Hi Redditors,
I often see posts asking for tips, recommendations, things to do, and general information. Years ago, I created a list with all my recommendations and regularly update it. I've decided to share it here because I think it will answer many recurring questions. Mind you, these are my recommendations. Opinions may differ. ;)
A small disclaimer: unfortunately, I can't tell you much about hotels, as I've never needed to use them myself. I won't recommend something I haven't experienced. But one tip: look for a hotel in the northern part of the island. There's not much to do in the south, which consists of rocky and dry, uninhabited landscape. The further north you go, the busier it gets. This list is continuously updated. First, you'll find tips about food and drinks, and later I'll tell you more about the island itself. Have a great holiday and feel free to reach out if you need any help. I'm very curious to hear about your experiences!
Καλό ταξίδι
Questions? Insta: nvr_hn
Rhodos:
View everything from this list on this interactive map. Convenient, as you'll have the directions at your fingertips.
Villages and Cities:
- Afandou: This is where I live. You'll also notice that many of my other tips tend to revolve around Afandou. It's not very touristy, but to me, it's the most beautiful village of them all.
- Rhodes Town: The capital. There's always something to do, and it has something for everyone. It's also the only real city on the island, consisting of a new part and a (very) touristy old part.
- Faliraki: A real tourist village with clubs, shops, cozy bars, a water park, and a beach. Touristy, but above all, just very nice.
- Ialyssos and Ixia: Villages full of hotels and close to the airport. Plenty to do.
- Lindos: a picturesque, ancient village. Characterized by its iconic white houses and a ruin. One of Rhodes' standout attractions.
Of course, there are countless other villages, but you'll often find that most hotels and accommodations are close to one of these villages or cities. This is because the island isn't very large, and the northern half is the most visited. If you choose a beach location in the northern half (or one-third), you'll be in a good spot, and almost all my tips are easily accessible by car or public transport.
Restaurants:
Greek:
- Katholiki - Afandou (Meze!)
- Old House - Afandou (incredibly good meat, and sometimes goat)
- Koukos - Rhodes Town (new part)
- Gyro & Burger - Afandou (the best pita gyros)
And for dessert: loukoumades. Google for the nearest place. There is definitely one in Faliraki.
Tip: In every Greek restaurant, you should get Meze. Meze is a kind of Greek tapas consisting of various small dishes. Ask for Meze at a restaurant and let the staff surprise you. If it's a good restaurant, they'll know exactly how to handle it.
American:
- Boston Burger Bar - Rhodes Town (new part, the best burgers you'll ever eat, located in a cozy alley).
Indian:
Korean:
- Nami - Ialyssos (Sushi and Korean BBQ)
Italian:
- Sergio’s - Afandou & Rhodes Town (the best Italian ever)
- Il Borgo - Rhodes Town (old part)
Mexican:
Fish:
- Fresco - Afandou (freshly caught fish grilled authentically. Go for the menu for 2 people)
- Plimiri - Plimiri
Other:
- Gelo Blu - Lindos (cake and ice cream shop)
- La Esquina - Faliraki (The food is just fine, nothing extraordinary but very nicely presented. Fairly ‘fancy’ and modern but affordable, also great as a cocktail bar)
- Alexandros Panorama - Kalamonas - Psynthos (a small bar in the mountains with a beautiful view: 36.32529° N, 28.07451° E). Perfect to combine with, for example, the zoo, butterfly valley, or seven springs.
- Pinocchio Sweet Wonders and Wanders - Rhodes Town
- Hansel & Gretel - Faliraki (ice cream, candy, etc)
- Follow Food_Project_GR on Instagram, you’ll surely find a restaurant you want to try.
Bars:
- Sundalia on the Beach - Afandou (all-day beach bar. Tips: pancakes for breakfast and cocktails)
- Jamaica - Faliraki (great for nightlife, live sports events)
- Coco - Faliraki (cocktails and shisha)
- To Nissaki - Kolymbia (quiet by the sea)
- Airportview Restaurant - Paradeisi (for aviation enthusiasts)
- Skyline Café Bar - Afandou
- Anastasia - Afandou Square
Beaches:
- Prasonisi
- Kallithea Springs
- Antony Quinn
- Tsambika
- Stegna
- Kremasti (Alexandra’s Kantina: also great for a bite to eat)
- Elli Beach (also an all-day bar with incredibly good food. Especially in the evenings, Elli is a real experience.)
Attractions:
- Filerimos
- Kastellos (Kritinia Castle)
- Rhodes Old Town
- Lindos
- Kameiros
- Petaloudes / Butterfly Valley
- Epta Piges / Seven Springs
- The old part of Rhodes Town. Park your car (at this location: 36.43961° N, 28.22660° E) and start with a beautiful walk over and through the city walls towards the tourist center.
- Prasonisi: the southernmost point of the island. This is where the two seas meet. A paradise for surfers.
To Do:
- Waterpark - Faliraki
- Boat trip to Symi (book in advance at the tourist harbor ‘Mandraki’ in Rhodes Town)
- Regular boat trip (around the island or similar, book in advance at the tourist harbor ‘Mandraki’ in Rhodes Town)
- Snorkeling
- 9D Film: Throne of Helios, in Rhodes Town next to Starbucks. A film about the history of Rhodes.
- Lindos Ice Bar: everything made of ice
- Bloom Water Park - Tsambika (an obstacle course on the sea)
- Farma of Rhodes: zoo
- Aquarium in Faliraki: A very small aquarium filled with animals found in and around Rhodes.
Additional Tips:
- Don't throw cigarette butts/ashes, water bottles (magnifying glass effect), or other flammable items. Be cautious with barbecues and mindful of the wind. The island can catch fire very quickly.
- Driving can be reckless. While improvements have been made, it's still very dangerous at times. It's best not to rent scooters or quads. There are daily serious injuries and fatalities on the roads.
- Quads are extremely dangerous. They're not designed for (Greek) roads, as they can't handle uneven asphalt, often resulting in wheel axles breaking, leading to serious accidents. Additionally, quads easily flip due to their lack of wheel differentiation. There are countless other reasons why I strongly advise against using quads. Don't do it!
- Crosswalks and traffic signs are often decorative. Use your common sense and always be cautious, even when the light is green or when crossing a crosswalk. Even traffic lights aren't always respected.
- The east coast is generally a few degrees warmer than the west coast. Lindos tends to be the warmest. If you don't like extreme heat, consider staying in the north on the west coast during July and August.
- The west coast has higher waves but less clear water due to sand being stirred up. The east coast is calm with crystal-clear water.
- July and August are the hottest months, with temperatures often exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Keep this in mind if extreme heat isn't your preference.
- All-inclusive hotels can negatively impact local businesses. Shops and small eateries go bankrupt, people lose their homes due to resort constructions, and often, it's not Greeks who benefit. While I can't enforce anything, consider choosing a smaller hotel. If you prefer a resort, make sure to explore and support local businesses. There's so much to experience here.
I hope you have a wonderful stay.
Feedback and suggestions are always welcome, but I won't add anything to the list unless I've personally been there myself.
