|
Rhodes Introduction
Rhodes has a history and culture is fascinating. From the Byzantine and Venetian civilisations - all of which can be explained in fine displays at some of its Museums. If you take an interest in mythology you will be in your element in Rhodes.
Rhodes' natural beauty cannot be forgotten. Its highest mountain is Mount Ativiros. A holiday to Rhodes does not just mean about beaches and sea. Rhodes is high on the list for sightseeing; it has history, archaeology, mythology, culture, natural beauty, stunning views, architecture and more.
Rhodes Town has just about everything you will need from a holiday destination. The capital city has its own beach called Psaropoula, which is a shingle beach but kept well maintained and clean. From Rhodes Town you can easily reach some of the other destinations of Rhodes, such as Faliraki, Lindos and Lardos.
If you are looking for some quiet places to enjoy some relaxation, then Rhodes has it fair share of quaint villages and isolated beaches.
Rhodes Location
Rhodes is situated in the Aegean Sea and is the largest of a group of islands called the Dodecanese islands. It is also the biggest archipelago island, or cluster of islands, which fall under the municipality of Greece. The island is approximately 1398 sq kms in total, and has some 79 kms in length and 38 kms width. You may also find this group of islands called the Southern Sporades.
Rhodes Weather
The weather on Rhodes is particularly good and it experiences a longer summer than some European countries, usually from around May when temperatures start to rise, until October. Even after October you can often have a nice sunny day, but temperatures may drop quite rapidly by night fall.
Summer temperatures can reach a staggering high of +30°C, with sea temperatures reaching a high of 27°C during August however, it is possible to experience days during July and August which are quite breezy so this can be a welcome relief to the very hot and humid days which are often experienced in Mediterranean climates.
Winters are usually mild but can experience heavy rainfall particularly during December and January.
So, in brief you can have a good six or seven months to visit Rhodes and enjoy some pleasant weather without packing your umbrella!
Transfers from the airport in Rhodes
Arriving at a foreign airport can often be a strenuous affair and with most customers traveling independently these days having a pre-booked airport transfer is an essential part of your holiday package. Local taxis at the airport can sometimes be limited or with long queues, by booking a pre-booked you can not only make a fantastic saving on your transfer but also avoid all the stress of queues and haggling with taxi drivers. Book your airport transfer service here now >>
Airport Shuttle Bus Service in Rhodes
In most of our gateway airports you can pre-book an Airport Shuttle Service. This is a pre-booked only service that operates between the relevant airport and holiday resort. In normal times you can expect to wait up to 30 minutes for your shuttle bus to arrive however as this is a pre-negotiated service and only available to participating travel companies then expect to pay far less to get from the airport to your destination accommodation than other traditional forms or transport such as local taxis. Book your airport shuttle service here now>>
Rhodes Car Hire
Although you will find that you have everything you need close to your resort, hiring a car can be a good way of exploring Rhodes and getting to places that are perhaps a little off the beaten track.
It is easy to hire a car from the local agencies. There are a good selection of both cars, jeeps, 4x4s to hire and most usually offer child booster/car seats if you request it at the time of booking. Cars can be delivered/collected from your resort or a pick up point of your choosing.
With a car you will be able to go to some of the beaches a little out of the way and visit some of those shops away from the bigger towns. Supermarkets out of town are usually cheaper than those in the more well known resorts.
There are many attractions that you will be able to visit in your own time rather than an organisedexcursion, such as some of the archaeological sites, traditional villages and coastal resorts.
In Rhodes the road signs are international and modern. Care should be taken as a lot of the roads are very narrow and winding. Always carry your driving license, passport and car rental agreement because if you are unlucky enough to be stopped by the police, you could face a fine for not having one of these documents.
Shopping in Rhodes
Rhodes Town is definitely the place to go if you are looking to spend some money and bend the plastic. If you are looking for something specific then head off to Rhodes Town and be amazed by all it has to offer in the way of shopping.
The main square is Cyprus Square which is in the centre of the Town. There are a great variety of shops here selling clothing, jewellery, leather ware, lace items, ceramics and pottery and tailors where you can have designed something just for you. Around the square there are also banks so you can change money or carry out transactions.
If you continue from the square eventually you will come across an unusually shaped building which is called the New Market. Inside you will find on the lower floor a good variety of shops and market stalls selling fresh produce. There are also some cafes and souvenir shops in here where you can spend time browsing, and enjoying a coffee.
