Rodos
photo by bazylek100

Rhodes is the largest settlement and capital city of the island of the same name. It is famous as the former site of the Colossus, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Understand

Orientation

For the traveller, Rhodes City falls into four more or less distinct areas. The most important by far for most visitors is Rhodes Old Town, still enclosed by its medieval wall. Rhodes New Town, north and west of the Old Town, is an extensive and fairly non-descript modern city. The New Town's eastern waterfront, comprising the Commercial Harbor, the yacht and ferry Mandhraki Harbor, and extensive Elli Beach may count as separate area. Finally, the Acropolis of Rhodes, the ruins of the ancient city, are about 2 km southwest of the Old Town.

Tourist information

The local tourist information office for the Dodecanese Islands is located in Rhodes city at Makariou & Papagou Corner. Telephone 22410 44335-6, Fax 22410 26955.

Getting there

By plane

The only airport of the island is the Diagoras International Airport. From there, you can reach Rhodes city with a bus, car or taxi.

Traveling around

In the Old Town, the primary method of travel are your feet :)

See

Rhodes Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site , is one of the best preserved and most extensive medieval towns in Europe. It iss also the location of many monuments and several museums - make sure to get a good map. If you want to see it all, plan for at least a day, and two will not be amiss if you want to see all the museums.

Museums:

  • Rhodes Archaeological Museum, Megalou Alexandrou Square, Τ.Κ. 85100, Rhodes tel +30 22410 75674, +30 22410 34719 fax: +30 22410 31048 email: protocol@kbepka.culture.gr . During the season, it is open till 8 p.m. Entry is 3E. It has two floors, and most of the exhibits are on the second, past the big stairs.

The museum operates a tour of the city walls Tuesdays and Saturdays at 2:45 pm leaving from the Palace of the Grand Masters. This is not really a guided tour: visitors are simply allowed up on the walls to walk along the top of them at their own pace. This walk offers views of the town not otherwise available and is the best way to get an idea of the size of the town and the variety of its architecture.

  • Byzantine Museum

  • Museum of Decorative Art

  • Gallery

  • Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes - can be split into outside, courtyard, outside wall, first floor and second floor. Open in season till 8.p.m., entry is 6E, outside wall is an additional 2E. First floor (photos prohibitted :( ) contains some artifacts of Ancient Rhodes - Archaeological Museum offers more selection and allows photos. Second floor has a variety of later artifacts, but it has almost no descriptions (probably to force people to wait for a tour guide).

Eat

Budget

Mikes (which is not the name Mike's but a Greek name prounounced MEE-kehs) is a hole-in-the-wall place (though with outdoor seating) in a tiny lane near 17 Socratous Street, which serves fish, salad, and wine, and not much else. A very simple restaurant but pleasant, and the seafood is of impeccable quality and well though simply prepared. A good budget choice in Old Town.

Mid-range

Hatzikelis Solomou Alhadef 9 tel +30 22410 27215 is one of the best tavernas, serving innovations on traditional Greek dishes; the stuffed, roasted eggplant is notable.

Laganis Solomou Alhadef 16 is a more traditional taverna with good mezedhes.

Drink

The Turkish Cafe at 76 Sokratous is a rare, wonderfully atmospheric survival of old Rhodes in the middle of the tourist hordes. Run by a charming couple, it serves excellent coffee and a small range of other drinks, but not much food except for a few snacks.

Sleep

Budget

  • Apollo Guesthouse, +30 22410. 32003, omirou 28-C, Rhodes, About a 10 minute walk south of the St John's gate in Old Town

  • Europa Hotel, 28th october str. no 94, Rhodes, Psaropoula area, 1.5km from harbor

  • Mango Rooms, Sq. Dorieos 3, Rhodes, Located in Old Town square, behind San Fanourios church

  • The Spot Hotel Perikleus Street 21, Old Town, Rhodes Greece 85100 tel. +30 22410 34737 e-mail: spothot@otenet.gr is a simple, well run hotel with prices that are a bargain for Rhodes and an excellent location on a street that's quiet yet in the center of the crowded Old Town.

Alia Hotel Haraki Rhodes checkin 12 checkout 12. 35 euros including breakfast. paulelenis@gmil.com

Buy

  • Colorful sea shells offered for sale - mostly in the harbour area - are often actually imported from Asia or the Caribbean. Not only do they make no authentic Rhodes souvenir, many species for sale are also protected and bringing them back home may get you into considerable difficulty

  • Many brand name products for sale in the tourist shops may be fakes and/or unlicensed (t-shirts, towels, hand bags, and so on)

Contact & location

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The photos displayed on this page are the property of one of the following authors:

bazylek100

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This travel guide also includes text from Wikitravel articles, all available at WikitravelView full credits

jan, Piotr Konieczny, HJP, Ann and Evan Prodromou, Burmesedays, Tatatabot, Sailsetter, Pashley, Episteme, Jonboy and Nils

This travel guide also includes text from Wikipedia articles, all available at WikipediaView full credits

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