Society and culture

Features of holidays on the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas.

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Rhodes is one of the most visited islands in Greece. It has everything a tourist needs - excellent beaches, narrow streets with souvenir shops, medieval knightly fortresses, ancient excavations. On the northern coast of Rhodes it will be comfortable for young and active people, and on the southern coast it will be comfortable for families with children and lovers of solitude and silence.

Climate

The Mediterranean climate of Rhodes successfully combines both heat and fresh coolness from the sea. The island is warm most of the year; even in winter the temperature rarely drops below 0C. The tourist season on the island lasts from March to November, during this period the temperature can fluctuate from +20C to +30C. Most tourists come during the summer months and enjoy the dry and hot climate without precipitation. At the height of summer, the thermometer rises to +31C, and the water in the Aegean and Mediterranean seas reaches +25C.

Where to stay in Rhodes The coast of the island is divided into eastern and western. In the west, the beach is pebbly and windy, so lovers of active sports like it more here. In the east it is calmer, the beaches are sandy, sometimes mixed with pebbles. Popular resorts on the West Coast Ialyssos And

Ixia . Ialyssos is located on the Aegean Sea, there are many restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Ixia is calmer, it’s comfortable to swim here, as there are practically no waves., Resorts are popular in the east, Kallithea Popular resorts on the West Coast Afand Faliraki Kolymbia. Faliraki attracts with its luxurious sandy beaches and developed infrastructure. Kallithea - the best place for a quiet relaxing holiday. There are healing springs here and

pine forests , and a promenade. Afandou is not so popular among tourists, but it has a good pebble beach, marked with the Blue Flag. There is a large selection of hotels in Kolymbia, there is a beautiful eucalyptus alley and a sandy beach. In the southeast there is another popular resort -

Lindos , where in addition to hotels you can rent private villas and inexpensive apartments. On the island big choice hotels - from luxurious five-star to modest and budget three-star. At peak

tourist season

  1. Five-star "Aldemar Paradise Mare & Village". A fashionable hotel on the first coastline, operating on an all-inclusive basis. There is a spa, tennis courts, water slides and swimming pools on site.

Also popular among the five-star ones are:

- "Amathus Beach"

- “Esperos Palace”,

- "The Ocean Blue"

- "Mitsis Rodos Maris".

  1. Four-star "Mitsis Faliraki Beach". Consists of two buildings located in the Palm Park. Operates on an all-inclusive basis. Located on the first coastline, it provides vacationers with the services of restaurants, spa salons, saunas, and massage rooms.
  2. Four-star Esperides Beach. More suitable for families with children. For them, there are water slides, a mini-club, a bar with cotton candy and popcorn, and an amusement park is located nearby.
  3. Four-star Esperos Palace. Popular hotel among young people. There is no entertainment for children, but for adults there is a sandy beach and a restaurant.

Beaches of Rhodes

Most of the island's beaches are marked with the Blue Flag, which means that they are very clean and safe, and you can safely swim with children.

Ellie

One of the longest beaches on the island, located in the north of Rhodes. It is always full of tourists who not only lie on the sand, but also relax in the numerous restaurants and bars on the shore.

Kallithea

The length of this beach is almost five kilometers. Equipped with sun loungers, umbrellas, and rental equipment for water sports. Bars and restaurants are open on the shore. The sea is always clear here, and therefore there is no end to vacationers.

, and a promenade. Afandou is not so popular among tourists, but it has a good pebble beach, marked with the Blue Flag. There is a large selection of hotels in Kolymbia, there is a beautiful eucalyptus alley and a sandy beach.

There is a large selection of hotels and apartments on the shores of this beach. The beach is equipped with umbrellas, the water is clean and shallow, so it is convenient to swim with children. A special highlight is the breathtaking views of Lindos Castle and the Acropolis.

Stegna

This is a quiet and peaceful beach away from the bustle of the city. Equipped with free umbrellas and sun loungers.

Resorts are popular in the east

The longest and widest beach on the east coast with small pebbles and sand. Equipped with everything necessary. There is a golf club nearby.

Vlycha

One of the most beautiful beaches on the island, with a soft, gentle entrance, so it’s comfortable for kids to swim here. Well equipped, there are restaurants and taverns on the shore.

Attractions

Your holiday in Rhodes should definitely be “diluted” with interesting excursions to ancient monuments, ancient temples and fortresses. The most popular attractions among tourists are:

