Rhodes Travel Guide: Things to Do, Best Beaches & Where to Stay
Rhodes: A Medieval Island You Shouldn’t Skip
If you’re planning a trip to Greece’s Dodecanese islands, this Rhodes travel guide is built from our own 4-day visit — covering where we stayed, what we did, the beaches we loved (and one we’d skip), plus a day trip to Symi we can’t recommend enough. Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese islands and also its capital. When you walk through its streets; you feel as if you’ve stepped back into the Middle Ages. The island’s strong historical atmosphere combined with its turquoise sea makes it one of the best summer destinations.
Famous for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the island now offers an unforgettable travel experience with its well-preserved medieval old town and delicious Aegean cuisine. Rhodes is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and once you walk through the Old Town, you’ll understand why.
When to Visit Rhodes & How Long to Stay
If you want to explore Rhodes and enjoy the sea at the same time, the best periods are late spring to early summer (May–June) and late summer to early autumn (September–October). In July and August, the island becomes very hot and tiring for sightseeing. And of course, it also gets much more crowded during these months.
How many days do you need in Rhodes?
Now, let’s talk about how many days you should spend in Rhodes. If you want to explore the island properly and also enjoy some sun, sea, and sand, you should plan at least 4 days. Since the island is quite large, there are many places to see outside of the Old Town as well. Even if you stay for a week, you won’t get bored of Rhodes. We did 4 days (2 in Rhodes Old Town, 2 in Symi) and felt it was the right minimum.
Where to stay in Rhodes
Rhodes offers a wide range of accommodation, from all-inclusive resorts to charming boutique hotels.
Use the interactive map below to compare hotels and prices across Rhodes’s best neighborhoods. Click on any pin to see availability for your dates.
We split our Rhodes trip between two stays:
- 3 nights in Rhodes Old Town at Hotel Georgia — paid €210 total. The Old Town is pricier than the new town, but waking up in those car-free cobblestone streets was unmatched. If we’d do it again, we’d still pick the Old Town.
- 2 nights in Symi at Anastasia Hotel — paid €150 total. Symi is a much more affordable base if you’re traveling on a tighter budget and don’t mind the ferry hop.
If you want to fully enjoy Rhodes’ historical charm and be within walking distance of everything, the Old Town is the right pick. Here are a few hotels we’d recommend:
How to get to Rhodes?
Rhodes is easily accessible by both air and sea. You can fly directly to Rhodes International Airport from many European cities. From Greece, there are ferry connections from places like Piraeus or Kos, which offer a scenic way to reach the island.
If you’re traveling from Turkey, you can also take a ferry from Marmaris or Fethiye to Rhodes, which is a convenient option for Turkish travelers.
Find the cheapest flights to Rhodes: Search flights on Aviasales — they compare hundreds of airlines including budget carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air which fly directly to Rhodes from many European cities.
💡 Travel insurance tip: We use SafetyWing for our trips around Europe — it covers both of us for less than the price of a dinner per week. Get a quote here
Getting Around Rhodes
Renting a Car : Rhodes is a large island, and the easiest way to explore it is by renting a car. Just keep in mind: if you stay in the Old Town, you’ll need to park outside, as cars aren’t allowed inside the Old Town walls.
For the best rates, check out Localrent — they specialize in local rental agencies with transparent pricing and no hidden fees, often 20-30% cheaper than the international chains. We picked up our car from a local agency they connected us with, no problems at all.
Airport Transfer: From Rhodes International Airport, you can reach the city center by bus (around €2.50, runs regularly) or by private transfer for door-to-door service. We’d recommend booking a private transfer through Kiwitaxi if you’re arriving with luggage or after a long flight — fixed prices, no language barrier with the driver, and they wait if your flight is delayed.
Things to Do in Rhodes
Rhodes Old Town
Rhodes Old Town, built within ancient walls, is one of the island’s most iconic landmarks. Constructed by the Knights of St. John, this historic area features strong walls and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The moment you step through the gates, you forget what year it is. Every corner of Rhodes Old Town is full of history, and we honestly didn’t want to leave.
Walking through the Old Town, you can explore the Grand Master’s Palace, Knights’ Street, and ancient fountains.
The Old Town also offers many shops selling souvenirs, local crafts, and traditional products. Some shops provide authentic Rhodes items, while others offer simple trinkets for tourists.
Don’t skip the Palace of the Grand Master, the Archaeological Museum, or the Street of the Knights. Explore the medieval gates, charming squares, and hidden alleys to truly feel the Old Town’s history. Take time to enjoy local cafes and restaurants that combine traditional cuisine with Rhodes’ vibrant atmosphere.
