Xionodromika

Rhodes: The island of knights

Rhodes


Ρόδος, Δωδεκάνησα

Rhodes is the biggest island of the Dodecanese. It lies at the south-eastern corner of the Aegean, opposite the coast of Asia Minor, about 11 miles away. It has an area of 1398 square kilometres, being 79.7 km long and 38 km wide. The city of Rhodes is the capital of the Dodecanese Prefecture, a group of islands formerly known as the Southern Sporades.

Rich in mythic and historical tradition, Rhodes was first settled by the Minoans of Crete and then by the Myceneans and the Dorians. By the 5th century BC the island’s three major cities, Lindos, Ialysos and Kamyros formed a commonwealth and contributed to the building of a new capital, “Rose City”, or “Rodos” in Greek. The island ruled its surrounding region both in trade and in military terms, and it became one of the leading powers of the Eastern Mediterranean around the time of Alexander the Great, in the 4th century BC.

Rhodes Map

The beautiful city of Rhodes is the capital of the island of Rhodes and the capital of the Dodecanese group of islands and prefecture. It is divided into two parts: the Old, Medieval city and the New City.

The Old City is surrounded by strong walls and is one of the biggest and best preserved medieval settlements of Europe. The Medieval city is full of buildings testifying about the past and the history of the island, passing by antiquity, Byzantine times, middle Ages and Turkish rule.

It is a cosmopolitan island that offer developed tourist facilities. Dozens of beaches and numerous sights make Rhodes number one in your preferences.

Rhodes Attractions & Surrounding Area

Lindos: It is one of the most attractive and beautiful villages of Rhodes, located south of the capital, on the eastern coast of the island. Lindos is amphitheatrically built on a slope of a hill dominated by the acropolis and overlooking the bay. Walk along the narrow alleys between the whitewashed houses with their pebble-paved yards and you will feel the influence of the Byzantine and medieval architecture.

Faliraki: It is located a few kilometres south of the city of Rhodes and attracts a major number of tourists every year. There can be found a great number of hotels, apartments, bars, cafes, night-clubs, restaurants and shops as well as organized beaches with crystal clear waters. Enjoy the extremely vivid nightlife and have fun all night long!!!

Monolithos: It is settled south-west of the City of Rhodes and proposes various accommodations, cafes and taverns. Visit the 15th century castle of Monolithos built on a rock and enjoy the breathtaking view. Inside the castle you can visit the lovely church of Saint Panteleimon.

You should also visit the picturesque villages Afantou, Archangelos, Ialisos and Siana.

You should also visit:
– The extraordinary Valley of the Butterflies, the area known as Seven Springs and the beautiful forests of the Rhodian deer.
Kamiros and Ialysos, those original, ancient cities, which stand today, in ruins though they might be, to remind us of over 2,500 years of the island’s history.
– The island’s omnipresent Byzantine churches with their outstanding frescoes.
– Τhe Palace of the Grand Master and its museum.

Famous beaches of the island: Beach of Rhodes town, Afantou, Faliraki, Tsabika, Agia Agathi, Lindos, Pefki, Ladiko, Soroni, Kopria, Kiotari, Plimiri.

From Rhodes you may visit the other Dodecanesian islands.

How to get there

By ship: from Piraeus and Thessaloniki
By airplane: from Athens ( 60 minutes) and Thessaloniki

Rhodes Photos

Rhodes Useful Telephone Numbers (Calling code for Greece 0030)

Piraeus Port Authority
210 4226001-4
Rhodes Tourist Police
22410 27423
Thessaloniki Port Authority
2310 531 505
Rhodes Traffic Police
22410 26480
Athens airport
210 353 0000
Rhodes General Hospital
22410 80000
Rhodes airport
22410 83400, 22410 83403
Police Station
22410 27653, 23294
Rhodes coastguard
22410 22220, 22410 28666, 22410 28888