Planning a trip to Rhodes? Discover our favourite beaches, restaurants, bars and places to explore after many visits to one of the Dodecanese’s most captivating islands.

Rhodes is one of the Dodecanese’s most popular islands, drawing visitors each year with its UNESCO heritage listed medieval city, the whitewashed beauty of Lindos and a coastline that stretches for more than 200 kilometres. Yet for all its popularity, it is an island with surprising variety. Within a single day, you can wander cobbled streets that have stood since the time of the Knights of St John, swim in the clear waters of Kallithea Springs, stop for lunch at a seaside taverna in Stegna and drive inland to villages such as Embonas, where vineyards and local wineries have long been part of everyday life.

Along the east coast, sheltered bays such as Anthony Quinn Bay and St Paul’s Bay invite long afternoons by the water, while Rhodes Town comes alive after dark with wine bars, lively restaurants and tucked-away courtyards hidden within its centuries-old walls. Whether you have a few days or a full week, there is plenty to tempt you back for another visit. 

From memorable swims and excellent local restaurants to sunset drinks and a handful of experiences we wouldn’t miss, here are the places we recommend making time for while visiting Rhodes.

Where to Swim in Rhodes 

Rhodes has no shortage of beautiful beaches, but where you choose to swim really depends on the kind of day you’re after. If there’s one place we would recommend arriving early for, it’s Kallithea Springs. Originally developed around natural thermal springs, it’s one of the island’s most recognisable swimming spots, where beautifully restored Italian architecture, pebble mosaics and gardens overlook a series of rocky coves with remarkably clear water. It’s easy to spend an entire day here, alternating between swimming, snorkelling and long lunches at the waterfront restaurant. Just don’t leave it until late morning to arrive, as during summer, sunbeds are usually claimed early.

The same advice applies to Anthony Quinn Bay. Last time we visited was in the peak of summer in 2024 and by mid-morning the beach was already at capacity. Named after the actor who filmed The Guns of Navarone on Rhodes, the bay is famous for its striking emerald water, created by the surrounding pine-covered cliffs that reflect across the surface. It’s one of the island’s best places to snorkel, with rocky reefs, crystal-clear visibility and plenty of marine life beneath the water.

If you’re spending time in Lindos, make sure you set aside a day for St Paul’s Bay. Sheltered beneath the Acropolis, the protected bay offers calm water that’s ideal for swimming, while the tiny white chapel overlooking the sea adds to one of Rhodes’ most recognisable views. Sunbeds and cabanas line the shoreline, drinks and lunch are delivered directly to your umbrella, and if you would rather sit down for a proper meal, Tambakio Restaurant sits right on the water’s edge.

Families, or anyone looking for a longer stretch of sand, will probably gravitate towards Tsambika Beach. The water remains shallow for quite a distance, making it ideal for children, while water sports, beach volleyball and organised facilities mean there’s enough to keep everyone entertained throughout the day.

For something less crowded, head to Grande Blue Beach. It takes a little more effort to reach, with parking at the top followed by a long staircase down to the beach, but it’s well worth it. The water here is an incredible shade of turquoise, the atmosphere is noticeably more local and even in summer it feels calmer than many of Rhodes’ better-known beaches. Before leaving, stop at the taverna perched above the bay, which offers panoramic views and traditional dishes served by the local owners.  

Where to Eat in Rhodes 

Rhodes has a strong restaurant scene, but some of the best spots to eat are the ones that feel connected to where you are, whether that means grilled meat from a butcher in a quiet lane of Rhodes Town, seafood beside the water in Stegna or a romantic dinner beneath the Acropolis in Lindos.

In Rhodes Town, Niohori is the kind of family-run taverna locals still send people to when they ask where to eat well. Tucked into a quiet alley opposite Santa Maria Church, with tables set outside beneath bougainvillea, it is best known for its meat, helped by the fact that the owners also run the butcher shop across the street. Come for pork steaks, kontosouvli, beef stifado and soutzoukakia, as well as the laid-back neighbourhood vibe that makes the experience feel far removed from the busier parts of town.

For something more atmospheric inside the Old Town, Marco Polo remains one of the most memorable dinner reservations within the medieval walls. Set in the garden of a historic guesthouse, it brings together warm service and Greek cooking with a creative edge. The croquettes and fish giouvarlakia are worth ordering, while the deconstructed baklava is a perfect sweet finish. Nearby, The Ritualist Gastrobar offers a more modern Old Town experience, with tables set inside a cosy stone courtyard that feels tucked away from the evening crowds.

