Welcome to Visit-the-World's Rhodes section ...

Visit Rhodes

Rhodes, or Rodhos/Rodos in Greek, is one of the most beautiful and
interesting of the Greek Islands. It is by far the largest of the Dodecanese
Islands [Dhodhekanisos] off the highly indented south western coast of Turkey. It lies due south of the popular Turkish resort of Marmaris.

Rhodes is about 45 miles in length and 23 miles maximum width, across the centre of the island ... tapering to points at both northern and southern tips.

At the northern-most point of the island stands the capital, Rhodes Town, facing the Turkish mainland, 14 miles away. It occupies a relatively narrow headland with coasts facing the sheltered east  and the breezier west. It is the largest resort on the island and comprises a very commercialised new town, [where there are dozens of hotels and hundreds of restaurants, cafes and tavernas], and the old Mediaeval Walled City, which is very picturesque and atmospheric and absolutely steeped in history.

This old part, Rhodes City, is the "must  see" destination of the whole Dodecanese Islands! The 12 metre thick city walls  are considered to be one of the finest surviving examples of mediaeval fortifications. It is a magical experience to stroll through the dimly lit old walled city at night, with most of the light emanating from the open fronts of numerous ceramic shops with superbly designed and ornately painted wall plates dazzling the tourists with their bright colours. There are dozens of little shops selling gold, brass, leather and even fur items  throughout the atmospheric narrow streets of the wonderful walled city. The superb displays set-out by the shop-keepers are an attraction in themselves.

Rhodes City was the stronghold of the Knights of St John, during the Crusades. The 15th Century Knights Hospital houses an impressive archaeological museum, reflecting the island's rich history. Odos Ippoton, the"Avenue of the Knights" is lined with magnificent mediaeval buildings, the most imposing being the "Palace of the Grand Master".

In the New Town, Mandraki Harbour, with its fashionable yachts  and day-trip boats to other resorts and islands, is an interesting place to sit and while away a couple of hours, as you watch the world go by. This is also the supposed former site of the Colossus of Rhodes, the giant bronze statue of Apollo [built 292--280 BC] that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The statue stood for only 65 years before being toppled by an earthquake.

Ixia, 3 miles from Rhodes Town, is a well-developed  resort, offering excellent amenities for the holidaymaker. It has a long shingle beach and is very popular with families.

The twin villages of Lardos and Pefkos, just south of Lindos are amongst the quietest resorts on Rhodes. They have a handful of bars and tavernas and gently shelving beaches.

Faliraki, on the other hand, on the same east coast, but only 9 miles from Rhodes Town, is the complete opposite. This is the liveliest resort on the island, full of noisy bars, tavernas and discos, with music turned up LOUD!!

So it is very popular with younger tourists and the young at heart. Sandy Faliraki Beach is about 2.5 miles long .... Just the place to chill out in the sun and catch up on some rest after hectic partying!!

Kiotari, in the south of the island, is a purpose-built resort with a beautiful stretch of beach. The area is rural and very peaceful, with a few local mini-markets and tavernas scattered amongst the hotels.    

Lindos is an absolute gem! It is located on a rocky promontory, half way down the east coast, with an ancient Acropolis on top of the hill over-looking the village. The panoramic coastal views from the Acropolis are stunning. The traditionally white-washed, typically Greek village of Lindos sits on the side of this hill. To ascend to the Acropolis, the villagers take tourists up on the backs of their donkeys. They are deceptively strong! They have to be!!

Then the descent is made on foot through the narrow village streets, which are flanked by dozens of little shops selling local lace and other holiday gifts. The shop-keepers stand outside their shops, a few feet apart, trying to entice customers through the door, with their vociferous exhortations. The competition sounds fearsome! It really hots up if a customer enters one shop and then buys from the one opposite!! You'll be grateful that you don't understand Greek!!! 

The crowning glory of Lindos is the beautifully curved sandy beach below the village. With superb panoramic views up the coast and to the Acropolis and  village on the hill, it is a truly magical spot!!

You can even arrive here by boat from Rhodes Town! Superb!!
If you feel like a change from Rhodes, you can catch the hydrofoil to neighbouring Greek islands from Mandraki Harbour.

Even the resort of Marmaris in Turkey can be visited from Rhodes Town if you feel like a very different sort of day trip! It's only an hour's crossing for some real Turkish delight!!