Rhodes, Greece

Local Area

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Top Things to do in Rhodes

Rhodes sets the stage for magical holiday moments, and is known for glorious sunshine, picture-perfect beaches and rich history. The largest of the Greek Dodecanese Islands, Rhodes has a staggering 220km of coastline and 300 days of sunshine per year—in fact, the island rarely sees a drop of rain during the summer months. With warm, calm ocean waters to boot, action-packed beach days come guaranteed on this island. 

Rhodes Weather

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Explore Rhodes

Along with the watersports, Rhodes’ hiking and mountain bike trails will set your pulse racing. But the island offers mental stimulation in spades too. Rhodes Old Town is a UNESCO-listed medieval Old Town, with ancient ruins and art galleries. With so much to see and explore, the island makes for a blockbuster summer holiday. Say hello to a holiday in Rhodes with a stay at our Kamari Beach hotel.

Tucked behind Lardos beach—awarded Blue Flag status for its crystal-clear waters — Kamari Beach Resort delivers the best of Greek island living on your doorstep. The pretty village of Lardos is a 30-minute walk or five-minute car ride away, and home to a charming village square, a variety of tavernas and small shops. 

Spend just 10 minutes longer in the car, and you’ll find one of the island’s most popular destinations: the ancient town of Lindos. Pristine white buildings gleam along the hillside, overlooked by the breathtaking acropolis. With picturesque alleys, tumbling bougainvillaea and many gorgeous restaurants, it’s easy to see why Lindos is considered a must-see.

Pallas Bay Lindos, Rhodes, Greece
Ancient town of Lindos, Rhodes, Greece

Local highlights

But you don’t have to get behind the wheel of a hire car: there’s lots to see just a short bike ride away. Hop on a Mark Warner bike and head east to the village of Pefkos, where there are a number of great, family-run restaurants as well as the lovely Pefki Beach. Alternatively, go west and you’ll discover Paralia Glistra, a beautiful beach with soft sand, a small cafe and clear, shallow waters. 

With endless sunshine and a gentle breeze, Rhodes’ elegant east coast is perfect for long lunches and lazy beach days. But the conditions are also ideal for getting on a paddleboard, mountain bike or spending the day out sailing. Whether you’re racing across the rugged terrain, or through that book you can’t put down, Rhodes’ east coast is an idyllic setting for your holiday. 

The Byzantine Castle of Lardos

Just a 20-minute walk from the resort, you can travel back in time via the remains of an ancient castle. Built in the 12th century, during the Byzantine Era, the castle was once home to Knights who used the fortress to defend the area against their enemies.

St Paul’s Bay

Lindos’ two larger beaches—the main beach and Pallas beach—are both exceptional. But arguably the prettiest beach near the village is St Paul’s Bay. The oasis of calm, turquoise water is almost completely enclosed by rocks on either side. A handful of tavernas are dotted around the cove, plus a small Greek Orthodox chapel.

Acropolis of Lindos

Overlooking the village sits the immaculately-preserved acropolis of Lindos. It’s a steep but short climb to the top and well worth it. Dating back to 6th century BC, the structure features the Temple to Athena Lindia, Hellenistic Stoa and one of the best ocean views on the island.

Local food and drink

With its Mediterranean climate and fertile land, the star features of Rhodian dishes are often fresh vegetables, olive oil and local herbs and spices. Expect to see a rich variety of meze selections, including a range of vegetables and beans, fresh fish, meats, cheeses and creamy Greek yoghurt. 

Local delicacies include rouzetia with skordalia, which are small fried fish eaten whole and served with garlic sauce. You can also find pitaroudia—chickpea fritters made with onions, tomatoes, mint and olive oil—all over Rhodes. Rhodian honey, famous for being high in antioxidants, is another must-try and used in many desserts on the island. 

At Kamari Beach, you’re only minutes away from the best of Greek cooking. For perfect calamari, friendly staff and rooftop views, get a table at Olympia Restaurant in Lindos. Beachfront restaurant Panos is also top-rated, with highlights including its fresh octopus, prawn orzo and Greek tacos. 

To accompany all that great food, Rhodes wine is exceptional—you can taste the island’s sunshine and rich minerals with every sip. But before getting too carried away with the wines, make sure you visit one of Rhode’s many ouzeries and try the Greek national liquor. Meanwhile, beer lovers will rejoice when they try Zythos, which is brewed locally on the island. There is also the locally produced lemon vap – a delicious take on lemonade.

Rhodes Old Town Retail therapy

There are opportunities to buy souvenirs all over Rhodes, but if you want to shop ‘till you drop, head to the Old Town. Just over an hour’s drive away from our Kamari Beach Resort, you’ll find all kinds of souvenirs, jewellery and clothing, plus locally produced olive oil, wine and honey. 

You’ll notice in particular an array of jewellery stores selling modern, classic and antique-reproduction pieces. Tassos Samourakis is a popular choice for reasonably-priced silver and gold jewellery. The area is also known for its leather goods. Savvas Sandals is a highly-rated store selling leather sandals, bags and accessories. For a unique gift, or to brighten up your own home, check out Savas Rhodes Hand Made Gallery which specialises in beautiful, handmade lanterns. 