In the main tourist areas, shops seem to be open seven days a week from early morning until late at night. Around the island you will find an enormous selection of tourist shops selling beach items and souvenirs, postcards and typical mass produced tacky items.
Around the Island you will find little supermarkets which can supply you with your day to day commodities, generally they are a little bit more expensive than the bigger supermarkets at the main resorts. At least without a car you will still be able to buy things that you might need if you are self catering.
Eating Out in Rhodes
Like most Mediterranean countries, Rhodes enjoys simple, but wholesome food that tastes delicious. A Rhodian normal diet doesn't usually consist of fast food or convenience type food. They like their own locally produced fruit, salad and vegetables which are picked and cooked extremely fresh. They cook with olive oil, grown on Rhodes and make some tasty salad dressings which are low fat and high in nutrients, as is locally produced tomatoes either in puree, pulp or cooked whole. Stuffed tomatoes with vine leaves are a popular choice at some Rhodian restaurants.
Afandou village has its own typical dish which many of the restaurants will serve called Pitaroudia. This is a cooked meat dish with the addition of onions and potatoes.
Meat dishes usually contain mutton or goat, either braised or stewed to perfect tenderness and flavour. Locally grown herbs are usually added. MouseKey is a popular Greek dish which is served with meat, aubergines, potatoes and topped with a delicious white sauce.
Fish is popular, particularly as Rhodians eat fish which has been freshly caught that day to maintain absolute freshness. Fish is usually grilled or baked.
Avocado dishes are popular, particularly served with tomato and mint. Eggplants are usually on most Greek menus. Feta cheese is widely used in many countries around the world, particularly as a garnish for Mediterranean salads.
You will find Kleftiko, Baked Lamb, Bekri meze and Giouvetsi (veal) typical Rhodian menus at a lot of the traditional Greek restaurants. Souvlaki is also a traditional meal, this is a kebab with small pieces of meat and vegetables.
Deserts are usually very sweet and probably contain honey which is produced on Rhodes. You might see a typical sweet dish of fried wholemeal bread coated in honey, delicious but full of calories.
In most of the resorts you can experience a range of typical Rhodian meals at very reasonable prices and there are also a variety of fast food restaurants and take aways.
If your palate prefers something more traditionally British, then you will have no problem finding tavernas, restaurants and fast food eateries where you can choose from a choice of typical English menus. There are also a good selection of International restaurants, Chinese, Indian, Italian and Mexican where you can perhaps choose something a little more different to what you are accustomed to.
Nightlife in Rhodes
Rhodes has a rich and varied night life and whatever your choice or taste depending on what you are looking for and where you are staying. There are places you can go, such as Ialyssos, Ixia, Kiotari and more where you will not find anything noisy, just traditional Greek tavernas and restaurants.
However, if you are looking for lots of night entertainment then Faliraki or Rhodes Town are the places to go. There is an abundance of clubs, bars and pubs you won't go wrong with a visit to these resorts after dark.
If you want a quiet drink in an English style pub, it is here or if you want to put on your dancing shoes and dance the night away, then you will find it at Faliraki or Rhodes Town
Some of the better known clubs which attract young tourists each year in Faliraki are Sting, Q Club, Bed, Georges, Liquid and Matrix. Each play a variety of music and you can often find a theme night taking place. Foam parties often take place at Bed and Liquid, so don't forget to take a change of clothes (unless you are happy to get wet).
On a slightly more relaxing note there are also a number of pubs and bars such as Jimmy's, Bedrock, Bondi, Posers and Ziggy's, which is a cocktail bar.
Some of the beach bars also play music well into the night where it is usual for a spot of dancing to take place.
For something a little bit different, The Blue Lagoon bar is built with a swimming pool and in which there is a pirate ship. The theme is all about pirates and the bars are very verdant with lots of palm trees and plants.
In Rhodes Town you will find some trendy bars such as Jamaica, Paffouto and Reflection which is a cocktail bar.
In Rhodes Town there are also 3 cinemas which often show English films (with Greek subtitles) so if you want an evening watching a movie then you have a choice.
There is a casino in Rhodes Town which is open to over 18's. A passport or other form of photo identity must be shown to be allowed in, and dress must be smart. There are over 100 gaming tables and hours of opening are from 20.00 to 05.00.
A lot of evening entertainment takes place in some of the Island's restaurants and tavernas. Here you will find a very traditional atmosphere, where you and your children will be especially welcomed while you have a very peaceful and enjoyable meal.
