Travel Guide: Rhodes, the Greek Island of Wonders in the Dodecanese
Greekcitytimes.com published the following extensive travel guide by Alexia Amvrazi on Rhodes, the Greek Island of Wonders in the Dodecanese
As the capital of the Dodecanese, this 5000-year-old island is filled with natural, cultural and historical wonders – and indeed, the Colossus of Rhodes, a giant statue of a 282 BC wrestler was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Influences from its many occupiers, who recognised the strategic power of its geographical position, can be seen all around – from the Carians, Phoenicians and Dorians and later the Romans millennia ago to the Ottomans, Byzantine Emperors and the Knights of the Order of St John during the 14th and 15th Centuries and the Italians during WWII. Rhodes’ fascinating architecture, socio-political thought, cuisine, literature, art, and music are all inundated by a multicultural flavour. The locals are friendly, culturally refined and open-minded, just serving to enrich one’s experience of the place.
In spite of honouring its historical value with reverence, the island is however not stuck in the past; modernity has reached it on many levels, and it successfully caters to every variety of tourists from around the world. There are a plethora of things to see and do there but here I have selected the utterly unmissable.
Rhodes Old and New
The UNESCO World Heritage site of the Medieval Town, with its pebble-mosaic (cholakia) -covered streets, the Palace of the Grand Master with its towered, majestic entrance and large courtyard, rows of shops selling everything from tourist trinkets to designer clothing on bustling Sokratous street, Ottoman buildings such as the Suleymanie Mosque and Byzantine temples makes for a unique mise en scene. Any time of day during any season (but particularly on a softly-lit summer night) the ambiance here is nothing short of romantic, enchanting and chronologically transportive. Walk along Ippoton, the Road of the Knights, where Inns that once housed Knights of the Order of St John of different ‘tongues’. Eat out in the charming courtyard; head to Museum Square and visit the Archaeological, Ceramics, and Lady of the Castle museums.
Mandraki
The New town, where the above-mentioned Mandraki is, also has its gems – cultural spaces, restaurants and landmarks, most characteristic being the three medieval windmills and the high columns on which bronze fallow deer stand welcoming incoming boats. Visit Evangelismos Church, Eleftherias Square, and Rimini Square, and for an ultra high-tech experience learn about the island’s history and mythology at impressive the 9D Cinema (yes, nine!). Keep an eye out for the Art Deco buildings such as that of the National Theatre and the Aquarium, built by the Italians in the mid 1930s, and driving along the coastline away from the central part of the town you’ll soon see ongoing stretches of giant hotels with their private beaches, always busy with life. Enjoy the sunset at Monte Smith and then go for a drink on bar-lined Kosti Palama street.
Anthony Quinn Bay
There are numerous pretty, clean-water beaches in Rhodes, some of them quite astounding, particularly if you can manage to avoid the crowds and visit in late May / early June or in September when as locals say, the island becomes a different world. Here are some of the most unmissable: Tsambikas has soft sand and transparent waters, as well as a nice taverna. It’s well worth hiking to the church of Panagia Tsambika that stands on a cliff, for the spanning views. If you’re staying centrally near the Medieval Town head to the huge stretch of coastline at organised Elli beach, and enjoy a spot of lunch or a candle-lit dinner and cocktails at Ronda’s. Glam it up at red-rocked Anthony Quinn Bay where sailboats and yachts lay anchor and where the film The Guns of Navarone was filmed (starring the actor it was named after). In Lindos, visit Aghios Pavlos beach to admire the impressive rock formations and see the Acropolis from within the water. For some solitude head to Harakipebble beach or virginal Kiotari, while if you like to swim on the wild side, go out of your way to enjoy nature in all its glory at Mavros Cavos, with its crystal cobalt waters and sand dunes, Fournipebble beach, or Natura 2000-protected Limni beach in Apollakia which also has sand dunes, fragrant white lilies sprouting from the sand and is also a nesting spot for Caretta Caretta turtles. If you like a different kind of wild, go kite or windsurfing at blustery Prassonissi, at the southernmost point of the island. If you have kids, time and money, don’t miss out on a day at the Waterpark in Faliraki.
