
Our honeymoon was nearly a year ago – can you believe it? I can’t. It feels like just yesterday we were planning out our great adventure!
Ever since I can remember, Greece has been my top bucket list place to visit. Being able to travel there last year for our honeymoon was incredibly exciting and special. And, now that we’ve visited Rhodes and Symi I can’t wait to go back to explore more of the Greek Islands.
When you hear about people traveling to Greece, you often hear about Athens, Santorini, or Mykonos but while we were looking up places to visit we kept finding ourselves looking at Rhodes.

How to Get There
There are two ways to get there: either you can fly into the Rhodes Airport, or you can ferry from Athens or another one of the main islands.
We flew directly from London which seemed to us the fastest and most convenient way to get there. Flying from London to Rhodes only took about 4 hours.
If you’re in Athen’s then you could also fly to Rhodes. That flight only takes about 40 minutes.
Or, there’s also the option to ferry from Athens which takes about 12 to 17 hours.

Where to Stay
While we were in Rhodes, we stayed in a luxury villa in Vlycha Bay.
Our villa was super close to Lindos and we could easily drive or cab there in under 10 minutes.
A lot of people that visit the island of Rhodes will stay either near Rhodes Old Town or in another town called Faliraki, that’s also near the North end of the island. I would highly recommend though you stay close to, or in, Lindos. It’s a magical little town near the middle-point of the island that has a bit of everything, and we absolutely loved it there.

Our villa just outside of Lindos was incredibly beautiful and super comfortable. It really blew our expectations out of the water.
The upper level of the house had a full kitchen, living room area with a TV and fireplace, 1 bathroom, and a beautiful outdoor patio space complete with a pizza-oven style BBQ, infinity swimming pool and shower. Oh, and let’s not forget the panoramic ocean view of Vlycha Bay!
Downstairs there were 3 bedrooms (one had 2 twin beds, the other 2 rooms had queen beds) and access to another outdoor space. Next to the downstairs bedroom area, there was another suite that had another bedroom & bathroom and even their own small kitchen.

In addition to the house being so beautiful, we were also totally impressed by the house manager – Nikki. She went above and beyond to ensure our first night was comfortable. She knew we were flying in late, so she stocked the house with some snacks, wine, and beer. In addition, anytime issues arose at the house; she quickly responded to us and helped us out.
I couldn’t recommend these villas more. We loved our experience even more in Greece because we had such a wonderful and comfortable home to come back to at the end of the day – and also a great pool to jump into in that 40+ heat.

The Ultimate Rhodes Travel Guide
Day Trips and Excursions
There are tons of things to do in Rhodes!
The island of Rhodes is jam-packed with amazing things to do and see. Whether you’re sticking around the old town, or wanting to head out to Lindos, you’ll have endless options.
Since we ended up staying in Vlycha Bay, we found ourselves most often going into Lindos, the neighboring town. It’s only about 10 minutes away in a car and it’s really such a beautiful place to visit. Vehicles need to park on the outer perimeter, and you can simply walk around the town – it’s so adorable and scenic that you can absolutely get blissfully lost there for hours. If you’re visiting, I really recommend that you set aside a few hours just to enjoy strolling around the city, grabbing a bite on one of the many rooftop patios, and shopping the local-owned stores. And, of course, set aside some time to check out the Acropolis and St. Pauls Bay – but we’ll get more into that later.
Here are a few things I think are absolute essentials to see and do during your time in Rhodes:

Visit the Acropolis of Lindos
If you’re in Rhodes then you must make the trip to Lindos to see the acropolis. One of the major highlights from our trip was our morning spent exploring the acropolis. It really was one of the coolest things I have ever seen in my whole life.


You do have to pay to get into the acropolis, but when we were there it was only 12.00 euros per person which is really cheap in comparison to many other historical site entry fees.
Like most other historical sites, going during peak times of the day means that you’ll be viewing it with a large crowd of people. So, rather than going on a tour or midday, we decided to get up early so we could arrive right at opening.
We ended up having a full hour with the acropolis pretty much all to ourselves which was really great. It allowed us to get photos and videos without having other people in them, and it allowed us to go and read the information plaques without having to wait in crowds and line-ups.