  • , and a promenade. Afandou is not so popular among tourists, but it has a good pebble beach, marked with the Blue Flag. There is a large selection of hotels in Kolymbia, there is a beautiful eucalyptus alley and a sandy beach.. The ancient city was built in the 6th century BC. Lindos is located at the foot of a hill, on both sides there are lagoons with azure water. People still live in the snow-white houses of the ancient city. On the territory of Lindos you can buy souvenirs and stroll along the narrow streets. You can climb to Lindos Castle on foot or on a donkey.
  • Ancient Kamiros. This ancient city is located on a hill. The central street, square, main temple, altar and baths.
  • Mount Filerimos. Here you should definitely visit the Church of the Virgin Mary and the monastery, built by knights in the 15th century. The huge cross, 17 meters high, is impressive; the climb up to it is called the “Path to Golgotha.” A beautiful panorama opens from the observation deck next to the cross. Peacocks roam throughout the area.
  • 7 sources. According to an ancient legend, it is believed that anyone who overcomes the tunnel in which the water of these springs flows will become seven years younger and will be freed from seven sins. There is pitch darkness in the tunnel, and even those walking in front cannot be seen.
  • Rhodes fortress. This fortress was built by the Hospitaller knights, whom it reliably protected from attacks by pirates and Turks. The unique open-air architectural ensemble today includes not only the fortress, but also the Archaeological Museum, the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Defense Tower, the Suleiman Mosque, Socrates Street and other attractions.
  • Waterpark. This is a luxurious water park with an area of ​​more than 100 thousand square meters with a huge number of attractions and slides for children and adults. The highest slide is “Kamikaze”, the name of which speaks for itself. Vacationers fly down from a great height, and few of them dare to repeat the descent again.

Tours to the island of Rhodes - what to choose?

Tours to the island of Rhodes are chosen by both young people and families with children. A variety of entertainment will allow both athletes and lovers of excursions to have an interesting time.

People go to Rhodes for:

  • beach holiday,
  • diving, windsurfing,
  • visiting ancient monuments.

Most often, tourists choose trips to hotels with three and four stars, operating on an all-inclusive system. The cost of tours directly depends on the season. The highest prices are from June to September.

How to get to Rhodes Island

The fastest way to get to the island is by plane. Direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg will take you to Rhodes in 2-3 hours. There are also flights from other Russian cities.

If you want to expand the geography of your vacation, you can use charter flights from island Greece, for example, from Paros, Santorini or Mykonos.

In the winter and off-season, connecting flights are used with transfers in Thessaloniki and Athens.

Fans of sea cruises can be advised to take the ferry that comes to Rhodes from the Turkish resorts of Marmaris, Datca, as well as the Athens port of Piraeus.

In the summer, ferry service is carried out with other Greek islands - Symi, Halki, Tilos, Leros, Karpasos and others.

The climate and weather allow swimming here from the first days of May to the end of October. The northwestern part of the coast is washed by the Aegean Sea, and the southeastern part by the Mediterranean.

Peculiarities

Shore Aegean The sea is windier; its characteristic features are pebble beaches and almost constant waves. From the outside Mediterranean The sea beaches are mostly sandy with a gentle slope to the water. The Mediterranean Sea is calmer and warmer than the Aegean, so the east coast is more used for regular beach holidays, while the west is more attractive for windsurfers. Rhodes is perfect for those who want to not only relax on the beach, but also visit ancient sites. Once upon a time, it was here, near the port of Mandraki, that the legendary, world-famous Colossus of Rhodes stood.

general information

Rhodes is the fourth largest Greek island, located in the Dodecanese group of islands, and is the largest in the archipelago, covering an area of ​​1398 square meters. km. The population is 117 thousand people.

A brief excursion into history

Rhodes has a long and exciting history. The island has been inhabited since Neolithic times and had important settlements during Bronze Age, and was famous at the dawn of history for its cities of Lindos, Ialyssos and Kameiros. In 408 BC. these three cities were annexed to the capital Rhodes. The city played an active role in subsequent Greek and Roman history. The most striking episode is the long siege of Gord in 305 century BC. During the Hellenistic era, Rhodes became prosperous through trade and was one of the most influential cultural centers of the Greek world. Later in the provinces of the Roman Empire, the influence of Rhodes declined, although it still held the status of a regional capital. Rhodes later became part of the Byzantine Empire, and from the 7th century fell under the general eclipse of the Dark Ages. Later, in the Middle Ages, the importance of Rhodes increased again, coming under the influence of the Venetians, and then the Genoese, and finally the Knights of the Order of St. John. Today Rhodes is a popular tourist destination for tourists from all over the world.

Trips

The island of Rhodes has a Mediterranean humid climate, with mild winters and cool summers; average summer temperatures range from +18..+20 degrees. Low summer temperatures are caused by blowing northeast winds, but the number of sunny days throughout the year, about 300. Best time to visit the island - the swimming season is from May to October.

How to get there

You can get to the island of Rhodes by daily regular flights of Greek airlines from. In summer, many charter flights arrive at the local airport, including from Russia, and flights are operated to other islands of the Dodecanese archipelago. The flight from Rhodes takes just over 3 hours. Rhodes International Airport "Diagoras" (IATA: RHO) is located 14 km from the city of Rhodes. In addition, ferries operate between Rhodes and the Turkish ports of Bodrum and Marmaris; Russian tourists arriving on the island as part of an excursion can apply for a Greek visa directly at the port of Rhodes.

Transport

From the Athens port of Piraeus there is a daily ferry to the island, which visits several picturesque islands along the way. Rhodes is also connected to other islands of the archipelago and the island of Crete by ferries. There are two roads along the shores of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, along which two bus lines of the local municipality pass. Drivers sell tickets. There are city bus routes in the capital. There are several points on the island where you can rent a car, and there is a taxi service.

