Top 10 Things to do in Rhodes

Visit the island of Rhodes for your vacation and you’re never going to be bored! Eat at a beachside restaurant, participate in some water sports or take in the vast history of this island paradise. There is never a shortage of things to do in Rhodes. You can take a stroll along the beach in the evening or wander among the architectural discoveries at the Acropolis of Lindos. It’s truly a place where all the modern traveler conveniences lie side by side with amazing history and culture around every corner.

10. Ancient Kamiros

The ancient city of Kamiros is located on the northwest coast of the island of Rhodes. If you’re looking for things to do in Rhodes then a visit to this site gives you the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in some of the history of this beautiful island. The city of Kamiros was built on three separate levels, with the highest being the acropolis and stoa which were built right at the top of a hill. The temple was situated in this area. Most of the people who lived in the city resided in the middle part of the construction where there were several streets and blocks of residential premises. A Doric temple was built at the lowest part of the construction, together with the Peribolos of the Altars where there were dedications to several deities.

The city was originally founded by the Dorians and was also home to Mycenaean Greeks over the years. The original archaeological exploration of the area took place between 1852 and 1864 and many of the finds from that time were transferred to the British Museum in London. Further excavations and restoration work have taken place since then and the site is a fascinating place to visit.

9. Pefkos Beach

Lindos is probably the most famous area for beaches in Rhodes but it’s well worth traveling just a few miles away to spend some time at the far quieter Pefkos Beach. This used to be a fishing village but has grown into a popular spot with tourists who want a slightly less manic feel to their vacation. That’s not to say there isn’t plenty to do in Pefkos; you can still find an excellent selection of bars and restaurants in the small town while the beaches of Pefkos are smaller and tend to be less packed. You will usually have no problem finding a sun lounger on which to spend a peaceful few hours in the sun. The peace is one of the most attractive attributes of this area, as well as the fact that the beaches are impressively clean. If you’re wondering what to do in Rhodes then it’s worth adding a visit to Pefkos Beach to your list. You can even enjoy a snack from the sellers who are regularly seen selling fresh fruit on the sands.

8. The Water Park

You may not think that a water park would be a worthwhile addition to a list of things to do in Rhodes, especially considering you have all the great beaches to explore, but the Water Park is one the best visitor destinations in Rhodes. This is a place where the whole family can have hours of fun, exploring the watery attractions. The Water Park is situated around 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) outside of Rhodes town center and you can easily reach it by taking the free bus. There is something at the park for all ages and tastes including open and closed water slides, turbo slides and free fall water attractions. You can try out the kamikaze slides and the black holes if you’re a little more daring! The park is open from May to October with longer opening hours in June, July and August. It’s worth noting that although the park operates through a certain amount of rainfall it doesn’t always do so if there’s stormy weather due to the safety risk. This fun and exciting Rhodes attraction is definitely worth a visit and when you need a rest there are snack bars on site where you can seek refreshment.

7. Kahal Kadosh Shalom Synagogue

The Kahal Kadosh Shalom Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in Greece. The name means Synagogue of the Holy Congregation of Peace, and this place of worship is part of the Sephardic faith. The synagogue is located in La Juderia which is the Jewish part of Rhodes Town. Although the Jewish presence on Rhodes is not large, it is well-established, having been in existence for more than 2,300 years. The Kahal Kadosh Shalom Synagogue itself was built in 1577 and continues to be in use to this day. The Jewish community on the island has often had a somewhat turbulent history, especially when different regimes have taken over the island. Today, they worship in peace even though they are few in number and services are only held during the summer months. Many of these services are held to cater for Jewish tourists visiting the island. The synagogue is also home to a museum which details the fascinating story of the Jewish community on the island; it’s also a base for many community activities. If you want a glimpse into the history of the Jewish faith on Rhodes then the Kahal Kadosh Shalom Synagogue is the place to go to.

6. Monastery Tsambika

The trip to Monastery Tsambika is not an easy one; there are 350 steps to climb as you walk up the hill to get to the monastery. The Byzantine Church itself is really small but it’s beautiful and there are exceptional views to look at, across Kolymbia, Tsambika Beach and Lindos. It’s worth the climb just to experience these views.

There is a legend that surrounds a visit to the site. This says that if a woman is experiencing problems having children and she walks to the church barefoot and prays to the Virgin she will have children. If this happens to a woman who lives on Rhodes she is expected to call the child Tsambikos if it’s a boy; and Tsampika if it’s a girl. It’s definitely a strenuous journey to get to the top of the climb but there are seats along the way so you can rest; you don’t have to do the whole journey at once. The views make it all worthwhile and when you get back to the bottom you can get some refreshment at the tavern where there’s also a gift shop.

