The largest of Greece’s Dodecanese Islands, Rhodes combines spectacular scenery and heaps of history. Once home to one of the Seven Ancient Wonders, its medieval Old Town remains the oldest continuously inhabited medieval city in Europe. While exploring historical landmarks and archeological sites is one of the top things to do in Rhodes, visitors shouldn’t miss the many beautiful beaches along the coast, the charming villages, and the mountains, which are home to lush forests and a valley teeming with butterflies.
Rhodes boasts Greece’s longest stretch of summery weather, which runs from April to October. Tourist season peaks in July and August, when the beaches are jammed and temperatures hover around 80°F (28°C). Annual festivals, such as the Medieval Rose Festival (which stretches over multiple weeks during the summer months), also bring an influx of visitors. For a mellower atmosphere and gentler temperatures, visit in early April, when the island is covered with wildflowers, or in October or November, when the sea is still warm enough for swimming.
Rhodes is one of the larger Greek islands, so rent a car to explore inland areas. You can also rent bikes or scooters, but ride cautiously on the highways. Its KTEL buses are affordable and connect the town of Rhodes to the eastern resorts. Cabs are also plentiful and have set fares for long-distance trips. Rhodes Old Town doesn’t allow cars, but it’s easy to explore on foot. The city does have electric vehicles and hop-on-hop off buses you can use for longer distances.
If you have a rental car, head off the main tourist track and explore the island’s tucked-away hamlets. One of the most interesting is Asclepios, north of Kiotari. The village is crowned by a crumpled 15th-century castle that was built by the Knights of St. John. Drive or walk up to the ruins for sweeping views of the island, then visit the Folklore Museum and the Byzantine church, and enjoy a well-earned lunch at a local taverna.
