Fly to Rhodes, Greece for

According to the Greek poet Pindar, Rhodes was named after the sea nymph Rhodos, daughter of the sea god Poseidon and wife of Helios. Some say this is also the reason why the island is always in the warm embrace of the sun. Divine or not, the capital of the Dodecanese certainly has a long and glorious history. Lying at the crossroads of Europe and the East, Rhodes has been a key player in the cultural, economic and political affairs of the Mediterranean since its first Bronze Age settlements. A stark reminder of the island’s grandeur became the Colossus of Rhodes, a massive 33-metre bronze statue of, you guessed it, Helios, that once stood by the port of the city of Rhodes and ranked among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. In the Middle Ages, all eyes were on Rhodes once again when the crusading Knights of the Order of Saint John took over the island from the Genoese in 1306, and turned it into a major medieval stronghold. As Romans, Crusaders, Venetians and Ottomans have come and gone, they have all become part of the fascinating puzzle of people and cultures that Rhodes is today.

Rhodes: Greece’s medieval time capsule

Step into the Middle Ages in Rhodes’ magical Old Town, this sprawling medley of medieval fortresses, skinny alleys, quaint houses and fountains, and an air of history and mystique. Europe’s largest medieval city, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988, is one huge open-air museum of Rhodes’ vast and varied cultural heritage twenty-four centuries in the making. The Old Town unites two worlds: the Upper Town is home to the Palace of the Grand Master, the Great Hospital and the Street of the Knights, while the Lower Town blends Gothic architecture with remnants of the Turkish rule, such as the Ibrahim Pasha’s Mosque, the Moslem Library or the Yeni Hammam Public Baths. The starting point of any sightseeing walk should be the Palace of the Grand Master, a robust fortification at the end of the Street of the Knights. Built in the 14th century by the Knights of Saint John and restored by the Italians in the early 20th century, the palace boasts an impressive collection of 16th- and 17th-century antiques, as well as Greek and Roman statues and mosaics from the Late Hellenistic, Roman and Early Christian periods.

Calling all pasta and seafood lovers

Just like the capital’s Old Town, Rhodes’ cuisine has been moulded by founders, invaders and settlers alike while it has also preserved its inimitable Greek identity. Precious olive oil dripping from everything? Check. Fresh, mouth-watering ingredients? Check. Flavour combos you could eat all day every day? Check. Thanks to the island’s fertile grounds, olives and wheat grow in abundance, with the latter fuelling locals’ undying love of pasta, in all shapes and sizes. In no small part thanks to multiple periods of Italian occupation, pasta dishes, made with makarounia, matsi, koulouria, trachana or hilopites, lie at the heart of local gastronomy. Vine leaves, red pumpkins, onions, caper and green beans are also put to excellent use in Rhodes’ kitchens, along with market-fresh fish and seafood. Locals have a soft spot for desserts, too, especially those made with cereals, nuts, fruits and of course, world-famous Rhodes honey.

Melekounia, thyme honey and cave bars: winding down in Rhodes

Time for a much-deserved break from your sightseeing tour? Hit the boutiques peppered around Rhodes’ Old Town for a different but just as exciting expedition. The souvenir shops of Aristotelous Street and Sokratous Street sell everything from sun hats to hand-painted pottery, and usually stay open until late in the evening. Jewellery of all materials and styles, including antique reproductions, and high-quality leather goods are some of the best things to buy here. Moving on to edible – and drinkable – souvenirs, the Oi Apolloniatises Store on Apostolou Pavlou stocks pastries, liquors, fruit preserves and melekounia produced by the Apolloniatises, aka the Women’s Cooperative of the village of Apollonas. Being nothing short of a bee paradise, Rhodes also produces some of the finest honey on the planet. Local thyme honey contains more antioxidants than any other thyme honey, a research by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki has shown. A word to the wise: buy in bulk.

A guide to the green oases and sun-kissed beaches of the island of Rhodes

Reconnect with nature and get acquainted with Rhodes’ flora and fauna in Butterfly Valley (Petaloudes). The unspoilt nature reserve is located some 27 kilometres from the island’s capital, enchanted by wooden bridges, cobblestone pathways and serene waterfalls. True to its name, from June to September this dreamy valley is covered by millions of Jersey tiger (Panaxia Quadripunctaria) butterflies. Thirty kilometres southeast of Rhodes city, another piece of paradise awaits. Seven Springs, or the Epta Piges, stretches between Colymbia and Archipolis and abounds in romantic forest trails, shady pines and swaying palm trees, and as the name suggests, natural springs that rush through a valley into a small, charming lake. While on your greenscapade, don’t miss out on Rodini Park, just a stone’s throw away from the city. Said to be the world’s very first landscaped park, this lush oasis has been a popular chill-out spot since Roman times and a family favourite, thanks to its huge playground and mini zoo.

Rhodes weather

Rhodes’ climate is Mediterranean, with temperatures ranging between roughly 12°C in January and 30°C in August. Winters are mild and bring frequent rainfalls, and the occasional snowfall on inland hills. Summers are hot with practically no precipitation, plenty of sunshine and even shorter periods of intense heat.

Rhodes airport

Rhodes International Airport is located in Paradisi, 15 kilometres west of the city of Rhodes. To reach the capital, get on the airport bus that leaves outside the terminal building in front of a small outdoor coffee shop. Tickets are available for purchase from the bus driver. Taxis and car rental options are also available.