Attractions and entertainment

The capital is the city of the same name Rhodes, which is located in the north of the island. In ancient times, the city of Rhodes was regularly attacked, it was stormed, destroyed and rebuilt. Each time the city absorbed new trends. A fragment of the wall of the Byzantine fortress has been preserved, where several fragments of Greek columns are visible. The city is very careful about its heritage. At every step there are fenced excavations from ancient times. Once upon a time, the city had fortifications, the scale of which is simply amazing - the walls of the fortification were many meters thick, the settlement was surrounded by a deep 20-meter moat. The stone cores that were used by the city’s defenders during the defense have been preserved.

There are several popular resorts on the island of Rhodes. Kallithea- a quiet resort on the eastern shore, 10 kilometers from the capital. This is a small picturesque town with a wonderful beach, surrounded by pine trees and palm trees.

Resorts are popular in the east- a beach located next to the village of the same name. The beach is not crowded even at the height of the season, since it does not have equipment rental facilities or other amenities. Only in the village there are several taverns and restaurants. But another resort, Kolymbia, which is only 5 kilometers away, on the contrary, has everything necessary to receive tourists.

Resort Kallithea located 14 kilometers from the capital of the island and 10 kilometers from the airport. This is a fashionable youth resort where tourists are offered all kinds of entertainment. The 4-kilometer-long beach is the best equipped on the island. You can take umbrellas and sun loungers. There are bars and restaurants, there is everything for practicing any water sports. Here is the only equipped nudist beach on the island.

, and a promenade. Afandou is not so popular among tourists, but it has a good pebble beach, marked with the Blue Flag. There is a large selection of hotels in Kolymbia, there is a beautiful eucalyptus alley and a sandy beach.- the most famous ancient city in the archipelago. The ancient acropolis attracts great amount tourists filling the city all year round. The main beach of the city is always crowded, it is very popular with families with children. To the south of the city there are calmer and more comfortable small beaches.

The capital of Rhodes and popular tourist resorts – , and a promenade. Afandou is not so popular among tourists, but it has a good pebble beach, marked with the Blue Flag. There is a large selection of hotels in Kolymbia, there is a beautiful eucalyptus alley and a sandy beach., Kallithea There are many bars and nightclubs. Rhodes town has six cinemas and a casino. Every summer, the capital becomes the venue for a large number of theater festivals and performances; many performers of classical and modern music come here on tour. Rhodes is home to one of the largest aquariums in Greece.

Rhodes is a wonderful island, which is located in an amazing location and can provide everything that will make any tourist’s vacation unforgettable.

Accommodation

Rhodes hotels are famous for their excellent service, although there is some sluggishness. Tourists have a choice of staying in hotels and apartments designed in traditional style or give preference to modern accommodation conditions. There are hotels, both urban and located near the coast, with good infrastructure and an all-inclusive concept.

Kitchen

Rhodes has a wide range of culinary options; one of the best restaurants is the inexpensive Tamam. Restaurant Antique has a beautiful interior and live Greek music. You can try Indian cuisine at Saffron. You can try Greek cuisine in restaurants: Kerasma, Sirtaki, Balsamico, Nicos Restaurant. Excellent Italian cuisine is served at Capricci.

Shopping

In Rhodes you can buy ceramic watches, olive oil, jewelry, original umbrellas, and all kinds of products made from bright sea shells.

Precautionary measures

Rhodes is safe, you need to be vigilant in Faliraki.

Like every Greek island, Rhodes has its own aura. He occupies a special place among his brothers. Rhodes is known to tourists, but is not as desperately popular as Crete.

With a touch of elitism, but without shades of snobbery and excessive luxury, like Mykonos or Thassos. Its beauty captivates, but does not blind it with defiantly bright colors, like Santorini.

In general, the island of Rhodes is a pearl that can only be appreciated upon closer and closer examination.

Geographical location and how to get there

Rhodes belongs to the Dodecanese group of islands in southeastern Greece, in the Aegean Sea. However, the Aegean Sea washes the island on only one side - on the western, and on its eastern coast Rhodes lies in the Mediterranean Sea.

The fourth largest of all the Greek islands, Rhodes is quite densely populated: About 120 thousand people live on an area of ​​1,398 km², while several times more tourists annually vacation at local resorts.

Getting to the island is easy: 16 km from its capital, the city of Rhodes, there is an international airport that receives charter flights from all over the world and planes of domestic Greek airlines.

The flight from Moscow will take a little over 3 hours. If you are traveling through the Greek capital, then from Athens to Rhodes you can either fly (travel time is about an hour) or take a ferry (12 hours on a regular ferry, 7 hours on Super Fast Ferries).

If you want to fit a visit to Rhodes into your Greece itinerary, it can be reached by plane or ferry from most of the surrounding islands.

Some flights operate only from April to October, for example from the islands of Symi, Tilos, Halki, Patmos, Kos, Kalymnos and Leros.

