See the beauty all around the island
Sight and attractions
The island of Rhodes is known for its dozens of clean and unique beaches, stunning mountain scenery with small villages, and history with ancient castles, ruins and other sites. One of Rhodes' greatest charms is that it offers something or everything for everyone, and it is not for nothing that it is called the Island of the Sun God Helios. Day or night trips to the beautiful and very authentic nearby islands, such as the island of Halki, will also add a touch of unexpected luxury to your holiday.
On these private and guided tours, I act as both guide and driver when your company is 1-3 people. If you want me to act only as a guide, a reliable local driver will go with us. If your group is 4 people or more, we have a bigger car and driver at our disposal. If you want a completely unique vacation, I can help you plan it and choose accommodations. Read more here.
Check out these examples of day trip destinations. You can also contact me and let me know what you want from your holiday, and I will work with my local partners to make a memorable excursion to suit the most discerning taste or those who have already experienced the island's most common attractions.
MONOLITHOS VILLAGE
Monolithos is located in the northwestern part of the island of Rhodes, in the mountains, about 72km from the capital of Rhodes. The traditional Greek village is picturesque with its white houses, mountain and pine forest landscapes. It is a village with few services, a few locally owned tavernas, two small hotels and a mini-market.
A school and a church enliven the village street.Monolithos is popular with backpackers and hikers, and many holiday tourists traveling around the island by car also visit the village's main attractions.
But Monolithos is much more than that, and it's well worth a few days for the unhurried holidaymaker to relax and enjoy the unimaginable scenery. The silence is broken only by the tinkling of goat bells and the singing of the cossacks.
The view of the southern Aegean Sea is breathtakingly beautiful. Here you can also see the most spectacular sunset on the island.
There is a small but varied canteen on the beach which serves all day.
Sianna is known not only for its honey and patterned carpets, but also for its suma drink. Chima wine also comes from Sianna.
The mosaic church of St Pantaleimon, built in the 19th century and dominating the village centre, is well worth a visit.
In several villages, you can taste the produce of local farms directly from the producers' own stalls.
Honey, olives, olive oil, fruit, nuts and snacks are at their best in the place where they were born.
Local producers also offer the tastiest souvenirs and take-aways for after-tasting.
WINE TASTING
Local wines are made from the region's own grapes. The light drinks become familiar from lunch onwards, but the wines served during the day are usually very mild (although it's worth checking).
Wine Roads run through Rhodes and there are many wineries and shops. You can always taste the wines and learn about their production methods when you shop.
The toast in Greek is Yamas!
PATH TOUR 1 / Tower
Be well prepared for the hike, as the heat and altitude differences can surprise you. The hikes can be sweaty, but worth every drop of sweat!
PATH TOUR 2 / Old Harbour
We walk through pine forests along hundreds of years old roadbeds. We enjoy the atmosphere of the forest, see the traces of forest fires, and see the local efforts for the well-being of the forests. The ruins of a medieval harbor (c. 400 BC) are the focus of the tour.
The area is a sheltered beach, accessible only by water or on foot. We plan hikes of 4-8 km according to the wishes of the participants.
CRITINIA CASTLE (also CASTELLOS)
The castle wasbuilt by the Knights of Johainniitta to protect the area from pirates and other enemies. The ruins, which have a rich history, now offer breathtaking views of both the sea and the lush mountains.
In the courtyard, nestled among the trees, is a cozy café, where a fresh orange menu made from local fruit is delicious after a 'castle trip'.
EMBONAS - an idyllic village high in the mountains
Embonas is situated at an altitude of around 850m, next to the highest mountain on the island, the Attavyros (highest point 1215m), and the drive alone offers breathtaking views.
Embonas is one of the wine-growing centers of Rhodes and the lively little town of just over a thousand inhabitants is also full of artisan shops and excellent local tavernas.
HARAKI (also Charaki) is a small seaside village near Lindos.
For those staying in a busy tourist resort, a day at the beach in Haraki is a soothing respite. A visit to Haraki is a perfect counterbalance to a day trip to, for example, lively Lindos.
The tavernas on the beachfront serve tasty gyros for lunch or even a coffee of the day.
GENNADI
is a small village just over 60km from Rhodes and about 15km from Prasonissi on the southern tip of the island. Gennadi has a long and beautiful beach and a pleasant and picturesque center. The village's restaurants are excellent and some are also open during the day, making it a relaxing place to stop for a meze or a cold glass of ouzo.
The nightlife in this small village is worth experiencing and the number of nightclubs in the narrow alleys may surprise you! Gennadi is surrounded by several great nature spots and a variety of accommodation options, both on the beach and across the main road in the village center.
