Rhodes holidays

Things to do

Explore your destination

Here's a little taste of what's on offer: for more excursion ideas, speak to your Rep.

Lindos by Boat
Off in search of the perfect spot for a splash, your boat cruises around the east coast of Lindos. You'll also scale the tabletop mountain to view Lindos's Acropolis, before sailing back to Rhodes Town.

Symi
Taking to the sea from Rhodes Town, this relaxing cruise docks in Symi Harbour, where you'll be welcomed by quaint shops, traditional tavernas and colourful houses, capped by cinnamon-coloured roofs.

Waterpark
From the lazy river and pirates' ship to the wave pool and kamikaze, you'll find three levels of attractions at this fun-packed waterpark, with a small train helping you save energy for the slides.

Highlights

• Zooming down fun slides, riding the waves and chilling out in the lazy river at Faliraki’s waterpark on your Rhodes holiday
• Exploring crumbling temples and a 14th century church at Ialyssos near Rhodes Town; a must on any holiday in Rhodes
• Visiting Tsambika Monastery, Tsambika, where, legend has it, if a woman walks up the 350 steps to pray to the Virgin Mary, she’ll be blessed with children
• Climbing Lindos’s winding roads, by foot or donkey, to ramble in its cliff top acropolis, where Romans and Byzantines lived and home of the 4th century BC Temple of Athena
• Wandering around Rhodes Town’s medieval streets on your holiday, seeing the impressive Palace of the Grand Masters and the knights’ quarter
• Feeling the sea breeze as you enjoy ferry rides from Rhodes to Turkey and the nearby island of Symi
• Strolling around the little cobbled streets of whitewashed Lindos, taking a break in the beautiful shops, trendy bars and rooftop restaurants
• Roaming through the Butterfly Valley of Petaloudes, seeing if you can spot the yellow and black-winged Jersey Tiger moths who breed here in the summer
• Sailing through Mandraki Harbour’s entrance, once guarded by the Colossus of Rhodes, a huge statue of Helios, god of the sun, it was one of the Seven Wonders of the World

Food and drink

You’ll find international restaurants, seafood eateries and traditional Greek tavernas in most of Rhodes’ holiday resorts.

For a delicious lunchtime snack, pitta bread sandwiches are always popular, try the chicken Souvlaki version or go for a Gyros filling: pork cooked on a rotisserie. Colourful Greek salads and crusty bread, with dips like hummus and taramousalata, also top holiday menus in Rhodes.

If you’re a seafood fan, you have to try the succulent Symi shrimps, perfect with a glass of crisp Emery wine or Cair champagne.

The most romantic place to enjoy an evening meal is in one of Lindos’s rooftop restaurants, from where you can dine while watching the sunset.

Evening Flavour

Faliraki’s world-famous nightlife, along Bar Street and Club Street, is now smarter and trendier than ever and the place for real night owls to flock to.

In the new part of Rhodes Town, you’ll find bars and discos waiting to tempt you in along the two main streets, Tops Street (Alexandrou Diakou) and Bar Street (Orfanidou).

Whether you want peaceful or lively, Lindos and smaller Pefkos have plenty of restaurants and bars, to choose from, some with garden and rooftop settings.

You can also enjoy quieter evenings in Rhodes Town, with a drink in one of the bars followed by dinner in a rooftop restaurant, and Ixia, where there are plenty of restaurants and commercial centres to spend the evenings of your Rhodes holiday.

Shopping

Holidays in Rhodes are fantastic for shopaholics, with an amazing choice of shops in the new town and the old quarter of Rhodes Town.

Look out for jewellery, lace and embroidery, leather shoes and bags, antique porcelain and many little art galleries with stunning paintings of the island.

You’ll also find locally produced thyme honey and traditional woven carpets in the capital, but check you’ve got room in your suitcase before getting out your wallet.

In Lindos’s pretty winding streets, you’ll come across plenty of little shops and market stalls, where it’s worth haggling for your holiday souvenirs.

Dates for the Diary

On the last Sunday of May, Rhodes Flower Parade bursts into bloom around Mandraki Harbour in Rhodes Town, with beautiful floats, traditional and fancy dress and local food and wine.

For the Family

• Splash-filled fun is in store at The Water Park in Faliraki – zoom down the waterslides, play on the Pirate Ship and float down the lazy river.
• For a history lesson with a twist, head to the sound and light show at the Palace of the Grand Masters where kids can learn a thing or two about the Turkish Siege of Rhodes.
• Chill out among the peacocks at Rhodes Town’s old Roman Rodini Park or drift down the stream on a rowing boat.
• Roam through a rainbow of colours at the Butterfly Valley of Petaloudes.
• Make a beeline for the east coast to sink your toes into the island’s best sandy stretches – castle-making masters will love the beaches at Lindos and Kolymbia.

Local weather

Information

Language: Greek. Currency: Euro. Standard GMT: +2hrs. Greek Tourist Office: 4 Conduit Street, London W1S 2DJ. Tel: 020 7495 9300. www.gnto.co.uk

Travel money

Euro

You can get foreign exchange on currency notes and travellers cheques at most First Choice Travel Shops and Holiday Hypermarkets.