Best Day Trips from Rhodes 2026 — Local Island Guide

⭐ Best Day Trips from Rhodes Island

If you’re planning a holiday on the island and want to explore more than beaches and villages, this guide to the best day trips from Rhodes will help you discover nearby islands, historic sights, coastal towns, castles, and natural wonders — all easy to visit within a single day.

Hey traveller — I’m Looneytravels, your Rhodes local buddy. I live here year-round, and day trips are one of my favourite things about Rhodes. With a quick drive or ferry ride, you can experience quiet islands, medieval castles, mountains, little fishing towns, and beaches tourists rarely find.

I wrote this guide to help you choose the best day trips from Rhodes based on local habits — not tourist brochures. Some are big highlights (Symi, Lindos) and some are smaller, secret corners we locals escape to on weekends.

Rhodes is one of Greece’s best-connected islands, with ferry links to tiny Dodecanese gems, boat tours to quiet bays, mountain villages accessible by road, and plenty of half-day adventures. As a local, I often take day trips for a change of scenery — a swim in turquoise water on Symi, sunset at Monolithos Castle, a calm walk through ancient ruins, or a peaceful escape into the mountains.

For trip-planning, pair this guide with the Rhodes Travel Guide 2026 and the Rhodes 7-Day Itinerary, which already include many of these recommended day-trip routes.

⭐ Best Day Trips from Rhodes Island (Local 2026 Guide)

Below are the most rewarding day trips — organised by islands, villages, beaches, nature routes, and cultural sights.

⭐ Island Day Trips from Rhodes

These are some of the most beautiful trips you can take — turquoise coves, pastel-coloured ports, and slow, peaceful atmospheres.

⭐ 1. Symi Island — The Most Popular Day Trip

Why it's one of the best day trips from Rhodes:
A pastel harbour, quiet alleys, and the clearest water in the Dodecanese.

Symi is only 50–75 minutes from Rhodes Town by ferry. Many travellers come for the neoclassical houses, seafood taverns, and postcard-perfect harbour.

Best things to do:

• Wander Yialos harbour

• Visit Panormitis Monastery

• Swim in Nanou or Agios Georgios Bay

• Eat fresh seafood by the sea

Local tip:
Choose a boat that stops at a swimming bay — the water is unreal.

⭐ 2. Halki Island — Peaceful, Pastel, Almost Undiscovered

A small island west of Rhodes with slow rhythms and clear water.

Why go:

• Quiet harbour

• Beautiful pebble beaches

• Traditional cafés

• Zero tourist pressure

Take the ferry from Kamiros Skala (west coast).

Local tip:
Halki is perfect if you want a quiet, photogenic escape that feels like old Greece.

⭐ 3. Kastellorizo (Megisti) — A Longer, Spectacular Day

For travellers who want something truly unique, the small island of Kastellorizo offers colourful houses, deep-blue harbours, and dramatic cliffs.
Travel time: 2–3 hours, so leave early.

Best for:
Adventurous travellers and photographers.

⭐ Coastal Day Trips Around Rhodes

These are great if you want a full-day experience without taking a ferry.

⭐ 4. Lindos — Iconic Village + Bays + Acropolis

One of the best day trips from Rhodes for first-time visitors.

What to do:

• Climb to the Acropolis

• Swim at St. Paul’s Bay

• Wander whitewashed alleys

• Have lunch on a rooftop

Local tip:
Arrive early to beat heat and crowds.

⭐ 5. Kallithea Springs — Architecture + Swimming

A 30-minute trip from Rhodes Town. Italian-era buildings, mosaic pathways, and crystal waters.

Perfect for:
Photography, relaxing swims, and couples.

⭐ 6. Anthony Quinn Bay + Ladiko

Two of the clearest-water bays in Rhodes — ideal for swimmers and snorkellers.

Local tip:
Go early or late — midday is packed.

⭐ 7. Tsambika Beach + Tsambika Viewpoint

A classic combination:

• Hike or drive to the chapel for panoramic views

• Swim in turquoise water at the long sandy beach

Great for families, couples, and solo travellers.

⭐ Historical & Cultural Day Trips in Rhodes

These routes take you into Rhodes’ medieval, ancient, and mountain history.

⭐ 8. Rhodes Old Town + Mandraki Harbour

A half-day trip that can easily turn into a full day.

Explore:

• Palace of the Grand Master

• Street of the Knights

• Medieval moat walk

• Mandraki deer statues and harbour

Local tip:
Go in the morning or evening for cooler temperatures.

⭐ 9. Ancient Kamiros

One of the three ancient cities of Rhodes.
Perfect for archaeology lovers.

Why visit:

• Sea views

• Peaceful ruins

• Beautiful sunset option

Pair with nearby beaches or Kritinia Castle for a full day.

⭐ 10. Filerimos Hill

Monastery, giant cross, peacocks walking freely — a peaceful day trip.

Best for:
Travellers who enjoy nature + heritage.

