The island of Rhodes is located in southeastern Greece, in the Dodecanese archipelago, off the coast of Turkey. It is one of the most popular Greek islands — and not by chance. Here you can find everything: medieval fortresses, ancient ruins, beaches for every taste, developed tourist infrastructure, and at the same time — wild, almost deserted places in the south.
The island of Rhodes stretches from north to south for almost 80 kilometers. The northern part is resorts, hotels, noisy bars, and crowded beaches. The south is a completely different story: hills, cypress groves, small villages, and deserted coves. The contrast is so strong that it feels like two different islands.
Public transport connects the main resorts and attractions, but to fully explore the island, it is better to rent a car. Especially if you plan to go south — buses there run infrequently.
History of the island of Rhodes: from antiquity to the present day
Antiquity. According to myths, the island was named after the nymph Rhode, beloved of the god Helios. Helios was considered the patron of Rhodes, and temples and statues were erected in his honor on the island. In historical times, three independent city-states existed on Rhodes — Lindos, Kameiros, and Ialyssos. Each of them had its own port, acropolis, and minted its own coin.
In 408 BC, the three cities decided that individually it was difficult for them to compete with growing maritime powers. They united and from scratch founded a new city on the northern tip of the island. They named it simply — Rhodes. The location was chosen well: two natural bays, protection from the winds, and control over sea routes.
The city was built according to the plan of the architect Hippodamus: straight streets intersecting at right angles, quarters for craftsmen, public buildings, and a port. Rhodes quickly turned into the financial capital of the eastern Mediterranean. It was here that maritime insurance law was invented — if a ship sank, merchants received compensation.
In the 3rd–2nd centuries BC, Rhodes experienced a golden age. The city was known as a neutral side: the Rhodians did not participate in the wars of the major powers. In 164 BC, Rhodes came under the influence of Rome but retained its autonomy. In the Roman period, the island remained an important trading center, and its schools of rhetoric and philosophy were famous throughout the empire.
Byzantine period. After the division of the Roman Empire, Rhodes passed to Byzantium. The island became a peripheral province, repeatedly subjected to raids by Arabs and pirates. In the 7th century, the Arabs removed the remains of the Colossus of Rhodes, and since then nothing has remained of the statue. The Byzantines built several fortresses on the island but did not create systematic defense.
The Knights Hospitaller (1309–1522). After the fall of the Crusader states in the Holy Land, the knights of the Order of St. John (Hospitallers) wandered for a long time. In 1307, they bought Rhodes from a Genoese adventurer for a small sum. Over 213 years, the knights turned the island into an impregnable fortress. In 1480, the Turks unsuccessfully besieged Rhodes. But in 1522, Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent personally led an army of 200,000 men and captured Rhodes.
Ottoman period (1522–1912). The Turks did not destroy Rhodes — they needed the port and taxes. They converted churches into mosques, built baths (hammams), fountains, and covered markets. Orthodox Greeks were forbidden to settle inside the fortress walls — they were moved to the suburb that today is called Neochori.
Italian period (1912–1943). In 1912, during the Italo-Turkish War, the Italians captured Rhodes along with the other Dodecanese islands. They began a large-scale restoration: they cleared medieval monuments of Ottoman layers, restored the Palace of the Grand Master, and built a new administrative center in the style of Fascist architecture.
Modern period. After World War II, the island passed to Greece. From the 1950s, tourism development began. Today, Rhodes is one of the most visited Greek islands, with developed infrastructure and at the same time well-preserved history.
Colossus of Rhodes: what remains of the wonder of the world
In 305 BC, the ruler of Cyprus, Demetrius Poliorcetes, tried to capture Rhodes with a 40,000-man army. He brought giant siege towers that astonished the inhabitants — but the Rhodians fought back. Demetrius abandoned his siege equipment and retreated.
The Rhodians sold the abandoned machines and decided to use the proceeds to erect a statue in honor of the god Helios, the patron of the island. The sculptor Chares of Lindos built the Colossus for 12 years — from 304 to 292 BC. The height of the statue was about 33 meters, like a modern 11-story building. The internal framework was made of iron beams and stone, with bronze sheets attached on top. The technology used to join the bronze was lost in the Middle Ages.
Contrary to the popular medieval myth, the Colossus did not stand with its legs straddling the harbor entrance. This version appeared in 15th-century drawings. Ancient sources do not confirm it, and technically such a construction was impossible — the bronze would not have supported the weight. Most likely, the Colossus stood on a stone pedestal at the harbor entrance.
In 226 BC, a strong earthquake destroyed the Colossus. The statue broke at the knees and fell into the coastal zone. The fragments of the Colossus lay in place for more than 800 years. In ancient Rome, this was a tourist attraction: people specially came to Rhodes to see the fallen giant. In 654 AD, Arab troops captured Rhodes. They carried off the bronze fragments to Syria. Not a single detail of the Colossus has survived.
What can be seen today. On the site of the Colossus stand two stone pillars with bronze deer. The pillars were installed by the Italians in the 1920s. The deer are copies of Hellenistic sculptures found on the island. The originals are kept in the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes. The distance between the pillars is about 50 meters. The Colossus was twice as tall as these pillars.
Main tourist locations of the island of Rhodes
Rhodes Town (the capital of the island)
The capital is a must-see on any trip. The Old Town is surrounded by 14th-century fortress walls and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe.
• Palace of the Grand Master — the main building of the fortress, restored by the Italians in the 1930s. Inside — ancient mosaics brought from the island of Kos, and impressive halls.
• Street of the Knights — a 200-meter-long cobblestone street where the houses of knights from different countries stood. The coats of arms above the doors have survived to this day. English, French, Spanish, Italian — each "tongue" of the order had its own house.
