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Where to Stay in Rhodes

Rhodes — Dodecanese

Find the best places to stay in Rhodes — from the UNESCO medieval Old Town and the romantic village of Lindos to the family beaches of Faliraki, the windsurfing coast of Ixia and the quiet east coast villages of Kolymbia and Pefkos. A complete guide to Rhodes hotels and areas.

Rhodes Old Town (UNESCO Medieval City)Rhodes New Town (Convenient & Connected)Lindos (Romantic & Historic)Faliraki (Beach & Families)

Relaxing stays, beautiful views and authentic hospitality — organized in a clear and practical way.

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Description

Relaxing stays, beautiful views and authentic hospitality — organized in a clear and practical way.

1. Rhodes Old Town: The most extraordinary base in the Dodecanese

The Old Town of Rhodes is one of the most remarkable places to stay in Greece — a fully intact medieval city enclosed by 4-kilometre walls built by the Knights of St John in the 14th century, where Byzantine churches, Ottoman mosques, Gothic palaces and Venetian fountains occupy the same cobblestone lanes. The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, the Street of the Knights — the best-preserved medieval street in Europe — and the Archaeological Museum are all within the walls and within easy walking distance of each other. Staying inside the Old Town puts you inside this living monument rather than visiting it as a day tripper. Hotels here range from simple guesthouses and boutique rooms to extraordinary luxury conversions inside genuine medieval buildings — restored knights' mansions with stone vaulted ceilings, private courtyards and exceptional character. The Old Town has no beach of its own, but Elli Beach in the New Town is a short walk through the walls. The atmosphere changes dramatically between day and afternoon: the Old Town fills with visitors during daylight hours, then empties in the evening when it becomes a more intimate, candlelit version of itself with excellent restaurants and a genuine sense of occasion. It is the right choice for history lovers, couples seeking character and anyone who wants to experience Rhodes at its most extraordinary.

2. Rhodes New Town and Mandraki: The most practical and well-connected base

The New Town of Rhodes surrounds the medieval walls on three sides and is the island's main hub for transport, services and day-to-day life. The Mandraki harbour — flanked by the windmills and the bronze deer statues that mark where the Colossus of Rhodes is said to have once stood — is one of the most recognizable waterfronts in the Aegean, and the pedestrian promenade behind it leads to Elli Beach, a long sandy stretch directly in front of the town with organised facilities and clear water. Staying in the New Town gives you the closest access to the Old Town — most hotels are within a five to fifteen-minute walk of the main gates — alongside the full range of restaurants, bars, shops and ferry connections that the capital provides. It suits first-time visitors who want both history and beach without having to choose between them, independent travelers who value transport connections, and anyone arriving without a car who wants to explore the island using the bus network that radiates from Rhodes Town. Hotels cover every price range, from hostels and budget rooms to well-positioned four-star addresses with rooftop pools and harbour views.

3. Lindos: The most romantic and photogenic village on the island

Lindos sits on the east coast of Rhodes, 50 kilometres south of the capital, and is widely considered the most beautiful village on the island. Its whitewashed cubic houses climb steeply up a rocky promontory to the ancient Acropolis of Lindos — a Doric temple and fortification complex perched high above two stunning bays — while the village itself is a completely car-free maze of cobblestone lanes, captain's houses with pebble-mosaic courtyards, rooftop restaurants with panoramic views and boutique shops selling ceramics and linen. The beaches of Lindos and Pallas sit directly below the village on either side of the headland, and the small, perfectly sheltered bay of St Paul's — where the apostle is said to have landed in 43 AD — is one of the most beautiful swimming spots on the island. Lindos suits couples above all other traveler types: the combination of extraordinary architecture, elevated dining with sea views and intimate scale makes it the most consistently romantic base on Rhodes. Hotels here are predominantly small boutique properties and traditional captain's houses converted into guest accommodation — there are no large resorts within the village. The price level is higher than most of the island, and peak season crowds on the Acropolis path and main village lane can be significant from mid-morning until mid-afternoon. Arriving early and staying overnight — when the day-trippers have gone — is the best way to experience Lindos at its finest.

4. Faliraki: The island's main beach resort and the east coast activity hub

Faliraki lies 15 kilometres south of Rhodes Town on the east coast and has evolved significantly from its reputation as a pure party resort into a more varied destination that suits a wider range of travelers. Its main beach is one of the finest on the island — a long, sandy arc with calm, shallow water, organised facilities and a full range of watersports — and the combination of a massive water park, a go-kart track and excellent family hotels makes it the strongest base for families with older children and teenagers on the island. The evening atmosphere on Bar Street (Ermou Street) remains lively and aimed at a younger crowd, but the resort has expanded enough that quieter accommodation is readily available at the southern end of the beach, away from the nightlife strip. Anthony Quinn Bay — named after the actor who filmed The Guns of Navarone here and subsequently fell in love with the island — is just two kilometres south of Faliraki and is one of the most scenic swimming spots on the east coast, a sheltered cove of exceptional clarity below dramatic pine-covered cliffs. For beach-focused travelers who want easy access to both Rhodes Town and the east coast, and the widest range of activities and accommodation on the island, Faliraki is the most practical choice.

