I’ve Been To Over 20 Greek Islands: This Is The One I Go Back To Every Year

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When you suppose Greek islands, likelihood is it is most likely Mykonos’ bustling waterfront hugged by an azure Aegean, or Santorini’s whitewashed, cliffside churches with blue domes.

It’s the Greece of Mamma Mia, cave resorts that value an arm-and-a-leg per night time, and overpolished villages the place you are extra more likely to discover a Hermès outlet than chatty yiayias gossiping on their entrance porches all day.

Listen, I’ve been to over 20 Greek islands at this level, from the Italian-influenced Ioanian aspect, right down to the key gems of the Saronic, the touristy Cyclades, and all the best way east to the Dodecanese.

Santorini, Corfu, Paxos, Aegina, Milos, Hydra, you identify it.

I’ve splurged on $1,000 caldera-view rooms in Oia, dived from the world-famous cliffs in Sarakiniko Beach, idly watched sunsets over the Byzantine monastery in Folegandros, and went off-path within the Mastic heartland of Turkey-facing Chios, however there’s one island that retains pulling me again.

Greece Like You Never Imagined It

My Pearl of the Dodecanese, Rhodes is maybe Greece’s most unsung cultural vacation spot, and a paradisiacal island packed-full of timeless horios (conventional inland villages) and fringed by a few of the turquoise-most waters in your entire Mediterranean.

Unlike Santorini, Rhodes ain’t only a weekend getaway. You’re gonna wanna sit back there for at the very least per week, possibly longer. And simply so you already know, it’s not precisely some hidden gem. At least, not if you happen to’re European.

It’s truly fairly in style, internet hosting over 3.5 million vacationers yearly, principally from the Northerly nations, putting second in reputation proper after Crete. Thing is, if you happen to’re an American, likelihood is you have most likely by no means heard of it.

Not being cheeky or anti-American right here. I love y’all. It’s simply details.

Americans make up solely a tiny fraction of Greece’s total arrivals, round 3–5% of holiday makers, and for sure, a majority will contact down in Athens, the capital, and so far as island-hopping goes, it is after all the Mykonos–Santorini duo that is on their radar.

Even although, hem, Greece has over 200 islands to choose from, however hey, I digress.

I cannot cease beautiful influencers flinting about Oia in flying attire from promoting to you the surface-level Greece, however I can let you know why I imagine there isn’t any place higher to expertise Greek tradition than an arguably-offbeat Rhodes:

A Truly Mind-Blowing Medieval Capital

One of the best-preserved, in addition to the largest medieval heart nonetheless inhabited in Europe—it is no marvel I included it in my top 5 all-time favorite European destinations—Rhodes Town is the sort of storybook location you’d have thought may solely exist in interval dramas.

It’s been below the management of each civilization you may probably identify, from the Ancient Hellenes, to the Romans, their Byzantine successors, the Ottomans, Napoleonic France, and even the Italians, so it is actually no marvel it seems extremely various for a Greek metropolis.

I’m speaking a labyrinthine heart minimize by means of with winding, cobbled lanes, French-style auberges (constructed by the French themselves), towering minarets relationship again to the Turkish interval, and imposing ramparts, metropolis gates, and stone bridges over deep moats.

One constructing I discover notably fascinating is the Palace of the Grand Master, a uncommon instance of a Western-style medieval fortification this far east within the Mediterranean, trying no completely different than your common French château.

Paved with uneven cobbles and flanked by medieval inns, the Street of the Knights is probably the most lovely I’ve seen in the entire of the Old Continent, and naturally, there isn’t any Rhodes with out its iconic Mandraki Harbor.

It’s believed to be the previous website of the Colossus of Rhodes, one of many Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The large statue as soon as stood on the entrance to the harbor, with its ft allegedly spanning the waterway.

No bodily hint of it survives right this moment, however you possibly can stroll as much as the well-known deer statues that mark the supposed spots the place the Colossus’s ft would have stood, on reverse sides of the harbor entrance, and absorb views of the walled Old Town from throughout the water.

