Rhodes

Rhodes is the fourth largest island of Greece and it is located in the southeastern Aegean sea. Often people refer to Rhodes as "the island of the Knights", due to the many monuments built by the Order of the Knights of St. John while ruling the island, as well as "the island of the sun", due to the high rate of sunshine throughout the year. Besides the great history, the island has a lot of beautiful and different landscapes, such as the Valley of the Butterflies and kilometers of beaches with emerald waters.

The history of Rhodes started from the late Neolithic age, while all the ancient Greek tribes passed through the island. During the 4th centrury BC, the island was particularly developed, a time during which the famous Colossus of Rhodes, a work of Haris the Lindios, started being built. In155 AD, an earthquake hit the island and caused massive damage. Over the years, Rhodes was under the rule of the Persians, the Arabs, the Saracens and the Seljuk. In 1309 BC the Knights of St John arrived to the island and restored the castle in an innovative and unique way for the know-how of the Middle Ages. In 1522, the island was occupied by the Turks. Proof of this conquest still stand the Suleimanie mosque and the Clock Tower. In 1912 Rhodes passed into the hands of the Italians, while in the 1948 Rhodes was given back to Greece alongside with the other Dodecanese islands.

Due to its long history alongside the different cultures and ethnicities that lived on the island, in Rhodes you will find attractions and sights from different eras and culturals, yet equally stunning. The most famous attraction is the Old Town of Rhodes. It is the best preserved medieval settlement in Europe, which was included by UNESCO in the list of World Heritage sites. Built in 1309 by the order of St. Johnof Jerusalem, the old city today includes its imposing wall, the Clock Tower, as well as ancient statues, marble heraldry and springs. The Street of the Knights is been reconstructed in exactly the same way as it was when the Knights of St John were passing through. Also within the Old Town is the imposing Palace of the Grand Master, or Castello of the14th century. In the modern city of Rhodes, it is worth visiting the port of Mandraki, where there are two tall pillars with the symbols of the island: the deer and the doe. This is the point that it is said the giant statue of the Colossus of Rhodes stood. In addition, don't forget to visit the ancient village of Lindos, where you will find the Acropolis of Rhodes and the temple of Athena the Lindia. Finally, Rhodes has a lot of beautiful natural landscapes; one of them is definitely the Valley of the Butterflies. It is a green canyon one kilometer long, which from June to September hosts millions of butterflies of the species Panaxia quadripunctaria. The sight is truly spectacular and is an experience that will be unforgettable.

Like all Greek islands, the island of Rhodes has countless beaches with golden sand, crystal clear blue waters and rare beauty. Of the many beaches worth visiting are the Kiotari, the Kallithea, the Agathe, the Black Kavos, the beach of Anthony Quinn, the Tsambika and the Trianta beach. If you are a water sports enthusiasts, visit Prasonisi, a small island south of Rhodes, with a beach ideal for windsurfing. In addition, the beach of Traganou, you will find beautiful caves to explore, while the beach of Afandou features also a golf course.

The people and ethnicities that have passed over the centuries from Rhodes have influenced its gastronomy. Thus, the local cuisine has kept its Mediterranean identity, enriched though with elements from the oriental and Italian cuisine. A key ingredient of the cuisine of Rhodes is the wheat and the olives. The local specialities that you must try in one of the many taverns is the 'pitaroudia', the dolmades with lentils in leaves of cyclamen. For a local main dish choose between 'vlita and glistrides' casserole (casserole of greens), the kolokoudi, the karavalous and the amaraggous. For dessert, choose the traditional sweet of the Rhodians, the melekouni.

Rhodes has a vibrant nightlife, the heart of which beats in the Old Town. There you will find bars with lounge music so that to enjoy your cocktail with views of the medieval castle, as well as clubs with music for all tastes for you to continue your night. If you want to party hard until the early hours, then Faliraki is the area you should visit.

The dialing code of Rhodes is (+30) 22410.

Rhodes has the International Airport Diagoras (RHO), which is located 12.6 kilometres from the city of Rhodes.

The Central Port of Rhodes is located just 1.5 kilometres away from the Bus station, with buses connecting the whole island.