Rhodes is the largest island in the Dodecanese and the group's main gateway, its UNESCO-listed Old Town built by the Knights of St John still standing behind intact walls. It suits travelers who want ruins, beaches, and nightlife within a short taxi ride of each other, backed by reliable flight and ferry links to the rest of the chain.
- Main port
- Rhodes Town
- Recommended nights
- 3–4
- Best time to visit
- May, Jun, Sep, Oct
- Wind & disruption risk
- Low
Known for
- Palace of the Grand Master
- Street of the Knights
- Lindos Acropolis
- Anthony Quinn Bay
- Old Town city walls
Getting there
Ferries and cruise ships dock right at Rhodes Town, so there is no transfer to the historic center. The island has a large international airport with direct flights from across Europe, which is why most Dodecanese itineraries begin or end here. From Rhodes, fast catamarans run south to Symi and north to Kos, making it the hinge for a longer chain. Because the Dodecanese stretches over 200 kilometers north to south, plan hops in one direction rather than zigzagging.
When to go
Rhodes has the mildest wind profile in the Dodecanese, so the sailing season stretches longer than in the Cyclades, running roughly from April into October. Best months are May, June, September, and October, when temperatures stay comfortable and ferries keep full schedules without the meltemi disruptions that hit islands further north. July and August bring heat and Old Town crowds, but the low wind risk means departures are rarely cancelled even then.
Where to stay
Rhodes Old Town puts you inside the walls, a maze of cobbled lanes, museums, and tavernas that stay open into the evening, ideal if you want to walk everywhere and skip taxis. Lindos, about 50 kilometers south, trades that density for whitewashed cubist houses climbing toward an acropolis above a sheltered bay, suited to a quieter, beach-focused stay. The New Town splits the difference, with easier parking and a long beach promenade.
Good to know
Buses connect Rhodes Town to Lindos and the airport, but a rental car helps if you want to reach the west coast or Prasonisi. Cash still matters for small tavernas outside the Old Town, though cards are standard in the center. Cruise ship days bring heavy crowds to the Street of the Knights by mid-morning, so visit before 9am or after 5pm. Dress modestly to enter the Palace of the Grand Master and any working churches.
Related itineraries
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Athens to Rhodes?
Ferries and cruise ships dock right at Rhodes Town, so there is no transfer to the historic center. The island has a large international airport with direct flights from across Europe, which is why most Dodecanese itineraries begin or end here. From Rhodes, fast catamarans run south to Symi and north to Kos, making it the hinge for a longer chain. Because the Dodecanese stretches over 200 kilometers north to south, plan hops in one direction rather than zigzagging.
Recommended nights — Rhodes?
Rhodes earns 3 to 4 nights as the trip's hub rather than a quick stop, since flights, the fast ferry to Symi, and the connection to Kos all originate here. Treat it as the anchor of a Dodecanese route and build the rest of the itinerary around its schedule, not the other way around.
When to go — Rhodes?
Rhodes has the mildest wind profile in the Dodecanese, so the sailing season stretches longer than in the Cyclades, running roughly from April into October. Best months are May, June, September, and October, when temperatures stay comfortable and ferries keep full schedules without the meltemi disruptions that hit islands further north. July and August bring heat and Old Town crowds, but the low wind risk means departures are rarely cancelled even then.
Times, prices and frequencies are indicative and change by season and operator. Always confirm the live timetable before you book.