Rhodes: The colossus of the Dodecanese: beach, sun and heritage

👉 When should you visit Rhodes?

• Early spring (April-May) is a perfect time to discover Rhodes: the island is still calm, the weather is cool and sunny, and the vegetation is colourful and lush.
• The off-season, in September-October, is also highly recommended, with milder temperatures, fewer people and a warm sea.
• In summer, the atmosphere is at its best and the sun at its brightest. There are lots and lots of people on the beaches and in the hotels, and it can get very hot when the wind drops.
• In winter, Rhodes becomes dormant and its visitors disappear. It's an opportunity to discover the island in its authentic, if very quiet, light.

👉 What are the formalities?

Rhodes is a Greek island: Greece is an integral part of the European Union, so all you need is your identity card or passport.

👉 How long can I stay?

You can easily stay 1 week, or even 2 weeks, exploring Rhodes: the island is large in scale and packed with sights. Thanks to its airport and numerous boat lines, Rhodes is also a logical starting point for a holiday in the Dodecanese: you can stay 2 or 3 days in Rhodes before embarking for Symi, Tilos, Nissiros, Halki, etc...

👉 Why go to Rhodes?

Rhodes will delight lovers of historical heritage and cultural visits, thanks to the old town of Rhodes and the archaeological sites scattered all over the island. But Rhodes is above all attractive for its vast sandy beaches, clear waters and generous sunshine! The large size of Rhodes is another advantage: more varied than the smaller Dodecanese islands, it also offers great opportunities for nature outings. At the same time, Rhodes is perfectly situated for getting to other Dodecanese islands.

🍴 What to eat and drink?

Located just a stone's throw from the Turkish coast, Rhodes' cuisine has an oriental flavour. A meal begins with mezzes, a variety of starters (tarama, tzatziki, aubergine caviar, etc.), which are also served as an aperitif snack. A Greek salad often accompanies the main course, which consists of meat, fish and vegetables. The tavernas of Rhodes offer the specialities for which Greek cuisine is famous: grilled squid and octopus, lamb chops, moussaka, stuffed aubergines, souvlaki, etc. Vegetarians will also find something to their liking. In busy areas such as the old town of Rhodes or Lindos, beware of touristy restaurants. Always choose a traditional taverna, where real Greek specialities are served. Bakeries (fournos) and their pitas, or the ubiquitous gyros are perfect for eating on the go and cheap.

🚌 Transport

Two local bus companies, KTEL and RODA, share the entire island, departing from Rhodes bus station in the new town. Efficient network, frequent connections in season to the northern seaside resorts and Lindos. Economical, but not always easy due to timetables. The south of Rhodes, on the other hand, has very few services. The most practical option is to hire a vehicle (car or scooter) if you're going to be criss-crossing Rhodes: the kilometres add up quickly. You can hire a car or scooter as soon as you arrive at the port or airport.

👉 What not to do

Lovers of authenticity and tranquillity should avoid the purely seaside resort of Faliraki, which is nonetheless lively and well-equipped with hotels and facilities, and frequented by an Anglo-Saxon clientele.

👉 What to bring back?

Stock up on olive oil and ouzo (the local anisette) and try your hand at natural sponges, particularly on the island of Symi with its fishermen, a 2-hour boat ride from the port of Rhodes. They can also be found on the ramparts of the old town.