This Is What The Real Greece Is All About

There’s no Greek island escape with out some good outdated village-hopping. Gotta hit those hourios to seek out the perfect mountain cheese and baked lamb, my pals. The smartest thing about Rhodes is that it is comparatively small, so most smaller settlements are inside half-an-hour, or a one hour’s drive away.

That being mentioned, it is such a landmark-packed island that you’d want a number of consecutive yearly visits to cowl all bases. Trust me, 5 Greek summers in, I’m nonetheless attempting, and I nonetheless really feel like I’ve barely scratched the floor.

As a lot because it hurts my coronary heart to maintain it this transient—orders from the Editor in Chief—if I had been to slim it right down to solely three Rhodes villages I suppose first-time sailors completely ought to not miss out on, these will surely be:

Lindos

An Ancient Coastal Town At The Foot Of An Acropolis

A coastal city in style for its typically-Greek, whitewashed homes—which, surprisingly sufficient, you do not come throughout so simply within the Dodecanese—family-run taverns, and naturally, the hilltop acropolis with the partially-preserved Temple of Athenia Lindia.

It has fewer standing columns than the Parthenon, but when I’m being sincere, I was much more awestruck by the Lindian acropolis than by its Athens counterpart.

I do not know, man, there’s simply one thing in regards to the turquoise Aegean at your ft, as an alternative of an uninspiring city sprawl, and the absence of crowds that simply assist convey the traditional world to life.

Kattavia

Small Village Dishing Out Authentic Rhodean Food

Rural Rhodes at its most unspoiled, this tiny village on the western aspect of the island is residence to an Italian-style campanile, colourful homes, and a few yiayia-run tavernas allotting home-cooked Rhodean meals.

People drive all the best way from Rhodes Town to take a look at the neighboring Prasonisi Beach, that slim strip of sand wedged between the Aegean and the Mediterranean, however I’d fortunately spend an hour and a half on the highway any day simply to strive Eftihia’s feta with honey and their selfmade moussaka.

Embonas

Traditional Wineries And Mountain Cuisine

Nestled amid Rhodes’ lush inland hills, Embonas is that laid-back, untouristy settlement I love escaping to every time the summer season buzz on the coast will get a bit a lot.

Now, you would not come to Embonas for sightseeing or historical monuments (although if you happen to’re driving westbound alongside the north coast, you may likelybe passing a serious archaeological zone at Kameiros). People come right here for the scrumptious wine and most significantly, the mountain delicacies.

Right within the coronary heart of the village, Maroulakis is fingers down top-of-the-line spots in all of Rhodes for traditional taverna fare. Honestly, you received’t discover tastier gemista (rice‑stuffed peppers) or honey‑drizzled yogurt with almonds anyplace else on the island.

Eh eh eh, earlier than you permit: be sure you swing by Kounaki, a correct Rhodean family-owned vineyard with a powerful fame for high quality reds.

115 Miles Of Pristine coast

What I love most about Rhodes, in addition to the standard villages and unimaginable meals, is how one can hop from seashore to seashore alongside its 115‑mile shoreline and by no means really feel such as you’re combating for a spot within the solar, or caught in your individual city’s crowded public pool.

Granted, you’d most likely need to steer cleer of a a chaotic Faliraki, with its stripper golf equipment, seashore bars, and Babylonian nudist zone. Avoid the equally-overdeveloped Tsambika, except you need to be a part of the laaads for a riotous weekend stag do.

On the opposite hand, Anthony Quinn Bay is likely one of the most peaceable seashores I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting. The public stays primarily native, the beachside bars will not cost you upwards of $15 for a easy Greek salad, and the waters are crystal-clear and nothing in need of gorgeous.

Near Lindos, the aforementioned acropolis village, Agathi Beach has delicate, golden sands, and shallow, swimmable waters.

I at all times keep in Rhodes Town myself because it’s extra handy for bus connections, and I do not at all times have a automobile out there, however every time I can, I normally choose coming right here than going to the capital’s Elli Beach, the place it is shingly pebbles and agitated seas.

That mentioned, if you happen to’re asking me what is the one seashore in Rhodes I may return to many times, and by no means develop uninterested in it, I’d need to say Charaki:

Backed by a peaceable coastal city and wonderful waterfront tavernas, it is a parasol-sprinkled stretch of pebbles instantly dealing with but one other historical acropolis.

