Rhodes Greece
5
Day Itinerary •
Greece
Five days in Rhodes gives you the complete experience of the most historically rich island in the Dodecanese, from the extraordinary medieval Old Town, the finest surviving walled city in Europe, to the ancient acropolis of Lindos, the hidden villages of the interior, the remarkable ancient city of Kamiros and the extraordinary monastery of Thari. This route covers the full Rhodes experience: the UNESCO medieval Old Town, the ancient acropolis at Lindos, the remarkable Monolithos and Kritinia castles, the extraordinary ancient city of Kamiros, the hidden monastery of Thari, the Valley of the Butterflies and the finest beaches on the island.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to October
Getting There
Fly into Rhodes Airport (RHO) or ferry from Piraeus (14 hours)
Getting Around
Car essential for west coast, Kamiros and monastery visits.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 160 euros per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, walking and driving
DAY 1
RHODES OLD TOWN
MORNING
RHODES OLD TOWN , KNIGHTS QUARTER AND GRAND MASTER PALACE
The Rhodes Old Town is the most extraordinary surviving medieval fortified city in Europe, its UNESCO-listed walls enclosing the finest Gothic architecture outside France. The Street of Knights, the most complete medieval street in existence, leads to the Palace of the Grand Master, the finest Gothic palace in the eastern Mediterranean. Palace entry approx 8 euros. Drive: Walk through old town
MIDDAY
ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM AND TURKISH QUARTER
The Rhodes Archaeological Museum in the 15th-century Knights Hospital contains the finest ancient sculpture in the Dodecanese including the remarkable Aphrodite of Rhodes. The extraordinary Turkish Quarter with its Ottoman mosques, hammams and fountains gives the most layered historic streetscape in Greece. Museum entry approx 8 euros. Drive: Walk
AFTERNOON
RHODES OLD TOWN WALLS AND MOAT WALK
The complete circuit of the Rhodes Old Town walls, walkable along the moat and partially on the walls themselves, is the finest fortification walk in the Mediterranean. The extraordinary 4km of walls, towers and gates give the finest perspective on the medieval city from the outside. The walk passes the finest gates including the remarkable Gate of St Paul. Entry to walls approx 6 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Inn of France on the Street of Knights is the finest and least visited of the seven Knights' Inns, its remarkable Gothic facade almost entirely overlooked by tourists focused on the Grand Master Palace. The alleyways behind the Street of Knights contain the finest hidden medieval architecture in Rhodes. Free to view from the street.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Rhodes Old Town Greek coffee in the extraordinary medieval alleyways of the finest walled city in Europe. | Lunch: Taverna in the Turkish Quarter Outstanding meze lunch in the most layered historic quarter in Greece. Local Dodecanese wine. | Dinner: Restaurant in Rhodes Old Town Outstanding dinner in the finest medieval city in Europe. The old town restaurants are extraordinary.
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 St Paul's Bay and the entire southeast coast. The Temple of Athena Lindia, the Hellenistic stoa and the Byzantine church of St John give remarkable layers of history in the finest acropolis setting outside Athens. Entry approx 12 euros. Drive: Walk down
MIDDAY
LINDOS VILLAGE AND CAPTAIN'S MANSIONS
Lindos village is the finest whitewashed village in the Dodecanese, its remarkable captain's mansions with 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
AFTERNOON
ANTHONY QUINN BAY AND TSAMBIKA
Anthony Quinn Bay near Faliraki is the most extraordinary sheltered cove on Rhodes, its vivid turquoise water flanked by rocky headlands giving the finest swimming on the east coast. Tsambika Beach to the south gives the best long beach experience in the Dodecanese. The monastery of Panagia Tsambika on the clifftop is 300 steps up and gives extraordinary views. Both free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Feraklos Castle above Charaki village is the finest hidden medieval castle on Rhodes, its Byzantine and Knights of St John fortifications giving extraordinary views over the Aegean and the Turkish coast. Almost entirely unvisited despite being 10 minutes from Lindos. Free. Rough path to summit.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bakery in Lindos Fresh Greek pastries in the most beautiful village in the Dodecanese before the morning crowds. | Lunch: Taverna in Lindos Outstanding Dodecanese lunch in the extraordinary whitewashed village. Fresh fish and local wine. | Dinner: Seafood restaurant, Rhodes Old Town Outstanding fresh seafood back in the extraordinary medieval Old Town.
DAY 3
WEST COAST
MORNING
ANCIENT KAMIROS
Kamiros is the most extraordinary hidden ancient city in Rhodes, one of the three ancient cities of the island, its remarkable hillside ruins including a complete Hellenistic street grid, an extraordinary Doric sanctuary, ancient cisterns and a remarkable stoa giving the finest ancient city plan visible in the Dodecanese. Far fewer visitors than Lindos and equally extraordinary. Entry approx 6 euros. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
MONOLITHOS CASTLE AND THE SOUTHWEST COAST
Monolithos is the most dramatically positioned castle in Rhodes, its remarkable Knights of St John fortress perched on a 236-metre volcanic rock above the sea giving the most extraordinary coastal fortress view in the Dodecanese. The extraordinary drive along the southwest coast through the villages of Siana and Kritinia, each with remarkable medieval towers, gives the finest rural landscape in Rhodes. Monolithos entry free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
KRITINIA CASTLE AND APOLLONA VILLAGE
Kritinia Castle on the northwest coast is the finest Byzantine fortress on Rhodes, its remarkable hilltop position above the village giving extraordinary views over the Turkish coast and the islands of Chalki and Alimia. The extraordinary traditional village of Apollona nearby, with the finest folk art collection on the island, gives the most authentic rural village experience in Rhodes. Castle free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary ancient site of Philerimos above Ialyssos on the northwest coast contains a remarkable Doric fountain, one of the oldest in the Dodecanese, built directly into the hillside rock and almost entirely unknown to tourists who visit only the Byzantine monastery above. Entry included with Filerimos ticket. The finest hidden ancient monument in northwest Rhodes.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before west coast drive Early start for Kamiros. The ancient city is extraordinary in the morning before the heat. | Lunch: Taverna in Siana village Outstanding local Rhodian lunch in the finest traditional village on the southwest coast. | Dinner: Restaurant in Rhodes Old Town Outstanding dinner in the medieval Old Town after the extraordinary west coast day.
