Petaloudes, Rhodes Butterfly Valley

A unique natural site in Rhodes, Butterfly Valley owes its success above all to the presence of a pretty butterfly, cleverly named Euplagia Quadripunctaria, and more commonly known as Ecaille Chinée or Callimorph. Triangular in shape, with harmonious colours such as red on brown, this butterfly has found refuge in the valley to which it gives its name: Petaloudes, "butterfly" in Greek.

It is found almost nowhere else on Rhodes, or even in Greece. Some say that the Italians inadvertently introduced the butterfly to the island during the occupation, although the old Rhodians deny this version: the butterflies had already been present for a long time!

The fact remains that they populate the aptly-named Valley of the Butterflies en masse: around the river Pelekanos, it is home to a large population of oriental copalm trees (Liquidambar orientalis to the pros), locally known as Zitia. The sap from these trees is irresistibly attractive to butterflies! First as larvae and then as caterpillars throughout the winter, the butterflies undergo their metamorphosis around June, reaching their peak in July-August: nocturnal insects, they congregate on the tree trunks during the day, giving Petaloudes this unique spectacle!

The presence of butterflies in the valley at the height of the season is both a blessing and a curse: it makes it easy to admire this impressive, twirling colony, while the butterflies suffer from too many visitors, who generate a lot of noise. Their population is dwindling...

During the day, butterflies rest, and must economise, as they spend their short existence on the reserves stored up as caterpillars. That's why visitors are asked to be as discreet as possible as they make their way through Butterfly Valley. A tall order at the height of the tourist season! The Petaloudes valley is crossed from bottom to top by a 1.3km path, which is particularly pleasant. The water of the river, which forms waterfalls and ponds, coupled with the shade of the trees, maintains a cool atmosphere in the valley, and keeps nature lush.

Easy to access, the path is equipped with wooden footbridges and is ideal for families. The best way to do it is on foot, from the first entrance to Butterfly Valley at the museum, to the Kalopetra monastery, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the valley.

🚌 How do I get to Butterfly Valley?

• By car, after Rhodes airport, turn left onto the Ano Kalamonas road towards Petaloudes (well signposted).
• By bus, there is a connection with the RODA bus line 20 from Rhodes bus station.
• Numerous organised excursions with transfers available from local agencies.

👉 Visit Butterfly Valley

There are 3 entrances to Petaloudes along the road. We recommend stopping at the first one you come across on the road from Ano Kalamonas, at the museum, for a full tour and trail.

• High season opening times: daily 8am-6pm.
• Low season opening times: 1 May to 9 June and 11 September to the end of October, 8.30am-4.30pm.
• Admission: full price €5 (low season €3), free for children
• Visit to the Natural History Museum included
• Keep your ticket all the way to access the different parts of the site.

🥾 When should you visit Butterfly Valley?

In high season, it's best to be at the site early in the morning, if possible as soon as it opens, to enjoy the site in the greatest peace and quiet. In the low season, the butterflies are no longer as visible in the valley as they are at the height of summer, but nature is lush in spring and the site much quieter in autumn: it's more than worth coming for a stroll!

🕑 Duration: 1h30 on average