In October last year, we were invited to the TUI press conference and were able to spend a few wonderful days on Rhodes with the team. We’ve always wanted to explore some corners of Greece and had previously traveled to the beautiful island of Corfu. The tip about the Greek island of Rhodes came at a very convenient time, and we also gained a super interesting insight into the tourism industry. We met important people in the industry and had a wonderful exchange with others. We’ll share our Rhodes travel tips with you and show you what we experienced outside of the event. Enjoy browsing!
- Rhodes Travel Tips – Getting There
- Our luxurious accommodations
- Best time to visit Rhodes
- Rental cars for the island
- Rhodes Sights
- Top highlights on Rhodes
- 1. The Old Town & Bay of Lindos
- 2. St. Paul’s Bay
- 3. Anthony Quinn Bay
- 4. The thermal baths of Kalithea
- 5. Old Town of Rhodes
- 7. Island hopping in Rhodes
- Conclusion of the Rhodes trip
Rhodes Travel Tips – Getting There
From the press conference at Hamburg Airport, we went directly to the island. The special thing about this flight was that the head of TUIfly himself flew the TUI plane. On board were a bunch of journalists, a handful of bloggers, and important personalities and employees of the company itself. It was a completely crazy world for us, and we had to pinch ourselves several times to understand that we were just experiencing all of this.
The flight only took about 2.5 hours. TUIfly flies to the island from Berlin, Hamburg, Hanover, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Cologne, Munich, and Stuttgart. Ryanair, SunExpress, Lufthansa, Eurowings, Aegean Airlines, Easyjet, and Wizz Air also offer flights. Tickets start at just €50.
Ferry: You can also easily arrive by ferry or by boat from one of the surrounding islands. Island hopping is a wonderful option in Greece anyway. Check out “Directferries*” for connections (e.g., to Santorini, Athens, Kos, Crete, etc.). The crossing takes 16 hours from Athens, and around 8 hours from Santorini.
Our luxurious accommodations
We stayed at the beautiful 5-star TUI BLUE Atlantica Imperial Resort*. This resort is located in the east of the island in Kolymbia and is situated directly on the hotel’s private beach. In addition to the on-site press conference with TUI, the Greek Tourist Board, and the hotel management, we were also able to enjoy the amenities of this modern hotel, which was recently renovated in 2020. By the way, this is an “adult-only hotel” with first-class service, creative cuisine, ample sports facilities, wellness, and relaxation.
We got a great double room on the lower floor with direct access to the pool. Wow! We were absolutely thrilled with the room, the location, and the amenities. Of course, nothing was lacking here. We particularly liked the huge, comfortable bed, the sofa for relaxing, the terrace with pool access, and the many thoughtful touches provided by the hotel (chocolate, wine, fruit, etc.).
The pool area with its loungers and beds is magnificent and offers plenty of space for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. The beach is just a few meters away, where loungers and beds are also available. The resort also has a main restaurant, three à la carte restaurants, two lounge bars, a pool bar, and a snack bar. A fitness and wellness area, hairdresser, and mini-market are also standard here.
Best time to travel to Rhodes
At the conference, we learned that the season on Rhodes begins slowly in late April/May and lasts until November. No wonder, since Rhodes is also a sunny island with over 280 days of sunshine a year. According to the locals, it rains just 40 days a year—crazy, right? We were on the island with TUI at the end of October and it was a crisp 30°C. We always tend to avoid a region’s peak season and prefer the off-season.
The best time to travel to Rhodes is therefore April, May, October, and November. However, if you don’t mind the heat and the crowds, you can of course also travel to the island in the summer from June to September. “Winter” on Rhodes is from November to February. Even then, you can explore the island wonderfully and have most spots almost entirely to yourself.
Rental car for the island
We love flexibility and mobility. We didn’t have our own rental car on Rhodes this time, as we were exploring the island in a small group with a minibus. However, a rental car* is still a good option for this island if you’re traveling privately. The roads are well-developed, and traffic is minimal outside of the capital and larger cities. You can pick up your rental car directly at the airport and drive off.
Over the years, we’ve had a lot of experience with rental car companies. We recommend booking with fully comprehensive insurance with no deductible, a fair fuel policy, unlimited mileage, and glass and tire coverage. Currently, you can get a small car for a week in May for under €70. For two people, this car class should be perfectly sufficient.
Sights of Rhodes
Unfortunately, we were only on the island for a few days and therefore couldn’t explore too much. But even our short trip was worthwhile, and we were able to marvel at some of Rhodes’s great sights and other highlights. There’s so much more to experience, and we will definitely return. We really liked Rhodes; the island is perfect for couples, families, seniors, or even solo travelers.
