Discover Rhodes » Resorts

Kolymbia

staff — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:54:54 +0000

Kolymbia (Greek: Κολύμπια) is a sun-soaked resort in a idyllic place between mountains and the sea with a fine beach for watersports, a few shops and plenty of peace and quiet. Located behind an arc of sand and shingle beach, this unhurried, uncrowded resort offers the essence of typical Greek island holidays attracting a multinational bunch of sun-seekers. Most hotels are designed to merge with the landscape with informal swimming pools dotted through palm sprinkled gardens, but these same relaxing grounds are home to a great range of sport and leisure activities too, and the range of hotels bring quality, comfort and style to relaxed little Kolymbia.

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Holidays in Kolymbia will lull you into the relaxed tempo. With evening entertainment in your hotel together with a sprinkling of bars and tavernas for traditional greek food and conversation.

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The west coast of Rhodes

staff — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 17:12:45 +0000

Populous resorts, important archaeological sites, picturesque villages await us on the west side of the island. Following the road to west we cross the great coast of Ixia where the island’s Miami-beach style hotels are clustered and reach Ialissos (Trianta) at 8 km, a townlet surrounded by orchard. One should visit here the church of the Dormition of Theotokos (Virgin Mary, Mother of God) with its famous woodcarved temple, and then follow the winding picturesque road crossing the pine – wood up to the Acropolis of Ialissos (6 km) – the important Doric city built on the flat top of Mt. Filerimos, strategically overlooking the island. Places of archaeological interest include the temple of Polias Athena (3rd century BC), the Baptimal Font of an early Christian church, the brilliantly restored church of Panagia Filerimos, the monastery, the ruins of a medieval castle, the Doric fountain and the ancient necropolis.

Further to the west on the coast road, after Kremasti and Paradissi, one should go up left and reach the lush greenery of the famous Petaloudes (Butterflies) valley (25 km), unique in the whole of Greece. Millions of butterflies gather here in the summer. The slightest sound drives them in flocks from among the trees and shrubs – a rare sight. Returning to the coast road we reach the side – road leading to ancient Kamiros ¹, third in importance commercial center of antiquity (34 km). Archaeologists discovered this city, forgotten for centuries, in 1928. Ruins of this city – unique in having neither a castle nor an acropolis – are not commensurate with its past glory. We discern parts of houses and buildings, the Agora, with its Doric stoa (3rd century), a Hellenistic temenos with Doric temple, ruins of an aqueduct and remnants of the peripheral temple of Kamiriad Athena. Beside the foundations of that temple stands the Panagia monastery, near to a proto – Christian catacomb. The west road continues for a while along the coast, reaches the village Kamiros-scala (51 km), then turns inland.

From this village, with picturesque windmills and a panoramic view to the opposite islets, one can reach Chalki by caique. The traveler will be pleasantly suprised by the amphitheatric Kritinia village (55 km), with a nearby impressive medieval castle. The road winds south trough the forest to Siana (69 km), famous for its aromatic pine-sage honey and souma, full of old stone houses and a church with heavily restored eighteenth-century frescoes. At a distance of 4kms lies Monolithos, built on the pine – covered slopes of Mt. Ataviros. A nearby medieval castle, built on a steep cliff, imposes its presence. To the south one crosses endless green fields to reach Apolakia (84 km), famous for its marriage feasts, and finally from the opposite side – Katavia (102 km).

¹ A common problem when dealing with Greek names is how to render them using latin characters. The correct way would be by using transliteration, a method that converts the words written in one writing system into another writing system. Using this method the Greek word Κάμειρος would be rendered as Kàmeiros or Kameiros. We think that most of the times this type of conversion will create problems with the actual pronunciation. So instead in this site we try to use the phonetic Greeklish method because we feel it’s simpler and when pronounced is better to understand by the Greeks.

The east coast of Rhodes

staff — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:42:52 +0000

The west coast of Rhodes is subject to shore winds and can be rough, but is a windsurfer’s paradise. The east coast is more sheltered with moderate winds. In this part you will find the best beaches of the island. Kalithea with its marvelous landscape attracts the younger people. Faliraki beach slopes gently (which is perfect for children) and virtually every water sport is available. A small bay at the extreme southern end of Faliraki is popular with nudists although, strictly speaking, nudism is illegal. Afandou is a fabulous long pebbly beach, busy at weekends, but deserted at the start/end of season. Tsambika, is for many the preffered beach with its long sandy coast. A long, deserted beach runs from Haraki and Vlicha Bay. From Pefkos starts an almost uninterrupted beach with fabulous spots like Glistra, Kiotari, Gennadi, Plimiri and finally Prassonissi at the extreme southwest end of the island.

