Rodi
Suspended between the intense blue of the Aegean and the coasts of nearby Anatolia, Rhodes rises from the waters as an eternal tri...
Updated 8 July 2026
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The story
The story of Rodi
A history carved in stone and sea
Rhodes's origins reach back to the Mycenaean age, but it was with the union of the three great Dorian cities — Lindos, Ialysos and Kamiros — in 408 BC that the island took on a central role in the Mediterranean. Having become a legendary maritime and commercial power, Rhodes was famous for its Colossus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, a symbol of freedom defended tenaciously against every invader. After the decline of Greek influence and its passage under Roman and Byzantine rule, the island experienced its second golden age with the arrival of the Knights of St John in 1309. For over two centuries, the Knights transformed Rhodes into a stronghold of eastern Christianity, building walls that still take one's breath away today. In 1522, after an exhausting siege, Rhodes fell into the hands of Suleiman the Magnificent, beginning a long Ottoman period that left an indelible mark on the architecture and atmosphere of the historic quarters. Finally, the 20th century saw Italian administration from 1912 to 1943, which carried out major restorations and modernised the infrastructure, before the island's definitive reunification with Greece in 1948.
The Palace of the Grand Masters
Dominating the highest point of the medieval city, the Palace of the Grand Masters, also known as the Kastello, represents the beating heart of the Knights Hospitaller's power. Built in the 14th century on the foundations of an ancient temple dedicated to the sun god Helios, the building impresses with its imposing cylindrical towers and monumental entrance portal. Although much of the original structure was destroyed by an explosion in 1856, the restoration carried out by the Italians in the 1930s restored its Gothic magnificence, albeit with some interpretive liberties typical of the era. Inside, visitors can admire splendid Hellenistic and Roman mosaic floors, brought here from the island of Kos, along with spacious halls hosting permanent exhibitions on the city's millennia-old history. Walking through its arcaded courtyards and solemn staircases lets one sense the austerity and glory of a monastic-knightly order that shaped the destiny of the eastern Mediterranean.
The Street of the Knights
Considered one of the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe, the Street of the Knights (Odos Ippoton) connects the Palace of the Grand Masters with the harbour area. About 600 metres long, this cobbled street was where the Knights of the different "Tongues" (their nations of origin) had their inns and representative headquarters. Every façade is a masterpiece of late Gothic architecture, adorned with noble coats of arms carved into the local sandstone. The atmosphere one breathes while walking along it, especially at sunset when the light ignites the warm tones of the stone, is one of almost reverential silence, far from the tourist bustle of the nearby commercial streets. Here time seems to have stopped in the 15th century: the mullioned windows, pointed arches and heavy wooden doors tell of an age when Rhodes was the last bastion of the Christian West against the advance of the Ottoman Empire.
The Acropolis of Lindos
About 50 kilometres south of the capital lies Lindos, a village of white houses clinging to a rock that plunges into the sea, dominated by one of the most spectacular acropolises of the ancient world. Climbing to the summit, on foot or on a donkey through the village's labyrinthine alleys, is a rite of passage for every visitor. Once at the top, one stands before the Temple of Athena Lindia, dating from the 4th century BC, its Doric columns silhouetted against the endless horizon. The unique feature of this site lies in the harmonious coexistence of different structures: the classical propylaea are enclosed within the mighty defensive walls built by the Knights, creating a visual short-circuit between Greek antiquity and the Christian Middle Ages. From the summit, the view over St Paul's Bay, with its almost perfectly circular shape and turquoise waters, offers one of the most iconic panoramas in all of Greece.
Ancient Kamiros: the Pompeii of Rhodes
Located on the north-western coast, the ancient city of Kamiros offers an extraordinary glimpse into everyday life in the Hellenistic era. Unlike Lindos, Kamiros was never overlaid with medieval fortifications, allowing excavations to bring to light the original urban layout arranged over three terraced levels. On the lower level lie the agora and temples, in the middle the civil dwellings with their inner courtyards, and at the top the acropolis with the temple of Athena Kamiras and a vast cistern for collecting rainwater. Strolling among the foundations of the houses and the remains of the streets allows one to grasp the hydraulic engineering and social planning of a civilisation that flourished through agriculture and maritime trade before being gradually abandoned in favour of the new city of Rhodes. It is a place of profound peace, often caressed by the meltemi wind, where history can be read directly on the ground.
The walls of the Old Town
Rhodes's city walls are a masterpiece of military engineering, a four-kilometre-long ring of stone enclosing the historic centre declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Initially built in the Byzantine era and then massively extended and reinforced by the Knights of St John between the 14th and 16th centuries, these walls represent the evolution of defensive techniques before the advent of modern artillery. The system includes deep dry moats, imposing bastions such as that of St George, and monumental gates decorated with bas-reliefs, including the famous Marine Gate and the Gate of Amboise. It is possible to walk a stretch of the ramparts on certain days of the week, enjoying a privileged view over the city's rooftops, hidden gardens and Mandraki harbour. These walls are not merely a physical barrier, but the protective shell that has allowed Rhodes's medieval soul to reach us intact.