Rhodes Beaches
Rhodes has such a wide variety of beaches you will have many decisions to make. Depending on what your choice is, whether you are looking for peace and quiet or an action packed time, you will find something for everyone on Rhodes.
Some beaches on Rhodes have Blue Flags which have been awarded for their cleanliness, facilities like sun loungers, toilets and parasols. There are usually toilets and showers on the more organised beaches.
Afandou
The beach is a 20 minute walk from the resort, or you can take the small train from the village to the beach. The beach is a mixture of shingle and sand, long and well serviced with a few beach side bars for refreshments. The sea is gently shelving so is ideal for families and young children. Afandou beach is a usual stop off for the excursion boats and barbecue day trippers. The beach is never too crowded though and ideal for a day under the fresh blue sky. If you enjoy snorkelling or scuba diving there is a collection of rocky caves where you might spot something of the marine life.
Faliraki
It is famous today for its beautiful, long sandy beach which is a well organised beach and where you can enjoy a variety of water sports and sporting activities. It is well equipped with sun beds and parasols and houses many bars and eating establishments so you won't have to wander far away from your lounger. The area around Faliraki also has some fine smaller bays, such as Kathara, Anthony Quinn, Kallithea, Ladiko and Traganou. If you are looking to do some naturism, then there is a nudist beach next to the bay at Kathara. If you are looking for cleanliness then you will be pleased to know that all the beaches have been awarded the European Blue Flag for their fine waters.
Haraki Beach
Haraki is a pretty little bay that remains quiet throughout the season. There are a few facilities and it is best to pick your spot depending on whether you like to sunbathe on large boulders or sand. To the end of the right hand side of the beach you will see wonderful views of the castle of Feraklos.
Ixia
If you want to experience the thrill of high waves, body boarding and wind surfing, then Ixia is your ideal choice.
It is a popular beach for these reasons and therefore, we would advise careful supervision of young children. The beach itself is shingle but is well serviced with plenty of sun beds, parasols and beach cafes, bars and tavernas so you won't have far to go to find something to eat or drink.
Kalithea
The beach is a mixture of sand and shingle and does have some facilities for sunbathing. It is popular with snorkellers who like to see what lurks around the rocks.
Kiotari
The beach is pretty superb, its sand is damp and the area offers plenty of water sports for you to try. The beach is well equipped with sun beds and parasols which you can hire.
Koskinou
Koskinou does not have its own beach, but its closest beach is Reni which is about 2 kilometres from the village centre. The beach at Reni is magnificent and the water is turquoise clear, just simply perfect for a cooling splash or swim. The beach is well organised with plenty of water sports on offer as well as sun beds, parasols and beach bars and cafes.
Kremasti
The beach area provides a place of long stay, in other words you can easily spend your days here lounging and lazing with a good book, or you can take part in any of the organised water sports that are available. The beach is long and never seems too crowded. There are a fine array of eateries and tavernas where you can buy something to quench your thirst.
Ladiko
The actor from Hollywood, Anthony Quinn was charmed by Ladiko's beauty when he filmed The Guns of Navaronehere, consequently there is a bay which has his name. This bay is actually quite steep and rocky, so is perhaps not ideal for young families. However, the little cove at Ladiko has everything to make your holiday pleasant; you can sunbathe, swim and snorkel to your hearts content whilst combining chill outtime in a big way.
Lardos
The beach is a mixture of sand and shingle, but gently shelves into the warm Aegean seas so it is perfectly safe for young children. You will find the beach front well equipped with snack bars and cafes so you won't have to go far to find refreshments.
Lindos
There is a main beach which sits snugly in an enclosed cove and there is a smaller beach at nearby Pallas. Both these beaches do get rather busy in the summer season and it might be advisable to wear beach footwear to protect your feet from urchins which can sometimes be found around the jetty. There is a variety of water sports available from both beaches, as well as sun bathing equipment for hire.
Pefkos
It sits right on the beach which consists of fine sand and the beach provides plenty of snack bars and kiosks for refreshments. The beach is laid back and ideal for you to stretch out with a good book.
Tsambika
Tsambika has a beautiful beach, perhaps one of the prettiest beaches you will find. It has wonderful golden sand, plenty of beach facilities and a sports centre. The water is azure blue and crystal clear.
Vlicha Bay
In the vicinity of Lindos, you will find this pretty and quiet bay of Vlicha which has plenty of sunbathing facilities. It is an unspoilt beach and appeals to anyone who is wishing for a quiet day, sunbathing, swimming and reading a good book.
|