• Mandraki Harbor — this is where the Colossus of Rhodes supposedly stood. Now on the site of the wonder of the world are two columns with bronze deer.
• Clock Tower — you can climb it for a small fee. From the top, you get a view of the entire Old Town.
Lindos
Fifty-five kilometers south of the capital is Lindos — the second most important city of the island and one of the most photographed places in Greece. White houses, narrow cobbled streets, and a huge rock with the Acropolis on top.
The Acropolis of Lindos is located on a rock 116 meters high. It is the second largest acropolis in Greece after the Athenian one. You can go up on foot — about 15–20 minutes — or on a donkey. The donkey ride itself is a local attraction.
On the Acropolis, the following have survived: the Temple of Athena Lindia (4th century BC), the Propylaea (monumental gateway), a portico with inscriptions, and the Dromos — a wide staircase leading to the temple. From the top, you get a view of the entire city and the sea.
St. Paul`s Bay is a small bay at the foot of the Acropolis. According to tradition, it was here that the Apostle Paul landed. The water is clear, the entry is gentle, surrounded by rocks and greenery. This is one of the best beaches on the east coast.
Faliraki
Faliraki is the main resort for young people and families. Wide sandy beaches, many bars, a water park — one of the largest in Europe — and active nightlife. The beaches are equipped with sunbeds, and there are water sports.
For whom. If you want a noisy vacation with parties — this is your place. If you are looking for peace — it is better to go further south.
Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes)
A nature reserve in the central part of the island, where from mid-June to the end of August, thousands of butterflies of the species Jersey tiger moth gather. They cover tree trunks and rocks — an unusual sight, although at the peak of the season there are many tourists here. The butterflies are active only in the hot season. Out of season — from September to May — it is pointless to go here, the reserve is almost empty.
Seven Springs (Epta Piges)
A mountain reserve 30 kilometers from Rhodes Town. The main attraction is a dark 186-meter tunnel through which you have to walk ankle-deep in icy spring water. For those who are not afraid of confined spaces, this adventure is memorable. Nearby there is a tavern and a small zoo.
Prasonisi Cape
Prasonisi is the southern tip of Rhodes, the place where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean. The uniqueness lies in the geography: a narrow sandy spit connects the island with a small peninsula. At low tide, the isthmus becomes wider, and you can walk across it to the small island with a lighthouse. At high tide, the water partially floods the spit — and then Prasonisi turns into a real island.
The main feature is that the two seas on different sides of the spit behave completely differently. On the western side, where the Aegean Sea is, it is almost always windy and wavy. This is where windsurfers and kitesurfers love to ride. Prasonisi is considered one of the best spots in Greece. On the eastern side, where the Mediterranean Sea is, there is calm and tranquil water. Ideal for swimming.
The distance from Rhodes Town is 85 kilometers. Travel time is one and a half to two hours. The road surface is asphalt all the way to the end. Infrastructure: two or three taverns, surf equipment rental. The best time to visit is May–June and September–October.
Tsambika Monastery
Located on a hill 215 meters high halfway from Rhodes Town to Lindos. The monastery is known for the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, which, according to legend, helps childless couples. The monastery is reached by 300 steps in the shade of cypresses. Below is one of the best sandy beaches on the island with the same name.
Apollakia Valley (south coast)
If you go to Prasonisi, do not miss the south coast between Gennadi and Prasonisi. Here are some of the most deserted beaches of Rhodes — sand, clear water, and nobody around. Ideal for those who are tired of crowds of tourists.
Monolithos Castle
A Venetian fortress from the 13th century on top of a cliff on the west coast. The road to the castle is a winding serpentine, but the view from the top is worth the effort: the sea, the surrounding islands, and the mountains. The castle itself is in ruins, but the atmosphere is impressive.
Excursions on the island of Rhodes
Sunset cruise
One of the most popular excursions is an evening cruise on a boat from Mandraki Harbor. The program includes three hours at sea, live music, local wine, dinner, and a stop in a bay for swimming. There is a strong wind at the northern tip. If you catch colds easily, take warm clothes even in summer.
One-day trip to Symi
The island of Symi is an hour away by ferry from Rhodes. It is known for its neo-Gothic mansions and coves with turquoise water. Excursions depart from Rhodes Town`s port, usually in the morning, returning in the evening.
Beaches of the island of Rhodes: a brief guide
• Elli Beach is located in Rhodes Town. The surface is sand mixed with pebbles. This is the most famous beach of the capital, but it is very crowded. The infrastructure is complete: sunbeds, bars, water sports.
• Faliraki Beach is located 10 kilometers from Rhodes Town. The surface is sand. This is a family beach with a water park and many bars.
• Tsambika Beach is located 25 kilometers from Rhodes Town. The surface is sand. The beach is clean, long, and very popular.
• Anthony Quinn Bay is located 15 kilometers from Rhodes Town. The surface is pebbles. This is a picturesque bay, good for snorkeling.
• St. Paul`s Bay is located in Lindos. The surface is sand with pebbles. The bay is very beautiful, but small and overcrowded.
• Prasonisi is located 85 kilometers in the south of the island. The surface is sand. A unique place where two seas meet, popular with surfers.
• Southern beaches — Gennadi, Plimmiri — are located 70–80 kilometers in the south of the island. The surface is pebbles. These are almost deserted beaches, with practically no infrastructure.
Important note. The northern part of the island, including Elli Beach, suffers from strong winds in July–August. If you cannot stand windy weather, choose hotels on the east coast — from Faliraki to Lindos. There the winds are much weaker.
The island of Rhodes is a rare combination: medieval history, ancient ruins, developed resorts, and completely wild nature in the south. You can spend a week in a sunbed in Faliraki or drive around the entire island by car — and in both cases, you will not be disappointed. And if you make it to Prasonisi and see how two seas meet at your feet.