Skip the queue: Book your Palace of the Grand Master ticket on Tiqets — entry is around €10 and online booking saves you the wait at the ticket booth, especially in summer.
Tips for Visiting Rhodes Old Town : We started exploring around 9 AM and by 11 AM the same streets we walked alone were packed with cruise ship groups. The sweet spot is genuinely the first 2 hours. Wear comfortable shoes, as cobblestone streets cover most of the Old Town. Plan a full day to explore all historical sites, shops, and cultural corners of Rhodes Old Town.
Hippocrates Square
Hippocrates Square is the main hub of the city, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and cozy cafés. If the summer heat tires you, stop for a refreshing frappe or a cold beer. Our tip: instead of staying on the main square, wander into the narrow side streets. The true charm of Rhodes hides in these quiet alleys, away from the crowds.
Street of Knights
The Street of the Knights is the most famous street in the Old Town. Early mornings are the best time to capture it without many tourists. Walking here feels like stepping back into the Middle Ages, with almost no changes to its original structure. At the end of the street, you’ll reach the Palace of the Grand Masters, a stunning historical landmark.
Palace of Grand Masters
Rising at the end of the Street of the Knights, this palace was built by the Knights of St. John. It served as an administrative center and residence for many years. Today, visitors can explore it as a museum. Since our trip focused more on beach holidays, we decided to skip the interior, but it’s definitely worth a visit for history enthusiasts.
Acropolis of Lindos
The Acropolis of Lindos or Lindos Acropolis is one of those places you really shouldn’t skip if you’re on Rhodes. It sits on top of a rocky cliff about 116 meters above the village of Lindos, and the moment you reach the top and look down, you immediately get why people have been climbing up here for centuries.
Honestly, we picked the wrong time of day to do this. We started the climb around midday and the heat was brutal — the uphill walk plus the open sun made it feel a lot harder than it actually is. If you’re going in summer, don’t make our mistake: go right at opening (08:00). It’s far less crowded, and the morning light makes for much better photos. People say this and we ignored it. They were right.
There are two ways up: either walk through the narrow village streets (about 20 minutes, steep but doable) or take one of the donkey taxis run by locals. The donkey thing is a bit of a debate — most travelers skip it for animal welfare reasons, and so did we. Comfortable shoes are a must, and bring water with you. There’s barely any shade up there and no shop selling drinks at the top.
Entrance is €20 per adult in high season. It drops to €10 in low season (November–March). EU citizens under 25 get in free. You can also buy tickets online if you don’t want to queue.
Skip the on-site queue: Book your Acropolis of Lindos ticket on Tiqets — same €20 price, but you skip the ticket booth which gets long in summer afternoons. The QR code on your phone is enough at the entrance.
Things worth seeing once you’re up there:
- Temple of Athena Lindia: Dates back to the 4th century BC. Most of the columns are still standing, and this is where most people take their photos.
- Propylaea and Hellenistic Stoa: The grand entrance structure and the colonnaded gallery that welcomed visitors in ancient times. You can still trace the outline of the 42-column Stoa.
- Trireme relief: A rock carving of an ancient Rhodian warship at the foot of the steps leading up. Most visitors are too focused on the climb to notice it — keep your eyes open.
- Church of Saint John: A 13th-century Byzantine church built over the foundations of an even older one.
But let’s be honest: the real reward at the Acropolis is the view from the top. From up there, the natural-pool shape of St. Paul’s Bay, the white houses of Lindos village, and the endless blue of the Aegean all fit into one frame. That view alone is worth the climb. We spent about an hour up there, but if you’re into ancient history give yourself two.
Day Trip to Symi Island from Rhodes
Symi Island sits very close to Rhodes — the ferry takes about 50 minutes on the way there and around 1 hour 20 minutes on the way back. If you can, do what we did and stay 2 nights on Symi so you get to experience this small island with its single main street both day and night. The whole island essentially has one U-shaped main street running along the coastline, and every café and restaurant you’ll want to visit is either on it or just steps away.
The water here was one of the most beautiful blue-green mixes we’ve seen on the trip. Boat tours run from the other side of the island to nearby coves, and you’ll find their stands lined up along the same main street. Round-trip tickets cost around €15–20. Don’t lose your ticket during the day — you’ll need to show it again on the way back.
Don’t have time to stay overnight? Book a Symi day cruise on Klook — round-trip ferry plus 4-5 hours on the island, around €40-50 per person. We did it independently and stayed 2 nights, but if you only have a day, this is the fastest way.
