Rhodes Greece
3
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Three days in Rhodes reveals one of the most extraordinary islands in the Mediterranean, its remarkable medieval Old Town, the finest surviving medieval fortified city in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, combined with the extraordinary ancient acropolis of Lindos, the finest hillside village in the Aegean, and remarkable beaches. This route covers the essential Rhodes experience: the extraordinary Knights' Quarter and Palace of the Grand Master in Rhodes Old Town, the remarkable ancient acropolis and Byzantine village of Lindos, the extraordinary Valley of the Butterflies, and the finest beaches from Anthony Quinn Bay to Tsambika.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to October
Getting There
Fly into Rhodes Airport (RHO) or ferry from Athens (Piraeus)
Getting Around
Car or scooter essential for Lindos and beaches. Buses available.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 160 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly walking with some hill climbing at Lindos
DAY 1
RHODES OLD TOWN
MORNING
RHODES OLD TOWN , KNIGHTS QUARTER
The Rhodes Old Town is the most extraordinary surviving medieval fortified city in Europe, its remarkable UNESCO-listed walls enclosing the finest collection of medieval Gothic architecture outside France. The Street of Knights, the most complete medieval street in existence, leads to the extraordinary Palace of the Grand Master, the finest Gothic palace in the eastern Mediterranean. Palace entry approx 8 euros. Drive: Walk through old town
MIDDAY
THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM AND OLD TOWN EXPLORATION
The Rhodes Archaeological Museum, housed in the extraordinary 15th-century Knights Hospital, contains the finest collection of ancient sculpture in the Dodecanese including the remarkable Aphrodite of Rhodes, the most celebrated ancient sculpture from the island. The extraordinary Turkish Quarter with its Ottoman mosques and fountains gives the most layered historic streetscape in Greece. Entry approx 8 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
LINDOS VILLAGE AND ACROPOLIS
Lindos is the most extraordinary village in the Dodecanese, its remarkable whitewashed captain's houses climbing the hillside below the ancient acropolis giving the finest village silhouette in the Aegean. The extraordinary ancient acropolis above the village, with the Temple of Athena Lindia and the remarkable Hellenistic stoa, gives the finest ancient views in the Dodecanese. Entry approx 12 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Inn of France on the Street of Knights is the finest and least visited of the seven Knights' Inns, its Gothic facade almost entirely overlooked by tourists focused on the Grand Master Palace. The alleyways behind contain the finest hidden medieval architecture in Rhodes. Free to view from outside.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Rhodes Old Town Outstanding Greek coffee in the extraordinary medieval alleyways of the finest walled city in Europe. | Lunch: Taverna in the Old Town Turkish Quarter Outstanding Greek lunch in the most layered historic quarter in Greece. Local meze and Dodecanese wine. | Dinner: Restaurant in Lindos village Outstanding dinner in the most beautiful village in the Dodecanese. Book ahead , Lindos fills fast.
DAY 2
LINDOS AND EAST COAST
MORNING
LINDOS ACROPOLIS AT OPENING
The Lindos Acropolis is the most extraordinary ancient site in the Dodecanese, its remarkable hilltop position 116 metres above the sea giving extraordinary views over the St Paul's Bay below and the entire southeast coast of Rhodes. The Temple of Athena Lindia, the remarkable Hellenistic stoa and the Byzantine church of St John give layers of history in the finest acropolis setting outside Athens. Entry approx 12 euros. Drive: Walk down to village
MIDDAY
LINDOS VILLAGE AND ST PAUL'S BAY
The Lindos village below the acropolis is the finest whitewashed village in the Dodecanese, its remarkable captain's mansions with their extraordinary painted ceilings and pebble-mosaic courtyards giving the finest traditional Greek domestic architecture in the Aegean. St Paul's Bay below the acropolis, where St Paul is said to have landed, is the finest small beach in Rhodes. Free to explore. Drive: 30 min drive north
AFTERNOON
ANTHONY QUINN BAY AND TSAMBIKA BEACH
Anthony Quinn Bay near Faliraki is the most extraordinary small beach on Rhodes, its remarkable sheltered cove of vivid turquoise water flanked by rocky headlands giving the finest swimming on the east coast. Tsambika Beach to the south, one of the finest long sandy beaches on the island, gives the best beach experience in the Dodecanese. Both free beaches.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Feraklos Castle above Charaki on the northeast coast is the finest hidden medieval castle on Rhodes, its Byzantine and Knights fortifications giving extraordinary views over the Aegean and the Turkish coast. Almost entirely unvisited despite being 10 minutes from Lindos. Free. Rough path to the summit.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bakery in Lindos Outstanding fresh Greek pastries in the most beautiful village in the Dodecanese before the morning crowds. | Lunch: Taverna in Lindos village Outstanding Dodecanese lunch in the extraordinary whitewashed village. Fresh fish and local wine. | Dinner: Seafood restaurant, Rhodes Old Town Outstanding fresh seafood dinner back in the extraordinary medieval Old Town.
