In this post we are going to be exploring Rhodes, which is the 4th biggest island in Greece and one of the top destinations for tourist in the whole world. I loved every single moment of my stay there, so I’m sure you will too!
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| The Grand Master’s Palace and a knight’s armour. |
Little history and facts
Rhodes has a population of approximately 90,000 inhabitants in its metropolitan area and it is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of land area and also the island group’s historical capital.
Rhodes has been famous since antiquity as the site of Colossys of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
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| Rhodes harbour with one of the two deers that are symbol of the island |
The citadel of Rhodes (aka Old Town of Rhodes) was built by the Hospitalliers and it’s one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe, which in 1988 was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Useful tips for your trip:
- Before you go check the voltage of all the electrical tools you have! Must be universal 110-240v or 220-240v. If you are an American, your 110-120v tools might explode or stop working permanently as the circuits will be fried.
- Make sure you to have an EU adapter before you get to the island as it will be hard to find.
- Book your accommodation months in advance, so you can make sure you have a place near Rhodes city. For more romantic scenery, book a place near Lindos or Kalithea.The island is quite big, so it’s always nice to be near to the city even if you rent a car.
Walking through the streets ancient Rhodes - Again I booked a bundle tours through Viator, so I can visit more places in one day.
- Public transportation passes every 20-30 minutes and it gets crazy crowded. Rent a car or a scooter to save time and inconvenience.
Top 5 things to do in Rhodes:
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| Grand Master’s Palace |
- Rhodes Old Town: It’s my personal number one and if you go, you would want to return for sure. It gives you that medieval time trip and while walking through the streets, you expect knights on horses to come dashing from around the corner. It’s one of the top attractions not only in Rhodes, but in all of Greece. It’s also an UNESCO World Heritage Site.It has an entrance fee of 10 euro for entering the Palace of the Grand Master, but everywhere else it’s free to explore. Make sure you collect a free map from your hotel or the airport, so you know exactly where everything is, because the place is enormous.
- Butterfly Valley: You will love the peaceful walk through the shaded, green valley with its small river and beautiful waterfalls. The entrance fee is 5 euro, but it also covers entry in the museum.While you are walking up to the monastery at the top, you are permanently surrounded by butterflies camouflaging themselves against the tree trunks and the rock.There are plenty of wooden benches along the way to rest. From the ticket booth, which is somewhat in the middle of the valley, it takes aproximetely 45 minutes to the top and 20 minutes to the bottom of the valley, where the museum and the orchard farm are.
- Acropolis of Lindos: Above the modern town of Lindos rises the acropolis of Lindos, a natural citadel which was fortified successively by the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines, the Knights of St. John and the Ottomans.Absolutely stunning and breath taking views are revealed while climbing the 200 steps to the Acropolis. You can ride a donkey for only 6 euro and I recommend it as it’s quite fun.Mind that on the top there is a 12 euro fee for entering the acropolis, but it’s totally worth it.
Acropolis of Lindos - Symi Island: Symi Island is a place I couldn’t get to unfortunetely, but I’ve heard much about and if I had visit it, it might have been higher up the list.It’s a beautiful, picturesque island only 30 minutes away and visible from the whole west side of Rhodes. People say that it is like entering a living picture while sailing into the port.Beautiful architecture and colourful houses remind more of an Italian Amalfi Coast village, than a Greek port. Definetely a place to visit while in Rhodes, but unfortunetely I was there during a local holiday and there were only two ferries early morning going there.
On top of the Acropolis of Lindos overlooking the bay - Kalithea Springs: The springs are located only 9 km away from the city. Easy accesible with a car, but mind that the actual springs that were used in ancient times are privatized by the nearby Kalithea Spa hotels and you won’t be able to use them.It is a nice place to take some pictures, enjoy the sun and have a coffee or a cocktail. It’s a really popular place amongst tourists and locals.
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| Overlooking Socratous street and the old city of Rhodes |
More things to do:
- Tsampika Monastery: Only 27km from the city of Rhodes, the Tsampika monastery lays on top of the hill next to Tsampika beach, one the most popular beaches in Rhodes. Just before the turn to Tsampika beache, is the road the leads half of the wat up on the hill. From that point, you need to walk up the 350 steps to the tiny, Byzantine church, dedicated to the Virgin. It’s perched at altitude of 300m, revealing some truly spectacular views on the coast, over Tsampika beach and all the way to Lindos. which makes the effort uphill definetely worth a try!The legends has it that women who cannot conceive should climb the hill barefooted to pray the Virgin for fertility. Then they name the child that is born Tsampikos if a boy, or Tsampika if a girl.
The streets of Old Rhodes - Filerimos: Filerimos, also know as Acropolis of Ialysos, is on a 267m high hill and it’s overlooking the small town of Ialysos and the bay of Ixia and Trianta.It is an ideal place to enjoy stunning views over the Aegean sea and also have a beautiful walk in nature. It is a home for 220 peacocks, which were brought by a priest a 100 years ago when building the monastery.
On top of the hill lays the monastery as well as ruins from the temple of Athena Polias since this is where the ancient city of Ialysos used to be.It is preffered for wedding ceremonies by the Rhodians. Stunted pastel cedars fom an archway in Via Crucis, leading to the belvedere where a gigantesque Cross made of concrete is erected.
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