Lindos Bay
Lindos is mainly famed both for its archaeological and cultural value – as it is home to a 115m-high Acropolis dedicated to the goddess Athena and built during the Bronze Age (4th C BC), as well as a castle from the Crusader era. It’s reputed for its low-key glamour during the 50s-70s that drew the world’s barefoot glitterati (from Jackie O’ and Aristotle Onassis, Giorgio Armani, Sophia Loren and Giovanni Agnelli to Barbara Streisand, Yul Brinner and Pink Floyd’s David Gilmore, who built a house there) to sip him a wine and nibble on fresh fish at simple yet exquisitely picturesque side-street cafes and seafront tavernas. Today the village with not over 800 residents during winter becomes a stomping ground for millions of mostly day-tripper tourists throughout the summer, and its narrow, pebble-stone streets (with lovely mosaic designs) and altitude mean the temperatures there can rocket up to 50 degrees Celsius in July and August. Not a favourite experience for this somewhat agoraphobic writer, who arrived there fantasising to re-live its scenic tranquility and rich history a la Loren but instead found herself practically elbowing her way through jam-packed, clothes and trinkets-covered, sweltering, labyrinthine streets; there is so much stuff on sale that sadly one cannot even see the beautiful Cycladic-style architecture. Certainly if one veers off the busiest roads there are quieter streets to amble through. The Acropolis is certainly worth a visit if you can get there early in the morning (please don’t go by mule as this asinine practice has been proven to be an abuse to the poor animals). There are three beaches to cool off at, the best being that of Aghios Pavlos.
Rhodes Town
With such a rich history Rhodes has a great deal to unveil about its millennia-old history. There is a grand selection of cultural spots to visit but some are guaranteed to provide you with a 101 on the island’s character and existence. Apart from the Medieval Town and its various landmarks mentioned above, you can visit the Rhodes Jewish Museum and Synagogue, where in the courtyard you can read the tragically endless list of names of those who perished in Auschwitz. For a look into the island’s traditional lifestyle and crafts, go to the Lardos Folklore Museum. The island is known for its prime quality honey (and the sesame-honey melekounia sweets that represent union and abundance, which is why they’re often served at weddings), so why not go to the Bee Museum in Pastida? For a coffee and shopping as well as taking in beautiful examples of local arts and products in the new town, sit in the garden of Rodoscope Creative Gallery. And heading towards Lindos, stop at the Seven Springs and then drive just 7km to the innovative Art Park, a large interior and open air space where talented artists Damon and Emi present sculptures, paintings and installations they and collaborating artists have created. As for historical landmarks, go northwest to see Ancient Kamiros, southwest to the quaint mountain village of Monolithos with its lovely castle, and south/southwest to the equally pretty and traditional villages of Lachania, Vati and Apollakia. Rhodes also has an active cultural life throughout the year, hosting events like The European Jazz Festival, the Open Doors Event (this year celebrating 30 years since Rhodes became World Heritage City), the Sound and Light Show, the Rhodes Street Food Festival, the Medieval Festival, International Film Festival, Music Festival and even a Watermelon Festival!
Kallithea
If you have more than a day or two, try and catch some of the natural glories of this multifaceted island. Apart from its many beaches, there are hot springs such as those at Kallithea and several mountains (Atarviros, Profitis Ilias, where you’ll find a thick forest, and the highest Akramitis) where you can go hiking, mountain biking or climbing in an organized tour. There are also several horsebackriding ranches like Elpida, Apollon, Fivos and Kadmos, that take you through natural landscapes like the island’s characteristic pine and cypress forests and beaches. Between July and September, you mustn’t miss the Butterfly Valley (Petalouda) where you can see a multi-coloured flutter of magnificence all around you in a green and scenic (but be warned, often tourist-crammed) location. If you are seeking to see something different go to the 60m high Guduras Dam near Apollakia village, where you can see a large lake, a lovely biotope great for bird-watching (maybe you’ll spot a Bonelli’s eagle) and the Dama-Dama deer that inhabit it.