DAY 4
RHODIAN INTERIOR
MORNING
MONASTERY OF THARI
Thari is the oldest active monastery on Rhodes, its remarkable 9th-century church containing the finest Byzantine frescoes in the Dodecanese in an extraordinarily remote mountain setting in the Rhodian interior. The extraordinary monks still maintain the monastery and welcome visitors. The drive through the interior pine forests to Thari is the finest rural landscape on the island. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
LAERMA AND PROFITIS ILIAS
Profitis Ilias is the highest accessible peak in Rhodes, its remarkable forested summit giving the finest panoramic view of the entire island from the Turkish coast to the Dodecanese chain. The extraordinary Art Deco hunting lodges built by the Italian occupiers in the 1920s give the most unusual architectural surprise in the Rhodes interior. The forest walk is extraordinary. Free. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
EMBONA VILLAGE AND RHODIAN WINE
Embona is the finest traditional wine village in Rhodes, its remarkable position on the slopes of Mount Attavyros giving the highest vineyards on the island. The extraordinary local Athiri and Mandilaria wines produced here are the finest on Rhodes. The traditional village square and the remarkable folk architecture give the most authentic rural experience on the island. Wine tastings approx 5 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The deserted village of Kritinia in the mountains above the castle contains remarkable abandoned medieval stone houses and extraordinary views over the northwest coast, giving the most haunting heritage experience in the Rhodes interior. Almost entirely unvisited. Free to explore.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before interior drive Early start for the Thari Monastery. The mountain roads are finest in morning light. | Lunch: Taverna in Laerma or Profitis Ilias Outstanding traditional Rhodian lunch in the finest mountain village restaurant on the island. | Dinner: Restaurant in Embona Outstanding dinner with extraordinary local Rhodian wine in the finest wine village on the island.
DAY 5
NORTH RHODES
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. The stream-fed valley with wooden bridges and ancient plane trees is beautiful even out of moth season. The finest natural walk in Rhodes. Entry approx 5 euros. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
FILERIMOS HILL AND ANCIENT IALYSSOS
Filerimos Hill is the most extraordinary hilltop heritage site in Rhodes, its Byzantine monastery, ancient Doric fountain and the famous Avenue of the Calvary giving the finest views over the northwest coast and the Turkish coast beyond. The church of Our Lady of Filerimos contains the finest Byzantine icons in the Dodecanese. Entry approx 6 euros. Drive: 20 min drive to Rhodes Town
AFTERNOON
RHODES NEW TOWN AND THE MANDRAKI HARBOUR
The Mandraki Harbour of Rhodes New Town is the most extraordinary medieval harbour in the Aegean, the legendary site of the Colossus of Rhodes. The extraordinary three medieval windmills on the harbour mole, the remarkable Fort of St Nicholas lighthouse and the extraordinary Italian Art Deco architecture of the new town give the finest harbour promenade in the Dodecanese. Free to explore.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Rodini Park on the edge of Rhodes Town is the finest hidden ancient site in the city, its remarkable valley containing the oldest surviving rose garden in the world, ancient rock-cut tombs of the Ptolemaic period and extraordinary peacocks wandering among the ruins. Almost entirely unknown to tourists. Free. 15-minute walk from the Old Town.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe before butterflies valley Early start for Petaloudes before the tour groups. The valley is most extraordinary in the morning quiet. | Lunch: Taverna near Filerimos Outstanding Greek lunch with views over the northwest coast of Rhodes from the Filerimos hillside. | Dinner: Farewell dinner in Rhodes Old Town Outstanding final dinner in the finest medieval walled city in Europe. Book a rooftop restaurant.
Where To Stay
Rhodes Old Town, Nights 1 to 4 The finest base for the whole trip. Boutique hotels inside the medieval walls from 80 to 200 euros. Lindos, alternative Night 2 Staying in Lindos village after the acropolis visit gives the finest atmosphere. From 100 euros. Budget option Hotels in Rhodes New Town from 40 euros. 10-minute walk from the Old Town entrance.
Top Tips
1. Rhodes Old Town is best before 9am and after 6pm. Arrive at the Grand Master Palace at opening for an extraordinary experience without crowds.
2. Lindos Acropolis at 8am opening gives the finest views in the Dodecanese with almost no other tourists. The light on the Temple of Athena is extraordinary.
3. Ancient Kamiros is the finest hidden ancient city in Rhodes and almost entirely unvisited. More atmospheric than Lindos and far less crowded.
4. The Thari Monastery interior frescoes are the finest in the Dodecanese. The monks welcome visitors but ask for respectful dress and quiet.
5. The Rhodes interior on Days 4 and 5 requires a car. The mountain roads are excellent but narrow in places. Petrol stations only in main villages.
6. The Valley of the Butterflies is most extraordinary in July and August when the moths are present. Outside this period the valley is still beautiful.
Total Budget
80 to 160 euros/day