13 Of The Best Things To Do in Rhodes For A Great Greek Island Holiday

Planning a holiday to Rhodes in Greece? This stunning island in the southeastern Aegean Sea is a top destination for travelers seeking a mix of history, natural beauty, and sun-soaked beaches. As the largest of the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes really does offer something for everyone—so whether you’re a history enthusiast, a beach lover, or a foodie in search of authentic Greek cuisine, you’re likely to find it here.

Read More: 4 Relaxing Day Trips In Rhodes

Famous for its well-preserved Medieval Old Town, ancient ruins, crystal-clear waters, and more than 300 days of sunshine each year, Rhodes is one of the best Greek islands to visit for both adventure and relaxation. From exploring the UNESCO-listed Old Town to discovering hidden coves and traditional mountain villages, there are endless things to see and do.

You can’t go wrong with a Greek island holiday, but Rhodes is one of my favorite places to go. Here are 13 of the best things to do in Rhodes so that you can have a memorable trip!

13 Of The Best Things To Do In Rhodes

1. Take A Day Trip To Symi
2. Wander Around Rhodes Old Town
3. Go Horseback Riding On The Beach
4. Beach Day At Anthony Quinn’s Bay
5. Enjoy A Beer At The Mule’s Brew
6. Stroll The Streets Of Lindos
7. Walk Up To Lindos Acropolis
8. Take A Boat Trip
9. Eat Delicious Gyros
10. Visit The Palace Of The Grand Master
11. Relax At St Paul’s Bay
12. Visit The Valley Of The Butterflies
13. Spend An Afternoon Wine Tasting

Take A Day Trip To Symi

One of the best day trips you can do in Rhodes is to venture over to the neighboring island of Symi. Located 50 minutes by fast boat, and around 2 hours by a slower ferry, Symi is a great way to experience another way of island life.

Its colorful harbor is one of the most gorgeous places I’ve seen, and many tours spend a few hours here, which is the perfect amount of time to grab a bite to eat and explore the streets of Symi. Depending on the tour you pick, you’ll also get to enjoy a swim stop at the beautiful St. George’s Bay—a perfect refresher after the boat journey from Rhodes.

Wander Around Rhodes Old Town

The Old Town of Rhodes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s easy to see why when you’re walking the cobbled streets. We spent a lot of time here during our vacation in Rhodes, and walking around, through the imposing city walls into what felt like a piece of living history, never got old.

One of my favorite parts is the Street of Knights—wander through here early evening and you can really imagine what it was like way back in the 14th century. The rest of Rhodes Old Town is a lively hub of restaurants, shops, narrow lanes, cute courtyard bars, and busy squares—perfect for dinner and a drink in the late evening summer heat.

Go Horseback Riding On The Beach

A unique way to enjoy Rhodes’ landscape is via horseback. Choose from enjoying a ride on the beach at sunset or early morning while the world is waking up. Suitable even for inexperienced riders, you’ll be taken through gorgeous countryside trails and between olive trees, all while being expertly guided by your host and horse.

What’s more, you’ll be given photos taken throughout your experience—a gorgeous souvenir to take home with you!

Enjoy A Beach Day At Anthony Quinn’s Bay

Anthony Quinn’s Bay is my favorite beach in Rhodes. Located around 10 minutes’ drive from Faliraki and 30 minutes from Rhodes Town, Anthony Quinn’s Bay is easy to reach for a beach day in the sun. There are facilities here including toilets and a refreshment bar, so you can easily spend all day here. If you don’t want to enjoy the beach but still want to soak up the atmosphere, head to Kounna Beach Bar where you can enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner—or just a drink if you fancy—with great views of Anthony Quinn’s Bay.

Another beach I’d recommend is Tsambika Beach—a long expanse of sand backed by all the facilities you need for a day by the sea. There’s a huge selection of beach bars, activity stands if you fancy trying your hand at bodyboarding or having fun on a banana boat, as well as huts where you can enjoy a massage!

Both Anthony Quinn’s Bay and Tsambika Beach are suitable for families, but I’d say Tsambika Beach has a better setup in terms of facilities, while the water at Anthony Quinn’s Bay is a lot calmer.

Grab A Beer At The Mule’s Brew

If you like beer, head out to The Mule’s Brew between Faliraki and Lindos. This is Rhodes’ only microbrewery, so you’re in for a real treat. Located just off the roadside, it’s a perfect pit stop while exploring Rhodes and you can choose from a range including a pilsner, IPA, lager, house ale, or stout among a few others. If you can’t decide, the friendly staff will help you pick—or why not order a flight and sample a few?

Stroll The Streets Of Lindos

Lindos is another great day trip to enjoy if you get the chance. Bookended by two beautiful bays and its acropolis towering over the compact streets and white buildings, it’s a sight to behold as you arrive. Although it looks calm and unassuming at first, get into the town and it’s a bustling place full of pretty independent shops, rooftop bars, and restaurants—perfect to while away the hours!