Haraki

staff — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 07:40:11 +0000

Haraki (Greek: Χαράκι) is about 38km distant from Rhodes and about 20 km from Lindos. Located on the east coast of the island, it is small and quiet fishermen village with superb pebbly beach and fish tavernas and views across to Lindos. The nearby is the medieval fortress of Feraklos dominates its picturesque setting while at short walk lies the marvelous sandy beach of Agathi with shallow and warm waters.

Haraki is an ideal place for families wishing to spend a relaxed holiday. The pebbly bay is small but not overcrowded and the water is crystal clear.

Pefkos

staff — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 09:46:54 +0000

Pefkos – or Pefki – is a popular resort, just outside Lindos (4km), along the beautiful south-east coast of Rhodes. It’s name is derived from the abunance of pine trees sourounding the old fishermen village. This peaceful haven is spread around a sandy beach and surrounded by pine trees.

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Pefkos is well known for its leisurely pace, tranquillity and friendly atmosphere. Every summer, travelers from around the world are continuously drawn by the beauty of the place. It is ideal for families and couples looking for a relaxing holiday and a traditional taste of Greece but also a perfect spot for beach lovers and water sports activities.

Pefkos offers a fine range of holiday accommodation. You will find luxurious newly built villas but also more budget oriented apartments and hotel packages.

There are many interesting places to go when you make your stop in this beautiful resort. The amazing physical scenery and a stretch of pristine beaches are the main attractions. Amidst its unique views lie well-preserved ruin sites which are evident of the village’s rich culture and interesting history. Its natural treasures include picturesque sunsets and sun rises, creating priceless moments in every camera shot.

If you like shopping then the local bazaars could be a treat. Here, you can find special items which make great gifts for all your friends and family back home. The place will never run short of fun when it comes to tourist itineraries. Its long stretch of beaches offers a whole new way of partying. Aside from that, you may enjoy sumptuous meals at the local and exclusive restaurants that are located right at the beach.

Lindos

staff — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:59:48 +0000

Lindos is probably the most popular resort on the island of Rhodes, located on the east coast at about 47 km from the island’s capital (50 km from the airport) . The village, once the capital of the island, today is an attractive holiday resort evolving around the picturesque, whitewashed, preserved medieval village, topped with a fortified ancient Acropolis, reached through a series of steps, which can be ascended on donkeys.

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From the outside, the Acropolis does not betray its Hellenistic origins because the original complex was surrounded by a strong fortification in the Middle Ages by the Knights of St John, but inside are the Doric Stoa, propylaean ruins, the sanctuary of Athena and the Byzantine church of St John. The ruins of an ancient theatre have been discovered on the slope below the Acropolis.

There is a preservation order on the village, building that is very restricted. All the newer complexes are built in the surrounding areas, mainly up on Krana Hill.

Many celebrities have chosen to buy or build holiday homes in this beautiful traditional village with cobbled narrow streets and white-stuccoed houses sloping down to the sea.

Faliraki

staff — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:41:09 +0000

Situated on the east coast of Rhodes, at about 14 km south of the capital, Faliraki is one of the island’s most developed beach resorts, renowned for its almost 4 km long stretch of wonderful sandy beach and its active nightlife. There is a constant development and transformation in Faliraki in the recent years as a new epicenter, targeted to family oriented beach based holidays, is been created to the northern part of the bay with new hotels and shopping centers with one of Europe’s biggest and best water parks, offering slides, lazy river rides, rafting, a wave pool, aqua-gym and numerous other thrills and spills.

It is possible to do day boat trips around the other small bays of Faliraki, including Kathara Bay, which is one of the most picturesque on the island, and has a nudist beach at one end. Anthony Quinn Bay is famous for the filming of The Guns of Navarone. There are also several, less developed beaches between Faliraki and Lindos, such as the pebbled Traganou beach, and all the beaches are desirably clean with crystal waters.

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As mentioned previously, Faliraki is well known for its nightlife and is popular with younger visitors seeking lots of action, both day and night. Bar Street and Club Street in Faliraki live up to their name and reputation as a paradise for young clubbers and pubbers. The choice of dance floors and watering holes is abundant. Arguably the best bar in Faliraki is Ziggy’s, home of the famous (or to some infamous) ‘Fishbowl’, a very large cocktail guaranteed to knock you senseless. For rocking karaoke there is the King’s Garden Bar (KGB) or the Bedrock Bar. George’s Bar is a favourite with football fans who want to keep up with the action on huge screens, and keep on partying. The most popular club in town is Q Club, which opens from midnight to 5am and is always jam-packed: it features a house/trance room, a chart/cheese room and R&B/Garage room. Top London DJs feature regularly at Bed, a massive club that holds about 2,000 revellers.

Active holidaymakers who want a break from soaking up the sun on the golden sands can choose from a variety of fun pursuits on offer at the two large watersport centres on the beach, everything from banana-boat rides and pedalos to bungee-jumping. The crystal clear waters are perfect for scuba diving and snorkeling.