10 Things to Know Before Staying in Ixia Rhodes in 2026

Ixia is part of my Discover Rhodes area guides — a local collection that helps you choose the right base on the island, from resort strips to traditional villages and quiet coastal towns.

⭐ 10 Things to Know Before Staying in Ixia, Rhodes

Hey traveller! I’m Looneytravels — your Local Rhodes Expert who wants your holiday here to be smooth, memorable and totally stress-free.

If you want smarter area comparisons, beach combinations and local timing tips before booking, start with Rhodes Travel Guide 2026 (Digital Guide by Local Expert), structure your week using the Rhodes 7-Day Itinerary, and compare curated coastal and cultural highlights inside Best Experiences in Rhodes.

Grab the FREE Rhodes Pocket Planner (instant download) — the hidden shortcut to easy boat trip bookings, must-do experiences, and smoother holiday planning.

If you pick Ixia as your base on Rhodes — nice! But there are a few things you should know first. I live here full time, and this list will help make your stay smoother, safer, and more fun. 😎

⭐ What Ixia feels like: quick intro

Ixia lies on the west coast of Rhodes, just a few km from Rhodes Town. It’s a long stretch with hotels, sea-views, a main road, and a pebble/stone beach rather than the soft sandy spots you may expect.

It’s comfortable for hotel-based holidays, water-sports, easy access to town — but not ideal if you expect dreamy soft sand beaches. Ready for the real info?

⭐ 1. The beach is mostly pebbles & stones — bring water shoes ✔️

• The shore of Ixia Beach is narrow and made of pebbles/rocks, not fine sand. World Travel Guide

• Entering the sea can be uncomfortable without protection — many locals and travellers recommend water shoes. The Island Of Rhodes

• Once you get past the stones, sea is fine and good for swimming or snorkeling.

✅ Tip: Pack beach shoes (flip-flops are not enough), or buy simple rubber ones when you arrive.

⭐ 2. It’s breezy (windy side) — good for windsurfers, maybe not for sunset swims

• Ixia is known for its steady Aegean wind. That makes the sea a bit wavy compared to the calm eastern coast.

• Because of wind, water-sports like windsurfing, jet-ski or sailing get great conditions — especially for active travellers.

✅ Tip: If you want calm, warm swimming, go early morning. For wind / water-sports, mid-day is perfect.

⭐ 3. Many hotels line up along the coast — convenience but also limited public beach

• The coast is dominated by 4–5⭐ hotels (e.g. those from the big chains) — many control loungers/umbrellas.

• That means public beach space can be limited — during high season you may struggle to find a shady sunbed if you don’t stay in a resort.

✅ Tip: Book hotels early. If you stay outside a big resort — bring your towel, or budget some euros for a sunbed.

⭐ 4. Nightlife, restaurants & basic amenities — yes, but limited variety ✔️

• Ixia has a fair share of tavernas, bars, shops, and usual tourist-services.

• It can work if you want a relaxed base with easy access to comforts. Still — compared to town center or more vibrant villages, the variety is modest. 7 Days in the Sun - Rhodes

✅ Tip: Think of Ixia as a basecamp — roam into Rhodes Town or other villages if you want more local colour, variety or nightlife.

You may also like to explore: Rhodes Taxi Prices — Full Guide with Prices 2025 (Local Tips & Real Costs)

⭐ 5. Easy access to Rhodes Town & transport links ✔️

• Ixia is only a few km from Rhodes Town; you can reach Old Town or port quickly by bus or taxi.

• Good if you want to explore history, nightlife or take ferries/boats from the main port.

✅ Tip: Use Ixia as “easy access base” — nice if you plan many day trips or need airport/harbour connections.

For full bus routes, taxi pricing and airport transfers, review Rhodes Transport Guide – Best Ways to Travel in Rhodes, and if you want flexibility beyond the west coast wind, compare options inside Car Rental Rhodes.

⭐ 6. Great base for water sports, boat trips, fun & wind-driven activities ✔️

• The wind and open sea make Ixia popular for windsurfing, jet-skiing and water-sports in general.

• From here, you can also book boat trips or cruises leaving nearby — nice for exploring other coasts or islands. GetYourGuide

✅ Tip: Bring or rent snorkel gear; expect more waves; plan for active water days.

⭐ 7. Not the most “authentic Greek village” vibe — it’s more resort + beach town

• Ixia feels more like a holiday-resort strip than a traditional Greek village. Hotels, tourists, main road — rather than small alleys and local feel.