If you’ve got room in your suitcase for stunning, hand-made ceramics, Faros Ceramic is the place for you. Situated an hour away from the resort, between the villages Paradisi and Theologos, the store is renowned for its top quality products. The owner Mr. George Katinas has been running the business with his wife since 1977. We’ll warn you now: the likelihood of you coming home with extra luggage is high. 

Best days out in Rhodes

Feeling adventurous? A holiday in Rhodes has got you covered. Whether it’s a boat trip, cycling the mountain terrain on one of our bikes, or hiring a car and seeing what you find, opportunities abound for unforgettable days out in Rhodes. 

Rhodes Boat tours

There are multiple boat tours around Rhodes to choose from, whether you fancy a sunset cruise, island hopping or snorkelling. But for a truly unique day out, you can take a tour on a submarine-style glass bottom boat. Departing from the nearby St Paul’s Bay, the 3-hour guided submarine tour will take you underwater around Lindos and Navarone's Bay. With viewing windows providing great views into crystal clear waters, it’s a great way to see the local marine life. You’ll also get to go for a dip at some of the prettiest swimming spots in the area.

Wine tasting

There are two highly-rated, family-run vineyards just a 45-minute taxi ride from the resort: the Piperis Winery and the Alexandris Family Winery. Piperis Winery also produce their own olives and olive oil. At both locations, the friendly owners are on hand to talk you through your tastings and serve up their homemade mezze.

The Valley of Butterflies

An hour’s car ride from the resort, this area of breathtaking natural beauty makes for a perfect day out with kids. The Valley of Butterflies invites you to spot our colourfully-winged friends along with the park’s dense plantlife, ponds and waterfalls. Learn more about the natural world while soaking up the tranquil atmosphere.

Rhodes' best beaches

From Lindos beach to St Paul’s Bay, you’re surrounded by some of Rhodes’ best beaches at our Kamari Beach Resort. But why settle for just that, when there are so many more slices of paradise to explore? Here are three of our favourites less than an hour’s drive away. 

Tsambika Beach

For swathes of golden sand, shallow waters and laid-back beach clubs, take a 30-minute drive to Tsambika beach. Embrace the action and join in a game of beach volleyball, or throw yourself into various watersports. The nearby Seven Springs waterfall is also worth a visit. Alternatively, grab a peaceful spot among the southernmost dunes for a day of relaxation.

Anthony Quinn Bay

This idyllic cove got its name when it became the setting of several scenes of the film “Guns of Navarone”, starring actor Antony Quinn. Visit in spring and you’ll see the surrounding rocks lit up with bright flowers. If you’ve got time, you can tick another beauty spot off your list—the adjacent and equally lovely Ladiko Beach.

Kalithea Springs

For a dose of history and beach life in one, visit Kalithea Springs—a 50-minute car ride away. The public baths (which are no longer operational) were built by the island’s Italian occupiers in 1929. Explore the intricate mosaics and white domed buildings, followed by a dip in the palm and pine-lined cove below.

Rhodes culture and history

Looking for a history-fix? The walls encircling Rhodes Old Town, and its stone Palace of the Grandmasters, have barely changed since their medieval origins. With breathtaking architecture, plus museums and galleries, the cultural centre of the island delivers inspiration in abundance.

Rhodes Old Town

This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in the 14th century by the Knights of Saint John. The Ottomans later conquered Rhodes Town in 1522, and the Knights fled to Malta. However, rather than destroying the fortress and town walls, the Ottomans maintained the structures, which have remained unchanged ever since. Inside the town walls you’ll discover a mix of Byzantine, Turkish and Italian architecture, reflecting the island’s various occupiers. Highlights include the Street of the Knights, the Medieval Clock Tower and the Mosque of Suleymaniye. The Old Town includes three distinct quarters. The Knight’s Quarter is made up of austere stone mansions, while the Turkish Quarter sprawls across the centre with its maze-like alleyways, old mosques and many restaurants and shops. Meanwhile, the Jewish Quarter in the southeast is the more residential area of the Old Town. Only 151 of its 5,500 inhabitants survived the Second World War—a history detailed at the nearby Jewish Museum of Rhodes.

Archaeological Museum of Rhodes

While visiting Rhodes medieval Old Town, you can travel even further back in time via the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes. The museum is inside the medieval Hospital of the Knights of Saint John. Here you can see statues, pottery and jewellery dating to the late Neolithic period (4,000 BC). One marble statue—Aphrodite Bathing—dates back to the 1st century BC, while a reconstructed burial site takes you back to 1630 BC. The museum also includes attractive gardens and mosaic floors from the Hellanistic period.

Modern Greek Art Museum

For an interesting contrast to all that ancient history, enjoy some more contemporary culture at the Modern Greek Art Museum, which opened in 1964. The main gallery showcases work by 20th century artists and is one of the most significant collections of modern Greek painting in Greece. Discover more about the history and soul of the country through the sculptures, paintings, drawings and engravings. You can find the main gallery at the entrance to the Old Town in Rhodes. The museum has two smaller galleries inside the Old Town. The New Gallery sits in the pretty Hundred Palms Square and includes more work by famous Greek artists. Meanwhile, the Modern Art Center is dedicated to temporary exhibitions, while also exhibiting old maps and engravings of Rhodes.