Rhodes Island, (Rodos), Greek Island, Dodecanese, Greece

   Getting There
Ferries: There are adequate schedules from Athens port Piraeus. Rhodes is also connected with Patmos, Leros, Kalymnos, Kos, Halki, Symi, Kastellorizo, Nissyros, Karpathos, Kassos, Samos, Astypalaia, Naxos, Donoussa, Syros, Mykonos, Amorgos, Crete, Thessaloniki
By Air: There are many flights from Athens and Thessaloniki (Salonica) operated by Olympic Airways and Aegean Airlines. Rhodes is also connected with Kastellorizo, Karpathos, Mykonos, Santorini, Heraklion (Crete) - Olympic Airways.

   Getting Around
There is frequent bus service between Rhodes Town (the capital) and the villages of the island. Taxis are plenty.

  Entertainment
Rhodes offers a cosmopolitan life consisting of some sophisticated clubs, restaurants, bars, golf and casino.

   Places to visit

Lindos Here the medieval village has been preserved. It is built amphitheatrically at the foot of the rock and is dominated by the acropolis of Lindos. The most , important monuments on the archaeological site are: the temple of the Lindian Athena, the great Doric stoa, the Byzantine church of Saint John, the monumental staircase and the propylea.

Kamiros It is built amphitheatrically on a hill with an acropolis on its crest. Here, remains of the foundations of temples can be seen, as well as private houses, bases with inscriptions, altars, etc.

Filerimos On a plateau of the mountain of Filerimos, stand the ruins of the acropolis of ancient Ialyssos, the remains of the foundations of temples, a cruciform baptistery, the Monastery of Our Lady of Filerimos, the Byzantine church of Saint George of Hostos and the "Via Dolorosa" with its fourteen bronze plaques. The Valley of the Butterflies: This is a unique natural park, where, every year between June and September, thousands of butterflies congregate, live and reproduce, providing a magical spectacle.

Profitis Ilias An enchanting site at an altitude of 650 metres, with a monastery amid the luxuriant vegetation, and a marvellous view.

Epta Piges The "Seven Springs (Epta Piges)" flow among shady plane trees and rich vegetation. In the inland areas of the island there are also many charming villages: Psinthos, Dimylia, Eleousa, Salakos, Embonas, Archangelos, Siana, Laerma, Profilia, Apolakkia, Mesanagros, Kattavia.

The capital, also called Rhodes, occupies the northernmost tip of the island. There are actually three cities on this site -modern, ancient and medieval. The modern town has a cosmopolitan character, many late 20th century buildings and hotels. The ancient town, which was founded in 408 B.C. according to plans by Hippodamos of Milesios (the first town planner), started from Monte Smith hill where the acropolis stood and extended as far as what is now the medieval city . All that is left of it today is the ruins of the temples of Zeus, Athena Poliados and Apollo, the Stadium, Gymnasium and the Theatre, which has been restored. The medieval city is still surrounded by the high walls erected by the Knights. It is divided by an inner wall into two unequal parts, the smaller Collachio and the larger Burgo or Hora.

Collachio is further split by the Street of the Knights, both of whose sides are lined with the sombre stone facades of the Inns of the Tongues or nationalities that belonged to the order of the Knights Hospitalers of St. John. At the end of the street stands the palace of the Grand Masters, which today houses a collection of 16th and 17th century furniture and Roman mosaic floors from Kos. The Hospital of the Knights, another of the town's most magnificent buildings, has been converted to the Archaeological Museum. Burgo / Hora lies to the south of Collachio; its walls once enclosed the humbler residences, the marketplace, the Synagogue and Jewish quarter, Orthodox and Catholic churches, public buildings and army barracks.

Very popular resort with beautiful pebble beach and watersport facilities. Next to the beach is the golf course with 18 holes. South to Afandou is Kolymbia, with nice beach and good tourism infrastructure.

Faliraki's claim to fame is without a doubt its magnificent soft and well organised sandy beach. Watersports action invites strong competition and caters from the novice to the most extrovert enthusiast. Faliraki's high street truly comes alive as the sun goes down attracting tourists and locals in scores of bars, snack-bars, restaurants, tavernstaverns, discos and clubs. Water Park at Faliraki is an extensive entertainment complex that offers food, beverage, water slides, gym.

In Faliraki area are four more beaches; Kathara bay -maybe the most attractive- which combines a sandy beach with steep rocks, Antony Quinn bay, Ladiko beach and Tragano beach with pebbles.

Kalythies village (2 Km away from Faliraki) with tiny streets and alleys is worth a visit, where the panoramic view from Stavros church is beautiful. Places to visit include the church of Saint George with frescoes from post-byzantine period, Prifiti Ammo church which is built on the ruins of an older church, the monastery of Eleoussa with frescoes since 1871 and the cross shaped church of Ioannis Baptistis with frescoes since byzantine and post-byzantine period.

Golfers will enjoy the superb golf course -18 holes- at Afandou, about 5 Km away.

It the ideal holiday resort of Ialyssos Prefecture with a wide range of accommodation from simple ones to top rated complexes. Ixia is an excellent choice for wind surfing with schools available and boats for hire are also available. It stretches with beautiful shingle beach.

With a small selection of taverns and bars on its main road, Kalathos is an unpretentious little village perfect for those seeking an uncrowded shingle beach and a quiet, easy going ambience. You'll be only 10 minutes drive from Lindos when you feel the urge for a seriously good night out!

Kamiros was one of Rhodes' three Dorian cities destroyed by an earthquake in 2 BC. To day are the ruins of the Dorian city where the temple base and the huge water cistern remain. Further south is Kamiros Skala, a tiny port for travelling to nearby Halki Island.

Superb beaches, white-washed houses clinging to the hillside, ancient ruins of an Acropolis. A brilliant contrast, one of the most stunning views in Greece. Not many holiday resorts present such a stunning visual impact. Lindos is a maze of narrow cobbled streets with a terrific choice of lovely shops, bars, restaurants and clubs. Good beaches include the main bay, Pallas Beach and St Paul's Bay.

The temple of Athena Lindia (4th century B.C.) coming gradually into view as you ascend the stairs is a sight never to be forgotten.

Pefkos has become a popular holiday destination in its own right. Pleasantly tranquil off-season, it offers everything the visitor needs in terms of supermarkets, bars, taverns and souvenir shops. A fine choice for lazy days on the main sandy beach or one of the smaller bays and rocky coves followed by relaxing evenings at a nearby taverna.

The tiny island of Prasonissi at the southern seashore of the island is an ideal place for wind surfing lovers. The east side beach is usually calm, in contrast with the west side which is usually windy.