The essentials of Rhodes in 2 days

In general, any trip to Rhodes begins with its capital, itself named Rhodes. In the morning, make a date to visit the gates of the old town, a remarkably well-preserved medieval city, listed in its entirety as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: give it all the attention it deserves!

Starting from Plateia Ippokratous (Hippocrates Square), it's always nice to stroll along the main thoroughfare, Sokratous (Socrates Street), just before the shops open and the tourists arrive. It's the perfect time to sit on a terrace and enjoy a coffee, or stop off at a well-stocked bakery with its tempting early-morning smells.

A stroll that takes us straight to the Mosque of Soliman, whose proud minaret reminds us of the presence of the Ottoman Turks on Rhodes for several centuries. From here, it's just a few steps to the Palace of the Grand Masters, built in the 14th century under the Knights of the Order of St John. A visit to the galleries is a must. In the heart of medieval Rhodes, take Ippoton, the Knights' street, where the Gothic facades of the former language inns of the Knights of St John still stand: the wealth of heritage is exceptional! Further down, the former Knights' Hospital is worth a visit for both its medieval architecture and its ancient collections: some very fine mosaics, and its sculpted masterpiece, the Aphrodite of Rhodes.

All this brings us quickly to the afternoon, but don't panic: the Greeks are used to eating late! To save time, grab a gyros on the go and head for the seafront: a stop is essential at the entrance to the port of Mandraki, whose columns mark the supposed site of the famous Colossus of Rhodes...

With the heat in full swing, you soon find yourself at the northern tip of the city, on one of Rhodes' most popular beaches: Elli Beach. With its clear, calm waters, sun loungers, parasols and tall seafront buildings, it's the perfect introduction to modern, touristy Rhodes.

At the end of the day, it's time again to take a stroll, as the Rhodians themselves do along the quays of Mandraki. As night falls, be sure to lose yourself once again in the meanders of the medieval city, a veritable film set where you can dine on Greek specialities in a lively square, on the terrace of a taverna... a dream setting for spending the night too!

You might as well set off early today: the heat in Rhodes is such that you'll want to make the most of the cooler hours of the morning! For this second day, hiring a car will make things much easier, even if the excursion can also be attempted by bus, at least in part.

The aim will be to cover the leeward east coast of Rhodes, known for its immense sandy beaches and calm waters. Leaving aside the first major tourist resorts such as Faliraki, we'll concentrate on Rhodes' most beautiful beach: Tsambika, a 40-minute drive away.

If the coast on this side seems too built-up, your patience will be rewarded when you reach the first stopover of the day: Tsambika, reputed to be the most beautiful beach on Rhodes. The absence of permanent buildings no doubt has a lot to do with it! The morning's programme includes a climb to the chapel of Panagia Tsambika for a magnificent view, and a swim in the translucent waters of this beautiful sandy cove.

There are several cantinas where you can grab a bite to eat and refresh yourself, to suit the timing of your day. Let's not lose sight of the next stop of the day, and not the least: Lindos, just a 30-minute drive away.

Arriving in the late afternoon is not a problem, on the contrary: the day-trippers leave, and Lindos gradually regains a calmer atmosphere. The ideal time to venture into the winding streets of this authentic Greek village of white houses, until you reach the spectacular Acropolis of Lindos.

The evening is spent in Lindos, where the atmosphere is pleasantly lively, before heading back to Rhodes and the next stage of your journey the following day.