⭐ Castles, Villages & Mountain Day Trips

These are some of the most rewarding and less-touristy trips.

⭐ 11. Monolithos Castle + Fourni Beach

One of the best day trips from Rhodes for dramatic scenery.

Morning:
Climb Monolithos Castle for views
Afternoon:
Swim at Fourni Beach’s clear deep waters

Local tip:
Stay for sunset if you have a car.

⭐ 12. Embonas Village (Wine Country)

Taste local wine, enjoy mountain tavernas, and explore narrow streets.

Try:

• Local wine varieties

• Goat dishes

• Honey + melekouni

Appears inside my Rhodes food and village guides.

⭐ 13. Siana + Western Villages

Quieter villages with herbal shops, honey tastings, and old churches.

Great area for:

• Driving scenic routes

• Meeting friendly locals

• Authentic lunch tavernas

⭐ 14. Profitis Ilias & the Italian-Era Buildings

One of the coolest mountain microclimates in Rhodes.
Forests, abandoned buildings, old hotels — great for photography.

⭐ Best Nature & Outdoor Day Trips

For travellers who want fresh air and scenic landscapes.

⭐ 15. Seven Springs

Shaded forest, cool tunnel walk, and easy trails.
Great for families and nature lovers.

Combine with:
Tsambika, Kolymbia, or Afandou.

⭐ 16. Valley of the Butterflies

Visit June–September to see butterflies resting on trees.
Peaceful walking routes and shaded paths.

Local tip:
The upper forest trails (free zone) are less crowded.

⭐ 17. Prasonisi — Where Two Seas Meet

The island’s southern tip.
A stunning natural spectacle: the Aegean and Mediterranean split by a sandbar.

Great for:

• photography

• surfing (wind conditions apply)

• wild landscapes

⭐ Best Boat Day Trips from Rhodes

These trips focus on swimming, relaxing, and exploring hidden coves.

⭐ 18. Boat Trip to Anthony Quinn, Ladiko & Traganou

A classic swim cruise.
Crystal-clear water, caves, cliff views.

⭐ Best for

Families, couples, and snorkellers.

⭐ 19. East Coast Swim Cruise

Stops typically include:

• Tsambika

• Stegna

• Agia Agathi

• Red Sand (Kokkini Ammos)

Great variety of water colours and scenic bays.

⭐ 20. Sunset Cruise from Rhodes Town

Soft colours, medieval views from the sea, cool evening air.
A peaceful choice.

⭐ Transport Tips for Day Trips from Rhodes

✔ Rent a car for west coast + mountain villages
✔ Use buses for Lindos, Faliraki, Rhodes Town
✔ Ferries for island hopping
✔ Avoid taxis for long distances

See the Rhodes Transport Guide – Best Ways to Travel in Rhodes for details.

⭐ Where to Stay for Easy Day Trips

⭐ Rhodes Town

Best for ferries, Old Town, and central transport.

⭐ Lindos / Pefkos

Great for southern and east-coast day trips.

⭐ Kiotari / Gennadi

Quiet base for west coast and Prasonisi.

Browse Where to Stay in Rhodes – Guide to All Best Areas & Resorts and Best Hotels in Rhodes.

⭐ Frequently Asked Questions About Day Trips from Rhodes

⭐ What is the best day trip from Rhodes?

Most travellers choose Symi, and for good reason — the harbour is breathtaking, the bays are stunning, and the whole island feels special. But if you want something quieter, Halki is just as beautiful and far less crowded.

Within Rhodes itself, the best full-day combination is Lindos + Tsambika Beach + a rooftop dinner. It’s a perfect mix of culture, scenery, and swimming.

⭐ Do I need a car for day trips in Rhodes?

It depends.

• For west-coast castles (Monolithos, Kritinia), villages (Embonas, Siana), and mountain routes, yes — you really need a car.

• For Lindos, Faliraki, and Rhodes Town, buses work perfectly.

• For islands like Symi and Halki, ferries are the only option.

Many travellers rent a car for just 1–2 days to keep costs down.
Details are inside the Rhodes Transport Guide – Best Ways to Travel in Rhodes.

⭐ Are Rhodes day trips good for families?

Absolutely. Rhodes is one of Greece’s most family-friendly islands, and many day trips are easy, walkable, and suitable for all ages. Kids love Seven Springs, Lindos beaches, boat trips to calm bays, and Butterfly Valley.

For families who want something slower-paced, Halki is outstanding — safe, quiet, and peaceful.

⭐ Final Thoughts

The best day trips from Rhodes combine natural beauty, charming villages, clear water, history, and relaxed Mediterranean rhythms. Whether you choose nearby islands, mountain villages, dramatic castles, or turquoise beaches, each day trip shows you a new side of Rhodes.

To design your ideal adventure-filled holiday, use the Rhodes Travel Guide 2026, follow the Rhodes 7-Day Itinerary, and check Best Hotels in Rhodes for great bases.

Explore widely — Rhodes rewards curious travellers.