DAY 3
VALLEY OF BUTTERFLIES AND BEACHES
MORNING
VALLEY OF THE BUTTERFLIES (PETALOUDES)
The Valley of the Butterflies is the most extraordinary natural site on Rhodes, its remarkable wooded valley filled from June to September with thousands of Jersey Tiger moths resting on the trees and rocks creating one of the most unusual natural spectacles in Greece. The extraordinary stream-fed valley with its remarkable wooden bridges and ancient plane trees is beautiful even out of moth season. Entry approx 5 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
FILERIMOS HILL AND ANCIENT IALYSSOS
Filerimos Hill above the west coast is the most extraordinary hilltop heritage site in Rhodes, its remarkable Byzantine monastery, ancient Doric fountain and the famous Avenue of the Calvary giving the finest views over the northwest coast of Rhodes and the Turkish coast beyond. The extraordinary church of Our Lady of Filerimos contains the finest Byzantine icons in the Dodecanese. Entry approx 6 euros. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
TSAMBIKA BEACH
Tsambika is the finest beach on Rhodes, its remarkable golden sand and extraordinary turquoise water giving the best swimming on the island in a far more relaxed setting than the northern resort beaches. The remarkable monastery of Panagia Tsambika on the clifftop above the beach gives the finest view over the east coast and is accessible by 300 steps. Free beach.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Monastery of Thari in the Rhodes interior is the oldest active monastery on the island, its 9th-century church containing the finest Byzantine frescoes in the Dodecanese in a remote mountain setting. Almost entirely unknown to tourists. The drive through the interior to Thari is extraordinary. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before butterflies Early start for the Valley of the Butterflies before the tour groups arrive in the morning. | Lunch: Taverna near Valley of Butterflies Outstanding Greek lunch near Petaloudes. Local Rhodian specialities and excellent house wine. | Dinner: Final dinner in Rhodes Old Town Outstanding farewell dinner in the finest medieval city in Europe. The best restaurants are in the Old Town.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Rhodes Old Town, Nights 1 to 2 The finest base , staying inside the medieval walls is extraordinary. Boutique hotels from 80 to 200 euros. Lindos village, alternative Staying in Lindos gives the finest village atmosphere. Captain's house hotels from 100 to 300 euros. Budget option Hotels in Rhodes New Town from 40 euros. 10-minute walk to the Old Town entrance gates.
Top Tips
1. Rhodes Old Town is best before 9am and after 6pm. The medieval alleyways fill completely with tourists by 10am and become uncomfortable in the heat.
2. Lindos Acropolis is extraordinary at opening (8am). The views over St Paul's Bay with no other tourists are the finest in the Dodecanese.
3. The Palace of the Grand Master contains remarkable ancient mosaics from the island of Kos brought by the Italians in the 1930s. Often overlooked.
4. Anthony Quinn Bay was given to Quinn by the Greek government for his role in The Guns of Navarone. The snorkelling in the bay is extraordinary.
5. The Street of Knights is the most complete medieval street in existence. Walk it in both directions at different times of day for the best light.
6. Rhodian cuisine: order fresh grilled fish, pitaroudia (chickpea fritters), melekouni (honey and sesame bar) and local Rhodian Muscat wine.
Total Budget
80 to 160 euros/day