24 Tips for Rhodes: When to Go, What to Know

Rhodes, called ro-dos in Greek, is the busiest island in the Dodecanese. Lonely Planet reports that summer brings crowds, high prices, and the meltemi wind that can disrupt ferries. The best time to visit is shoulder season: between Orthodox Easter and late May, or from September to mid-October. During those months the weather is pleasant, hotels cost less, and ferries run on schedule.

Where to stay and what to do

First-time visitors can see plenty in a few days, Lonely Planet says. Spend one day in Rhodes Town's Old Town and one day at a beach and Lindos. With a week, you can unwind and explore more of the large island.

Rhodes Town is the central hub for architecture, history, and city life. In summer the Old Town gets crowded with cruise-ship day trippers, but Lonely Planet recommends staying overnight. After dark the labyrinth of cobbled lanes empties out, and you can wander without the crowds. The New Town is a modern Mediterranean resort with upscale shops and waterfront bars.

Most sandy beaches are on the eastern coast between Rhodes Town and Lindos. That stretch is packed with resort hotels and tourist bars. Travel farther south, and traffic thins, villages slow down, and the landscape becomes quieter.

Local tips on safety, tipping, and etiquette

Dress is relaxed: shorts and jeans work during the day. For high-end restaurants and bars, dress more stylishly but not formally. Sturdy walking shoes are essential for cobblestones and ruins.

Lonely Planet notes that Greeks are warm hosts. Do not refuse an offered drink or hospitality; you can reciprocate. But at party bars or resorts catering to foreigners, spiked drinks are not uncommon. Keep your hand over your glass and do not accept a drink from a stranger unless you see the bottle opened by the bartender. The perpetrators are often foreign tourists.

Bargaining is acceptable only at flea markets and street markets. Elsewhere, pay the stated price.

Tipping is not traditional in the area, but Rhodes is now a tourist hub. Give porters EUR 1 per bag and housekeepers EUR 1 per night. At restaurants, tip 10% in cash to the server, or round up the bill. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but rounding up is welcome.

When visiting churches, cover your shoulders and wear long skirts or trousers. Do not use flash or photograph the main altar. At archaeological sites, tripods may be banned because they mark you as a professional requiring a permit.

In Greece, head gestures are reversed from US and UK norms. A nod means yes; a sharp raising of the head or eyebrows, often with a tongue click, means no.

Beaches, water, and kids

Offshore currents can be powerful, especially at isolated beaches and coves. Lonely Planet warns to be careful.

Traveling with children? Watch them near ancient ruins without safety fences. Many castles sit on cliffs with dangerous drops. Greeks generally love children, so yours will be fussed over. Teaching them a few Greek words earns extra warmth.

Tap water is technically drinkable because it comes from reverse osmosis plants, but Lonely Planet suggests asking locally; some dislike the taste. If in doubt, drink boiled or bottled water. Consider the environment before buying single-use plastic bottles; hotels may have refill stations.

Getting there and getting around

Rhodes has an airport with direct international flights, which is the fastest option. Ferries are a major way to arrive: huge high-speed car ferries, mega-catamarans, and slower traditional ferries with cabins for overnight sailings. During summer, boats also go to Turkish resorts Bodrum, Marmaris, and Fethiye.

Lonely Planet recommends booking ferry tickets directly with the ferry company for easier changes or cancellations. Ferryhopper is good for browsing schedules.

In Rhodes Town, the Old Town is walkable. Local buses serve the town and most of the island; the most frequent route runs east to Lindos. To explore the whole island, rent a car only for the days you will use it, because you cannot drive into the Old Town. Parking is challenging in summer. A scooter or ATV can be convenient, but you need a license for any bike above 50cc. Helmets are required; rental agencies must provide one. Accidents are common, so wear it.

On the roads, drivers on single-lane roads often pull to the right onto the hard shoulder to let faster cars pass. If you see a line forming behind you, do the same.

Eating and drinking

Greek tavernas are casual and serve fresh, seasonal food. Greeks eat late: lunch around 2 p.m., dinner at 9 p.m. or later. Book ahead at popular places in summer. When seated, a basket of napkins and cutlery arrives; you pass it around. In tourist spots, waiters may bring a bottled water that you will be charged for.

Order dishes to share family style. An empty plate is provided for self-serving. Ask the server for daily specials; the best fish and seasonal dishes are often off the menu.

Ouzo is the classic Greek liquor, made from grape must and flavored with anise. It is sipped slowly with mezedhes (small plates). Served neat in a tall glass called a kanoakia; you add iced water or ice, turning it cloudy white.

Rhodes has grown wine since the 7th century BCE. The vineyard heartland is around Mt Attavyros, with limestone soil amid cypress and pine forests. Main grape varieties include athiri, amorgiano, and two muscats.

Service can seem slow; eating is a relaxed social affair. Tables are not cleared until you ask for the bill. The bill may come with a complimentary fruit, sweets, yogurt, or a shot of liquor. In touristy areas, Lonely Planet warns that bill-padding and overcharging happen, so check the total.

• Dodecanese
• Greece
• Greek Islands
• Rhodes
• shoulder season
• Travel Tips