5. Ixia and Ialyssos: Sunsets, windsurfing and resort comfort close to the capital

Ixia and its western extension Ialyssos sit on the northwest coast of Rhodes, just five to ten kilometres from the capital, and catch the reliable Aegean winds that funnel through the strait between Rhodes and Turkey. This makes the area the best windsurfing and kitesurfing destination on the island, with several established schools and equipment rental centres operating along the beachfront. The west-facing coast also delivers some of the finest sunsets in Rhodes — the views across the water toward the Turkish coast at dusk, with the light changing from gold to red over the open sea, are among the most memorable on the island. Hotels here tend toward the larger resort and all-inclusive end of the market, with several well-established four and five-star properties offering extensive pools, spa facilities and beach access. The beach itself is predominantly pebbly rather than sandy, which suits some travelers but is worth knowing before booking. The proximity to Rhodes Town — just ten to fifteen minutes by car or bus — makes Ixia one of the most convenient resort bases for combining beach days with Old Town evenings. It suits couples and adult travelers who want polished resort comfort, excellent sunset views and easy access to the capital without paying the premium of an Old Town address.

6. Kolymbia, Pefkos and the Quiet East Coast: The best base for a relaxed family stay

Between Faliraki and Lindos, the east coast of Rhodes opens into a series of quieter villages and resort areas that offer a more relaxed and authentic alternative to the main tourist centres. Kolymbia sits roughly equidistant between Rhodes Town and Lindos, with a clean beach, pine-shaded promenade and a peaceful atmosphere that suits families who want a settled, comfortable base from which to explore the whole island by day. The nearby Tsambika Beach — a long arc of golden sand visible from the hilltop monastery of the same name above — is one of the most beautiful and consistently recommended beaches on the east coast. Pefkos, just south of Lindos, offers a similar Lindos atmosphere at significantly lower prices and with considerably less daytime crowding — it is popular with travelers who have visited Lindos before and want the scenery without the peak-season intensity. Further south, the villages of Lardos and Gennadi provide some of the quietest and most genuinely local beach experiences available on the island, with long stretches of uncrowded sand and very little tourist infrastructure. This entire stretch of east coast suits families, couples and independent travelers who want a base that gives them easy access to the best of Rhodes — Lindos, the east coast beaches, and Rhodes Town — without committing to any single destination as their daily environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which area of Rhodes is best for a first visit?+

Rhodes Town — and specifically the New Town, within walking distance of the Old Town walls — is the strongest first base. It gives you the medieval Old Town on foot, Elli Beach within walking distance, the best bus connections to the rest of the island, and a full range of restaurants, bars and services without needing a car. If you are primarily interested in beaches and resort comfort, Faliraki is the most complete beach base. If romance and scenery are the priority, Lindos is unmatched but requires a car for the rest of the island.

How far is Lindos from Rhodes Town?+

Lindos is approximately 50 kilometres from Rhodes Town on the east coast road, a journey of around 50 to 60 minutes by car depending on traffic, or around 90 minutes on the public bus which runs several times daily. Most visitors based in Rhodes Town or Faliraki do Lindos as a day trip — arriving early before the crowds — rather than staying overnight, though staying in the village is by far the most memorable way to experience it.

Do I need a car in Rhodes?+

Not necessarily, depending on your base. Rhodes Town, Faliraki and the east coast resorts are all well-connected by the island's bus network, which runs regularly between Rhodes Town and Lindos throughout summer. If you want to explore the island's interior, the wine village of Embonas, the monastery of Filerimos, the remote south coast beaches or the kitesurfing destination of Prasonisi at the island's southern tip, a car is essential. Renting one for two or three days specifically for exploration is a popular and efficient approach.

Is the Rhodes Old Town noisy at night?+

Less than you might expect. The Old Town empties of day-trippers by early evening and the streets become considerably quieter and more atmospheric after dinner. The main taverna streets retain some noise until around midnight in high summer, but the interior lanes are remarkably peaceful. The New Town immediately outside the walls has a more active bar scene. If you are a very light sleeper, choose a room on an inner courtyard or upper floor within the Old Town walls.

When is the best time to visit Rhodes?+

May, June and September to early October offer the best balance. The sea is warm from late May, the Old Town and Lindos are pleasantly atmospheric without overwhelming crowds, and prices are significantly lower than in July and August. Peak season — particularly the last two weeks of July and all of August — brings Rhodes to full capacity, with the Acropolis of Lindos requiring queues from mid-morning and the most popular beaches very crowded by noon. Rhodes also receives visitors year-round for its climate, which is the sunniest in Greece, but most accommodation and restaurants outside the main resort areas close between November and March.

Can I island-hop from Rhodes?+

Yes, and it is one of the best-positioned islands in Greece for regional island-hopping. Regular ferry connections run from Rhodes Town to Kos, Symi, Patmos, Leros and the wider Dodecanese chain. Day trips to the tiny island of Symi — a remarkably well-preserved neoclassical village in a horseshoe harbour — are particularly popular and widely available from the Mandraki and Commercial ports in Rhodes Town.