Parts of the Acropolis of Lindos date back to 300 BC, like the Doric Temple of Athena Lindia. So much of the acropolis is still standing which makes it an incredibly unique experience to be able to go and see. So, if you have the chance – don’t miss out on this incredible historical site!
Read more on the Acropolis of Lindos here, and find more information on Wikipedia.
Take a Trip through History in Rhodes Old Town:
Rhodes is such a unique place to visit. This medieval city is home to the Palace of the Grand Master, Knight’s Street, Archaeological Museum, and Roloi Clock Tower. There is so much history here and while it may cost you to get into the museum, you can walk around and take in the Old Town entirely for free.
Listen and Learn at Kahal Shalom Synagogue and Rhodes Jewish Museum
Another spot to visit during your time in Rhodes Old Town is the Kahal Shalom Synagogue and Rhodes Jewish Museum. This museum shows the history of the Jewish community in Rhodes as well as the horrific atrocities the Jewish community faced during World War 2.
I was deeply moved and impacted during our time at the Kahal Shalom Synagogue and Rhodes Jewish Museum to learn that Rhodes once had a Jewish community of nearly 4,000 people and because of the holocaust there were less than 40 today. I truly feel that this is a place everyone should visit while visiting Rhodes.


Explore Feraklos Castle
One spot we just happened upon while we were driving around the Island was Feraklos Castle.
The Feraklos Castle was built in the 15th century and its ruins are located just outside of Charaki (Haraki) town center. These ruins overlook the town and the beautiful blue ocean. It’s incredibly scenic and beautiful.


Getting to the Feraklos Castle is super easy so if you’re not up for a big hike, don’t worry – it’ll only take you 5-10 minutes to reach the top of the hill to see the ruins. And, seeing the Feraklos Castle ruins is also entirely free which is really unique. You can simply drive up to it, hike up the small hill, and explore. There is also a really neat cave at the base that goes right through the hill — watch out for bats!


Ancient Olympic Stadium
If you’re in Rhodes Old Town then make sure you visit the Ancient Olympic Stadium! We ended up walking there from the town center and it took us about 20 minutes, so if you’re not up for a little walk then just grab a taxi.
Like the Feraklos Castle ruins, the Ancient Olympic Stadium is completely free to visit and you’re able to really explore it. Unlike many historical sites, there aren’t any roped off sections so you can climb the stairs and walk around the stadium benches freely. It’s really unique.


Tsambika Monastery
During one of our first (and warmest) days in Rhodes, we decided to visit the Tsambika Monastery.
The Tsambika Monastery is on top of a hill and overlooks Tsambika beach. The views from the top are absolutely breathtaking.
To reach the Tsambika Monastery you need to climb up 350 stairs. Admittedly, during the heatwave last year – this was surprisingly tough. But, if the weather hadn’t been so warm this wouldn’t have been a hard climb.
The legend of the Tsambika Monastery is that women who were experiencing difficulty with their fertility would climb up the stairs, barefoot, to pray to the Virgin of Fertility.
At the top, we were told to take a small piece of cotton, dip it in the holy oil outside the chapel, and wrap it in tin foil to bring it home. This small piece of cotton is intended to help with fertility.


Take a Dip in St. Paul’s Bay
Rhodes is home to many beautiful beaches, but there’s something special about St. Paul’s Bay and the next beach we’ll be talking about.
This beach is next to the city of Lindos so while you’re cooling off in St. Paul’s Bay you can actually see the beautiful bright white city as well as the Acropolis of Lindos. And, in the cove, there’s even a beautiful Greek Orthodox chapel. It’s all pretty incredible and picturesque.
This scenic spot has clear water for snorkeling, cute restaurants and bars, and is just a beautiful spot to enjoy the sunshine.
My one recommendation is to get there early so you can snag a spot on the beach! This is one of the busiest beaches on Rhodes and it can be hard to get a spot to lay your beach towel down if you arrive late.


