Rhodes is an island with many faces: cosmopolitan and traditional at the same time, timeless and modern, simple and spectacular. Rhodes is a beautiful mosaic of experiences: the island of the knights and the mythical Colossus of Rhodes, where Byzantines, Greeks, Venetians and Turks have all left something to remember them. In addition to luxury resorts, there are villages where women still bake bread in an outdoor oven on a wood fire. Rhodes has a long and impressive history; it resembles a place straight out of a medieval fairy tale, with castles, knights, tales of Grand Masters, and beautiful Gothic and Renaissance-style buildings. It is also an island of great natural beauty: its beautiful beaches overlook the pine forests on the mountain slopes; the mountain villages overlook the coastal towns; And the archaeological sites, medieval monuments, and traditional-style cosmopolitan resorts all contribute to the popularity of this destination that is hard to resist even for a discerning traveler.
In the heart of Rhodes, in the medieval town, a spooky and mysterious atmosphere floats through its streets, brought back to life over the centuries. The famous Order of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, the Knights Hospitaller, has left an indelible mark on the island. Walking around the always lively city, you can almost hear the hoofbeats of the horses and the whispering voices of history. The city has never been abandoned or abandoned. In 1988, UNESCO declared the architectural complex of the Knights of Rhodes a World Heritage Site. Beach lovers will be completely satisfied with the shores of Rhodes. At the top of the list are Kiotari, Kallithea, Agathi, Apolakkia, Kolymbia, Anthony Quinn Beach, Lardos, Afandou with its golf course, Traounou with its motocross tracks, Trianda and Tsabika. All beautiful, with sand, clear water and water sports. Windsurfers head to Prasonissi, a green island south of Rhodes. Many villages in Rhodes are hidden gems. There is Emponas with its famous wine and traditional costumes, Agios Isidoros, Apollona with its Folklore Museum, Archangelos with its long tradition of ceramics and music, and Afandou with its skilled weavers.
The quaint villages of Rhodes also include Trianda with its Mineralogy and Paleontology Museum, Kritinia with the Castello Castle, Lardos with its Byzantine Castle, Salakos, Psinthos with one of the largest town squares in the Dodecanese, Asklipio with its beautiful Byzantine church and Eleousa with its Venetian buildings and picturesque taverns. When visiting the island of Rhodes, don’t miss the local traditional dishes! Delicious appetizers such as pitaroudia (fried chickpea balls with chopped mint, onions and tomato), zucchini balls and stuffed cyclamen leaves with lentils are a delight. Sweets from Rhodes are famous. The traditional sweet melekouni is served on special occasions such as engagements, baptisms, weddings, naming parties, and birthdays. Also, don’t forget to taste the local Suma drink. The island offers many opportunities to spend your time and at the same time get to know the place well. Visit its vineyards, dive into the island’s beautiful seabed and walk its paths to get to know it from one end to the other. Wine tasting The delicious dishes of Rhodes are served with tasty local wines from the island’s vineyards, which maintain their long-standing tradition dating back to ancient times. The vineyards produce excellent wine and are internationally award-winning. The vineyards of Rhodes benefit from the sunlight and frequent rainfall, as well as the cool sea breezes from May to September. Winters are short with a lot of rain. During the heat of summer, the cool winds help the soil temperature for good wine production. Winemakers have improved the local varieties and implemented the cultivation of some foreign varieties. Taste the white Moschato variety that has been known since ancient times, the Athiri and Mandilaria (known as Amorgiano on the island), the Moschato Trani and Asyrtiko. Another important cultivar is the white Muscat, which produces sweet wines.
Water sports and diving Rhodes is considered a windsurfer’s paradise, especially on the west coast (Ixia, Ialyssos) and on Prasonisi. For those who love diving, the seabed with its underwater caves, shipwrecks and unique habitats is interesting. In the area of Apolakkia (see beaches) is the Rhodescape Adventure Park, which organizes many activities for children, including zip lines. Walk Rhodes is also known for its network of hiking trails. We recommend: Salakos-Monastery Profitis Ilias, the Valley of the Butterflies, the Monastery of Kalopetra, Emponas-Summit of Attaviros and Rhodes-Creta (coastline).
