14 Fun Things to Do in Rhodes, Greece for First-Time Visitors
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Before your mom complains that the hot springs are no bigger than a koi pond, here are 11 candid reviews of attractions on Rhodes, Greece, for first-timers (plus 3 I’d add next time).
My family and I visited in September 2021 for 2.5 intensive days and rented a car to see our list of things to do in Rhodes, Greece.
I didn’t want buses slowing us down as we traveled between attractions, especially on the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands.
Whether you’re dreaming of walking along the UNESCO World Heritage streets of Old Town or swimming in the crystal-clear Mediterranean waters of Anthony Quinn Bay, you’ll want to know which museums are worth the entry fee and get the real scoop on attractions like the Kallithea “thermal springs,” which aren’t quite what they seem.
This list will help you decide which attractions are worth visiting before you even depart, whether they are free or not.
What are the best things to do in Rhodes, Greece?
The best things to do in Rhodes, Greece, are concentrated in the medieval Old Town. Start with the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Street of the Knights, and the Archaeological Museum, then add Anthony Quinn Bay and the Valley of the Butterflies outside town. A rental car makes the island’s spread-out beaches and parks far easier to reach. I visited 11 of these attractions with my family in 2.5 days in September 2021. This list is best for first-timers who want history and beach time.
Things to Do in Rhodes Greece
We started our Greek island-hopping trip in Athens, then spent 2.5 days in Rhodes, followed by time in Santorini.
If you need help getting around, check out my guide to traveling the Greek islands.
I’d actually volley for 3 full days in Rhodes, since that would have let me add Lindos Village and the Clifftop Acropolis.
Because I was traveling with family, I traveled more slowly than I normally do on solo trips.
So, if you’re doing this solo travel style, you may be able to get more in than we did.
| Attraction | Cost | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Castle of the Old Town | Free | 2–3 hours |
| 2. Palace of the Grand Masters | €10 combo ticket* | 2 hours |
| 3. Street of the Knights | Free | 15–30 minutes |
| 4. Archaeological Museum of Rhodes | €10 combo ticket* | 2 hours |
| 5. Colossus of Rhodes site | Free | 15 minutes |
| 6. Hippocrates Square | Free (food and drinks extra) | 15 minutes–1 hour |
| 7–8. Anthony Quinn Bay & Ladiko Bay | Free (lounge chair €10, umbrella €20) | Your call |
| 9. Kallithea Thermal Springs | €3–€5 (varies by season) | Your call |
| 10. Rodini Park | Free | 1 hour |
| 11. Valley of the Butterflies | €6 (June–September), €3 (October–May); free under 12 | 1–1.5 hours |
*One 3-day combo ticket covers the Palace, the Archaeological Museum, the Church of Our Lady of the Castle, and the Decorative Arts Collection.
Old Town/Medieval City of Rhodes
The city of Rhodes is divided into two halves: the New Town and the Old Town.
The Rhodes Old Town is a medieval city constructed within a castle with six gateways. It’s very Game of Thrones—think King’s Landing vibes.
Everything in this section of the list is located in the Old Town/Medieval City of Rhodes.
This is especially helpful if you need to do the island in a day, as you definitely won’t be able to do everything on this list of things to do in Rhodes, Greece.
My 1-day Rhodes itinerary will help you decide what to do if you’re that limited on time.
1. Castle of the Old Town
With its reinforced city walls, Rhodes is one of the few medieval towns still in good condition.
Registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the only thing I didn’t really consider about the Old Town was that you have to park outside it.
Outside the city walls, there’s public parking. You have to hunt a bit for it, depending on how busy it is, but we didn’t have too much trouble in September.
Once parked, you can enter through one of those gateways and find yourself within Rhodes Old Town.
Inside the city walls, you’ll find churches, mosques, palaces, squares, gardens, and courtyards. As well as souvenir shops, cafes, stores, and jewelers.
⏳ Duration: 2 – 3 hours, depending on how much you want to walk around
Cost: Exploring Old Town is one of the free things to do in Rhodes, Greece!
2. Palace of the Grand Masters
The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes is a medieval castle in Rhodes Old Town.
It is one of the few examples of medieval Gothic architecture in Greece.
The site was previously a citadel of the Knights Hospitaller, functioning as a palace, headquarters, and fortress.
