Top 10 Things to do in Rhodes On Your Greece Vacation in 2021

Greece is an incredible country infused with ancient mythology, archaeology, history, art, and philosophy. The rich history and culture, serene islands, vibrant cities, delicious food, age-old monuments, historical sites and beautiful beaches make Greece one of the top travel destinations in the world. In Greece’s Dodecanese Islands, is the island of Rhodes. It is the largest island amongst the Dodecanese Islands and is known for its resorts. Walking through the streets of the old town of Rhodes is probably one of the top things to do in Rhodes Greece. This magical, medieval UNESCO-listed old town has the best and unique architecture that is found nowhere else in Greece.

10 Best Things to do in Rhodes Greece

Rhodes has a wide array of attractions and activities that are both fun and interesting, for tourists to be a part of and cherish for a long time to come. Here’s a list of top 10 things to do in Rhodes that you shouldn’t miss while visiting this beautiful town.

• The Kastello
• Monolithos Castle
• Prasonisi Island
• Lindos Acropolis
• Tsambika Monastery
• St Paul’s Beach
• Kallithea Hot Springs
• Kritinia Castle
• Anthony Quinn Bay
• Mandraki Port

1. The Kastello

The Kastello is another name for the Palace of the Grand Master of Knights of Rhodes which is the only example of Gothic architecture in Greece. This palace was a Byzantine citadel during the 7th century and is now preserved as a World Heritage Site. In the present day, visiting this palace is one of the best things to do in Rhodes as it stands as a museum exhibiting the brilliant centuries-old architecture and telling the story of the monument. The architecture of the Main Hall and the Arcaded Courtyard is a notable feature of this palace. 

2. Monolithos Castle

One of the best things to do in Rhodes is visiting the Monolithos Castle or the Castle of Monolithos, a Venetian Castle built over a huge 300 feet rock standing above the small village of Monolithos. Most of the walls of this castle are now ruined and you can only see the ruins of a white chapel dedicated to Saint Panteleimon along with another small chapel.

Climb a narrow pathway followed by steps to reach this castle. From the castle, you get a great view of the beach of Fourni and the two islets. 

3. Prasonisi Island

This is a tidal island that is attached to the mainland through a sandbar. Prasonisi is where two seas; the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea meet making a visit to this island one of the best things to do in Rhodes. It is one of the best beaches in the world for surfing. 

The Aegean Sea is rough with large waves and is suitable only for advanced surfers. However, on the other hand, the Mediterranean is calm with flat waters thereby providing a suitable atmosphere for the beginners. 

The entire Island of Pasonisi can be covered in a 30-minute walk. This 30-minute walk will take you to the abandoned Prasonisi Lighthouse. From this lighthouse spreads a beautiful view of the deep sea, sharp rocks and the island of Karpathos just on the horizon.

4. Lindos Acropolis

Discovering the Lindos Acropolis is one of the best things to do in Rhodes. It is one of the most picturesque and most visited archaeological sites in Greece. These ruins date back to the Hellenistic era. The town of Lindos is situated at about 35 km from the town of Rhodes and takes about an hour to reach. To reach the Acropolis you will have to climb a steep medieval staircase. You can either climb the staircase or can hire a donkey and ride over it. 

Traveller’s tips: 

1. Carry plenty of water. There aren’t any shops until you return back down and so make sure you carry a lot of water.
2. It’s quite hot during mid-day. Make sure you carry sunglasses, hat and sunscreen.

5. Tsambika Monastery

This monastery is located at about 25 km south of the town of Rhodes. The Tsambika Monastery is built on top of a hill and it offers a gorgeous view of the sea and the surrounding area. This monastery is an example of the Dodecanesian architecture. It has hollow roof tiles and the floor and yard are covered with pebbles and shells. Visiting this monastery is one of the best things to do in Rhodes as it is believed to protect the island and so many locals are named Tsambikos (men) and Tsambika (women).

There exists a legend that women facing difficulties in conceiving should climb the hill barefooted and pray to the Virgin for fertility. It is believed that most of the times, the faith is compensated and wishes of the women are fulfilled.

6. St Paul’s Beach

One of the best things to do in Rhodes is visiting the St Paul’s Beach. It is an amazing bathing spot with transparent sea, that is tranquil and shallow enough even for non-swimmers. This beach is named after St Paul, who is claimed to have landed here in 51 AD to preach Christianity. There are two beaches in St Paul’s bay. The larger beach is in the southern end while the smaller beach is in the Northern end. The highlight of beaches in St Pauls Bay is that they are relatively less-crowded and very untroubled.

7. Kallithea Hot Springs

The hot springs of Kallithea are known for their curative properties since ancient times. Located at about 9 km from the town of Rhodes, at the bay of Kallithea, these hot springs are an ideal place to relax, enjoy and cherish the unique and beautiful combination of nature, architecture, and history. 

While visiting Rhodes, spending a day on these hot springs is a must. Make sure you don’t miss this out. A day at the Kallithea Springs is a treat for both your body and soul.

8. Kritinia Castle

This is also a Venetian Castle. Similar to the Monolithos Castle, it sits 131 meters above the Village of Kritinia. It was used both as a fortification and as a watchtower. This Castle provides 360° views of the Aegean and surrounding terrain. It was built during the 15th Century when the Rhodes were anticipating an attack from the Ottomans. 

9. Anthony Quinn Bay

This beach is named after the American-Mexican actor Anthony Quinn since he had bought this part of the Island. After witnessing the beauty of this beach when he was filming the Guns of Navarone on Rhodes, he decided to buy this beach. The beach gets crowded during July and August due to its small size. Not just the beach but the underwater scene is also remarkable thereby making it one of the best things to do in Rhodes for a perfect beach holiday spot. 

10. Mandraki Port

Mandraki is the main harbour of Rhodes. This harbour now has the statue of Elefos and Elafina, two deers in the place where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. Apart from the deer sculptures at the entrance, The harbour also houses the St. Nicholas Fortress and a number of medieval windmills, thereby creating a charming view visiting which is one of the best things to do in Rhodes. There are a number of boats that depart from here to the nearby islands. 

Rhodes is indeed a magical island, infused with the scent of jasmine and bougainvillaea. This beautiful island can be visited throughout the year. However, the best time to visit will be between April and October. Excited about visiting Rhodes after reading this article on the best things to do in Rhodes? Check some of the best Greece packages and book your dream vacation with Pickyourtrail now.

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