Rhodes

One of the best-preserved medieval walled cities in the world, Rhodes Old Town is a living museum of cobbled lanes, Ottoman mosques, crusader inns, and Byzantine churches — all enclosed within extraordinary 4km of intact medieval walls. Founded by the Knights of St John in the 14th century, the Old Town has been continuously inhabited for 2,400 years.

The imposing 14th-century fortress-palace that dominates the northern tip of Old Town, built by the Knights Hospitaller and restored under Italian rule to near-original grandeur. Its cavernous halls house ancient Hellenistic mosaics (removed from Kos), Roman sculpture, and medieval weaponry — giving the most complete picture of Crusader life on Rhodes.

A breathtaking whitewashed village clinging to a rocky promontory 50km south of Rhodes Town, topped by a Doric acropolis with sweeping views over two bays. The Acropolis of Lindos features a remarkable 4th-century BC temple of Athena Lindia, Hellenistic stoa, and a medieval Knights' castle built directly over the ancient ruins — an extraordinary layering of civilisations.

A lush river valley nature reserve 42km from Rhodes Town that transforms each summer (June–September) into a kaleidoscope of Jersey tiger moths — thousands of orange-and-black creatures blanketing the trees, rocks, and ancient wooden bridges. Outside moth season the shaded valley walk along a cool stream is still one of the island's most peaceful escapes.

A much-loved traditional Greek taverna tucked into the narrow backstreets of Old Town, known for generous portions of slow-cooked lamb, moussaka made from scratch, and some of the best horiatiki (village salad) on the island. The family have run it for three generations and the recipes haven't changed.

A charming stone-walled restaurant inside the medieval city walls offering traditional Dodecanesian dishes — stuffed vine leaves, fresh octopus grilled on an open terrace, and local Rhodian wine from family producers. The courtyard setting under jasmine vines is one of Old Town's most atmospheric.

One of Old Town's most creative kitchens, where classically trained chef Nikos Tsardakas blends traditional Greek flavours with modern technique — think slow-braised rabbit with local herbs, freshly caught fish with caper-and-lemon dressing, and inventive mezze platters that reimagine Aegean tradition.

A legendary family-run seafood restaurant in Lindos village that has been serving discerning visitors since 1933 — now in its third generation. The menu is built entirely on that morning's catch: grilled sea bream, lobster pasta, urchin roe bruschetta, and the finest kakavia (Greek fish stew) on the island. Celebrities and heads of state have been regulars for decades.

A sophisticated modern Greek restaurant in Rhodes New Town, just a short walk from Mandraki Harbour, serving contemporary takes on Aegean cuisine — local black-eyed pea salad, slow-cooked lamb with honey and thyme, and beautifully executed desserts. Popular with local professionals for weekend lunches.

A lively rooftop cocktail bar perched above the medieval streets of Old Town with panoramic views over the terracotta rooftops toward the sea — one of the best vantage points in the city. Known for creative cocktails with Greek spirits (mastiha, ouzo) and a buzzy early-evening atmosphere.

A stylish, art-filled bar in Rhodes New Town popular with a younger local crowd, decorated with rotating exhibitions by Greek artists. The cocktail list leans creative — Greek spirit forward with local herbs and seasonal ingredients. Good music, relaxed vibe, and unpretentious pricing.

A casual harbour-front bar right on the Mandraki waterfront — the beautiful Venetian harbour where the Colossus of Rhodes once supposedly stood. Cold beers, simple cocktails, and unbeatable views of the medieval windmills and the fortress of St Nicholas at the harbour mouth.

A charming café-brasserie set in a vaulted medieval building in the heart of Old Town, serving excellent Greek coffee (freddo espresso, frappé), fresh pastries, and light lunches. The cool stone interior is a welcome refuge from the midday heat.

A popular Greek coffee chain outlet near Mandraki Harbour — the equivalent of a sophisticated local Starbucks but with far better espresso and pastries. Reliable, fast, and a good place to recharge before reboarding.

Rhodes Town's most accessible and popular beach — a long crescent of fine shingle and sand immediately north of the New Town, with crystal-clear Aegean water, sun-lounger rentals, and a famous 1930s Art Deco lido (the Elli Club) that has defined the Rhodes seafront for generations. Water sports, pedalos, and changing facilities available.

One of the most dramatic beach settings in the Aegean: a sheltered bay of incredibly clear turquoise water backed by whitewashed Lindos village and the ancient acropolis on its clifftop — the beach and the ruins sit in the same panoramic view. The water is warm, shallow, and calm, and the snorkelling among the rocks is superb.

The unmissable Rhodes excursion: a guided half-day to Lindos village and its ancient acropolis, combining the most stunning village in the Dodecanese with a 4th-century BC temple, Crusader castle, and extraordinary 360-degree views over two bays. Guides bring the layered history — Greek, Byzantine, and Crusader — vividly to life.

A expert-guided walking tour through the UNESCO-listed Old Town, covering the Street of the Knights, the Palace of the Grand Master, the Turkish Quarter (Socrates Street), the Jewish Quarter (Evraiki), and the Byzantine walls. The best way to decode the extraordinary layering of Greek, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Crusader history crammed into these ancient streets.

A half-day sailing excursion on a spacious catamaran along the northern Rhodes coastline, stopping at two secluded bays for snorkelling among Posidonia seagrass beds, swimming, and cliff-jumping. Includes freshly grilled food on board, unlimited local wine and beer, and a BBQ lunch in a hidden cove.

An exhilarating 4WD convoy through the mountain villages and hidden interior of Rhodes — passing Byzantine monasteries, medieval castles, ancient olive groves, and terraced vineyards. Includes a traditional Rhodian lunch at a mountain taverna, wine tasting at a local family winery, and swimming in a secluded cove.