A note on the Hospitallers: I myself confused them with the Templars. The Hospitallers were a healing brotherhood, unlike the Templars, which were purely military.
This role diminished as their military function grew, but it never disappeared. The Order’s chapters were charged with building, furnishing, and improving hospitals.
The Palace of the Grand Master was restored in the 1930s. Today you can view its collection of mosaic floors from the island’s monuments and medieval furniture.
As well as its two permanent exhibitions, which offer insight into Rhodes’ history from its founding in 408 BC to its conquest by the Ottomans in 1522.
⏳ Duration: 2 hours
🏛️ A €10 3-day ticket package covers the Palace, the Archaeological Museum, the church of Our Lady of the Castle, and the Decorative Arts Collection. Alternatively, you can book the Palace of the Grand Master of Knights separately in advance 🎟️
3. Street of the Knights
The Street of the Knights is recognized as one of the most intact medieval streets in the world.
Beyond its cobblestones, its arched doorways were built wide enough to accommodate a horse and carriage or a knight on horseback.
It was honestly easy to imagine Jamie Lannister riding through here.
Along this road are seven inns representing the Knights of St. John’s countries of origin.
Home to the Knights Hospitaller, who ruled Rhodes, the knights were divided into seven ‘tongues,’ or languages, by birthplace—England, France, Germany, Italy, Aragon, Auvergne, and Provence—each responsible for a specific section of the fortifications.
Wall displays explain that the street holds an ‘inn,’ or palace, for each tongue.
⏳ Duration: 15 – 30 minutes
Cost: A quick, free stop on this list of the best things to do in Rhodes, Greece!
4. Archaeological Museum of Rhodes (Hospital of the Knights)
The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes is also known as the Hospital of the Knights because it once housed the Knights Hospitaller.
Built in 1440, the main exhibition features finds from Ialissos and Kamiros, dating to the Hellenistic and Classical Greek periods.
The collection includes marble statues and artifacts.
What I liked most about the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes was the courtyard, where you can see arched hallways that resemble the halls of the Christ Church Cloisters, well known on screen as Hogwarts.
There, you can also see mosaics on the walls and floor, which come from Hellenistic villas.
⏳ Duration: 2 hours
🏛️ The €10 3-day ticket package covers the Archaeological Museum, the Palace of the Grand Master of Knights, the church of Our Lady of the Castle, and the Decorative Arts Collection 🎟️
5. The Colossus of Rhodes
This stop on my list of best things to do in Rhodes, Greece, is a bit of a stretch, as the Colossus of Rhodes has been gone for many, many years.
But if you’re a history nerd like me or a Civilization 6 fan, you should at least stop by.
The Colossus of Rhodes was a statue of the Greek sun god Helios erected by Chares of Lindos in 280 BC at Mandraki Harbor.
It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and celebrated the successful defense of Rhodes against an attack by Demetrius I of Macedon.
According to most contemporary descriptions, the Colossus stood approximately 33 meters (108 feet) high—approximately the height of the Statue of Liberty from feet to crown—making it the tallest statue in the ancient world.
It collapsed during the earthquake of 226 BC, and although parts of it were preserved, it was never rebuilt.
Since 2008, proposals to build a new Colossus at Rhodes Harbor have been made, though the original monument’s exact location remains disputed.
The location I’ve photographed above is where my Google Maps took me.
Funnily enough, it listed the Colossus of Rhodes as “Permanently Closed.”
⏳ Duration: 15 minutes
Another free thing to do in Rhodes, Greece!
6. Hippocrates Square
Located in Old Town, Hippocrates Square offers loads of souvenirs, restaurants, cafes, and bars.
It is a bustling square, especially at night.
At its center is the Syndriváni—a fountain topped by an Italian ornament.
In the southeastern corner of the Square stands the Kastellanía, originally a medieval courthouse and commercial tribunal for the Knights, now serving as the public library and town archives.
My mother ended up having a gyro she really liked here, and since it was rather hot while we were there, we grabbed some gelato as well.
⏳ Duration: 15 minutes – 1 hour (depending on what you eat/drink)
Cost: Depends on what you eat or drink!
Beaches
7-8. Anthony Quinn Bay and Ladiko Bay
Anthony Quinn Bay and Ladiko Bay are located right next to one another, which is why I’ve grouped them here.
Named after the actor who filmed The Guns of Navarone here in 1961 (one of many movies set in Greece), Anthony Quinn Bay is one of Rhodes’ most picturesque beaches.
