Here you’ll discover:
The must-see highlights every first-timer should experience
Hidden beaches, villages and viewpoints most tourists never reach
Food, culture and nature beyond the tourist layer
Activities that are genuinely worth your time
Local planning tips that save you money, stress and wasted days
This page is your central hub for experiencing Rhodes properly.
Every section below links to deeper local guides — beaches, villages, transport, food, routes and hidden gems — so you can shape your trip around your travel style.
And if you want everything laid out day-by-day, you can also explore:
Rhodes Travel Guide & 7-Day Itinerary (Local Edition)
A ready-made plan with beaches, routes, food spots, hotels & hidden gems — all built from real local experience.
⭐ Top 5 Absolute Must-See Places in Rhodes
If it’s your first time on Rhodes, these are the essentials — no matter your travel style.
They show you what makes this island special beyond just beaches.
1. Medieval Old Town of Rhodes (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
The Medieval Old Town is the beating heart of Rhodes — a maze of Byzantine churches, Ottoman courtyards, Crusader architecture and small tavernas. It’s one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe and still lived in today.
Don’t miss:
The Street of the Knights
Palace of the Grand Master
The Old Moat Walk
The quiet backstreets behind the busy squares
Local tip:
Go at sunset. The light is magical and the cruise-ship crowds are gone.
→ Explore it properly in my Rhodes Old Town Guide (2026 Edition)
2. Lindos Village & Acropolis
Lindos is the postcard of Rhodes: photogenic alleys, rooftop restaurants, turquoise water, and the famous Acropolis clinging to the cliff.
It’s beautiful — but timing matters.
Local tip:
Go before 9:30 AM or after 5 PM.
If you hate crowds, stay in Vlycha Bay instead of inside the village.
→ Read the full local breakdown in Lindos Rhodes Travel Guide 2026
→ Compare areas in Where to Stay in Rhodes (Full Area Guide)
3. Kritinia Castle (West Coast Gem)
A Venetian-era castle overlooking the Aegean and nearby islands.
Peaceful, dramatic, and perfect for photography.
Pair it with:
Wine tasting in Embonas
Sunset photos from the castle walls
A stop in Kamiros Skala
This is one of those places most tourists never see — and locals love for that reason.
4. Monolithos Castle
One of the most beautiful viewpoints in Rhodes — quiet, dramatic, and unforgettable at sunset.
A short climb leads you to ruins perched on a rock above the sea, with views across wild southern Rhodes.
Local tip:
Bring water. The climb is short but hot.
5. Prasonisi – Where Two Seas Meet
A natural wonder where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean, forming a sandy land bridge.
One side is calm. One side is windy.
Perfect for:
Windsurfers & kitesurfers
Photographers
Nature lovers
Anyone who wants to feel the island’s raw power
It’s one of the few places in Europe where you can literally stand between two seas.
⭐ Secret Things to Do in Rhodes (Real Local Spots)
These are real insider places — not tourist traps.
1. Stegna Village
A calm fishing village with colourful boats, crystal-clear water and some of the best seafood on the island. Stegna still feels like Rhodes before mass tourism — relaxed, friendly and wonderfully real.
Local tip:
Eat at O Gialos or Stegna Kozas — truly local favourites.
→ See it in action in my Stegna Village Video
2. Siana Village (Honey & Souma Center)
High in the mountains, Siana is famous for thyme honey, olive oil and the local spirit “souma.”
You’ll meet genuine locals, taste homemade products and feel the rhythm of real village life.
This is where Rhodes slows down.
→ Watch my visit in the Siana Village
3. Rodini Park
One of Europe’s oldest landscaped parks — streams, bridges, peacocks and deep shade.
A peaceful green escape just minutes from Rhodes Town.
Perfect for hot afternoons when the streets feel too intense.
→ Explore it visually in my Rodini Park Video
4. Fourni Beach (Wild West Coast)
Cliffs. Waves. Wind. Raw nature.
No sunbeds. No bars. No music.
Just dramatic coastline and the sound of the sea.
Local tip:
Bring snacks and water. There’s nothing here — and that’s the magic.