GORGES AND ROUTES
The islands offer great hiking and natural mountain trails as well as beach destinations. The slate mountains surrounding the gorge in the photo date back to the Ice Age and can be found on the way back from the mountain villages, either for a quick stopover or to explore deeper into the mountainside. An interesting and easy
place to stop by on your way to complete your day out.
If you hire a car, you'll get a good map of recommended routes and destinations. Please don't set off without information or guidance to off-map destinations.
LINDOS ACROPOLIS
Lindos is anancient city (founded in 900 BC), particularly known for its Acropolis, a huge fortress mountain, and the temple of Pallas Athena (Athena Lindia). The Acropolis is one of the island's absolute 'must-see' sites and anyone interested in ancient Greek history should make plenty of time to visit.
The area's atmospheric town of white-fronted houses is full of boutiques and restaurants and is usually very crowded, but well worth experiencing.
PANAGIA TSAMPÍKA'S OLD CASTLE was built in 1770 on the site of the original, but there is no record of an earlier period.
The monastery is located on the top of the Tsampíka (also Tsambíka) hill at an altitude of almost 300m, with a spectacular view of the mountains, Tsampíka beach, the village of Kolymbia and even Lindos (25km). The newer Panagia Tsampíka Monastery is from the village of Archángelos towards Rhodes. The old monastery was built on the site where an image of the Virgin Mary once appeared, and was believed to have a miraculous effect on fertility. The Virgin Mary of Tsampíka is the patron saint of the whole island and the old monastery is still a pilgrimage destination for childless couples. There are many girls named Tsampíka and boys named Tsampíkos on the island, and the names are believed to bring good luck to the bearer. There are 300 wide steps leading up to the hill.
The climb of about a kilometer brings the sweat to the surface, making it a good morning or late afternoon destination. There are several rest stops along the route and a shop/café at the start for refreshments. The shop also has a wide range of icons.
RóDOS TOWN & OLD TOWN & MANDRAKI
The capital, Rhodes, is a counterbalance to the island's more laid-back pace, and the magnificent town pulsates day and night. It combines everything; beach holidays, ancient history, museums, sightseeing, shopping in designer stores, restaurants and nightclubs.
The Old Town of Rhodes is a magnificent historical and interesting attraction and was mainly built between 1309 and 1522, when it was an important centre of the Order of the Knights of the Order of the Johanni. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular destinations on the whole island. The walls have a unique atmosphere of their own, the architecture of the area is enchanting and shows traces of the Byzantine, Turkish and Italian periods. The ruins of the Temple of Aphrodite, the Grand Master's Palace and the Street of the Knights are some of the great attractions.The wall surrounding the Old Town is 4km long in its original form and contains numerous restaurants, boutiques and charming accommodation. The inside of the walls offers plenty to see, but there are also stunning views from the top.
The harbour area of Rhodes is also an attractive tour with its magnificent medieval sights, windmills and, in contrast to history, numerous yachts. The area is guarded by female and male deer statues, on the site of the 200-300 BC Rhodes Colossus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. From the stalls in the harbour, it is easy to book a cruise or fishing trip to the sea or a day trip to nearby islands such as Symi or Turkey.
In mid-summer, expect to see large crowds of tourists in the area.
There are many guides to the history and areas of Rhodes, including online guides, which provide a wealth of information on history and events, as well as on life today. The population of the town is around 65 000, the island as a whole 120 000.
A magnificent cove and rocky inlet named after Anthony Quinn, where the classic film Navarone Cannons was filmed in 1961.
Quinn is said to have fallen so in love with the place that he bought the beach for himself, but the Greek state reclaimed it from him in 1982.
The beautiful beach area at Faliraki is also popular with snorkelers.
CRYSTAL CLEAR WATERS & STUNNING BEACHES
The island's crystal-clear beaches, shimmering in shades of blue and turquoise, are a magnet and for good reason. A day's beach tour will take in both the most popular and the most natural stunning beaches, with around 8-12 beaches depending on the
length of your stay and where you start. On this tour, you will also see several small villages and the magnificent mountain scenery.
The beaches of Rhodes are mainly pebbly and often sheltered by mountains or cliffs. Long fine sandy beaches can be found on Tsampíka Beach next to Tsampíka Hill in Kolymbia and on Prasonissi Beach at the southernmost tip of the island. Prasonissi has become a center for surfers and the beach's narrow channel can be waded at the rare confluence of two seas.
HALKI / CHALKI ISLAND
The ferry journey to Halki takes about an hour from Skala Kamiros harbor and just over an hour from Mandraki in Rhodes.
A day trip gives you plenty of time to tour the houses of the old and narrow alleys that are built along the coast, enjoy a long, slow and hearty lunch and bask in the sun on the stunning Ftenagia beach.
An overnight trip to the Halk is unique experience. Visiting Halki is perfect after a day in the mountain villages or as a separate day trip.