However, that also makes it really popular.
The waters at Anthony Quinn Bay and Ladiko Beach, which are walkable from one to another, are crystal clear, so much so that I could spot fish swimming near my feet.
The sea here offers a gorgeous view, with the Mediterranean Sea providing a stunning backdrop. Popular with tourists and locals, it’s a picturesque environment from either location.
My issues with both beaches are the sharp rocks, which make wading into the water a bit treacherous unless you have water shoes (something to add to your Greece packing list), and the limited space, which can make it crowded.
If you go early, however, this may eliminate the overcrowding issue.
You can rent a lounge chair, an umbrella, and/or snorkel gear. There’s also an on-site bar and cafeteria.
If I were to do this trip again, I’d take a day cruise, since it would have taken care of the work of getting there, finding a spot, and dealing with rocky beach problems, etc.
⏳ Duration: Depends on how long you want to stay at the beach
🏖️ The beach is free, but rentals run €10 for a lounge chair and €20 for an umbrella 🎟️
9. Kallithea Thermal Springs and Bar
The Kallithea Thermal Springs, located on the eastern side of Rhodes, were pitched to me as:
“The steamy waters of the springs are not only relaxing, but are known for their healing powers. The springs are surrounded by exquisite coves and towering pine trees, making it a relaxing spot to enjoy.”
The “Real” Thermal Springs
Boy, was my Mother excited about the springs. She thought she’d be sitting in basically a natural hot tub.
After recent knee surgery and back issues, she was over the moon about this.
Unfortunately, that is not what the springs are. They are a tiny section (far right in the above image) of the area you’re paying for access to and are essentially water running off a rock into a fish pond sized pool.
You are not encouraged to enter this pool, as you can see, it’s made of rocks.
It’s also not warm, which is something we misconstrued, but I’m mentioning it here in case you have the same thought.
We even asked an employee if this was the “springs,” and he confirmed it.
Before you’re completely thrown off by visiting Kallithea Thermal Springs, I did like it, despite this disappointment. They have a great restaurant where I had my best meal in Greece (the salmon).
When I went, it wasn’t crowded, and the beach was easier to walk on as it wasn’t as rocky.
I’d prefer it to Anthony Quinn Bay if the view had been on par, but if you’re looking for something more chill or family-friendly, Kallithea Thermal Springs may be up your alley!
⏳ Duration: Depends on how long you want to stay at the beach
👙 €3 – €5 (varies by season), or book a combo ticket tour 🎟️
Parks
10. Rodini Park
Rodini Park is historic in that it was probably the first landscaped park in the world.
Romans popularized it, leaving a bit of an aqueduct here for us to view today along a natural stream.
All this makes it an ideal environment for the peacocks who live and breed freely in the park today.
I can understand why—it’s a great respite from the Greek heat! The shaded walkways, rich with flora, are a pleasure to meander around.
There’s also a tomb carved into the rock that dates from the Hellenist period and features a decoration of 21 Doric half-pillars—it is known as the tomb of the Ptolemies. It is likely a 2nd-century BC Hellenistic funerary monument.
As we had our own car in Rhodes, it wasn’t too bad to get to Rodini Park.
However, it could be a bit of a trek if you’re relying on public transportation.
⏳ Duration: 1 hour
Cost: Another free thing to do in Rhodes, Greece!
11. Valley of the Butterflies
One of the more unique things to do in Rhodes, Greece, is to visit the Valley of the Butterflies.
More commonly known as Petaloudes, this place is home to millions of butterflies from June to August each year.
A note: you can visit outside these months; just don’t get your hopes up about seeing many butterflies.
As a nature reserve, “Butterfly Valley” is a habitat dense with flora, paved paths, ponds, waterfalls, and natural beauty.
The only sounds visitors can hear are the cicadas’ chirping and the running water, as you’re encouraged to stay quiet.
It’s difficult to see in my photo above, but there are hundreds of butterflies on the tree. It was like this throughout the park.
You can also hike up to a point where you’ll encounter a small church, the Kalopetra Monastery. If you’re up for the hike, it’s certainly worth it when you visit Greece.
