Things to Do in Rhodes, Greece

Medieval City (Rhodes Old Town) — UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Medieval City of Rhodes is a living fortified town contained within roughly four kilometres of defensive walls.

Inside, Frankish Gothic lanes sit beside Ottoman baths and Italian‑era buildings, and the plan preserves a clear division between the High Town — the Knights’ ceremonial quarter — and the Lower Town’s dense commercial lanes and parish churches.

Walking axes such as the Street of the Knights reveal carved coats of arms, stone arches and compact inns that once housed the Order’s different “tongues.”

Today the Old Town is a functioning neighbourhood with shops and residences; its UNESCO status reflects active conservation and management.

Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights (Rhodes)

The Palace of the Grand Master stands at the northern heart of the Medieval City as the visible symbol of the Knights Hospitaller. Built on an earlier acropolis, the palace combines medieval Gothic massing with later Ottoman and Italian restorations and served as the Order’s residence and administrative centre.

Its battlements, towers and stone silhouette convey status and military purpose.

Interior rooms stage ceremonial and administrative life through arched chambers, vaulted halls and museum displays of mosaics, sculpture fragments and period objects. Exhibition layouts and temporary closures vary, so check official cultural authorities for ticketing and special exhibits before visiting.

Acropolis of Lindos and Lindos Village

Perched about 116 metres above the sea, the Acropolis of Lindos crowns a whitewashed village and frames sweeping views of Lindos Bay and St Paul’s Bay. The stepped approach passes layered remains—Hellenistic stoa, Crusader fortifications and the sanctuary of Athena Lindia—culminating at Doric temple ruins and a scenic summit precinct.

Lindos village is integral to the visit: narrow, cobbled alleys wind between cubic houses, chapels and tavernas. The climb is steep and exposed on uneven stone, so bring sturdy shoes, a hat and water.

Conservation work and seasonal access arrangements may change; check official heritage information for current logistics.

Ancient Kamiros archaeological site

Ancient Kamiros, on Rhodes’ northwest coast, preserves a clear example of Hellenistic urban planning with a street grid, house foundations, workshops and public spaces visible in situ. Visitors can read room plans, pebble mosaics and agora-like areas that illustrate domestic, commercial and ritual life in a Mediterranean polis.

Notable features include rock‑cut cisterns and hydraulic installations that demonstrate local water management in a dry island climate, plus nearby temple foundations and altars. Signage and services can be modest—comfortable shoes, sun protection and an official site leaflet or guidebook will help interpret the visible urban fabric.

Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes)

The Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes) is a shaded riparian gorge notable for dense plane trees and seasonal congregations of lepidoptera, including Jersey tiger moths. A mostly accessible loop trail follows the stream, crossing wooden bridges and passing observation clearings that reveal the valley’s cool microclimate and understory of mosses and ferns.

The spectacle is strongest in warm, humid months when insects cluster on trunks; quiet observation helps preserve their resting behaviour. Paths can be soft or muddy after rain and the site emphasises conservation over commercialisation, so check local authorities for access arrangements, guided programmes or temporary restrictions.

Kallithea Springs (Kallithea Thermal Springs)

Kallithea Springs is an Italian‑era seaside spa complex where rotundas, colonnades and terraces step down to a sheltered bay. Dating from the late 1920s, the complex features pebble mosaics, tiled portals and composed arches that reflect early twentieth‑century spa urbanism integrated with the rocky shoreline.

Today restored domes and rotundas host exhibitions and events while promenades and shaded planting make the site pleasant for strolls. Onsite services are limited and occasional closures occur for conservation or events; consult official visitor information for accessibility and programming.

Filerimos Hill and Monastery (Acropolis of Ialysos)

Filerimos occupies the low, forested acropolis of ancient Ialysos and combines archaeological remains with a functioning monastery set among pine and cypress. Paths reveal Hellenistic foundations, Roman masonry and medieval interventions, while the monastery compound contains a Gothic church, a small underground Byzantine chapel and calm terraces.

The site offers broad views toward the western coast and a contemplative atmosphere; on‑site pathways include paved cross paths and viewpoints leading to scattered ruins. Surfaces are uneven and signage concise—bring sturdy shoes, sun protection and check for seasonal access or liturgical closures.

Prasonisi (southern cape, watersports and nature)

Prasonisi is the sandy spit at Rhodes’ southern tip where a shifting sandbar links the island to a low peninsula and creates two distinct shorelines: a sheltered lagoon good for beginners and an exposed, wave‑prone side prized by experienced wind‑ and kitesurfers.

Seasonal winds and tidal change shape a dynamic coastal landscape of dunes, intertidal pools and vegetated flats.

Wind schools and equipment rentals concentrate near the beach, but facilities are seasonal and basic. Access requires a short drive and walking across sand and pebble; consult local sport centres or official tourism sources for equipment hire, lessons and any protected‑area notices.