→ This is part of my Hidden Rhodes Guide
5. Tsambika Monastery Viewpoint
You climb over 300 steps — but the view across Tsambika Beach and the east coast is worth every one.
Local tip:
Sunrise or sunset. Midday is brutally hot.
→ Watch the full climb in my Tsambika Monastery Video
⭐ Best Activities & Experiences in Rhodes
These are the experiences that stay with you long after the tan fades.
They’re not rushed tours or gimmicks — they’re the moments that make you feel Rhodes.
1. Rent a License-Free Boat (Top Local Pick)
One of the most unforgettable things you can do on the island.
No license required — just a short safety briefing and you’re free to explore hidden bays, swim in crystal water and discover Rhodes from the sea.
Best areas for boating:
Lindos
Pefkos
Kiotari
Stegna
Tsambika
Local tip:
Go early morning or late afternoon for calmer seas, better light and fewer boats.
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→ Full details in Rhodes Boat Hire
2. Wine Tasting in Embonas Village
Embonas is the wine capital of Rhodes, surrounded by mountain scenery and vineyards.
It’s the perfect mix of nature, culture and flavour.
Top local wineries:
Cava Stafylos
Kounaki
Emery
This pairs beautifully with a west-coast road trip.
→ Part of my Rhodes Wine Tasting Guide
3. Rhodes Cooking Class (Local Farm Experience)
A true countryside experience.
You cook traditional dishes in a farmhouse, drink local wine, laugh with locals and eat everything you make under olive trees. It’s warm, personal and deeply Rhodian.
To unlock 5€ off from the BEST experiences on the island, simply type LOONEYTRAVELS when booking or sending an inquiry on our partner's website.
→ Read more about Rhodes Cooking class
4. Hiking Profitis Ilias
A beautiful mountain trail with pine forests, fresh air and Italian-era architecture — especially magical in spring and autumn.
Local tip:
Visit the historic Elafos & Elafina buildings from the 1920s.
→ Explore more in my Best Hikes in Rhodes Guide
5. Boat Trip Around Lindos
Crystal water, sea caves, swimming stops and perfect scenery beneath the Acropolis.
It’s one of the most photogenic experiences on the island.
→ Find the best options in Best Lindos Boat Trips
⭐ Most Beautiful Beaches in Rhodes (Local 2026 Ranking)
Rhodes has more than 40 beaches — but these are the ones locals recommend first.
They’re not just pretty; they work for real holidays: good water, good access, the right atmosphere, and the kind of places you actually want to spend a full day.
🥇 1. Tsambika Beach
Golden sand, shallow crystal-clear water, and a wide open bay beneath the monastery cliffs.
Perfect for families, couples and first-time visitors.
→ Full details in my Tsambika Beach Guide
🥇 2. Lindos Beach & St. Paul’s Bay
Two iconic beaches beside one of the island’s most beautiful villages.
Lindos Main Beach – long, sandy and calm
St. Paul’s Bay – turquoise, sheltered and postcard-perfect
Local tip:
Go early morning. Both fill up fast in summer.
→ St. Paul’s Bay Rhodes Guide
→ Lindos Travel Guide
🥇 3. Pefkos Beach
Soft sand, warm shallow water and a relaxed family vibe.
A favourite for longer stays and easy beach days.
🥇 4. Stegna Beach
Clear water, a local feel and some of the best seafood tavernas right on the shore.
A beach that feels like real Rhodes.
🥇 5. Anthony Quinn Bay
Emerald water, rocky scenery and incredible snorkelling.
One of the most photogenic bays on the island.
🥇 6. Fourni Beach
Wild, quiet and untouched.
No sunbeds, no bars — just cliffs, waves and space.
🥇 7. Prasonisi
Two seas meeting in one place.
Unique, dramatic and unforgettable.
→ Watch it in my Prasonisi Video
⭐ Hidden Beaches on Rhodes (Quiet Even in Summer)
These are the beaches locals keep for themselves.
They’re the places you go when you want space, silence, and water so clear it feels unreal — even in July and August.
They’re perfect if you:
Hate crowds
Love wild nature
Want to swim without music and jet skis
Prefer a towel on sand over a beach club
Most tourists never reach these.