Ferry connections to Thessaloniki and Rhodes also exist only in the summer season. Some islands, for example Crete, Lesvos, Samos, are connected to Rhodes by waterways all year round.

You can rent a car at Rhodes Airport.

There are several companies providing this service.
Renting a car is easy. The driver must be over 21 years old, and for cars such as a jeep, minivan or bus over 23 years old.
The maximum age of the driver should not exceed 70 years. Driving experience of at least one year.

In Rhodes, unlike Athens, international licenses are not required; domestic ones with English transcription are sufficient.

On the narrow roads of Rhodes, it is better to take small cars such as Suzuki Splash, Suzuki Jimny, Nissan Micra, Hyundai Gets. You can choose a convertible like Peugeot 308CC, Volkswagen EOS and Audi A3.

Depending on the company and brand of car, prices can vary greatly. Booking online is cheaper than booking on arrival.
If you decide to use the service of renting a car at the hotel, it will be more expensive, it is better to look at the rental office closest to the hotel.

The cost of renting a Fiat Panda - Kia Picanto model is 16.50–18.80 euros when booking a car for a period of 2 weeks and 17.50–19.95 euros when booking a car for a period of 1 week.
A liter of A-95 gasoline costs 1.5 euros. There are 13 car rental points on the island.

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Average monthly temperatures in Rhodes during the season are:

  • April: air +20, water +18;
  • May: air +24, water +22;
  • June: air +28, water +22;
  • July: air +30, water +25;
  • August: air +30, water +25;
  • September: air +28, water +24;
  • October: air +24, water +24.

Rhodes owes its popularity among tourists to its climate. Even in winter there is rarely a temperature below zero degrees.

In summer, the heat is significantly compensated by cool northern winds blowing from the sea. Thanks to them, in Rhodes, even in July and August, the air is fresh and not stuffy.

History of the island

Like any Greek island, Rhodes cannot boast of a quiet history. But
Rhodes, inhabited since the Neolithic, was constantly conquered by great warriors and passed from one subordination to another.

Even before our era, the island was captured by the Persians, then the Romans, after them the Byzantines ruled Rhodes for many centuries.

In the XIV century. n. e. Rhodes was subjugated by the Knights Hospitaller, whose 200 years of rule became a golden time of peace, construction and prosperity for the island.

The knights built the Rhodes fortress, which subsequently withstood Turkish sieges. However, in the 16th century the island still became part of Ottoman Empire and remained part of it until 1912, when during the Italo-Turkish War it passed to Italy.

In 1943, Italy emerged from World War II and Rhodes came under German control. Only in 1948 the island again became part of Greece due to the fact that the majority of the island's population sought reunification with their historical homeland.

Numerous conquests and changes of power deprived Rhodes of many monuments of architecture and art. Earthquakes caused no less damage to the island, one of which destroyed the gigantic statue of the Colossus of Rhodes. However, what remains on the island is still impressive.

Numerous historical upheavals have shaped the modern appearance of the island, interesting and unique.

Attractions

The most famous landmark of Rhodes is its capital of the same name. It is here that the main architectural buildings of the island have been preserved, the main of which, of course, is the Rhodes Fortress, which returns tourists to the atmosphere of the 14th century.

The old center of the capital with its narrow streets and old buildings is generally very picturesque and interesting. The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes is also located here, striking in its size and exhibition.

The island's attractions are scattered throughout its different areas, so trips around Rhodes can be very interesting.

You should definitely visit the Valley of Butterflies in the Petaloudes area, stroll through the Seven Springs Park in Kolymbia, and spend a day in the tiny medieval town of Lindos.

The era of the Trojan War and ancient Hellas left many buildings and temples on Rhodes, of which, although mostly ruins remained, they were very picturesque.

Hotels

Rhodes offers its guests a high-quality holiday - both in terms of entertainment, leisure and accommodation.

The island has many high-class 5* hotels operating on an all-inclusive basis, which is rare for Greek resorts.

However, there are also plenty of simpler hotels in Rhodes; 4* and 3* hotels will surprise tourists with excellent service and, as a result, higher prices compared to other popular resorts in Greece.

But experienced tourists consider the price-quality ratio of hotels on the island to be optimal, so most of hotels are filled to capacity during the high season, and it is better to book in advance.

10 days in a 5* hotel for a couple will cost from 130 thousand rubles. Over the same period of time, in a 3* hotel in Rhodes, a family of two will have to pay an average of approximately 60,000 - 70,000 rubles.

There are also more affordable hotels on the island, but there are not many of them, and they are, as a rule, far from popular resort areas. The practice of renting apartments is very common on the island, especially on the west coast, where there is less concentration of hotels.

Beaches

Ideal, truly heavenly beaches are the pride of Rhodes. There are beaches on the island where life is in full swing around the clock, attracting guests not only with sand and sea, but also with parties in numerous bars. There are many places in Rhodes for lovers of secluded recreation, cut off from civilization.

The most popular coast of the island is Faliraki resort beach. The largest in Rhodes, a dream beach stretching for 4 km.

Fine sand, clean warm sea, the most complete infrastructure, water sports, a huge water park and many bars and taverns almost at the water's edge - this is the key to the success of Faliraki beach.