Best Beaches in Rhodes
Anthony Quinn Bay
Honestly, we didn’t end up swimming here — it was too rocky and too crowded. But the moment you see this bay you understand why it’s the most famous beach in Rhodes. Quinn tried to buy this place in the 1960s but got tangled up in Greek bureaucracy, and yet the bay still carries his name. The water is so clear that even at 2 meters deep, you can count the stones on the bottom. Surrounded by pine trees and steep cliffs, this place is hard not to fall for. If you’re determined to swim here regardless, bring water shoes — the rocky shore is a lot more comfortable with them.
St. Paul’s Bay
Right next to Lindos village, this bay is enclosed by rocks on three sides, which gives it the feel of a natural swimming pool. Legend has it that Saint Paul took shelter here from a storm in 57 AD, and that backstory adds a certain mystic feel to the turquoise water. It’s one of those rare beaches you can comfortably enjoy even on a windy day — but because it’s so popular, summer days get crowded fast. Come early. Sunbeds were €20 for two people, or you commit to spending at least that much at the restaurant. Don’t skip the sunset from up on the cliffs.
Agia Agathi Beach (Golden Sand)
The “Golden Sand” name absolutely earns itself — the moment you step onto that fine, soft sand you understand why locals love this place. Different operators run different sunbed setups along the beach, and quality varies. Prices start around €7–8 per person and can go up to €20 depending on the spot. When we visited there were two restaurant options on the beach, and there will probably be more by this summer. The water deepens very gradually and the beach is sheltered from the wind, which makes it a great pick for families with kids. Don’t miss the small cave chapel tucked into one corner of the beach.
Lindos Beach
Swimming with the magnificent Acropolis of Lindos rising above you is, in our opinion, one of the most unique things you can do on Rhodes. The beach is fully sandy and protected from the wind, so you can settle in and enjoy the day. It’s similar in concept to Agia Agathi — just bigger. Same setup with different operators side by side renting out sunbeds. Prices are comparable. You can usually tell which sunbeds belong to which operator just by their type and color. Climbing back up the steep path to the village at the end of the day is a bit of a workout, but swimming under that view makes every step worth it.
Where to Eat & Drink
Walking through Hippocrates Square at midday, restaurant staff will insistently invite you in. If, like us, you don’t feel like turning down every single one, just pick any of them and cool off with a lemonade or frappé.
Brunch Restaurants
Decan Bistro and 7 Grams Breakfast Brunch: A great spot to start the day — basically 50 shades of egg. Their brioche-based versions reminded us of a similar brunch place we’d been to in Berlin.
Old Town Corner Bakery: Another solid breakfast option. One of our favorite things about this place is that they brew their coffee with Julius Meinl beans. They’ve also got really good egg-and-avocado toasts, American pancakes, and cold sandwiches with feta. It also works for a midday sweet break if you’re passing through.
Restaurants & Taverns
You’ll obviously find Greece’s famous gyros on every corner. We’re not going to single one out because we tried it in many different places and were happy with all of them.
Tamam Restaurant: We couldn’t get a table here so we missed it, but we heard it mentioned everywhere. Don’t make our mistake.
Taverna Kostas: Definitely save one of your dinners for this place. Both the seafood and the meze were excellent. Two of us had a very filling dinner here for around €50. As for ouzo, Greece’s local spirit — whether you drink it neat like the Greeks or mix it with water like Turks (which makes it longer and pairs better with food), that’s up to you.
Stay Connected
Greece is part of the EU, so if you’re traveling from another EU country your phone plan will likely work without extra cost. But if you’re coming from the US, UK, Turkey, or anywhere outside the EU, an eSIM is the easiest way to stay connected without crazy roaming fees.
We’ve used Yesim on a few trips now — you install the eSIM through their app before you even land, and it activates the moment you’re in Greece. A 5GB Greece plan starts around €8 and works on any unlocked phone. Airalo is another solid option with similar pricing if you prefer.
Final Tips & Useful Links
We hope this guide helps you plan your Rhodes trip. Here are the resources we personally used and recommend:
- Where to Stay: Use the map above or browse handpicked hotels on Booking.com
- Flights: Aviasales — best comparison engine including budget carriers
- Airport Transfer: Kiwitaxi — door-to-door fixed prices
- Car Rental: Localrent — local agencies, transparent pricing
- Tickets & Tours: Tiqets for museum tickets, Klook for day trips
- eSIM: Yesim — €8 for 5GB in Greece
- Travel Insurance: SafetyWing — what we use for all our European trips
