Information about the island of Rhodes
Information about the island of Rhodes
Rhodes is the number one destination for millions of tourists.
Rhodes provides everything for the most demanding
who are looking for a variety of tourist attractions, beaches,
hotels and much more.
The wide tree-lined streets of the new city of Rhodes,
in interesting contrast with the walls of the medieval city.
The best time to explore the old medieval town is very early
in the morning before the countless tourist shops open
with gift items that are crowded with many visitors.
Walk the cobbled streets and experience
the tranquility of antiquity right now.
From 8.30 a.m. You will find that there are open cafes
where you can sit and eat a delicious breakfast,
enjoying the morning sun in a peaceful environment.
You should not visit the old town without exploring the museums,
historic streets and buildings.
The first impression of the medieval city
is when you arrive by boat at the port of Rhodes.
Just in front is one of the main entrances to the medieval city, the Sea Gate.
This gate, like many of the city’s entrances,
has beautiful old stone arches with towers.
Passing the arched gate to the left, you will soon find yourself
in Hippocrates Square with its beautiful fountain,
as well as many cafes and shops to explore.
This square is the main square of the old town,
but within walking distance there is another beautiful square with a charming fountain.
This is the Jewish Martyrs’ Square.
Alternatively, after entering the gate, turn right and you will quickly reach Evdimou Square
which is visible for its large deciduous trees.
To the right of this square is Apellou Street, which leads to the old Hospital of the Knights
(now the Archaeological Museum), as well as the famous Knights Street.
Walking on the large cobbled street that is framed on both sides
of the medieval hotels of the Knights of St. John
you will reach the Palace of the Grand Master.’
A visit to this palace and the Archaeological Museum
is highly recommended.
From the ramparts you can see the Gate of St. Anthony, from this exit
you will be led to the Gate of the Grand Master Abouaz,
with Arabic inscriptions carved in the lintel above the gate.
Passing through this gate you pass over the ditch,
now beautifully landscaped with palm trees,
greenery and flowers and you go out to the new city.
The new city is well organized and maintained.
Modern and pedestrianized in many places,
with wide roads planted with large trees. Compared to the capital Athens,
the city of Rhodes can prove in Athens some examples! ..
Modern shops of all kinds, modern cafes and bars, banks, a well-organized
public bus system that can take you around Rhodes.
One of the most important things, very useful for the vacationer
is that all taxis have fixed prices that are available
to the public at the central taxi station in Mandraki.
As the main island of the Dodecanese prefecture,
Rhodes has a central court and many administrative services,
most of which are housed in magnificent
Art Deco buildings in front of the sea of Mandraki.
In Rhodes there are hospitals and clinics, where patients
from the smaller islands of the Dodecanese go for more intensive treatment.
There are many holiday resorts in Rhodes and most of the tourist packages
are concentrated on the northwest side of the island from the north,
following the coastline with the Cretans and the Gulf of Thirty, the huge modern hotels
of Rhodes can be seen from miles away as well you approach the island by ship.
From the north-eastern side, the majority of tourist organized holidays
are concentrated in Faliraki and other resorts further south, such as in the bay of Afandou.
Apart from the wild nightlife of young tourists in Faliraki,
the city of Rhodes is the center of the island’s nightlife.
In the new city there are many bars and pubs,
foreign restaurants (mainly Scandinavian and some Chinese)
many internet cafes and of course the jewel of the nightlife of Rhodes
the famous Casino of Rhodes.
In some Greek and foreign restaurants,
you will find live music, one of the best is the open-air bar in Neorio in Marina in Mandraki
just before the entrance to the old town.
The place is ideal for the older generations ’40 – ’50 and above.
The old fashion of disco has now been replaced by nightclubs, pubs and bars.
Sights of Rhodes island
The capital of the island, Rhodes, is in itself very beautiful.
Just take a walk in the Old Town and wander through its medieval alleys.
Mandraki is a beautiful area, and from the hill of Monte Smith
you will have a wonderful panoramic view.
In front of the port of Mandraki, two bronze deer identify the spot where the Colossus
of Rhodes may once have been.
