Rhodes is one of the most beloved islands of Greece by vacationers, as vacation here combines the joys of beaches, walks in places of medieval and ancient monuments, traditional delicious food, and nightly fun entertainment. The sea coast of the island is about 250 kilometers, while the beaches here are different: pebble, sand, rocky. Well, it is difficult to describe the beauty in words, for starters, you can see a photo of the island of Rhodes. Greece as a whole is full of amazing places.
The entire island can be traveled in just a couple of hours - it is a little larger than the northern capital of Russia. But there is no need to rush. You need to have time for everything: carefully examine the fabulous Lindos, take a walk in the Butterfly Valley in the park, and also climb to the top of Mount Filerimos. In addition, plunge into the vibrant nightlife of Faliraki, go sailing, and, finally, lie on any of the beaches.
Many of our compatriots are interested in Greece. Rhodes is no exception. Initially, you should go to Cape Filerimos. On the left is the emerald Aegean Sea, whichis a real paradise for surfers: in this place there is always a wave and a breeze. But on the right - a calm and majestic dark blue Mediterranean. After swimming alternately in these two seas, you can go to the Old City.
Behind the fortress walls you can wander around the city for more than one day. There is a feeling that you are among the scenery for some historical film. At the same time, everything here is alive, real, so tours to Rhodes are becoming more and more popular with vacationers. Small streets, paved with polished sea pebbles, are so narrow that you can touch the walls of houses standing opposite each other, just by spreading your arms to the sides. People live here, as they did 700 years ago. Only the Palace of the Grand Master is uninhabited in the city. Only the shadows of the founders of the Order of M alta, the Ionite Knights, remained in this place.
Nature of the island of Rhodes
Everyone knows how rich Greece is with sights. Rhodes, in addition to the most important monuments of antiquity, captivates its guests with amazing nature. There is a place here called "The Kiss of the Two Seas" - a narrow spit that separates the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, washing this island.
Also attracts tourists to the Valley of the Seven Creeks. There is a legend that whoever passes through them is granted complete cleansing from sins.
But in the summer you can witness a stunning spectacle: a huge number of butterflies of the Ursa family flock to Petaludes. They are attracted by the scent of flowering styrax, as well as the coolness that all kinds of streams give.
Weather in Rhodes
Mediterranean climate pleases everyone who loves Greece. Rhodes attracts tourists both in summer and in winter (the weather here is humid and mild, while the thermometer almost never drops below 5 degrees, due to which there is no snow, but it rains abundantly, turning the island into a piece of paradise rich in greenery).
The sea breeze blowing off the Aegean Sea during the summer season provides a slight coolness. Due to the constant wind, the weather of the island of Rhodes is comfortable for many vacationers, as it is devoid of the sweltering heat.
The average summer air temperature in the city is about 30 °C. But the sun's rays on the body can cause burns, therefore, going to Rhodes in July, you must have protective cream, a hat and glasses with you.
Rhodes: map of the island
Rhodes is divided into 2 parts, which received specific names - the Old (Medieval) and the New Town. The old one, surrounded by reliable walls of the fortress, was built by knights. There is a feeling that time stands still here: narrow streets paved with cobblestones, mosques and churches in small squares, a synagogue and various knightly buildings are shrouded in the mystery of bygone times.
Also, for everyone who is interested in Rhodes, a map of the island will show that it is divided into 2 internal parts, separated earlier by a wall. They received the names Chora and Collachio. The latter was the abode of knights in the Middle Ages, and today there are various buildings that keep the memory of the life of those times.
In the part of Chora, public buildings and houses of the loc althe population of the city. There was also a synagogue and various churches here.
Almost all residents of the city live in houses that are more than one hundred years old, while at the present moment some ancient buildings are quite nice boarding houses and hotels.
Local food
Riding around the island with excursions is an empty business, as well as listening to stories about Fr. Rhodes. Greece is full of amazing sites that you need to see with your own eyes. In this place, you need to take a car, stop near any picturesque bay, medieval castle and church, wander along dusty paths, swim in the bays of incredible beauty … In the mountains, look for villages, snow-white houses with colored patterns located on the walls, unique taverns, in addition, unshaven old men in old caps, peacefully sipping retsina or ouzo. You need to park your car in such villages (such as Siana and Archangelos), go to any tavern and indulge in real national food.