Natural landscapes between valleys and sea
Rhodes's hinterland surprises with its ecological variety, distancing itself from the stereotypical image of arid, barren Greek islands. The Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes) is perhaps the most famous natural site: during the summer months, thousands of Panaxia Quadripunctaria moths crowd this shaded gorge, drawn by the resin of the storax trees. Not far away, the Seven Springs (Epta Piges) offer a cool refuge with streams flowing into a small lake through an underground tunnel that can be walked through. Moving towards the southern tip, the landscape changes dramatically at Prasonisi. Here, a thin tongue of sand connects the main island to an islet, dividing the sea in two: on one side the calm waters of the Mediterranean, on the other the impetuous waves of the Aegean, making this place a paradise for windsurfers and lovers of wild nature. The coasts vary from long sandy beaches in the east to jagged, wild cliffs in the west, offering ever-changing scenery.
Towns and villages of the interior
Beyond the capital and Lindos, Rhodes holds villages where tradition is still the cornerstone of social life. Embonas, situated at the foot of Mount Attavyros (the island's highest peak), is the heart of Rhodian wine production; here one can taste robust wines and local spirits in the numerous family-run wineries. Koskinou, a short distance from the city of Rhodes, enchants with its traditional houses with colourful gateways and courtyards decorated with "chochlaki", the typical mosaic of black and white pebbles. On the eastern coast, Faliraki is the centre of nightlife and beach fun, while Archangelos retains a proud character, known for its handmade pottery and a very distinctive local dialect. Exploring these towns means discovering the less monumental but more authentic Rhodes, made of squares shaded by centuries-old plane trees and a hospitality that has not lost its spontaneity.
Flavours and culinary traditions
Rhodian cuisine is a happy meeting of the land's produce, fresh catch and spiced influences from the East. A not-to-be-missed dish is "pitaroudia", fried chickpea or tomato fritters flavoured with mint and cumin. Homemade pasta, such as "matsi", is often served with local cheeses or rich sauces. Rhodes honey, produced among thyme and pine blossoms, is the base for "melekouni", a traditional sweet made of sesame and cinnamon typically offered at weddings. Meat dishes are not lacking either, such as "kapamas" (baked kid with beans), while along the coasts the taverns offer grilled octopus and freshly caught fish. All of this should be paired with local wines, which boast a millennia-old history: Athiri and Mandilaria are the native grape varieties that best express the island's sun-drenched terroir, making every meal a complete sensory experience.
When to go and how to experience the island
Thanks to its southerly position, Rhodes enjoys one of the mildest climates in Greece, making it worth visiting for much of the year. Spring (April-June) is ideal for hiking and admiring the island in bloom, with pleasant temperatures and few crowds. Summer is the season of the sea and vibrant life, although the heat can be intense, though it is tempered by the meltemi wind on the western coast. Autumn, particularly September and October, offers still-warm waters and a golden light perfect for photography. To experience Rhodes at its best, the advice is to rent a vehicle to explore the hinterland and lesser-known beaches, dedicating at least one evening to a late dinner among the alleys of the Old Town, when the crowds of cruise passengers have departed and the island regains its magical medieval atmosphere.
- Strolling along the Street of the Knights at sunset
- Exploring the Acropolis of Lindos and its breathtaking view
- Getting lost in the maze of alleys of the Old Town of Rhodes
- Admiring the sunset from Monolithos Castle
- Windsurfing or kitesurfing at Prasonisi
- Visiting the archaeological excavations of Ancient Kamiros
- Cooling off in the Valley of the Butterflies in summer
- Tasting local wines in the wineries of Embonas
FAQ
Qual è il modo migliore per muoversi a Rodi?
È possibile visitare la Città Vecchia in auto?
Quanto tempo occorre per visitare l'isola?
Rodi è adatta alle famiglie con bambini?
Quando si vedono le farfalle nella Valle delle Farfalle?
Getting there
- Aeroporto Internazionale di Rodi Diagoras (RHO) - 14 km dalla città
- Non sono presenti linee ferroviarie sull'isola.
- Le strade principali collegano la capitale a Lindos (est) e a Kamiros (ovest). La rete stradale è generalmente buona, ma le strade interne possono essere strette e tortuose.
- Se arrivate via mare, il porto dei traghetti è situato proprio a ridosso delle mura della Città Vecchia, rendendo l'arrivo estremamente suggestivo.
Perfect for
Un viaggio nel tempo che spazia dall'età classica dei templi dorici al medioevo dei Cavalieri Ospitalieri.
Dalle calette rocciose ideali per lo snorkeling ai lunghi litorali sabbiosi perfetti per il relax e gli sport acquatici.
Un'esperienza culinaria ricca di influenze levantine, vini pregiati e prodotti locali genuini come miele e olio.
To see
Da vedere a Rodi
Routes · Trovido Route