⏳ Duration: 1 – 1.5 hours
🦋 June-end of September, the ticket price is €6 for Adults and free for Children under 12. From October to the end of May, tickets are €3 for Adults and free for Children under 12. You can also book a guided tour 🎟️
Additional Rhodes Greece Attractions
We didn’t get to everything on my list, so here are a few extra things to do in Rhodes that you can add to your itinerary!
12. Lindos Village
Walk around the winding streets of Lindos Village, where you can stop by its most famous attraction, the clifftop Acropolis of Lindos.
Perched high above the sea, it’s crowned by the Temple of Athena Lindia, along with a Hellenistic stoa (a long, columned porch) and the later walls of a castle built by the Knights of St. John—the same order behind Rhodes Old Town.
You’ll also find the Church of Our Lady of Lindos (Panagia) in the village, known for its frescoes.
Lindos Beach and St. Paul’s Bay are also nearby.
13. Faliraki Beach
Faliraki is one of Rhodes’ most popular beaches. With over 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) of coastline, it offers bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and water sports.
Once famous for its wild parties, Faliraki is now a favorite travel destination for those seeking fun in the sun.
14. New Market (Nea Agora)
Located near the harbor at Mandraki and Old Town, New Market dates back to the 1920s.
Although no longer a traditional market, the building now houses several jewelry and souvenir shops, as well as cafes and eateries.
Rhodes Attractions Ranked by Priority
Must See
- Rhodes Old Town: The UNESCO-listed medieval city is the heart of the island, and it’s free to wander.
- Palace of the Grand Masters: It has the best mosaics and history on the island, and it’s covered by the €10 combo ticket.
- Street of the Knights: It’s one of the most intact medieval streets in the world and only takes 15 minutes.
- Archaeological Museum of Rhodes: Go for the arched courtyard and the Hellenistic mosaics.
Nice to See
- Valley of the Butterflies: It’s a Must See from June to August, but skippable the rest of the year.
- Anthony Quinn Bay & Ladiko Bay: These have the clearest water on Rhodes, but go early and bring water shoes.
- Rodini Park: It’s a shady break from the heat, though it’s harder to reach without a car.
- Hippocrates Square: It’s best for a meal or gelato between Old Town stops.
Skip If Short on Time
- Colossus of Rhodes site: Nothing remains, so it’s worth it for history fans only.
- Kallithea Thermal Springs: The “springs” are a small, cool pool, but the restaurant and the calmer beach are good if you have a spare afternoon.
Final Thoughts
The Greek islands are some of the most beautiful places in Europe, and I highly recommend checking out Rhodes in particular!
See my Rhodes travel guide for more planning details.
To wrap up my list of the best things to do in Rhodes, Greece, I’ll remind you that we did these 11 attractions in 2.5 days.
However, we had a rental car, so it was much easier to come and go as we pleased.
If you go by public transportation, I’d budget an extra day because Rhodes is rather spread out.
FAQs
What not to miss on Rhodes?
Don’t miss Rhodes Old Town, especially the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Street of the Knights, and the Archaeological Museum’s arched courtyard.
Outside town, I’d prioritize the Valley of the Butterflies if you visit between June and August, and Anthony Quinn Bay if you arrive early to beat the crowds.
The one I missed and would add next time is Lindos and its clifftop Acropolis.
What is Rhodes, Greece best known for?
Rhodes is best known for its medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Knights Hospitaller, and for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
It’s also known for clear-water beaches like Anthony Quinn Bay and the Acropolis of Lindos.
How many days do you need in Rhodes, Greece?
I recommend 3 full days in Rhodes.
We saw most of this list in 2.5 days with a rental car, but an extra day would have let us add Lindos.
If you’re relying on public transportation, budget at least one more day, because Rhodes is spread out.
Here’s my 3-day Rhodes itinerary.
What to do in Rhodes from a cruise ship?
I didn’t arrive by cruise, but with one day in port, I’d stay in Rhodes Old Town, especially as the cruise port sits right outside the Old Town walls.
The Palace of the Grand Masters, the Street of the Knights, the Archaeological Museum, Hippocrates Square, and the Colossus site are all within walking distance of one another. My one-day Rhodes itinerary maps it out.
Related Rhodes Travel Guides
- 14 of the Best Things to Do in Rhodes Greece
- Rhodes Travel Guide: Everything First-Time Visitors Need to Know
- How to Spend 3 Days in Rhodes, Greece’s Medieval Island
- How to Spend a Day in Rhodes, Greece: Old Town and Beach Itineraries
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