It is located 14 km from the capital, which does not prevent it from being the most visited Rhodes beach.

Katara – a bay located not far from Faliraki, but completely opposite in atmosphere.

Numerous rocks surrounding the small clean beach protect it from the invasion of tourists.

The water here is crystal clear, small pebbles and easy entry into the water will delight families with children.

Despite the remoteness and privacy, the Katara beach has everything you need for relaxation - sun loungers, umbrellas, showers.

Kallithea Beach Tourists from all over the island visit it, although it is located next to the city of Rhodes. Besides pure water the beach is famous for the palm trees and pine trees growing here, as well as for its healing springs, discovered by the Venetians and still active today.

Anthony Quinn Beach (aka Ladiko Bay) is a famous and secluded place at the same time. 15 km from the city of Rhodes, located in a bay between the rocks, is a small sandy beach, which was once presented to the American actor Anthony Quinn.

You can only get to it on foot, so there are always few people here. At the same time, the beach is equipped with the most necessary things for a comfortable stay: here you can rent a sunbed and an umbrella.

Near the town of Lindos there is a small, but beloved by tourists, and therefore often crowded, beach of the same name. The sand here is fine and pleasant; for a complete and comfortable beach holiday there is everything you need, including numerous cafes on the shore.

The end of the beach is usually almost empty because the sea there is shallow. It is recommended to relax here with children. In the vicinity of the beach you can admire the ruins of the ancient acropolis.

On the opposite side of the island from the capital (50 km from Rhodes) there is a beach consisting of two bays and loved by windsurfers.

Prassonissi- a beach with a turbulent Aegean Sea at the end of summer; northern winds in July and August raise huge waves here, sometimes several meters high.

Therefore, fans of extreme sports vacation on Prassonissi. Here they can rent any equipment necessary for windsurfing, and just lie on the shore in comfort, fortunately, the beach is well equipped.

The most popular resorts on the island

Rhodes

There are quite a lot of expensive hotels in the area of ​​the island capital, and lovers independent rest can rent an apartment or house in the city.

Rhodes is a city with a busy day and nightlife, with the largest number of shops and taverns, and the most extensive cultural and historical program, so it is convenient to relax here.

Plus, the airport is nearby. In the immediate vicinity of the capital there are several well-equipped and clean beaches, for example Elli. And if you rent a car, you can easily get to the most beautiful beaches of the island, most of which are located within 20 km from the city of Rhodes.

Kallithea

Very close to Rhodes (8 km to the east), the Kallithea resort attracts tourists with its pristine beaches and cozy taverns.

The former fishing village, which has become the center of a tourist paradise, today offers its guests clean air and mineral water treatment, one of the best beaches on the island with the same name, many attractions and the opportunity to go diving (there is a scuba diving center).

The proximity to the administrative center of the island and the airport has made Kallithea a prestigious and expensive resort, and the presence of mineral springs has made it the center of SPA therapy in Rhodes.

Faliraki

The busiest resort of Rhodes, 10 km from the capital, has gained fame as a vacation spot for young people.

Here, along the long sandy coastal strip, many mostly affordable hotels are built, which is what made Faliraki so popular.

The town that gave its name to the world-famous resort is itself small, consisting, one might say, of one embankment. Everything else is hotels and apartments.

Faliraki Beach, despite being crowded and even overcrowded, was awarded the Blue Flag of the European Union for its cleanliness.

Bars on the seashore are the center of the resort's nightlife, where parties and discos never end. Tourists with children are advised to relax in quieter places.

Kolymbia

25 km from the city of Rhodes, approximately halfway to Lindos, the resort of Kolymbia is developing. It is believed that tourists can relax here in style, since the new hotels in this place are all five-star and very fashionable.

The coast near the town of Kolimbia is green - eucalyptus trees providing shade approach the water itself, consisting of several sandy bays. A few kilometers from Kolymbia there is a natural park; there is nowhere else to walk here.

Calm waters Mediterranean Sea, cleanliness and distance from large settlements made Kolymbia ideal place For family vacation with kids.

Lindos

A UNESCO monument of global significance, it is also a tiny ancient town, also a popular resort of Rhodes - the town of Lindos, 48 ​​km southeast of the capital of the island.

The main attraction of the city is ancient Acropolis on the mountain and sanctuary of the temple of the goddess Athena. However, Lindos itself is a heritage not only of Rhodes, but also of Greece.

The streets of the city have been preserved since the 15th century, there is no traffic here, it is not surprising that it is the most photographed place on the island. At the same time, Lindos lives a busy modern life, there are many taverns and restaurants, shops and souvenir shops, and there are also night discos.

A definite advantage is the Mediterranean coast near Lindos. The large beach of the same name offers tourists a comfortable holiday with the opportunity to engage in many types of water sports.

There are always a lot of people here. At the same time, just a kilometer from the city there is a quiet beach of St. Paul, where you can relax in peace and quiet and visit the beautiful ancient chapel dedicated to this saint.

