Rhodes flights

Rhodes is the largest island of the Dodecanese and the fourth largest island of Greece, after Crete, Euboea and Lesvos. Its strategic location at the crossroads of the East and the West has been a blessing and a curse to the island and its inhabitants.

Rhodes’s history has been very diverse, bearing the mark of numerous cultures, leaders, conquerors and people. Greeks, Romans, European Knights, Turks and Italians came and go, sometimes destroying, sometimes building and creating everlasting masterpieces. All of them contributed to the island’s great historical and cultural heritage, rendering the Old Town of Rhodes one of the most attractive and oldest continuously inhabited fortified cities in Europe.

The extraordinary blend of cultural wealth, natural beauty and endless possibilities offered to visitors have realised the perfect recipe for a successful travel destination!

Charming, idyllic and elegantly cosmopolitan, Rhodes bustles with life every season of the year; summer is often hot and crowded, yet utterly beautiful. Visit Rhodes all-year-rounds and live the ultimate Greek experience with a medieval touch!

Airport

The airport of Rhodes (Κρατικός Αερολιμένας Ρόδου "Διαγόρας") is located 16 kilometres southwest of the city of Rhodes and is served by an extensive bus network.

Getting around Rhodes

Rhodes’s public transportation system consists of buses. Fares depend on the route and minimum taxi fare costs around 3.25€.

Rhodes Guide

The medieval town of Rhodes is entirely designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was developed around the Acropolis of Rhodes probably after the earthquake of 515 and still is one of Europe’s most impressive fortified cities. The castle of Rhodes is divided in two: The Collachium, at the northern side and Chora, to the South.

To better understand the sights and points of interest in the Old Town of Rhodes, you could use some historical insights.

The Knights of St. John, also known as Knights Hospitaller, were a Knights order founded in Jerusalem in 1080, with primary mission to help the poor and injured pilgrims to the Holy Land. After the First Crusade in 1099, the order obtained a military nature, gained its independence from the church and was reorganised and settled in Rhodes in 1309, establishing a rule.

The fortifications and the majority of Rhodes’s medieval buildings are an important part of the legacy of the Knights on the island.

In 1522, following a 6-month siege, the Knights surrendered to the Islamic forces and they left for Malta.

Your exploration of the Old Town of Rhodes begins at the Liberty Gate, which leads to the Symi Square, with primary highlight the remains of the Temple of Aphrodite, dating back to the 3rd century BC. The square is surrounded by three of the most important museums of Rhodes:

• the Museum of Modern Greek Art is housed in an elegant medieval building and houses extensive collections of paintings and sculptures


• the New Gallery of Rhodes hosts excellent permanent art exhibitions


• the Centre of Contemporary Art houses important collections of maps of Rhodes and the Dodecanese

Continue to the legendary Street of the Knights, arguably the most charming medieval streets in Rhodes, that ends in front of the Palace of the Grand Masters of the Knights. This cobblestone street is 600 metres long and is located on an ancient path that used to lead, through a straight line, to the port.

The Street of the Knights is lined with the Inns of the Knights, commonly known as the “Inns of the Tongues”, with reference to the spoken language of the knights that resided there.

The Grand Master of the Knights lived in the Palace of the Grand Masters, supervising the actions of the Knights.

The façades of the Inns are elaborately carved according to each “tongue”, featuring idyllic arched doorways and bearing significant emblems.

At the beginning of the Street of the Knights, the building that once served as the Hospital of the Knights, now houses the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes, with important collections of ancient statues and ceramics excavated from various regions across the island. The ultimate highlight of the museum is the statue of Aphrodite bathing, dating back to the 1st century BC!

Opposite the Archaeological Museum, you can see the monumental Church of Our Lady of the Castle, estimated to have been built during the 11th century AD, still inspiring awe and admiration, despite being mostly in ruins.

At the top of the historic street, the Palace of the Grand Masters of the Knights looms over the Old Town of Rhodes, adding up to the city’s unique atmosphere.

The original palace was badly damaged due to an accidental explosion that took place in 1856. The building you see today was rebuilt in 1930 and now also houses Rhodes’s Byzantine Museum.

Make a quick stop at the Turkish Baths and continue to the Jewish Quarter of Rhodes, at the eastern side of the Old Town.

Head to the New Town and beating heart of modern Rhodes. This is where you can find a wide variety of fine restaurants, bars and clubs for your entertainment. Most of them are located by the Mandraki Port, a historic location that has emerged again more cosmopolitan than ever.

The entrance to the Mandraki Port is guarded by two bronze deer-symbols of Rhodes and some claim that they were there when the gigantic statue of the Colossus of Rhodes still existed – one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World!

The columns of the Acropolis of Rhodes are set on the highest peak of the island; an acropolis that served more of a religious, than military purpose.

The official language of Rhodes is Greek; English, French and German are widely spoken by the locals.

Rhodes - Top suggestions for

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