Rhodes Greece: what to see and do
Rhodes is a Greek island sometimes called the Emerald Island, as well as the Island of the Knights and the Island of the Sun. It covers about 1,400 square kilometres and is roughly 80 km long and 38 km wide at its widest. The Colossus of Rhodes is said to have stood at the harbour. This bronze representation of the sun god Helios stood 33 metres tall and was made by Chares, a local sculptor. Construction of the statue ran from 292 to 280 BC.
Things to do in Rhodes
The private tour of the west coast of Rhodes, with beaches, castles and views lasts 7 hours. It includes a private vehicle and driver, plus honey and souma tasting in Sianna Village.
The private photo tour in Rhodes with a professional photographer lasts 1 hour. It includes private photography, edited digital images in high resolution, candid and contemporary photography, and help with posing and choosing locations.
Rhodes Old Town
UNESCO added the Medieval Town of Rhodes to its World Heritage list in 1988. The northern high town, the Collachium, held the administrative centre, the hospital and the Knights' residences. People traded in the southern lower town (Burgo), home to Greeks, Latin merchants and, later, Ottoman Turks and Sephardic Jews. The Archaeological Museum now occupies the Hospital of the Knights.
The Knights Hospitaller built the Palace of the Grand Master in the early 14th century, within their period of rule from 1309 to 1523. The palace was built on the site of a Byzantine fortress from the 7th century AD. Its ground floor halls now hold two permanent archaeological exhibitions.
The walls run for about 4 km around the Old Town, ringed by a wide dry moat.
The private Rhodes evening tour with sunset views and night lights lasts 5 hours. Included are a private vehicle with a driver and guide, a sunset stop at Monte Smith Hill, guided visits to Mandraki Harbor and the New Market area, and a guided walk through Rhodes Old Town.
Lindos and its archaeological site
The acropolis retains temple ruins from the 4th century BC and the sanctuary dedicated to Athena Lindia. Within the archaeological site are a theatre with seats carved into rock and the so called tomb of Kleoboulos.
Villages and the Valley of the Butterflies
Inland Rhodes has traditional villages, springs, coves and caves, as well as orange groves and slopes covered in vines. The Valley of the Butterflies forms a green canyon roughly 1 km in length. Jersey tiger moths (Panaxia quadripunctaria) gather there from June to September. They are moths, not butterflies; the valley's name stays.
The private Rhodes tour with wine tasting and medieval villages lasts 6 hours. It includes private transport with a professional English-speaking driver, tastings at local Rhodian wineries, honey and souma tasting in Sianna Village, and sunset wine tasting at Monolithos or Kritinia Castle.
Food on Rhodes
Mint flavours the chickpea balls called Rhodian pitaroudia. Karavoli are snails, served as a main dish on Rhodes with either bulgur or cumin.
Getting to Rhodes
Diagoras International Airport is at Paradisi, about 14 km southwest of Rhodes town.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rhodes Old Town a UNESCO site?
The Medieval Town received UNESCO World Heritage status in 1988.
What is inside the Hospital of the Knights?
The building is now home to the Archaeological Museum.
What remains at the Acropolis of Lindos?
There are ruins of a temple from the 4th century BC and the sanctuary of Athena Lindia.
When do moths gather in the Valley of the Butterflies?
Jersey tiger moths (Panaxia quadripunctaria) gather there from June to September. They are moths, not butterflies; the valley's name stays.
Where is the airport on Rhodes?
Diagoras International Airport is at Paradisi, about 14 km southwest of Rhodes town.