Kalathos

Not far from Lindos on the same Mediterranean coast is the village of Kalathos, the main advantage of which is its huge pebble beach.

It was thanks to him that an entire resort with numerous hotels, taverns and its own atmosphere grew up in a secluded place without any special attractions. Holidays in Kalathos are leisurely, family, measured.

Small pebbles ensure the crystal clearness of the sea. Despite the fact that the beach has both municipal and hotel sunbeds, there are always few people here. True, the choice of entertainment is small. Experienced tourists recommend taking a boat trip to Lindos.

Ixia

The resort closest to Rhodes (5 km from the capital) is on the west coast of the island. The picturesque foothills of Mount Filerimos attract lovers of cycling and horseback riding.

The restless Aegean sea here attracts lovers of extreme water sports and diving, who prefer to relax in comfort and even luxury. In the village of Ixia there are many 5* and 4* hotels, and besides them there are expensive restaurants with gourmet cuisine.

Many ancient ruins, a beautiful monastery and other historical monuments, as well as the close proximity of the capital of the island with its bustling life, made Ixia a prestigious Rhodes resort. Many consider this place to be the best place to relax in Rhodes, despite the winds, sometimes rough sea and pebbles on the beach.

Ialyssos

Ialyssos is often considered as a continuation of the Ixia resort, and they are really nearby. But the town of Ialyssos has its own unique aura, which is born on the streets somewhere between medieval castles and the houses of ordinary citizens.

Here you can plunge into even more ancient history, visiting the ruins of the temples of Athena and Zeus. The sea here is still the same - clean, but restless, so beloved by kiters and windsurfers.

Having chosen Rhodes for a holiday, tourists remain enchanted for life. This island, called the “pearl” in Greece, will certainly become the highlight of your vacation.

Rhodes, part of the Dodecanese archipelago, is one of the most visited places in island Greece. Its attractiveness lies not only in its thousand-year history of dramatic events and the presence of traces of various civilizations, but also in its long coastline with captivating beaches.

What seas is Rhodes washed by?

Unlike many of his other “brothers,” Rhodes was much luckier. He is the rightful owner of two seas at once, which makes it doubly interesting and exciting. In the article about we already wrote that here (Cape Prasonisi) the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas meet and become one. Since childhood, the Greeks, who had absorbed poetry, crowned this place with the “kiss of the two seas.”


Be sure to check out the “Kiss of the Two Seas”, this is an incredible miracle of nature that is worth seeing: in the summer the water level decreases, and an isthmus is formed here connecting Prasonisi with Rhodes, and in winter, on the contrary, it rises, and the seas thus seem to “” kissing""

They are completely different in nature, which satisfies the needs of tourists with varied preferences.

They have a common swimming season; it lasts from May to October. True, the Aegean Sea can be a couple of degrees cooler than the Mediterranean. On the one hand, it makes it easier to bear summer heat, and on the other hand, it forces pampered ladies to finish having fun on the water a little earlier. It is noteworthy that the Aegean Sea has a significantly lower concentration of salt than the Mediterranean.


Specifics and capabilities of Aegean Sea resorts

By the waters Aegean Sea washed by the northwestern coast. It can be safely recommended to those who love pebbles more than sand, which tends to get into their clothes and hair.


There are also beaches with imported coarse sand, but their entrance to the sea is still pebbly, and in certain areas even rocky. When going here, you should know that this coast is windy and has rough waters.

Thanks to this feature, the local resorts are favored by active beachgoers, where hours of relaxation in the form of endless sun treatments evoke downright melancholy. These include beginners and advanced surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers, for whom there is no better activity than conquering stubborn foamy waves.


The main water sports centers are concentrated in Ixia and Ialyssos. Their staff arranges unforgettable surfing holidays for their clients. Steady winds (the Meltemya trade winds blow for about half a year), “soft waves” twisting into ideal tubes, and experienced instructors are the main components of the success of these resorts.


If we talk about stunning landscapes, the Aegean coast definitely wins in terms of natural beauty. Firstly, it is completely covered with spruce and pine trees, and secondly, the sea itself has a rich Blue colour, providing a deep contrast to the emerald vegetation.

Specifics and capabilities of Mediterranean resorts

The Mediterranean Sea, washing the southeastern shores, is chosen by supporters of classic beach holidays. A diverse contingent of vacationers gather here - from nudists, cheerful youth and married couples with children to elderly people seeking solitude and silence.


This part of the island has many similarities with Turkey and Egypt: the same endless golden sands, the same gentle entry into the water, the same lack of greenery. In addition, there are excellent conditions for exciting leisure activities on the shore: water parks, attractions, a high density of cafes and restaurants.

In its character, the Mediterranean Sea is the complete opposite of the Aegean. It is much calmer and treats swimmers much more favorably. Of course, winds also happen here, but much less frequently and with less force.

The most popular resort areas are the many kilometers of sandy beaches of Tsambiki and Faliraki.


They also include the beaches of Kolymbia, Kallithea and Lindos.