• If you expect charming white-washed Greek village vibes, you might want to pick a different area (or plan day trips).

✅ Tip: Use Ixia as base for convenience — but for authentic local flavor, mix in visits to villages, older towns, hidden gems.

⭐ 8. Good for short stays & easy logistics — but maybe not for long lazy “beach-holiday only” weeks

• For 2–4 days, Ixia works great: close to town, easy beach access, nice hotels, water-sports.

• But if you plan long beach-only holidays: the pebble beach + wind + limited soft-sand might make you long for a more relaxing place.

✅ Tip: Combine Ixia with a few days elsewhere — or do day-trips to better beach/sand spots.

⭐ 9. Price vs value — expect mid-to-upper range hotel/amenity pricing

• Because Ixia is more “hotel & resort” than backpacker-town, expect mid-to-high prices for hotels, loungers, drinks.

• But you get convenience, comfort, and easy access to services.

✅ Tip: Book in advance; consider off-peak season or early/late summer for better deals.

⭐ 10. Ixia is a good “home base” — but explore the rest of Rhodes for full island experience 🌄

• Use Ixia for convenience and comfort.

• Then plan trips: to ancient towns, soft-sand beaches, hidden gems, quiet villages — mixing “resort comfort” with “authentic Rhodes”.

• Staying in Ixia doesn’t mean you miss out — but you’ll get the best of both worlds if you combine wisely.

✅ Tip: Use your stay in Ixia to explore the wider island — you have a reliable base and easy access.

⭐ FAQ — Staying in Ixia Rhodes (2026 Local Guide)

❓ Is Ixia a good place to stay in Rhodes for first-time visitors?

Yes — Ixia is ideal if you want a convenient base close to Rhodes Town, the airport, and major attractions. It’s especially good for travellers who enjoy:

• hotel-based holidays
• sunset views
• windsurfing & water-sports
• easy transport
• proximity to nightlife without being “in it”

But Ixia is not a traditional Greek village and not a soft-sand beach destination. If you prefer calmer seas, sandy beaches or Greek-village charm, compare Ixia with other areas using:
➡️ Where to Stay in Rhodes for First Time – Best Areas (2026)

❓ Is Ixia Beach sandy or rocky? Should I bring water shoes?

Ixia Beach is mostly pebbles, stones and coarse sand, with a rocky seabed in many areas.
Water shoes are highly recommended because:

• entry can be slippery
• stones are sharp
• waves can push you onto rocks

This is one of the most common mistakes visitors make — also covered in:
➡️ Rhodes Travel Mistakes to Avoid

Once you’re past the stones, the water is clean, refreshing and perfect for short swims or windsurfing.

❓ Is Ixia safe for solo travellers — especially women?

Yes — Ixia is safe, friendly and relaxed, with:

• well-lit streets
• constant movement along the main road
• respectful hotel staff and taverna owners
• easy bus/taxi access to Rhodes Town

Solo travellers often pick Ixia because they want a quiet base close to nightlife without being in a loud party area.
For deeper safety breakdowns, visit:
➡️ Rhodes for Solo Travellers: Safety, Areas & Things to Do

❓ Is the sea in Ixia too windy or wavy for swimming?

The west coast is the windy side of Rhodes — that’s part of its charm.

Expect:
• breezy afternoons
• small to medium waves
• refreshing temperatures
• ideal windsurfing conditions

Best time for calm swimming: morning (08:00–11:00).
Best time for water-sports: midday + afternoon.

If you want flat, calm, turquoise swimming water nearby, take a short trip to:
➡️ Anthony Quinn Bay
➡️ Tsambika Beach

These offer the calm-water experience Ixia does not.

❓ Are there good restaurants and bars in Ixia?

Yes — Ixia has:

✔ Greek tavernas
✔ casual cafes
✔ cocktail bars
✔ hotel restaurants
✔ takeaways & gyros places

BUT the variety is smaller than Rhodes Town or Lindos.
Most visitors mix evenings between Ixia + Rhodes Town (10 minutes away).

For nightlife and dining inspiration across the island:
➡️ Nightlife in Rhodes: Insider Picks for the Best Nights Out
➡️ 12 Best Restaurants in Rhodes Old Town

❓ Is Ixia better for families, couples or groups?

Ixia works best for:

⭐ Couples — sunsets, quiet evenings, great hotels
⭐ Adults seeking a calm base
⭐ Water-sport lovers
⭐ Short stays before/after flights
⭐ Travellers exploring Rhodes Town often

Families with small kids may prefer sandy beaches like:
➡️ Faliraki Beach
➡️ Pefkos Beach
➡️ Tsambika Beach

Ixia’s stones + waves are not the most child-friendly.