Worth trying to start with olives, crispy bread, olive oil, tzatziki (light yogurt with garlic, cucumbers and herbs). Followed by dolma, moussaka (hot meat and vegetable casserole) and, of course, Greek salad.
You can taste it all by spicing abundantly with soft Emery wine or ouzo and raising your glass at intervals of 5 minutes, shouting louder and louder with each glass: “Yamas!”
Donkeys of Lindos
On the island, a donkey is like a taxi. If you don't want to climb the acropolis - welcome to a free donkey,which can be found right on the central square. They stand sadly examining the walking people and twitching their ears. No need to be familiar with these animals - they have a well-developed sense of pride.
Lindos itself is a small town near the bay where the Apostle Paul found shelter. Where he once stepped ashore, there is a white church. At the same time, a rock is visible above the surface of the sea, at its peak stands a medieval castle, in which the ancient Acropolis of Athens is located (Christianity and antiquity are quite tightly mixed here, and there is a feeling that they are constantly flowing into each other). The streets of the town are paved with the classic Greek mosaic of kohlakia, which looks amazing among blue and white - on the island of Rhodes, the sea is blue and white huts. White linen dresses float in the shop windows like sails. Myths say that once the ancient gods were able to overcome chaos, establishing peace throughout the Earth. On the island, there is a feeling that this is actually the case…
Beaches
Greece is truly incredible holiday! Rhodes is washed from the eastern part by the Mediterranean Sea, and from the back - by the Aegean. These seas are not similar: for example, the Mediterranean is quiet, and the Aegean is stormy. They have just as different fans: some connoisseurs of a relaxing family holiday, others are windsurfers who praise the wind and waves.
When choosing the best beaches of Rhodes, you need to take into account that pebbles are typical for the Aegean coast, but mostly sand is found in the Mediterranean, therefore, the main resorts- Faliraki, Kolymbia, Lindos, Kallithea - are concentrated in this place. Tsambika, the most popular sandy beach, is located near Kolymbia. Here the views are as if from a postcard: the wide golden line of the beach and the deep blue sea. At the same time, this place has enough space for sun loungers, fun games, as well as the construction of sandcastles.
Near the beach on the mountain is the monastery of the Virgin Tsambika. Women come here from all over Greece, unable to conceive. Babies born after visiting the monastery are usually called Tsambika or Tsambik - and there are many such names on the island. At the same time, there is another miracle in the yard - a rare hybrid of boxwood and oak: for example, jagged and even leaves grow simultaneously on one branch of a tree. This unique hybrid, which in principle should not exist, is already about 2000 years old.
Near Kolymbia is the 7 Springs Nature Reserve. A long dark tunnel filled with icy water leads here. The residents of the resort are sure that, having overcome fear and going through this tunnel up to their ankles in water, it is possible to cleanse themselves of 7 sins, and then come out as a changed person.
Rhodes in history
Everyone knows how eventful Greece is. Rhodes, like every major island in Europe, located in warm seas, is prone to regular change of ownership and is shrouded in secrets. Rhodes, first of all, is famous for the Colossus - a statue of Helios, whose height is 35 m. The sculptor Khares placed it at the entrance to the harbor. The lifespan of this wonder of the world was short-lived: it stood for 56 years, falling during an earthquake, but having managed to give rise to a fashion for huge statues. By the will of the oraclewho forbade restoring the ruin, the remains lay untouched for about a thousand years, after which they disappeared or were sold to the Arabs, while leaving the phrase “Colossus with feet of clay” as a keepsake for mankind.
Rhodes periodically changed its owners. Greece, whose map has always been curious, more than once gave the island to one owner or another. The most striking of them can be called the Order of the Hospitallers, better known as the Order of M alta. Starting with the protection of the pilgrims, after the death of Gerard, the founder, he expanded his own functionality to the protection of the Holy Sepulcher, then starting the fight against the infidels. After that, he took an active part in the crusades. Further, the order ended up in Cyprus, and only then in Rhodes. Here he was in the period 1309-1522. It can be assumed that the Master's Palace would have become the main decoration of the old part of the city if it had not been blown up in 1856 by the Turks, who ousted the Hospitallers from here. At the present moment, in its place is a grandiose palace, created for Mussolini in the thirties of the last century.