TOURISTS' ANSWERS:

In my opinion, Rhodes is one of the most beautiful Greek islands. It is washed by two seas: the Aegean and the Mediterranean. Crete was once considered the most popular island, but recently the situation has changed; Rhodes is much more attractive - it is greener with excellent opportunities for a beach holiday, and it is also great for all categories of tourists: young people, families with children, elderly people, active athletes.

The most important thing is to choose the right place to stay.

The coasts of Rhodes are divided into western and eastern. In the West, the beach is pebble, more windy, but in the East, on the contrary, it is calmer and has sand, somewhere mixed with small pebbles. For lovers of active sports: wave riding and windsurfing, the west coast will be ideal.

In the West, tourists stop in two places: The coast of the island is divided into eastern and western. In the west, the beach is pebbly and windy, so lovers of active sports like it more here. In the east it is calmer, the beaches are sandy, sometimes mixed with pebbles. Popular resorts on the West Coast Ialyssos.

The coast of the island is divided into eastern and western. In the west, the beach is pebbly and windy, so lovers of active sports like it more here. In the east it is calmer, the beaches are sandy, sometimes mixed with pebbles.- one of the largest resorts in Rhodes. The tourism infrastructure here is very well developed. There are many kinds of shops, bars, taverns, restaurants, night clubs. At the same time, the local flavor is strongly felt in Ialyssos; the city itself has many beautiful sights and ancient castles. The sea is Aegean, there are often waves, so mostly active tourists come here. It is in Ialyssos that the largest windsurfing center is located. The beaches here are sand and pebbles, in some places the pebbles are quite large, but the water in the sea is crystal clear.


Ialyssos- in comparison with Ialyssos, the place is quieter, sometimes there are periods when the sea is calm and swimming is a pleasure. But it is very difficult to predict this. Therefore, if waves are not what you expect from your beach holiday, then it is better not to go to Ixia. However, while vacationing in Rhodes, it’s worth stopping by here, the places here are very fabulous, especially Ixia is famous for its stunning sunsets.


The East Coast includes resorts Kallithea, Faliraki, Afandou And Kolymbia.

The most popular and sought after place - Faliraki. First of all, what attracts a large number of tourists here is the presence of a gorgeous sandy beach. There are very few of them in Rhodes, so the choice is not very large. Plus Faliraki is a place with a well-developed tourist infrastructure; here in the very center it is full of active life: both day and night. Also, Faliraki has a large Waterpark, an amusement park and many good hotels located directly on the first coastline. This place is perfect for almost all categories of tourists; cheerful young people, couples with children, except those who need a completely calm and secluded holiday will not be bored here.


Faliraki beach.

Kallithea- an excellent place for lovers of a completely calm and quiet holiday. However, if you get really bored, the city of Rhodes itself and the village of Faliraki are located nearby. Kallithea can easily be called a health resort; there are pine forests, mineral healing springs and several treatment centers. But, despite the silence, there is also something to do in Kallithea, there is a magnificent promenade for diving enthusiasts, there are interesting objects to explore - caves. For connoisseurs of history and antiquity, you can get acquainted with local working churches.


Nature in the village of Kallithea.

Resorts are popular in the east is a very large village in Rhodes, but it is not located on the very seashore, so the demand among tourists for this place is very weak. However, special trains run to the sea. The beach here is pebble, awarded a blue flag for cleanliness. Afandu is a place for tourists who want to take a break from people like themselves, be among the locals, and look at the way of life of the population.


Afand- once this place was a modest simple village, but now everything is changing, this resort is beginning to develop, become: fashionable, in demand among tourists. Kolymbia is a very green resort; the famous eucalyptus alley is located in this village. The hotels here are very diverse, both simple and luxurious. The tourist infrastructure is well developed, but Kolymbia does not have an active nightlife. Which is undoubtedly a plus for people looking for a relaxing, quality holiday. The beach in Kolymbia is very good - sandy, with a gentle slope into the sea.


Kolymbia.

In the southeast of Rhodes there is a very famous resort - , and a promenade. Afandou is not so popular among tourists, but it has a good pebble beach, marked with the Blue Flag. There is a large selection of hotels in Kolymbia, there is a beautiful eucalyptus alley and a sandy beach.. Lindos is one of the most ancient cities in Greece with a rich history. What this city is famous for: its acropolis, which is even more ancient than in Athens. Also, there is an ancient military fort, against which tourists love to take photographs. Lindos itself offers guests different options for where to stay. These include private villas, hotels of different stars, and simple apartments. The tourist infrastructure here is also well developed, there are taverns, nightclubs, and a market where you can buy anything at good prices.


Rhodes is one of the Greek islands that attracts tourists so much. Of course, the bulk of vacationers fly to this resort to enjoy a beach holiday, but Rhodes also has attractions with which you can “dilute” your trip.

In the article I will talk about the main resorts of Rhodes, their pros and cons - I will do what suits whoever short review hotels on the island and I’ll tell you about the hotel where I vacationed myself.

Main resorts of Rhodes

There are many resorts in Rhodes; they are naturally located along the coast. I should immediately note that Rhodes is washed by two seas - the Aegean and Mediterranean. The Aegean Sea awaits you from the western part of the island, the Mediterranean from the eastern part, and in the very south there is a point where they connect.