Nomad, also in the medieval city, brings a more refined approach to dining in Rhodes Town- set inside a 15th-century mansion, the restaurant opened in 2022 and draws on Greek regional cooking, seasonality and the mood of its historic setting. Lakani takes a fresh approach to Greek cuisine, with beautifully presented dishes that remain true to local flavours. The option to order half portions is a thoughtful touch, allowing you to explore far more of the menu than you normally would.

Around Lindos, several restaurants make the most of the landscape. Akres sits in a striking stone building with warm lighting, natural materials, an open kitchen and a rooftop dining area with uninterrupted views of the Acropolis. For a more elevated meze-style experience, Cesar Meze Bar is set in a secluded rooftop garden beneath the Acropolis, with Mediterranean dishes, seafood, wines and wide views across the Aegean.

If you are swimming at St Paul’s Bay, Tambakio is the obvious place to stay for a late lunch. or early dinner while catching the sunset. Set right on the edge of the water, the menu includes fava, grilled octopus and watermelon and feta salad. 

Further south in Pefkos, Hellas brings a more contemporary approach to Rhodian cooking in a beautiful courtyard shaped by Lindian architecture, while the kitchen uses local produce, mountain herbs, garden spices and home-produced olive oil to give traditional dishes a more creative expression.

For seafood, Stegna Kozas is one of the island’s standout addresses- set directly by the sea in Stegna and run by the third generation of the same family, the restaurant has been part of the area’s dining scene since 1932. The focus is on fresh fish, seafood and Greek ingredients from Rhodes, the Dodecanese and beyond. 

And if you want to see a quieter, more rural side of Rhodes, make time for To Limeri tou Listi in Profilia. Tables sit outside beneath large trees, the owners are warm and welcoming, and the food is exactly what you hope to find in a village taverna- lamb, goat, local ingredients and dishes prepared simply, generously and with care.

Where to Drink in Rhodes 

For cocktails, The Last Butler remains one of our favourite bars in Rhodes. Inspired by the speakeasies of the 1920s, the space blends jazz, dark timber interiors and an inventive cocktail list. Every drink arrives with its own story, and the bartenders take the time to explain the thinking behind each creation. 

Over in Lindos, Lindian Apollo serve drinks that are consistently good. Whether you’re stopping in for a pre-dinner cocktail or ending the evening here, it’s the perfect spot to unwind. 

Just a short walk away, Yannis Bar has been part of Lindos since 1976 and features good music and a strong cocktail list that has made it a favourite with returning visitors for decades. 

If wine is more your style, head over to San Marco. More than just a wine bar, it combines a thoughtfully selected list of natural and low-intervention wines from small European producers with artisanal objects, Mediterranean small plates and one of the most beautiful terraces in Lindos. 

What to See in Rhodes 

No visit to Rhodes is complete without spending time in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Medieval City of Rhodes. One of Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns, it is far more than a collection of historic monuments. Wander through the cobbled lanes, admire the Street of the Knights, step inside the Palace of the Grand Master and allow plenty of time to explore the smaller streets, where independent boutiques, cafés and hidden courtyards reveal themselves away from the busiest thoroughfares. 

If you’re looking to escape the beach for a few hours, the Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes) offers a completely different side of the island. Wooden bridges, streams, small waterfalls and shaded walking paths wind through a lush valley that becomes home to thousands of Jersey tiger moths, often mistaken for butterflies, between June and September. It’s one of Rhodes’ most unique natural attractions and a welcome retreat on hot summer days.

Nearby, Seven Springs (Epta Piges) is another worthwhile stop. Fed by natural springs that flow year-round, the area is surrounded by dense forest and walking trails, with a small lake reached through a narrow 186-metre tunnel for those happy to get their feet wet. It’s cooler here than along the coast, making it a refreshing break from the summer heat.

For one of the island’s finest views, make the climb to Panagia Tsambika Monastery. Perched high above Tsambika Beach, the tiny white monastery rewards the walk with sweeping views across the coastline and holds a special place in local tradition, with many pilgrims visiting to pray to the Virgin Mary. Whether you come for its history, its spiritual significance or simply the panorama, it’s well worth the climb.

Finally, if you’re already exploring Lindos, don’t leave without visiting the Acropolis. Rising above the village on a rocky headland, it remains one of Greece’s most impressive archaeological sites, with ancient temples, medieval fortifications and uninterrupted views across St Paul’s Bay and the Aegean.