Rhodes Attractions

On the acropolis of ancient Rhodes, on St. Stephen's Hill, you can see the ancient (and still used) stadium, the white marble Odeion, and the restored temple of Apollo, a popular spot for magnificent sunset watching.

The famous 'Street of the Knights' endsoutside the magnificent Palace of the Grand Masters, you can still imagine the sounds of their horses, while, at twilight, under flickering lanterns, you may well catch a glimpse of armour and cloak with red cross, the emblem of the Knights of St. John.

And don’t forget to get yourself filmed in front of the famous windmills and ‘’ Elafakia ‘’ (island deer), two of the island’s most famous landmarks.

Just outside the Old Town, around the grass of the medieval moat, there is a lovely walk under the huge walls.Inside, you can stroll through the maze of lanes, cobbled in black and white pebbles, or shop for trinkets of fine gifts in the busy market – streets: handmade jewellery, carpets, icons, ceramics, needlework.

On the hill of Philerimos, benind Trianda and under the tall cypresses, the whole history of Rhodes unfolds: an acropolis with a temple to Athena, an early Christian basilica, the church of the Virgin Mary with a medieval monastery, enen a Via Dolorosa with the Stations of the Cross.

The castle of Kritinia is one of many well-preserved and imposing Knights’ castles to discover on the island. It is built on a strategic point with a magnificent view over to Chalki   and out to sea.

On the other side of the island, at the foot of a huge rock, under another castle and ancient acropolis ( a donkey ride away), the picturesque village of Lindos is perhaps the most beautiful on the island.
Its special sea setting, architecture, tavernas and nightlife make it a delightful and popular resort.

Back in Rhodes again, cultural events, grand and small, are held regularly in the Moat Theatre, the Palace, and at other locations in the medieval and new towns:  plays (ancient and modern), concerts given by famous artists from Greece and all over the world, opera and cinema festivals are regular summer occurrences. Age-old customs are much in evidence: in Mandraki,  a  festival of flowers the ‘Anthestiria’ is still held every spring.

The island’s accommodation caters for every budget. You can spoil yourself in some of the most exclusive hotels in the Mediterranean, experience life in a renovated medieval house in the Old Town, rent an apartment by the sea, take a small village villa, or stay in one of hundreds of small and friendly family-run hotels. Some of the world’s most accomplished windsurfers and kite surfers meet in the summer at Prasonisi, where a narrow strip of land divides a sandy and windy bay at the far south of the island: one side is always calm while the other is always windy.

In the forests of Prophet Elias, with the sea in the distance, there are two hotels ‘The Elafos’ and ‘The Elafina’.
They were built between 1920 and 1940 and are two startling examples of Italian architecture. If you walk around, and are lucky, you may spot unique local orchids, peonies, or enen the small Rhodian deer the hotels are named after. On your way home don’t forget to stop at the river setting of Seven Springs.

MUSEUMS

Visit the Museum of Beekeeping and of the Natural History of Bees, the unique in Greece and see:
Bees’ amazing world in transparen observation hives the gradation and history of beekeeping in Rhodes. How honey is obtained ( from the bee to our table).

Learn everything about bees and their valuable products:
Honey, wax, propolis and royal jelly.

5 th Km. Tsairi -  Airport, Pastida, Rhodes
Tel: 2241 48200 – Fax: 22410 48205
Website: www.mel.gr
Open: 09:00 – 14:30 except Sundays.

The whole of the 'Old Town', the largest inhabited medieval town in Europe, is a monument in its own right, as well as being an integral part of modern Rhodes. Inside the city walls its multicultural past can be vividly seen: the Knights' Palace and the Hospital, the Gothic churches, arches and cloisters, Byzantine churches, a working 'hamam' (Turkish bath), fountain squares, imposing houses with atriums and inner courtyards, museums and galleries...

The period of Italian rule deeply influenced the island' s architecture and cityscape. As head of the Italian colony styled 'Islands of the Aegean', Rhodes benefited from many infrastructure and leisure projects: for example there is the only underground Aquarium in Greece, a marine-life museum.

The Knights’ Hospital is now the Archaeological Museum, but the Medieval Town has other important exhibitions and museums to see: the permanent exhibition at the Palace, the Byzantine and the Folklore museums, for example.

At the now restored ‘Hotel of the Roses, one of the most popular and luxurious in the Mediterranean at the beginning of the 20th  century, you can try your luck at the only Casino in the Aegean.

Kamiros, the smallest of Rhodes’ ancient city – states, has ruins of its grand past to walk over: houses, temples, a water system, even its own acropolis with a temple to Athena Kamiriada.

The island’s interior has many remote monasteries and chapels. Typical is the charming chapel of Agios Nikolaos at Fountoukli, a favourite stopping place for cyclists on their way up the mountain of Prophet Elias.

Far away from the city of Rhodes, among beautiful scenery, there are peaceful, traditional villages with multi-coloured cottages; their pebble-covered yards are bright with flowers and such villages often sell lovely Rhodian plates and local produce.

The island has kilometre after kilometre of bays and sandy beaches, many, of course, with the Blue Flag award for excellence. Besides swimming and diving every sea beach sport is on offer – canoeing, windsurfing, paragliding, bungee jumping, beach-volley, riding.

The famous Valley of the Butterflies, a cool and peaceful oasis, is home each year to thousands and thousands of butterflies. With streams, waterfalls, shady paths and little wooden bridges, this park with its Natural History Museum is justifiably one of the island’s premier attractions.

The sea-spa of Kalithea is hidden in a setting of palms and pines: the calm bay below is the place to go for scuba lessons.

Rhodes has been famous for its wines since antiquity. In the summer there are wine festivals at Embona, a village on the Vine-covered slopes of Mt. Atavyros.

Golfers don’t miss out either. There’s an 18-hole course at Afandou, just a sliced drive away from the beautiful beach there!

World-class beach volley and windsurfing championships are two of the major sporting events regularly held on the island. Rhodes will host the Island Games next in 2007.

Bird-watchers can watch wild birds at Apolakia dam in the south of the island.  Once  a year sailing and rowing regattas are held on the waters here.

KOSKINOU AND THE TRADITIONAL PRESERVED HOUSE

The traditional Habitation of Koskinou  with the decorative ornamental and many colors brightly painted house facades, the lovely and pretty full of flowers courtyards, with the characteristic Rhodian pebble and the interior decoration, with the ceramic plates and the hand woven textiles on the walls, charms and fascinates the visitor.
In the center of the village, in a beautiful house, revives the tradition, the Art and the Nobility of the inhabitants of the village.

Open from Monday to Friday from 10:00-13:00 & 18:00-20:00