⭐ Agathi Beach
A beautiful golden-sand bay with warm, shallow water — ideal for relaxed swimming and families.
Despite its growing fame, it still feels calmer than most “big-name” beaches.
Local vibe:
Soft sand, turquoise water, no tavernas, no toilets, no sunbeds.
Free. Wild. Peaceful.
My personal favourite beach on the whole island.
→ Full guide: Agia Agathi Beach Rhodes
⭐ Kokkini Ammos (Red Sand Beach)
One of Rhodes’ true secret spots — a striking red-sand beach reached only by boat or a scenic hike.
Remote. Raw. Usually empty.
Local vibe:
Untouched scenery, zero crowds, perfect for photography and quiet swims.
→ Red Sand Beach Rhodes Guide
→ Watch: Red Sand Beach Video
⭐ Traounou Beach
A long pebbly coastline with deep blue water, small sea caves and huge open space.
It sits between Faliraki and Afandou — yet feels hidden because of its size and layout.
Local vibe:
Clean, quiet, ideal for snorkelling and cave exploring.
⭐ Limni Beach
A secluded natural beach on the wild side of Rhodes.
Almost no development. Just open coastline and waves.
Local vibe:
Wide horizons, raw nature, silence except for the sea.
Perfect if you want Rhodes as it felt 20 years ago.
⭐ Best Things to Do for Food Lovers
Rhodes is a food island — but most visitors only taste the tourist version.
The real magic happens in small tavernas, village kitchens, bakeries without English menus, and seaside grills where fishermen eat after work. If you love food, Rhodes can become one of your favourite destinations in Greece.
These are the experiences locals actually recommend:
✔ Rooftop dinner in Lindos at sunset
✔ Meze in villages like Koskinou, Afandou or Archangelos
✔ Fresh seafood in Stegna or Haraki
✔ Local honey tasting in Siana
✔ Late-night souvlaki in Rhodes Town
✔ Morning coffee the Greek way — slow, social, outdoors
Food in Rhodes isn’t rushed.
It’s meant to be shared, stretched, enjoyed.
If food matters to you, these guides will change your trip:
They help you eat like a resident — not a package tourist.
⭐ Best Villages to Explore in Rhodes
Villages are where Rhodes reveals its soul.
They’re quieter, warmer, more human than the resorts — and they show you what daily life on the island really feels like.
Start with these:
Lindos – iconic, photogenic, historic
Archangelos – traditional craft town
Embonas – wine, mountains, village tavernas
Siana – honey, souma & friendly locals
Koskinou – colourful courtyards & hilltop views
Gennadi – relaxed southern rhythm
Asklipio – medieval ruins and village life
Each one feels different.
Each one teaches you something about Rhodes.
Explore deeper:
Villages are where “holiday” turns into “connection”.
⭐ What to Do in Rhodes Town
Rhodes Town is not just an arrival point — it’s a destination in itself.
A perfect local-style day looks like this:
Wander the Medieval Old Town
Visit Mandraki Harbour
Swim at Elli Beach
Walk Monte Smith at sunset
Eat in quiet Old Town alleys
Enjoy nightlife in the bar streets
Helpful guides:
It’s one of the few cities in Europe where you can:
Swim.
Walk medieval walls.
Drink wine in a 500-year-old building.
All in the same afternoon.
⭐ What to Do in Lindos
Lindos is small — but powerful.
Don’t rush it.
Walk the village early morning
Climb the Acropolis before heat
Swim at St. Paul’s Bay
Eat on a rooftop at sunset
Kayak or SUP around the cliffs
Guides that make Lindos easier:
Lindos rewards slow travel.
⭐ Best Day Trips in Rhodes
Rhodes is a large island — and that’s a gift.
With even a little planning, you can turn one base into many completely different days: beaches, mountains, villages, castles, wine, sunsets, silence.
These are the routes locals naturally combine:
✔ 1. Lindos + Tsambika + Stegna
Perfect for beach lovers and first-time visitors.
Morning in Lindos
Swim at Tsambika
Late lunch in Stegna
This route gives you: history, sand, local food — all in one day.
✔ 2. West Coast Loop
Kritinia → Embonas → Siana → Monolithos → Fourni
Castles
Mountains
Wine villages
Wild coast
This is one of the most beautiful drives on the island.