❓ Do I need a car if I stay in Ixia?

Not necessarily — Ixia has fantastic transport links:

• buses every 20–30 minutes to Rhodes Town
• easy taxis
• simple routes to the airport

BUT renting a car opens access to calmer beaches and quiet villages.
Plan your transport using:
➡️ Rhodes Transport Guide – Best Ways to Travel in Rhodes

For private transfers, many travellers choose G.E.S Travel, a reliable local partner offering comfortable airport pickups, Lindos day trips and island-wide transport.

If you mention LOONEYTRAVELS when booking, you’ll receive an exclusive 10% discount — a small thank-you from our local network to make your trip even smoother.

👉 You can request a quote from GES Travel via WhatsApp — the message is already prefilled with Looneytravels, so your 10% partner discount is applied automatically.

❓ Are there sandy beaches close to Ixia?

Yes — but not within walking distance.

Closest sandy or soft-sand beaches are:

• Faliraki Beach
• Tsambika Beach

For a complete breakdown, read:
➡️ For calmer, sandy alternatives on the east coast, review Best Beaches in Rhodes, then compare nearby accommodation inside Rhodes Island Greece Hotels before peak dates fill up.

These are also great options for “day away from the Ixia wind.”

❓ What are the biggest mistakes people make when staying in Ixia?

The most common ones:

❌ expecting soft sandy beaches
❌ ignoring wind conditions
❌ walking barefoot into the sea
❌ staying only in Ixia instead of exploring
❌ booking outside town & struggling with transport
❌ thinking Ixia = nightlife (Rhodes Town is better)

Avoid these mistakes with the help of:
➡️ Rhodes Travel Mistakes to Avoid

❓ Is Ixia a good area for hotels? Which are the best ones?

Yes — Ixia has excellent hotels at great value compared to Lindos or premium east-coast resorts.

Top categories:
• ⭐ Luxury seaside hotels
• ⭐ Spa hotels
• ⭐ All-inclusive resorts
• ⭐ Adults-only options

For the full ranking and honest reviews:
➡️ Rhodes Island Greece Hotels

➡️ Top Hotels in Rhodes 2026: Best Hotels by Area

If you’re comparing Ixia with east-coast bases like Lindos, Pefkos or Kolymbia, review Where to Stay in Rhodes for First Time – Best Areas (2026) before locking in your booking.

❓ How long should I stay in Ixia?

Best durations:

• 2–4 nights — perfect introduction to Rhodes
• 5–7 nights — for convenience lovers & water-sports fans
• More than 7 nights — consider splitting your stay (ex: Ixia + Lindos / Pefkos / Faliraki)

This way, you enjoy dramatic west-coast views featured in Best Sunset Spots in Rhodes, then balance your stay with calm, turquoise east-coast swimming highlighted in Crystal Clear Water in Rhodes and Best Beaches in Rhodes — giving you the full island experience instead of just one coastline.

⭐ My Honest Verdict

Ixia works well if you want a simple, comfortable stay with easy beach access, water-sports, and a quick route to Rhodes Town. It’s not glamorous or sandy-beach paradise — but for a basecamp: practical, easy, and straightforward.

If you’re chasing dreamy white-sand, calm sea, village vibes or super-local charm — spend a few nights in Ixia, and a few nights somewhere else (or take day-trips).

You can read more about other areas in other blog: Where to Stay in Rhodes for First Time – Best Areas (2026)

❗Important ❗ Switch your mobile networks from automatic to manual - Phone may connect to Turkish Network and automatically start mobile data plan 12€/day.

If you want to see what IXIA looks like then you can watch my Youtube video: Exploring IXIA Main street or IXIA Rhodes Greece

⭐ Last Thoughts

Your time in Ixia will be smooth and easy as long as you know what to expect — pebble beaches, breezy afternoons, great sunsets, comfortable hotels, and quick access to Rhodes Town. Use Ixia as a practical base, explore the rest of the island freely, and mix beach days with cultural visits for the best experience.

For smarter island planning, begin with Rhodes Travel Guide 2026 (Digital Guide by Local Expert), structure your days using the Rhodes 7-Day Itinerary, explore curated island highlights inside Best Experiences in Rhodes, and secure your stay early through Rhodes Island Greece Hotels.

See You in Rhodes!

-Looneytravels