Read more at greekcitytimes.com
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Copyright: Norbert Nagel, Mörfelden-Walldorf, Germany License: CC-BY-SA
- 1) American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
- 2) German Youth: Holidays are only worth it when they have content for social media
- 3) WTM 2023 Global Report: Tourists abandon sun loungers in favour of new experiences
- 4) UNWTO Barometer: Global travel swiftly overcoming pandemic downturn
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
23/03 16:49
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
23/03 16:47
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
22/03 21:54
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
22/03 19:51
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
22/03 19:32
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
22/03 14:19
22/03 00:24
Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress
22/03 00:02
Hellenic Police acquires first electric VAN-type highway patrol vehicle
21/03 22:41
21/03 15:33
Unseen Museum presents "The stele of the twin babies" exhibition in Athens
20/03 22:48
Health Minister: 95% of Greek hospitals to perform afternoon surgeries
20/03 21:52
Greek Deputy Minister of Justice meets delegation from US Embassy in Athens
20/03 21:44
Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
20/03 20:55
Philadelphia Icarians mark 85th Anniversary and organize Apokriatiko Dance
20/03 18:01
Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece
19/03 22:28
President of the Hellenic Republic meets her Ethiopian counterpart in Athens
19/03 20:57
19/03 20:25
FinMIn: Moody’s analysis records significant progress in the Greek economy
19/03 11:15
Sector chiefs report: Good news for Greek tourism in 2024 at ITB Berlin
18/03 22:20
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association honors Past Supreme President
16/03 13:01
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
16/03 12:56
Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto
16/03 11:28
Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
15/03 21:50
Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
15/03 13:45
PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
15/03 12:55
Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation
14/03 23:43
President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava
14/03 22:58
American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
14/03 22:52
Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
14/03 22:49
US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki
14/03 22:43
Greek archaeologists discover ten ancient shipwrecks off Aegean island of Kasos
14/03 19:32
No new intubations for Covid-19 recorded in Greece for the first time
14/03 18:36
Extra road safety measures adopted for Greek pre-lent carnival and Clean Monday
14/03 14:48
14/03 12:54
Electric buses to be deployed on the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki by May
13/03 22:23
13/03 20:11
Prices of basic lenten products either lower or equal to last year's in Greece
13/03 19:15
US Ambassador to Athens: Greece secures NATO readiness via Alexandroupolis
13/03 17:19
13/03 12:26
Greece shows new costumes for revamped Olympic Flame-lighting ceremony
12/03 22:46
Epirotes Society of Philadelphia ‘Omonia’ organized 16th Annual ‘Tsipourovradia’
12/03 21:38
The President of the Hellenic Republic to visit Slovakia on March 13-15
12/03 20:29
First afternoon surgeries in Greece kick off at Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki
11/03 23:58
Greek Foreign Minister: We stand behind Montenegro's European perspective
11/03 23:47
Visa Express for Turkish citizens to commence on five Greek islands in March
11/03 19:40
11/03 18:49
Microsoft Data Center construction kicks off in Spata next to Athens Airport
11/03 17:53
Dodecanese Federation marked 76th Anniversary of Unification with Greece
09/03 22:23
08/03 14:27
Prime Minister: Radical change in Greek education and a brave reform for growth
08/03 14:24
Traffic restrictions expected in Athens mid-morning to evening on Friday due to protests
08/03 14:24
Applications to out-of-court settlement more than doubled in Greece in February
08/03 13:18
Metro station 'Maniatika' near Piraeus Port to be closed on Saturday and Sunday
07/03 14:12
Athens wins World Travel Award 2024 as the top city-break destination in Europe