Resort Architecture
In the historical center of Rhodes there is something to see besides the palace. A special reason for pride are the perfectly preserved medieval walls. Inside them there are about two hundred small streets that do not have a name, diverging from large ones, such as the streets of Socrates or the Crusaders. The latter was laid on the site of the one that once led to the port. At the beginning of the sixteenth century, there were farmsteads of various "languages" of the Order, in some way branches- German, English, French, Italian and others. The distinctive features of each nation were reflected in architecture, for example, in the French courtyard you can see graceful Bourbon lilies, which can also be seen in the photo of the island of Rhodes. Greece has a rich and unique history, so this is not surprising.
In Lindos, the second most important resort town, the Acropolis is not so well preserved, but it is located on a rock. From here you have a stunning view of the bay, which bears the name of the Apostle Paul. Not far from the ruins of the temple of Athena Lindia, handsome pensioners and cats are relaxing, having heroically overcome many steps leading up. In the middle of the way, the silhouette of a trireme, carved in stone, catches the eye - a warship of the local ancient inhabitants. Their descendants prefer to have other means of transportation on the farm - donkeys, willingly rented out to tourists who storm the Acropolis. In addition, locals sell souvenirs: miniature Colossus statues, shells and scarves.
Wild Sponges
But among all this funny nonsense there are no washcloths - the main souvenir attraction of the Dodecanese. They are made from completely wild sea sponges. The Dodecanese is an archipelago, in addition to Rhodes, it also includes 150 small islands and 11 large ones. There is an active hunt for sponges on the island of Symi, where you can get on a double-deck huge ship from the port of Rhodes, which is called a pleasure boat due to some strange oversight. In Symi, the houses are painted bright enough toin order to somehow compete with the rich color of the sea. At the same time, here in restaurants they treat him with gifts. On the other side is the monastery of the Archangel Michael, which was originally the center of Orthodoxy in the country.
Returning from here with a sponge and being therefore in a good mood, the purchase can be washed in any of the many cafes and bars of the Faliraki resort, which is located fifteen kilometers from the capital. It is the center of the island's nightlife, but it is interesting here even during the day: there is a water park and all the necessary conditions for water sports. Not far from the water park is the four-star hotel Louis Colossos, the advantages of which are the clear sea and green territory, but this is what many people like in Greece, Rhodes. 4-star hotels here are distinguished by an excellent level of service. So, an alternative to Louis Colossos can be Blue Sea 4- they serve national cuisine and Greek evenings.
Raise the sails
There are two resorts here that are loved by windsurfers around the world - Ialyssos and Ixia. Wind, pebbles and waves are the 3 success factors that give resorts an enviable reputation. The first is the Procenter center, whose staff will help arrange the best surf holidays in the world. And when the wind is capricious, there is an opportunity to go to see the ruins of the temples of Athena and Zeus, reminiscent of the period when Ialyssos was still the largest Doric city. By the way, the acropolis of Ialyssos is located on Mount Filerimos, near the modern city. You can go up there in order to appreciate the panorama of Rhodes. BUThere Ixii boasts a huge selection of hotels, so here you can meet both surfers and people in strict business suits who came here for a conference. By the way, Greece, Rhodes are ideal for business people. 4-star hotels can be found here without any problems, while the level of service will not disappoint anyone.
City Nightlife
On Rhodes, the best resorts are the towns of Faliraki and Ialyssos, located on the East coast, fifteen kilometers from the capital. The towns are quiet during the day. Near the church of St. Nektarios, a gentle meltemi wind in a sultry haze lazily chases a football that has come down. Along with the fresh breeze and the coolness of the night, a new zest for life emerges. Faliraki and Ialyssos are transformed into a giant nightclub. Dance floors, discos, strip bars, dance halls, cafes, restaurants. The decibels are booming, and parking the car is a problem. By the way, Ialyssos is the best place for windsurfers. This place has a school, board rentals, short courses, etc. for anyone looking for a new experience. But don't worry. Faliraki has respectable streets where it is quiet and peaceful.
What to see at the resort
Rhodes is one of the most popular islands in the country. It attracts tourists with the amazing beauty of the coast, stunning nature, as well as a huge number of historical attractions. Many of them can be found in our article about Fr. Rhodes.