The old part of the city is from the Middle Ages and you can visit the castle of the Grand Master,
as well as the Knights Street with a visit to the Knights Templar.
The archeological museum of Rhodes is housed
in the old hospital of the Knights. In general,
the old town is the largest attraction on the island
and the most well-preserved medieval town in the world.
The Aquarium of Rhodes is also one of the city’s attractions
as well as the market in Mandraki which today
is full of eateries and souvenir shops.
It is also worth visiting the city of Lindos. Its Acropolis was surpassed
only by the Acropolis of Athens, and you can still see its ruins.
The thermal baths of Kallithea are on the east side
of the island and many films have been shot here
by the most famous Escape to Athens with David Niven, Roger Moore,
Telly Savala and many others as well as an episode
from the famous series by Hercule Poirot by
David Sousse.
On the west side of the island there are many picturesque villages.
If you like ancient history “Pompeii of Greece”, Kamiros is definitely worth a visit.
The monastery of Filerimos is also a place worth visiting.
Siana is often considered the most picturesque village.
The Butterfly Valley is full of butterflies and is very beautiful.
Activities in Rhodes island
Rhodes has many options for adults as well as children.
There are many water sports, as well as tennis courts, golf and horseback riding.
Rhodes casino is the third largest in Greece. You can also dive in Kallithea.
The island is also great for exploring especially if you have a car.
The tourist infrastructure of the island is one of the best in Europe and in the large hotel
complexes you will find many facilities for sports and other activities.
There are daily boat trips to Symi and Turkey as well as sightseeing tours
of the island as well as diving trips.
All the boats are in front of Mandraki.
Beaches of Rhodes island
The best beaches in Rhodes island are located on the east coast.
It is not very windy and most beaches are suitable for families with children.
Friends of surfing and windsurfing prefer Prasonisi to the south.
In Ladiko there is a small bay with the incredible name Anthony Quinn which is very nice.
This is where Navarone’s cannons were shot (the film is based on the Battle of Leros).
There are also many beaches in Afandou, Cretan, Trianta as well as in the north (Elli beach)
and northwest side of the city of Rhodes.
Nightlife and entertainment: In Rhodes you will find numerous bars, pubs,
discos and clubs as well as live music tracks.
There is something for every taste, both foreign and Greek music.
The party continues in the city of Rhodes, mainly in the new city and in Lindos,
but there are also many beautiful places for quiet entertainment in other areas.
Food and Restaurants:
The local specialty is cheese baked with red wine called Kokkinotyri, the cellulite a kind of lasagna or the mitzithrotyropita called katimeria, the heptazyma and the barbar.
There is a wide variety of taverns and restaurants, while you can try Greek as well as international cuisine.
In the port and in the city you will find many souvlaki restaurants and fast food restaurants.
Most eateries are in the city of Kos, but you will also find many taverns in the villages,
as well as on various beaches.
Cottish tomatoes are among the best in Greece and are small in oval shape,
also the watermelons of Kos are sweet and juicy.
Shopping in Rhodes
In Rhodes you can find a lot of things.
There are regular shops where you can buy clothes, shoes, books and things for the beach,
such as glasses, swimsuits and more.
Then there are many souvenir shops, where everything can be bought such as leather,
belts, gloves, bags, pictures, embroidery, copies of ancient art, etc.
in the old town you will find many shops selling furs as well as many jewelry stores.
In the new city you will find many boutiques, patisseries, supermarkets and wine cellars.
Transportation of Rhodes island
The roads of Rhodes are very good, so you can easily reach everywhere by car or motorbike.
There is also a good local transport network, as well as many taxis (the taxi station is in Mandraki).
Many boats can take you on excursions to the beaches.
Itineraries
Rhodes Diagoras Airport connects the island with daily flights to Athens,
there are also flights to other islands as well as flights to Thessaloniki and Alexandroupolis.
The airport has numerous charter flights in the summer from most European countries.
The island is also connected by ferry to the rest of the Dodecanese islands,
as well as to Crete, the Cyclades, Piraeus, Thessaloniki and Alexandroupolis.
There are also ferry routes to Cyprus and Israel.