06/03 22:51
WTTC data show Greece and Portugal lead league for growth in tourist arrivals
06/03 20:28
Greek Tourism Minister at ITB: 2024 will be another excellent year for sector
06/03 19:47
Greek Foreign Minister to meet UAE Minister of Industry and Technology on Friday
06/03 18:43
European Union actions of 274m euros to support cultural heritage in Greece
06/03 16:37
'Odontotos' rack railway temporarily stopped until landslides issue is resolved
06/03 14:40
Minister: Bringing about the return of Greeks abroad 'a moral duty'
05/03 14:28
Archdiocese of America Eparchial Synod to meet on March 14-17 in Florida
05/03 14:21
05/03 14:11
ITB BERLIN 2024 opens with excellent bookings after global rise in travel in 2023
05/03 12:24
Greek PM at Athens supermarket: Consumers 'can already see lower prices on the shelf'
04/03 22:02
Greek Health Minister: Afternoon surgeries at state hospitals to begin shortly
04/03 21:47
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Whitestone Community marks 49th Anniversary
04/03 20:27
Labor chief: Greece to train 500,000 workers in digital, green skills by 2025
04/03 19:44
Foreign Ministry to organize event on 'Women, Peace, and Security' on Friday
04/03 15:12
Athens Riviera | The summer experience with Athens as a background
29/02 22:54
Consumers to see price cuts up to 18.1% in 3,000 Greek supermarket products as of Friday
29/02 21:44
Greece and Germany set up Working Group on shipping cooperation
29/02 21:30
Wyndham Rewards’ Member Month offers 5 weeks of deals, discounts, and bonus points
29/02 21:03
Temple of Poseidon at Sounion near Athens to get new lighting system
29/02 21:02
29/02 20:47
Greece is represented by 60 firms at GULFOOD 2024 exhibition
29/02 19:58
Greek government gives 1+1 month extension for cash register-integrated POS terminals
29/02 19:49
Archangel Michael Church Dance Program shines at Folk Dance Festival in SF
29/02 15:39
'Renovate-rent' programme to be launched, Minister tells Greek Parliament
29/02 12:39
Rio-Antirrio ferry line in central Greece closed due to strong winds
28/02 21:34
Weather with heavy rain and storms in Greece as of Sunday night
28/02 17:31
CEO: The goal is for PPC to become a leading player in Southeast Europe
28/02 17:04
New Wyndham Hotels Market Managing Director of Central and Eastern Europe
28/02 12:21
Minister: Transactions with the Greek State will be further simplified in 2024
28/02 11:57
27/02 17:25
UN Tourism hails Saudi Arabia's historic milestone of 100 million tourists
27/02 15:00
Greek Prime Minister: Relations with Armenia can become even more productive
27/02 14:26
Wyndham: New growth cycle in Greece for the largest hotel chain franchise in the world
27/02 13:15
Price cuts of up to 15% in important product categories in Greece after March 1
27/02 12:46
Athens taxi drivers' protest rally in progress from Athinon avenue to Messogion
26/02 18:30
Annual Summit of Women Political Leaders (WPL) to be held in Athens in April
26/02 18:27
Culture Ministry: Schwartz Mansion in Ampelakia near Larisa to get new lighting
26/02 17:25
Greek president organizes reception for diplomats at Presidential Mansion
26/02 16:33
Trapped rack-railway passengers returned safely to Diakopto in Peloponnese
26/02 16:21
Public transport, ferry and taxi strikes in Athens on Wednesday
25/02 12:30
Greek island of Ikaria among the Blue Zones for Health Eating and Longevity
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
Athens streets reopen after private university protest rally and minor incidents
Ski resort on Mt. Pelion of central Greece in full operation
Greek Deputy Transport Minister flies in first test seaplane flight from Lavrio port
3-year stay and work permits approved for 30,000 undocumented migrants in Greece
AEGEAN concludes transfer of stake in Animawings to Memento Group
Holiday opening hours for shops resume in Greece on Wednesday
Foreign Ministers: Cooperation between Greece & Egypt should 'serve as an example'
Toronto Economic Forum II on Greek-Canadian relations to take place on October 23
Greek president organizes reception for diplomats at Presidential Mansion
Greek Prime Minister to meet Bulgarian counterpart at Maximos Mansion
Historic Second Annual Reunion held in Greece as adoptees meet in the homeland
Greek Prime Minister: Relations with Armenia can become even more productive