Ixia Holidays

Ixia’s plumb in the centre of a bowl-like cut-out on Rhodes’ northern coast. A sand-and-pebble skirt separates the town from the Aegean Sea, and hotels stand side-by-side on the cusp of the shoreline. Generally, the day-to-day runs at a reduced pace, with time split between relaxing and restaurants. When tanning time’s over, there’s a cluster of places that fit the bar-hopping bill, but the nightlife’s more laidback than lively.

Pop the beach credentials on hold, and Ixia hits you with a historic sucker punch. It’s in prime position for throwback sightseeing, with UNESCO-marked Rhodes Town just along the coastline and the Byzantine churches of Ialyssos even closer. Filerimos Hill, meanwhile, offers views as far as Lindos on a clear day, and features an above-it-all monastery that dates back to the 15th century.

A gentle breeze across the bay makes Ixia prime territory for watersports enthusiasts. You won’t feel a chill if you’re lounging on the beach, but windsurfers make the most it by bolting across the water farther out. Parasailers and kitesurfers top up the numbers on the water, and sunbathers turn into spectators when the boards and boats edge closer to the shoreline.