Top Highlights on Rhodes
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1. The Old Town & Bay of Lindos
We visited, among other things, the charming town of Lindos (more of a village), which is located in the east of the island and about 55 km from Rhodes Town. In addition to the beautiful old town, the highlight is the Acropolis, situated on the rock, with its fascinating archways from the 4th century. In perfect weather, we strolled through the narrow streets of the old town with its many beautiful whitewashed houses. The old town is naturally very touristy, with countless taverns and souvenir shops lined up close together.
Just let yourself go and enjoy the hustle and bustle in the alleys. Relax in the sun, find a restaurant with a rooftop terrace, and admire the beautiful view of the bay and the beaches. We recommend the hidden restaurant Melenos SA, which offers a wonderful view. As you stroll through the old town, pay attention to the beautiful pebble mosaic floors in front of the houses and in the courtyards. Colorful plates on the walls are also common.
Another highlight is the Acropolis of Lindos, which sits atop the hill. This ancient castle ruin dates back to the 4th century and was only excavated at the beginning of the 20th century. The Acropolis is open Monday to Sunday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:40 p.m. Admission is currently €12 for adults (free for those under 18). Book your day tour from Rhodes Town* here.
2. St. Paul’s Bay
Not far from Lindos is St. Paul’s Bay. This bay is surrounded by rocks, which in turn protects against strong ocean currents. The crystal-clear water is hard to beat, and there are hardly any waves. So you can spend a relaxing day swimming here, climbing the rocks, and jumping into the water from the cliffs. In the picturesque St. Paul’s Bay, you can also find sun loungers, parasols, and there’s also a café and restrooms.
3. Anthony Quinn Bay
Our small blogger group continued on to Anthony Quinn Bay. This bay is actually called Vagies Bay, but was supposedly given to actor Anthony Quinn after the filming of “The Guns of Navarone” took place there. The rocky bathing bay with its crystal-clear water is truly magical! The bay is located approximately 15 kilometers from Rhodes Town and 34 kilometers from Lindos.
4. The Kalithea Thermal Baths
We continued on to the Kalithea Thermal Baths. These are just a stone’s throw from Rhodes Town, between Kalithea and Faliraki. This place was visited early on, as the thermal baths were and still are very popular with guests and locals. The entire complex is very beautiful, with wonderful gardens, a magnificent arcade, and pretty buildings in the oriental style. You can visit the thermal baths daily between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Admission is currently €6.
The beautiful bathing bay with clear water and plenty of relaxation is also popular here. You won’t find any water sports here, as peace and exclusivity are paramount. In the small bay on the beach, beach chairs are available (belong to the beach club), and there is also the option to eat. If you bring snorkeling equipment, you can discover and explore magnificent underwater worlds along the rocks. There you’ll also find the “Waterhoppers” diving school.
5. Old Town of Rhodes
Of course, we also wanted to take a closer look at the island’s capital. We simply went with the flow and explored the charming old town in particular. We particularly enjoyed the many alleys with their magnificent facades, the mighty city walls, the cobbled streets, ornate houses, and stone archways. Be sure to check out the Grand Master’s Palace with its towers. From there, you also have a fantastic view of the city.
If you stroll through the alleys, you will eventually reach Hippocrates Square, the central location in the old town with many restaurants and shops. Not far from there is the mighty Mary’s Gate with its two towers. A popular attraction in Rhodes Town are the windmills at the Naillac Tower. From the tower, you have a fantastic view of the windmills and the headland between Rhodes’ two harbors. Also don’t miss the Jewish Quarter, the Acropolis, the Colossus of Rhodes and Rodini Park.
Cool Tours of the City:
- Rhodes: Food Walking Tour of the City*
- Jewish Quarter and Grand Master’s Palace Private Tour*
- Segway Tour of the Old Town*
- Hop-On/Hop-Off Bus Tour of the City*
7. Island Hopping Rhodes
The employee from the Greek Tourist Board told us that Rhodes can be wonderfully combined with other islands. Around Rhodes are the islands of Karpathos, Symi, Chalki, Tilos, Kasos, Crete, Santorini, and Kos, among others. In the table below, we have listed the ferry providers and the travel times to each island. You can also book excursions and other activities on one of the islands; it’s best to ask about providers at your accommodation.
Conclusion of the Rhodes Trip
We had a fantastic time on the beautiful island of Rhodes. The island is neither too big nor too small. You can experience a lot in a very short time and explore the various highlights and sights. We will definitely come back and bring more time. Rhodes is ideal for those who like to explore independently. A big thank you to TUI for this invitation and this wonderful trip. We also hope you enjoyed our Rhodes travel tips.