. However, sand and pebble beaches should not be discounted either. So the Faliraki beach, although it is partially pebbly, in many respects the beach is ideal for families with children, since in order to get to the water you do not have to go down the rocks, and there is an excellent water park in the immediate vicinity.

The beaches of the Mediterranean Sea are more suitable for families with children than the beaches of the Aegean Sea, which are more suitable for fans of water sports. Elli Beach, which is the northernmost one, is definitely worth adding to the top Mediterranean beaches.Due to the convenience of its location, it is usually crowded here. However, you can always escape from the crowd to the Aquarium, which is located right on the shore.

Kallithea is another resort with a big name. For their cleanliness, local beaches receive Blue Flags from year to year. The specificity of the coastline is such that there is no wide beach area as such, but there are numerous secluded coves with a gentle slope to the water. Kolimbia is another extremely popular family destination. The beach also received a Blue Flag for its high level of environmental safety.

The coast here is not very wide, but the sandy beach with a very soft entry into the sea is ideal even for relaxing with kids. Tsambika is hidden behind the cape, and therefore the sea here is invariably calm and transparent. Even capricious or water-scared children gladly agree to splash in shallow water.

Youth resorts

If you are longing to relax in the Greek counterpart of Kazantip, Faliraki will be the perfect option for you. Round-the-clock bazaars and discos, a sea of ​​alcohol and loud music - all this accompanies an inexhaustible stream of acquaintances and is brought together, qualitatively mixing into a single colorful cocktail. The Kassandra region is also included in the category of party-halls. It is more about Kalithea, or rather its surroundings. Here life is in full swing mainly around the nightclubs. The hottest nights are usually in August.

The best beaches

You can collect a complete palette of beaches - pebble, stone or sand - here are collected beaches for any type of vacation. Perhaps the most cosmopolitan and developed beach on the east coast is Faliraki Beach. It is a stratum of crystal clear waters flanking a wide four-meter sand spit. If you are driving for sunbathing and swimming, take a look at Tsambike. It is located to the south of the capital and is distinguished by a rich turquoise shade of the waters and golden overflow of sand.

Haraki lost the status of one of the most beautiful bays. It owes its popularity to the combination of pebble and sandy beaches. The local waters are suitable not only for swimming, but also for diving. The seabed is very beautiful here, and turtles periodically come out on the coast. Prasoniki, the southernmost tip of the island, undoubtedly attracts the eyes of those who are passionate about windsurfing. Over the years, the local beach has become almost a canonical vacation spot for surfers of all levels. It seems that nature itself has tried to create ideal conditions for "hunting the waves" here.

When to go on vacation

Holidays here have an extremely pleasant feature - the high season here lasts from April to November, which makes the beach season on the island the longest. To choose the right month for your vacation, you need to clearly define the purpose of your visit. If you are interested in sightseeing holidays, you can safely go here even in winter. Just pay attention to the presence or absence of an indoor pool on site. And the prices at this time are much lower.

The absence of a noisy crowd of tourists is also a significant bonus. However, this is why a beach vacation is called a beach vacation - not to try personally the luxurious Rhodes beaches is a real crime. The real high season starts in the last month of spring and lasts all summer until mid-autumn. At this time, the sea is already warm enough to swim even around the clock.

Rhodes resorts on the map