Soak up the Sun at Anthony Quinn Bay
Another great spot to snorkel at is Anthony Quinn Bay! This beach is named after the film star in “The Guns of Navarone” which was filmed there in 1961.
We ended up spending a full day at Anthony Quinn Bay because it was such a beautiful and relaxing spot to just enjoy the beach, water, and sunshine. We loved it.


Anthony Quinn Bay has stunning emerald green water that is super clear and perfect for snorkeling and swimming in. While the main beach area can get quite busy, and finding parking in the above parking lot can be a bit challenging, we ended up finding a spot to throw our beach towels down along the side of the beach. And, we lucked out because along that side of the beach there were $4 beers being sold.
One thing to note though is that the rocks along the side of the beach are quite sharp so I recommend you wear water shoes to help you navigate them.

Beach Bum the Day Away at Lachania Beach (Mojito Beach Bar)
One of the first spots we visited during our time on Rhodes was Lachania Beach.
This beach is quite pebbly but the water is super clear and blue, making it a perfect spot to cool off for a bit.
Lachania Beach is also home to Mojito Beach Bar (which is actually what we were told the beach itself was named at first: Mojito Beach! Kind of catchy, isn’t it?) which apparently serves up a delicious mojito and great food.
We didn’t get to try any of the dishes there, but we did think the beach was stunning and the atmosphere there was really fun and unique.


Prasonisi Beach
Have you ever thought about where two oceans actually meet and join together? Well, one spot of collision is on Prasonisi Beach! If you walk to the very end of the beach you’ll see the Mediterranean and Aegean seas collide – and it’s pretty cool to see the deep blue and emerald green oceans mix.
This beautiful two-sided sandy beach that is a total hot-spot for surfers, wind-surfers, and kite fliers. We were totally amazed by all the people slicing through the waves and making insanely cool jumps into the air. As a total risk-averse person, I was in awe of these adventurous dare-devils!
Where to Eat
Alright, there are SO many amazing places to eat in around Lindos – I truly do not even know where to start. All I can say is when you go out to dine, go with an empty stomach because you’re going to want to really explore the menus, and enjoy your meal.
Here are a few spots I think you should absolutely check out, though honestly – you can’t go wrong anywhere in Lindos!


Klimis Taverna
While Klimis Taverna is a little bit of a drive from Vlycha Bay and Lindos, it is well worth the trek.
Our Villa manager said this was her go-to place for fresh seafood, and if we had a car, we had to go – so, we went the very next day. I cannot even begin to describe to you just how amazing our meal was. But just so you get the idea: It was one of the best meals I’ve ever had in my life.
Jeremy and I shared an Octopus in Vinegar dish that was mind-blowingly good (something we’ve since researched a ton because we are desperate to be able to make it ourselves at home) followed by a vibrant and fresh greek sala, and finished with a crispy fried fish dish that was unlike anything I’ve ever had before.
So, if you have a car while you’re in Rhodes – make the trip. It’s worth it.


Golfer Restaurant
Another spot to drive to is Golfer Restaurant!
This beautiful family-owned restaurant totally blew us away. The family that runs this establishment is the definition of hospitality.
While we were there we met Fanis who is the son of the owner of Golfer Restaurant. He helped us through our culinary journey there and made suggestions for dishes along the way that we absolutely loved. He was so friendly, warm, and welcoming.
Fanis even let us know that if we chose to come back that we should give him a call so that his family could prep a very special authentic Greek dish for us to try. So, we did just that!
We returned to the restaurant to enjoy some of “Mama’s Special” and their famous Lamb Kleftiko. It was absolutely delicious.

All I can say about this restaurant is there is something so unique and special about it. When you dine there, it’s like you’re a part of the family and they just want you to have the most wonderful time.
Our experience at Golfer Restaurant is one of my favourite memories from our entire trip. Even though our usual rule of thumb is to always try somewhere new when traveling, this is the one restaurant we made an exception at on Rhodes and visited twice.

Kalypso
Another beautiful spot in Lindos is Kalypso.
If you’re heading in town to Lindos then definitely stop in at Kalypso and make sure you sit on the rooftop for a full view of Lindos and the Acropolis.
We ended up going here for dinner and we absolutely loved our meal. We all ended up getting different pasta dishes – all of which were absolutely delicious.
While the food is fantastic, the view from the rooftop is really what makes this experience over the top. We were awe-struck to be able to see all the white-topped buildings in Lindos and also the acropolis all lit-up at night.
It’s an absolutely beautiful spot to enjoy great food and take in the beauty of Lindos.