✔ 3. Prasonisi + Gennadi
Nature, wind, wide beaches and real village life.
Ideal if you want space and silence.
✔ 4. Old Town + Kallithea Springs + Faliraki
Perfect without a car — combines culture, walking and swimming.
Helpful planning guides:
Day trips are where Rhodes really opens up.
They turn “a holiday” into “an island experience”.
⭐ Practical Tips for a Better Rhodes Trip
These small details make a huge difference:
✔ Best months: June, early July, September, October
✔ Hottest: Late July–August
✔ Swimming until late October
✔ Rent a car if staying in Kiotari, Gennadi, Pefkos or Lindos
✔ Avoid restaurants on main squares with picture menus
✔ Don’t book random beach boat sellers without checking
✔ Always confirm taxi prices before entering
Essential reading:
Knowing these saves money, time, and frustration.
⭐ Weather in Rhodes (Quick Overview)
Rhodes is one of the sunniest islands in Europe.
May – Warm, perfect for hiking
June – Best overall month
July–August – Hot, busy, beach-focused
September – Ideal for couples
October – Warm sea, quieter, great value
Full breakdown:
Weather shapes your whole experience — plan with it, not against it.
⭐ Best Things to Do for Solo Travellers
Rhodes is one of the safest and easiest Greek islands for solo travel.
Best bases:
Rhodes Town
Ixia
Lindos
Pefkos
Best solo experiences:
Cooking class
Wine tasting
License-free boat
Group boat tours
Helpful guide:
Solo in Rhodes feels calm, friendly, and free.
⭐ Best Things to Do for Families
Rhodes works beautifully for families — if you choose the right rhythm.
Top picks:
Lindos boat trip
Rhodes Aquarium
Valleys & easy walks
Planning help:
The island is gentle when you let it be.
⭐ Common Travel Mistakes to Avoid
Most disappointment in Rhodes comes from timing and expectations — not from the island itself.
Avoid these common traps:
✔ Don’t visit Lindos or Old Town at noon in summer
✔ Don’t rely on buses if you’re staying in south Rhodes
✔ Don’t rent scooters under 125cc without real experience
✔ Don’t assume every rooftop restaurant is good
✔ Don’t underestimate driving distances — Rhodes is big
Read before you arrive:
A few smart choices turn a “busy holiday” into a beautiful one.
⭐ Must-Know Transport Tips
Getting around Rhodes well = freedom.
✔ Taxi prices are fixed on most routes
✔ Rental cars are the easiest way to explore
✔ Buses work best between Rhodes Town – Faliraki – Lindos
✔ Parking in Old Town is limited — know where to go
Essential guides:
Once transport makes sense, everything becomes easier.
⭐ Extra Helpful Blog Posts for Planning
These guides slot naturally into your planning:
🏨 Where to Stay
🏛️ Culture & History
🌊 Beaches & Nature
Ladiko Beach Guide
Anthony Quinn Bay Guide
🌙 Lifestyle
Is Rhodes Expensive? Full Cost breakdown
Each of these deep-dives one part of the island — this page ties them together.
⭐ Want Everything Planned for You?
Exploring Rhodes is magical.
Planning it well is what makes it effortless.
That’s why I created:
📘 Rhodes Travel Guide & 7-Day Itinerary (Local Edition)
It includes:
✔ Day-by-day routes
✔ Top beaches (including secret ones)
✔ Best restaurants (local picks)
✔ Hidden gems
✔ Best hotels by area
✔ Transport strategy
✔ Seasonal advice
✔ How to avoid tourist traps
You simply follow the plan and enjoy Rhodes like a local.
⭐ Final Thoughts
I hope this local guide to the Best Things to Do in Rhodes Greece helps you plan a trip that feels personal, calm, and unforgettable.
Whether you’re chasing turquoise water, hidden beaches, mountain silence, village life, or unforgettable sunsets — Rhodes has something waiting for you.
Enjoy every swim.
Every view.
Every quiet moment.
And if you ever feel unsure — explore my other guides or reach out.
I’m always here to help you experience Rhodes like a real local.
