Places to visit
Rhodes is the largest island of the Dodecanese with a population of about 115,000 people. The island's extensive coastline and excellent climate make it an ideal international tourist destination. Rhodes combines beautiful green hills, golden beaches and archaeological sites. It has been famous since ancient times as the site of the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
City of Rhodes
Surrounded by the beautiful Aegean Sea, the city of Rhodes is the place to visit when you want to combine sightseeing, shopping and nightlife.
The Aquarium, the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Municipality of Rhodes, the buildings of the Italian occupation and the countless archaeological sites are just a few of the city's gems.
Old Town of Rhodes
Within walking distance of the new town, you will find the Medieval Town. It is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe, which in 1988 was designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
In the Old Town and at the end of one of the most picturesque medieval streets, the Street of the Knights, is the Palace of the Grand Master of the Order of Saint John. Today, the Palace of the Grand Master serves as a museum and exhibition centre.
Along with the Palace of the Grand Master, you can also find the National Archaeological Museum which has an important collection of artefacts dating from the Mycenaean era to the early Christian times, as well as various typical examples of the Knights' arts.
Lindos
Lindos is perhaps the most popular resort on the island of Rhodes, located on the east coast and is one of the three capitals - along with Rhodes and Kamiros - of the island in ancient times.
Apart from the small picturesque village, Lindos has one of the most beautiful fortified ancient Acropolises.
Valley of the Butterflies
The Butterfly Valley is a natural park located 23 km from the city of Rhodes. It belongs to a Natura 2000 protected area, along with the Seven Wells and the mountain of Profitis Ilias. It is also the site of the only natural forest of Liquidambar Orientalis (Begonia or Wild Cyclamen) in Europe, and a resting place for Panaxia Quadripunctaria, a nocturnal butterfly. You and your children will enjoy the beautiful walk in the shady, green valley with its small river and beautiful waterfalls. You will be constantly surrounded by butterflies hiding in the tree trunks!
Filerimos Monastery
Located on top of a green hill on the west coast of the island, the Monastery of Filerimos is an archaeological and religious treasure worth visiting. The monastery was built by the Knights in the 14th century AD on the ruins of a Byzantine church which had been built on the foundations of the Temple of Athena of Ialysia, part of which survives to this day.