Rhodes

Rhodes is the capital of the island with the same name, the city is located at the northern end of Rhodes. The majority of city hotels are located along the coast; within the city there are well-equipped beaches - sun loungers and umbrellas are waiting for you.

The advantages of living directly in Rhodes are the following - there is something to do there (several museums, the palace of the masters, many cafes and bars), you can walk around the Old Town. And from Rhodes it is easy to get to the nearest resorts and entertainment - a free bus leaves from there to the water park, it is there that the port of Mandraki is located, from which a great many pleasure yachts and liners depart.


In general, if you settle in Rhodes, you definitely won’t be bored, and there will always be a suitable activity for the evening.

Cons - The disadvantages of living in Rhodes are generally typical - there are a lot of people, a lot of cars and not much greenery. If you are a lover of calm places and unity with nature, this is definitely not the place for you.

Ialyssos

A small resort located in close proximity to Rhodes (the city is about four kilometers away). The hotels are not located directly on the beach, but across the road. The beaches are also equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay. There are not as many people in Ixia as in Rhodes; in general, it is quieter there. In terms of infrastructure, there are many cafes, restaurants, bars and minimarkets. There are no attractions, you have to go to Rhodes for them.

The advantages include relative calm, as well as proximity to Rhodes - you can get there by taxi or bus in 10, maximum 15 minutes.

Cons - the beaches are mostly pebble, entry is not very convenient. The Aegean Sea, which often has waves, makes entering even more difficult. But there are a lot of windsurfers there, they go further into the sea and train; by the way, there is a windsurfing school.


Kallithea

This is a resort town located on the other side of Rhodes - the eastern side, it is located on the Mediterranean Sea. One of the noisiest and most youthful resorts on the island - there are the most bars, discos and, of course, young people who have fun there. If you are attracted to new acquaintances and parties, this is the place for you.


Pros - a lot of entertainment, calm sea (the Mediterranean is not as stormy as the Aegean), proximity to the city of Rhodes (about 15 minutes by taxi), proximity to the water park.

Cons - not suitable for those who like silence, too noisy.

Prasonisi

This is no longer quite a resort, but rather one of the attractions of the island. This is the place where two seas merge. You will see a narrow isthmus, on your left there will be a relatively calm Mediterranean Sea, on your right - the stormy Aegean Sea.

I added Prasonisi to the list of resorts because there is a small hotel (or rather apartments) there, so it’s quite possible to live there. There are also a couple of cafes and a minimarket there. There are no other entertainment options.

In my opinion, Prasonisi can attract those who windsurf (there are a lot of surfers in the Aegean Sea), those who would like to swim in two seas, as well as those who would like to enjoy peace and tranquility in the evening - people are leaving by this time.

By the way, the Mediterranean Sea has a very comfortable beach with sun loungers, umbrellas and showers, while the Aegean Sea beach is wild.

Rhodes Hotels

There are quite a lot of hotels on the island; one of the booking sites offers more than 700 accommodation options in Rhodes.

Most hotels in the mid-price category are 3-4 stars, there are also hotels with no stars at all, as well as expensive five-star options (by the way, there are not many of them - about 20).

There are quite a lot of hotels operating on an all-inclusive basis; there are also options for half board, breakfast, as well as your own kitchen for those who would like to cook their own meals.

If you would like to save money, then one of the most budget-friendly options would be to cook yourself or take full board (of course, not in the most expensive hotel).

The option with breakfast is the most expensive, since the prices in taverns are not the lowest, and you will have to have both lunch and dinner there (although I will make a reservation that if you are used to eating little, you can easily take one portion for two - fortunately, the portions are large).

Belair Beach

And finally, I’ll tell you about the hotel where we stayed. This is a four star hotel in Ixia.


We lived there for two weeks, we had half board - breakfast and dinner (by the way, drinks at dinner were not included in the price).

The hotel itself is average. The rooms are clean, but made in rather dull gray tones, the equipment is outdated (for example, I haven’t seen a safe with a key for a long time, but I came across it just in this hotel). I didn’t really like the bathroom - everything was clean, but the plumbing was quite old.

The room had air conditioning and it worked fine. The room is average in size, not big and not small. The room has a large balcony with a plastic table and chairs.

In general, the room is mediocre, suitable for living, but you are unlikely to experience delight.

Regarding the food at the hotel, the breakfast was monotonous, there were cucumbers and tomatoes, scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, sausage, sausages, yogurt, pastries and sweets. Drinks include juices, water, tea and coffee. Quite tasty, but during our two-week stay the breakfast did not change even once.

Dinners were more varied, there were evenings of Greek, international and Chinese cuisine. The only thing I didn’t like was the Chinese one, because I don’t like it at all.

Drinks, as I already said, are paid - water, juices (chemical ones, I must say), wine, beer and soda.

The hotel is across the road from the beach, sunbeds and umbrellas are paid.

In general, I would give the hotel an average rating - more or less, but not up to the “good” mark.