What to do in Rhodes: main attractions and interesting places. Where are they located, how to get? What to see and visit in Rhodes with kids, tours prices 2024 – in the article of good Time for Trip.
Rhodes is the not so big Greek island in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is located near the coast of Turkey, so it is often visited not only purposefully, but also by tourists from the large Turkish resort Marmaris.
The area of Rhodes is 1,400 km2, it is inhabited by about 125 thousand people. In high season, the island receives hundreds of thousands of foreign tourists. Subjectively, it is best to spend seaside holiday in Rhodes in June, but heat-resistant citizens come here in July and August also.
The brilliant, only occasionally hot is the weather in Rhodes in September. The beach season partly continues here also in October – for most of this month you can sunbath and swim in the sea.
The warm climate and up to the 4 to 5-month swimming season are the main magnets that attract tourists to the Greek island. However, you will not have to limit yourself to beach activities only – there is something to do in Rhodes besides swimming and sunbathing.
The local attractions are small in number, but unique. In principle, they are alone, without the sea and the sun, will be a good reason for visiting the island.
Intro
Rhodes has been known not only since ancient times – it was densely populated by the Minoan civilization. The island was home of one of the “Seven Wonders” of the ancient world, the giant bronze Colossus of Rhodes, a statue dedicated to the Greek sun god Helios.
The 36-meter monument was erected at the entrance to the port in the 3rd century BC. Alas, the statue did not survive to modern times, becoming a victim of a strong earthquake
The most interesting page in the history of Rhodes is associated with the Order of Knights Hospitaller.
The paramilitary organization that owned lands in Palestine once was ousted from the “Promised Land” by the Saracens and the Templar Order. Faced with a choice, it first went to Cyprus. And then occupied Rhodes, forced Genoese merchants to leave it.
For two centuries (since 1306), the Hospitallers ruled the island. They built a huge fortress and Palace of the Grand Masters in the capital. As well as the fortification system in Lindos and the castle in ancient Halicarnassus (now Bodrum) in Asia Minor.
But over time, the knights’ capabilities came to naught and they could not resist the pressure of the Ottoman Empire, which was in its prime. In 1522, the fortress of Rhodes repulsed several assaults by the Turkish army and surrendered upon with the right of unhindered exit of the people.
The knights boarded the ships and sailed away again. First to Sicily. And then to Malta, granted to them by the Emperor and King Charles V.
Main Attractions of Rhodes
The old town in the island’s capital, which has been perfectly preserved to modern time, surrounded by powerful fortress walls, is the most desirable attraction for tourists. The medieval quarters of Rhodes, built during the reign of the Knights Hospitaller, are actually based on an ancient foundation.
Which is unlikely to surprise those who have heard at least something about the Colossus of Rhodes
Old Town of Rhodes
This statue, alas, has not been preserved – it was destroyed by an earthquake and finally finished off by the Arab invasion of the 7th century. But the medieval city and the fortress, which began construction in the 14th century, have mostly survived.
And they have reached our days in excellent condition. So, no wander they’re the first places visiting by tourists in Rhodes.
The length of the fortress wall reaches 4 km, there are 11 medieval gates
At one time, the castle successfully withstood several brutal Turkish sieges. And even after the troops of Suleiman the Magnificent captured the fortress in 1522, it retained own appearance – the conquerors didn’t destroy the virtually ideal fortifications created by the best Italian architects.
Curiously, the defenders of Rhodes, who were numerically inferior to the besiegers many times, were able to freely board ships and sail under the terms of surrender. It happened on January 1, 1523, decades after the fall of Constantinople.
Today, the Old Town of Rhodes belongs to the number of iconic historical monuments, and in 1988 UNESCO included it in the World Heritage List. Its medieval cobblestone streets, houses and churches that are many hundreds of years old, the massive Palace of the Grand Masters (however, restored after the explosion of the arsenal in 1856), towers and walls are truly unique.
So we will not go against the truth if assume that every first tourist who personally saw this landmark of Rhodes would remain impressed
To get another portion of positive emotions, we advise you to visit
Archaeological Museum of Rhodes
occupies an extremely atmospheric building of the hospital of the Knights of the Order of St. John and has the reach collection of ancient Greek ceramics and sculptures. The main jewel of the Museum is the statue of Aphrodite of Rhodes, dating from the 1st century BC.
In principle, by this step you can finish exploring the capital. And make a trip to the next immensely interesting place –
Lindos
Although this town was rebuilt by the Crusaders, here was preserved the ancient Greek Acropolis – the must-see place in Rhodes. After all, this is the second largest such complex in the world after Athenian one!
The Acropolis of Lindos is located on a coastal cliff, reaching a height of 116 meters, it dates from either the V or even the VI century BC. Inside, pay attention to the temple of Athena Lindia, has also been preserved the ancient Greek colonnade. From the top of the hill there are amazing views of the surrounding area.
The village Lindos, built up exclusively with white houses, beautiful and very original, is nestled under a rock. You can’t tell, but its age is about 3,000 years old!
Any excursion departing to Lindos from the island’s capital will not miss Seven Springs. A picturesque and cool place that is especially pleasant to visit in Rhodes in the middle of a hot day.
Castles and Prasonisi
We also recommend you to get to the charming ancient town Ialyssos, as well as the ruins in Kamiros. Lovers of the Middle Ages will certainly want to explore the ruins Monolithos and Kritinia Castello, which occupy the peaks of the coastal cliffs. At one time, the Knights Hospitaller weren’t tiring of building fortifications, turning the entire island into a citadel.
Lovers of natural attractions will undoubtedly appreciate the view of Cape Prasonisi at the southern tip of the island.
It separates the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas and, apparently, the climatic zones – it is always very windy here
Look especially charming bright houses of Simi – every first tourist vacationing in Rhodes strives to reach this small island with an area of about 60 km2. For doing it he will have to take a ferry ride, but a day spent among cozy houses, a visit to an ancient monastery and a meal at a local tavern would pay any efforts.
There are also organized excursions to Simi. Inexpensive ones – participation in 2024 will cost about 30 €.
What to Do in Rhodes with Kids
In the first decade of May, starts operating the Rhodes Waterpark located near the town Faliraki. It is not too big and doesn’t have any overly adrenaline slides, but there’re quite enough options for the entertainment of small children.
Again, this waterpark is the quite inexpensive place! In 2024, an all-day entrance ticket will cost a modest €27 per visitor aged 12 and over.
Best Time to Visit
There are two different climatic seasons in Rhodes. From April to October, there is little precipitation, but on the contrary, there are a lot of sunny days. The November-March period is characterized by frequent and heavy rains. It never gets to snow here, though.
The air temperature in winter can drop to +5-7 °C at night, but during the day it still rises to +15-20 °C. The New Year in Rhodes usually welcomes with the warm (up to +15 °C), albeit wet weather.
The tourist season lasts for 4-6 months, during the peak summer times: in July and August, the air warms up steadily to +33-35 °C. It is cooler (about +27-30 °C) and much more comfortable in the island in September or, perhaps, June.
Some travelers start swimming in Rhodes in May, when the air temperature is set at +25-27 °C, and the sea warms up to +21-22 °C
Swimming in the open water area stops here in mid-October. When the Mediterranean Sea is still warmed up to +20-21°C. That is, to the temperatures which are unthinkable in English and German resorts even in the middle of summer.
© Goodtimefortrip.com
Be the first to comment