5. Archaeological Museum of Rhodes (Hospital of the Knights)

The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes is home to many important archaeological finds from across the Dodecanese islands. It was originally constructed as a hospital building during the era of the Knights in the 15^th Century. If you approach the museum from the harbor entrance then it completely dominates your view. The building itself is entered through a large courtyard and inside the museum you can find a multitude of statues, epitaph plaques, pots and urns as well as several altars and sarcophaguses. Two of the most famous statues on view are one of Venus and one of Aphrodite bathing. The building is an important part of the heritage of the town and was originally built by Grand Master Jean de Lastic in 1440 and was later enlarged between 1481 and 1489 by Grand Master d’Aubusson. After being abandoned as a hospital the building underwent restoration during the Italian occupation of the island between 1913 and 1918. It was at that point that it first became a museum; one which is still very popular with visitors to Rhodes. If you want to find the museum you just have to travel to the center of the Old Town of Rhodes.

4. Medieval City

It was from 1309 to 1523 that the town of Rhodes first became a stronghold. This happened when the island was occupied by the Order of St John of Jerusalem. This Medieval City or Old Town of Rhodes houses an impressive collection of historic architecture, including a myriad of buildings from the Gothic period in the Upper Town, and a blend of Gothic buildings with those from the Ottoman period in the Lower Town. The Old Town of Rhodes is always a vibrant and lively place to be and you can almost sense the inhabitants of the past mingling with those of today, along with the tourists for whom a visit to the Old Town is a must. Incredibly, this fabulous Old Town has never been abandoned since its origins. It’s just as it was back in the Middle Ages so you get a real sense of that time and its people. You can stroll along the cobbled streets as you gaze up at the Gothic towers above your head. You can also pay a visit to some of the interesting churches in the Old Town, such as Agia Triada (the Holy Trinity) or Agia Aikaterini, (St. Catherine). It’s a truly amazing place to visit if you’re looking for great things to do in Rhodes.

3. Acropolis of Lindos

The Acropolis of Lindos is an interesting and engaging choice when it comes to finding things to do in Rhodes. There are plenty of ancient structures to explore at the site. These include the theatre which is carved out of the side of the hill, which, when in operation could seat 1,800 spectators. Today only part of it remains but you can still get a sense for its size. Also at the Acropolis of Lindos are the remains of a four sided building which was originally built to play host to religious ceremonies, and close by is the Boukopion which was a place where sacrifices were made to a deity of the time. If you look closely you can still see inscriptions from that time in the surrounding rocks. In the area surrounding the Acropolis of Lindos there’s more history to discover in the form of the cemeteries of ancient times. This may sound a little morbid but it’s actually a fascinating place with tombs of some wealthy families lying side by side with wall-paintings of the time. If you want to feel close to the ancient history of the region then the Acropolis of Lindos is a very good choice from the many Rhodes attractions.

2. St Paul’s Bay

If romance is on your mind then you can’t go wrong with a visit to St Paul’s Bay in Rhodes. The chapel in the bay is exquisitely beautiful and plays host to hundreds of weddings. It’s situated at the foot of the Acropolis and is named for St Paul who originally arrived on the island in 43 AD with the aim of preaching Christianity. The pristine white chapel isn’t the only amazing thing about St Paul’s Bay; the sands are also really impressive. This combination, together with the stunning views of Lindos Acropolis, is what makes the bay such a popular wedding destination. There is also the opportunity to take to the water and cruise the Gulf of Lindos. Of course, you don’t have to be getting married to appreciate a visit to St Paul’s Bay. It has a certain magic that anyone can appreciate. There is also a restaurant on the beach where you can celebrate your visit with a delicious meal.

1. Village of Lindos

At one time Lindos was one of the most important cities on the island of Rhodes. You can still see a lot of the architecture from that time when you visit the area today. It’s the perfect opportunity to see what Rhodes looked like in ancient times just by taking a stroll along the streets of this village. So much of the architecture of medieval times still exists that the village is registered as a national landmark and this is great for anyone visiting as it means the streets are preserved with only very minimal changes ever being made. The only vehicles that are allowed down the streets are the small delivery vans that deliver goods to local businesses, and motorbikes. The only other form of transport in the village is the donkeys that take visitors to the Acropolis of Lindos. There are many different styles of architecture to be seen in Lindos, including Gothic and Byzantine Greek. Each one of them perfectly evokes a sense of history of the place. Once you’ve explored the village of Lindos you can also spend some time one of the local beaches. The sands are pristine and soft, and the water is crystal clear. All this makes Lindos top of our things to do in Rhodes list.