Greece for most guests provides an ideal way to explore the island through excursions thatequally interesting for both adults and children. They pass at a fairly lively pace and with the use of comfortable buses. It is also quite easy to find a tour with a Russian-speaking guide here. The cost of excursions depends on the duration of the trip and the number of objects included in the program. For example, tours that are designed for half a day will cost 30 euros. If the walk takes a whole day, then it will cost 60 euros. The cost of a child ticket is basically half of the full price.
So, what are the attractions of Rhodes, the map of which is so diverse?
Mount Filerimos
At the very top of the hill is an architectural reserve, which includes the ruins of the city of Ialyssos, as well as the monastery of the Mother of God. The mountain is crowned with a huge cross, which can be climbed by a spiral staircase located inside. This unusual observation deck offers an amazing view of the island. On Mount Filerimos, in a souvenir shop, you can buy a strange greenish liquor made by nuns.
Butterfly Valley
In the most picturesque place of the island, you can always hide from the heat and see a huge number of black and yellow butterflies that completely cover the old tree trunks with their flocks. Vacationers generally combine a visit to the Butterfly Valley with a visit to a beekeeping company, which is located nearby. In this place, you can watch the process of collecting honey, as well as obtaining all kinds of bee products.
Rodini Park
Planning a vacation inRhodes, you need to pay attention to this calm and cozy place where you can take a walk, watching the peacocks freely marching here. You will also see incredibly beautiful ponds with miniature wooden bridges thrown over them. In addition, you can appreciate the archaeological sites: an aqueduct and an ancient cave burial.
Kallithea
In Rhodes, the east coast was known in antiquity for its gushing thermal spring. Today, numerous tourists plunge into the healing waters with pleasure, thus skin diseases are treated in local sanatoriums.
Lindos City
This city is the island's second most important tourist destination. It pleases the eye with a huge number of white-washed fishermen's houses, a majestic fortress located on a hill, and winding narrow streets. Behind its walls lie the ruins of the ancient Acropolis, as well as the temple of Athena, which was one of the most revered in ancient Greece. The Acropolis rises on a rock overlooking St. Paul's Bay. There is a legend that it was in this place that the holy apostle came ashore, bringing the Christian faith to the locals. The Greeks erected a chapel on the shore in his memory, bearing his name. Going to Lindos, many tourists stop at the 7 Springs Park, where you can run through a tunnel with a cold stream, tasting the healing water.
Rhodes City
The history of such a unique country as Greece is incredibly eventful. Rhodes (whose photo is presented in this article) makes it possible to touch it inwithin the capital of this island. Almost all excursions on Rhodosbureta originate in the port, where, according to legend, the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. From here you can go to the gates of the so-called Old Town, which is surrounded by high fortress walls. In this place is the Fortress of the Knights Hospitaller, well preserved to this day. The construction is so carefully thought out that even a few defenders could repel the attack of the enemy hordes. A visit to the Palace of the Masters, in which the local municipality was located at the beginning of the 20th century, evokes a lot of emotions among tourists. In the preserved building, there is an opportunity to see household items and furniture of those times, beautiful statues located in the courtyard. In Old Rhodes, on Torgovaya Street, there are colorful taverns and souvenir shops, while it is completed by Hippocratus Square with a decorative fountain and the Suleiman Mosque. An excellent continuation of the tour will be a visit to Monte Smith Hill, from here a stunning panorama of the New and Old City opens. In this place there is an ancient huge stadium, as well as an ancient theater, in which Cicero once studied oratory. Nearby you can look at the ruins of the temples of Aphrodite and Apollo.
Kamiros
Here are the ruins of the acropolis, not inferior in scale to the ancient Pompeii. Most of the buildings date back to the sixth century BC. e. In this place, the temple of Athena and water storage tanks have been preserved. The city was destroyed by an earthquake, and only a few centuries later, local peasants were able to discover someburial. This find was a great stimulus for excavations and made it possible to open the ancient city to the world.
Fans of outdoor activities will love excursions to Santorini. Here you can appreciate the unique architecture of the Cyclades, getting acquainted with the rich history of this Greek island. It will also be possible to walk through a variety of souvenir shops and drink a cup of aromatic coffee in a local cafe.
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