Just the right combine between Old World attraction and coastal rest.

Other Must-Sees In Rhodes

Kallithea Springs

I’m not gonna lie, though I’ve been within the Dodecanese extra instances than I can rely, I’ve by no means paid probably the most well-known pure spa within the area a go to. Kallithea Springs was constructed as a kind of seaside retreat for Rhodes’ Italian occupiers in the course of the Mussolini period, besides now it attracts dolls from throughout Essex.

There’s simply one thing in regards to the busloads of day-trippers developing from Faliraki, and orange-tanned British girlies that offers me ick. But hey, it is a beautiful Italianate complicated full with crystalline swimming pools, elegant mosaics, and luxurious gardens.

I’m good, however if you happen to’re flying all this fashion from America, you would possibly as effectively come right here and test it out for your self.

Valley of the Butterflies

You most likely know Greek islands for his or her aridness and olive-tree-dotted hills, however this inland valley is definitely recognized for its giant, arching bushes, forming a dense cover over trickling streams and cascading waterfalls.

This one was a one-off for me as I cannot stand lengthy nature walks personally, nevertheless tourist-friendly, and moderately-challenging they might be, however hey, if there’s one place the place you possibly can absorb Rhodes’ unusually-verdant landscapes, that is it.

Oh, and in case you are questioning, the identify is because of the hundreds of butterflies that flutter across the valley in summer season, drawn to its shade and moisture.

Symi

My favourite ‘island day journey’ from Rhodes, Symi is about 25 miles by sea, and the quickest ferry there takes round an hour from Mandraki Harbor.

I’ve solely been there as soon as, however seeing these Neoclassical homes alongside the port, with their pastel colours and red-tile roofs, and that turquoise Agios Nikolaos Bay—a assured cease on most guided boat excursions—is a reminiscence that is caught with me eternally.

If staying in a single day on the island, be sure you add Panormitis Monastery to your bucket record. Located on the much-quieter southwest coast, this picturesque sacred website is residence to an icon of Archangel Michael, and a postcard-ready bell tower.

Marmaris

Rhodes lies about 18 miles from the Turkish coast—if you happen to’re staying proper by Ellis Beach in Rhodes Town, Turkey would be the view you get up to daily.

I do not find out about you, however I by no means cross on the possibility to mix two countries in a single trip, particularly when the closest Turkish port is the colourful coastal city of Marmaris, one of many up-and-coming locations alongside the Turkish Riviera.

Whenever in Rhodes, I normally go to Marmaris for some early-morning bazaar buying (inflation apart, the euro-lira charge continues to be favorable) and a $5 döner kebab, however as a newcomer, I strongly suggest you discover Marmaris Castle and the city’s fashionable marina.

It’s Just Cheaper

To wrap issues up, the affordability issue is certainly one of many primary causes Rhodes retains topping my Greece journey searches.

To be fairly frank, aside from maybe fellow Dodecanese gem Chios or Lesvos, I do not suppose I’ve ever spent as little cash on a Greek island getaway as I normally do in Rhodes, the place resort charges vary from $63 to $94-a-night, and meals in local-frequented tavernas roughly $13–$15.

Let’s simply put it this fashion: if I’m planning on visiting Rhodes within the close to future, I be sure that I save up round $350–$400 total for the entire week, excluding lodging, flights, ferry tickets, and guided actions.

Getting To Rhodes

The best approach to get to Rhodes is flying to Diagoras International Airport (RHO), which serves the entire island. It hosts flights from just about all primary European hubs in the summertime months, and I’ve snagged tickets from as low-cost as $90 round-trip as soon as earlier than.

Alternatively, you might ferry in from different Greek ports, most notably Piraeus, close to Athens, however that is a loooong in a single day, and even multiple-day trek I solely suggest you embark on if you do not get seasick simply, and you are not in a rush to get anyplace.

Ferries are additionally far more costly.

Just e-book these flights, hun. I’m certain the planet will forgive you, and if you happen to’re extra eco-conscious than I am, you possibly can at all times tack on the voluntary carbon-offset price once you purchase your ticket.

Enjoy my second Greek residence!