Yiannis
If you’re in Rhodes Old town then one spot to definitely stop in at is Yiannis.
After a day of exploring Old Town, we decided to pop into Yiannis for some bites and drinks and I am so glad we did cause we had such a lovely time there.
There were more than just a few great things about Yiannis – the prices, the location, the food, and the people were all exceptional.
If you’re in Rhodes Town and you’re looking for a beautiful place to rest after a day of walking around, definitely go to Yiannis.


Argo
Another location you’ll need a car to get to is Argo.
Argo is located in a small town outside of Rhodes Town (and just before Lindos) called Haraki (Charaki). We actually ended up visiting Haraki because we spotted Feraklos Castle while driving.
We decided to stop, hike up the small hill to check out the Feraklos Castle ruins and it was one of our favourite experiences from our time in Rhodes.
Anyways, while we were exploring Feraklos Castle ruins we realized we hadn’t yet visited the town next to it, Haraki. So, we decided to make a point to come back and enjoy a dinner there for another one of our “date nights” while our friends were in Lindos for the night.
We started our meal with some oysters followed by a seafood platter complete with grilled sardines, muscles, squid, and prawns. For dessert, we enjoyed a sweet whipped yogurt mousse with a preserve on top.

At the end of our wonderful meal, our server asked if we would be interested to see all the fresh fish their local fisherman had caught that day and so we ended up going into the back of the restaurant to see all the fresh catches. It was a really neat experience.
We loved our meal at Argo. The food was wonderful, the service was incredible, the view was beautiful and just the overall experience was delightful. I highly recommend it.


Nightlife in Lindos:
Courtyard Bar
After dinner one night we all decided to go to the Courtyard Bar for a cocktail and we loved it. It’s a lively place where you can enjoy a fun cocktail while taking in the view of the acropolis.
They also often have affordable drink specials like $4 shots so if you’re on a budget this place does offer great affordable drinks.
Lindos by Night
Lindos by Night is a fun cocktail bar you must go to if you’re in Lindos!
We ended up trying Lindos by Night on one of our final nights in Rhodes and we were so sad we didn’t try it sooner. It definitely would’ve been a spot we went back to had we tried it earlier.
While the cocktails were a bit on the pricy side, they were delicious and super unique. The ambiance of this bar is also really unique. It’s a very upbeat and fun place to be and we really loved it.
Arches (club)
If sitting around at a cocktail bar isn’t for you, and you’d rather dance the night away then you must go to Arches.
We aren’t ones to frequent nightclubs but when we saw the party starting at Arches Open Air Club one night after exploring Lindos, we knew we had to make a point of coming back and clubbing before our trip was over.
Arches Open-Air Club opens it’s doors at about midnight and we ended up going there at about 2:00 AM – right when the party was really beginning to start and we didn’t end up leaving until sometime later that morning – around 5:00 AM. I think that alone says it: it was a LOT of fun.
So, if you’re looking for a spot to let loose and dance the night (and morning) away then you gotta go to Arches.


Other Recommendations:
Rent a Car
One thing we found super valuable to have during our time in Rhodes was a vehicle.
While we could’ve bussed around to some of the locations we ended up going, it was just so easy and convenient to be able to have a car to hop in to for day excursions, grabbing groceries, and bopping around the island.
And, it was REALLY nice to get off our flight from London knowing we had a car waiting for us at the airport. We just hopped in and drove to our villa – rather than worrying about getting a taxi or bus to travel there.

Go with a Group of Friends
There are so many pluses to going on holiday with friends. First of all, it’s super fun. But going with a group also allows you to book a place to stay that would otherwise be too expensive.
We absolutely LOVED the villa we stayed in. It was beautiful, spacious, and diving into the pool ended up being a part of our daily routines. Had we not been traveling with our group of friends, there would be no way we would’ve had this incredible experience and place to stay.
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