There are plenty of organized tours available from across Rhodes (ideal if you don’t want to rent a car for the day), with many including a guided walk around the narrow streets and Lindos Acropolis. If you’re happy to explore under your own steam, take a couple of hours to wander between the whitewashed buildings, stopping anywhere that catches your eye!

If you’re a photographer, this place is a dream—even if you’re not, make sure your phone is charged because Lindos is a very photogenic town!

Walk Up To Lindos Acropolis

While you’re in Lindos, take a walk up to Lindos Acropolis. Even if you’re not a history buff, like me, this place is incredible to see. Although it can feel like a trek up to Lindos Acropolis, it’s worth it, even if just for the views of Lindos itself.

At the top, you’ll walk into a bit of history where you’ll find the Temple of Athena Lindia and a Byzantine church, as well as remnants of the Knights’ period fortifications. Keep your eyes peeled for the stone carving of an ancient trireme, a warship said to be an offering to Athena Lindia and a symbol of Rhodes’ rich maritime history.

Guided tours are available or add an audio guide to your ticket if you want to explore at your own pace. Alternatively, there are plenty of signs around Lindos Acropolis with lots of information about the history of the site.

Opening Times:
June – August: Monday to Sunday: 08:00 – 19:00 (Last entry 19:00)
September: Monday to Sunday: 08:00 – 18:00 (Last entry 18:30)
October: Monday to Sunday: 08:00 – 17:00 (Last entry 17:30)
Winter Season: Monday to Sunday: 08:00 – 16:00 (Last entry 16:30)

Ticket Price: Between €22 – €25

Take A Boat Trip

Technically, the day trip to Symi can be classed as a boat trip, but there are others that will take you around the bays and beaches of Rhodes—with plenty of time to enjoy the blue waters and snorkel in the clear seas.

There are loads of options to choose from, including all-day boat trips to Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Bay, and Kallithea Springs, or maybe you’d prefer a sunset boat trip with a Greek BBQ? Whichever option you go for, you’re going to see Rhodes from a completely different viewpoint and have a relaxing time while you’re at it!

Eat Delicious Gyros

You can’t go to Greece and not eat gyros. This is a staple street food you’ll find on most menus around Rhodes, and it’s a delicious soft pita bread filled with meat, onion, tomato, tzatziki, and fries. It’s tasty and good value if you’re traveling on a budget. There are a lot of places dotted around Rhodes Old Town where you can pick up this cheap eat, or you’ll find it on many restaurant menus around the island.

Visit The Palace Of The Grand Master

You can’t miss the Palace of the Grand Master in Rhodes. Whether you’re paying a visit or not, this medieval castle towers over Rhodes Town and creates quite an imposing sight. This is said to be where the ancient temple of the sun god, Helios, once stood, with the palace built in the late 7th century as a Byzantine citadel. After being rebuilt between 1937 and 1940, following demolition during the Italian ruling of Rhodes, the castle eventually became a museum in 1948. Open year-round, it’s an amazing insight into the medieval history of Rhodes and its occupation by the Knights.

Opening Times:
November 1 to March 31 – 08:30-15:30. Closed on Tuesdays. Byzantine Exhibition and “Ancient Rhodes” exhibition closed.
April 1 to October 31

• Byzantine Exhibition: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 09:00-17:00
• “Ancient Rhodes” exhibition: Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday 09:00-17:00
• Gardens of the Grand Master’s Palace: 09:00-17:00

Relax At St. Paul’s Bay

St. Paul’s Bay, next to Lindos, is a great place to enjoy a beach day if you’re vacationing near Lindos. It’s perfect for snorkeling, has comfortable beach beds to relax on, and a beach bar for when you’re feeling peckish.

It’s easy to combine a visit to St. Paul’s Bay with a morning in Lindos – explore historic sites in the morning and enjoy the beach in the afternoon! You do have to pay for sunbeds or a cabana at this beach – when I visited in 2022, this was €30 for two sunbeds, and although I wouldn’t usually want to pay for a sunbed, it was worth it for an afternoon on the beach.

Visit The Valley Of The Butterflies

If you’re more into nature than history, or you just want to see a different side of Rhodes, take a trip to the Valley of the Butterflies. Butterfly season is June, July, and August, so visiting in the summer months gives you a good chance of seeing the species Panaxia quadripunctaria. In the off-season though, this place is still wonderful as you can explore the nature reserve full of Oriental Sweetgum—one of the only places in Europe where these trees grow!

As with most attractions in Rhodes, you can hop onto an organized trip here if you’re not driving around the island.

You can combine a trip to the Valley of the Butterflies with a visit to Seven Springs Valley, named—unsurprisingly—after the seven springs that flow through the hillside and the pine and plane tree forest.

Opening Times: 08:00am – 6:00pm daily
Ticket Price: €6

Spend An Afternoon Wine Tasting

One of the best ways to get to know a new country, I believe, is through its wine. Although wine isn’t Rhodes’ main product, the island and Greece have a fascinating history around this delicious drink—so what better way to learn than by enjoying a wine tasting? A great activity to do if you like wine or if the weather isn’t so great one day of your vacation!

So, there are lots of things to do in Rhodes—but which will you be enjoying on your trip?