Photo: Shutterstock Let's start with the facts. Rhodes has been and remains one of the favorite destinations for many global tourists, thanks to its sunny, pleasant weather, quality beaches suitable for families and children, hiking trails, delightful cuisine, luxurious hotels, and a price range that is also considered quite attractive compared to other destinations in Greece.
Rhodes is synonymous with the 'Island of the Sun'. According to Greek mythology, when the king of the gods, Zeus, granted his divine subjects portions of Greece, he turned to the sun Helios, asking to receive ownership of the island, and his request was granted. Mythology also says that the island's name is derived from the name of the nymph goddess 'Rhoda'.
Photo: ShutterstockThe island has a rich history dating back to around 4000 BC. Over the years, it has been conquered time and time again, through crusades that brought knights and monks to its territories, as well as by the Hospitallers and the Ottomans. In 1863, the island experienced a particularly severe earthquake that caused widespread destruction. Later, the island was controlled by the Italians and Germans, and, right at the time of the establishment of the State of Israel, it returned to Greek possession in 1948.
Rhodes is blessed with spectacularly beautiful beaches. In fact, its seawater is not without reason considered the clearest and cleanest in all of Greece. Almost all of its beaches are suitable for families and children and offer a variety of attractions, beach facilities, restaurants, and cafes, all under the sign of a wonderful Greek atmosphere of freedom.
So that you don't get confused by the endless variety of beaches, here are some of the best ones. One of the most popular is Faliraki Beach, located on a bay near the city center. There you will find a water sports center and many attractions designed for adults and children alike. Even after dark, the beach continues to be a bustling center of life thanks to a lively nightlife scene saturated with alcohol and Greek music. Another beach that is no less recommended is Elli, which extends across the northeastern cape of the island, and Lindos in the southeastern part, about 30 kilometers from the city of Rhodes. The latter of them was even awarded a blue flag thanks to its strict adherence to environmental values.
Photo: ShutterstockIf you're into water, but don't feel like spending all day at the beach, you should visit the resort town of Kolympia, about a half-hour drive from the local airport. The town has a nature museum and an art gallery, but its highlight is the Valley of the Seven Springs (Epta Piges), a small lake fed by seven different streams.
Speaking of excursions, another spot worth visiting is the Valley of the Butterflies (Kilada petalounton). This is a unique nature reserve near the village of Kalamonas, which, as its name suggests, attracts thousands of butterfly species every summer, as they fly between gushing waterfalls and the central Pelekanos River that flows through it. There is also a museum where you can admire a butterfly display, as well as the Monastery of the Virgin of Kalopetra (Panaya Kalopetra), which stands on a hill overlooking the valley and offers panoramic views of the entire island.
It is recommended that you also spend time during your vacation in the island's capital city, Rhodes, which is home to about 60,000 residents, who make up about half of the island's population. The main focus of the city is centered in the Old City area, which is also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, although in its current version the city is quite modern and Western, where you can enjoy an abundance of shops and international brands in the food and clothing sectors, which blend with local taverns, the local port, and archaeological remains from fascinating periods throughout history.
Photo: Shutterstock