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The Ultimate Rhodes Travel Guide 2026

How to get to Rhodes

From the UK you can hop on a 4 hour direct flight and land straight into the city. EasyJet, Ryanair TUI and Jet2 all offer routes from the UK, with return flights starting from around £150 if you book a few months ahead.

If you’re already island hopping in Greece, ferries connect Rhodes to neighbouring islands like Kos, Symi and Santorini, plus mainland ports like Piraeus (Athens). The ferry from Athens takes about 14-16 hours overnight, but it’s actually a pretty comfortable journey if you book a cabin. Blue Star Ferries runs this route regularly with tickets starting from €60 for a deck seat.

Once you land here’s how you can get to your hotel:

Taxi – The easiest option is grabbing a taxi right outside the airport. The journey to Rhodes Town takes about 35 minutes and costs around €30-35. This option is perfect if you’re arriving with multiple suitcases that you don’t want to drag on public transport.

Bus – For those who don’t mind public transport you can catch the local bus from the airport to Rhodes Town for about €2.50. You’ll find this stop 300 metres to the left of door 1 of the terminal and the journey takes around 40 minutes to the city.

 Rental Car – If you’re planning to explore the island (which you absolutely should and I have done both times when I visited), picking up a rental car straight from the airport makes sense. Prices start from around €30 per day for a small car but book ahead in summer as they sell out quickly.  You can book one through Discover Cars and pick it up straight from the airport, which makes everything so much simpler.

How many days to spend in Rhodes

For first time visitors I recommend spending at least 5-7 days in Rhodes. This gives you enough time to explore the highlights such as Rhodes Old Town, Lindos Acropolis and the stunning beaches.

If you only have 3-4 days that’s still enough time however I’d focus on Rhodes Town and Lindos, with perhaps one day trip to another part of the island. With a week or more you can really take your time, explore the less touristy western and southern coasts and maybe even hop over to nearby Symi Island for a day.

Where to stay in Rhodes

Rhodes has a little bit of everything when it comes to where to stay, from boutique hotels to big beach resorts. Each area has its own distinct personality so choose based on the kind of holiday you’re after. Here are some of the best spots (with hotel suggestions too):

Ixia

Ixia is a fab choice if you want the best of both worlds – being close to Rhodes Town (just 10 minutes by car) but still right on the beach. It’s especially popular with windsurfers because of the afternoon breeze, so if you’re into water sports you’ll love it here.

Lindos

Lindos is the postcard you’ve probably seen a million times with the whitewashed houses (I like to refer to it as Santorini dupe) and the Acropolis watching over everything. It’s romantic, ridiculously pretty and yes it does get extremly busy in summer.

Pefkos

Just down the road from Lindos you’ll find Pefkos, which is more like it’s chilled out little sister. It’s a great option if you love the idea of being close to Lindos but don’t want to be in the thick of the crowds. Pefkos is very family friendly but couples who want something calmer will love it too.

Faliraki

Faliraki has a bit of a reputation from its 90s party scene days but don’t write it off! These days it’s more family friendly while still having nightlife if you want it. It’s a great location if you want a lively atmosphere and don’t mind being surrounded by other holidaymakers.

Kolymbia

Kolymbia doesn’t get as much hype as Lindos or Rhodes Town but honestly it’s a bit of a hidden gem (and I’m glad I stayed here when I first visited). It’s located halfway between Lindos and Rhodes Town, which makes it a super practical base if you want to explore both without too much driving.

Things to do in Rhodes

For a full list of the best things to do in Rhodes, read my blog post here. Here’s an overview of some of the spots to add to your list:

How to get around in Rhodes

Rental Car

If you want freedom to explore at your own pace I’d 100% recommend renting a car. Rhodes is bigger than many visitors expect (about 80km long) and some of the best beaches and viewpoints are tucked away from main transport routes.

Driving here is relatively straightforward as they drive on the right and roads are generally well maintained with signage easy to understand. You can get a car from around €30-40 per day in shoulder season though prices jump to €50-70 daily in peak summer. I booked mine in advance on Discover Cars and picked it straight from the airport.

Public Transport

The island’s bus network is surprisingly reliable and connects most major towns and attractions. The main bus station in Rhodes Town serves routes across the island with tickets ranging from €2-6 depending on distance.

Buses to popular spots like Lindos run frequently (every 30 minutes in summer) but services to smaller villages might only operate a few times daily. The KTEL website has timetables, but they’re not always up to date so I would recommend double checking at your hotel.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available in tourist areas and can be a convenient option for shorter trips. Expect to pay around €1.30 per kilometer with a minimum fare of about €3.72. For reference a taxi from Rhodes Town to Lindos costs approximately €67 one way which is not exactly budget friendly if you’re making the trip multiple times.

Where to eat in Rhodes

3 Day Itinerary in Rhodes

Day 1 – Lindos & Kallithea

Morning
Walk through Lindos’ whitewashed streets
Hike up to the Acropolis of Lindos (buy tickets here)
From above, take in panoramic views of St Paul’s Bay

Afternoon
Swim and sunbathe at either St Paul’s Bay or Lindos Beach

Evening
Visit Kallithea Springs (€5 entry) for golden hour photos and a sunset by the water

Day 2 – Rhodes Town & Elli Beach

Morning
Relax at Elli Beach and try the 20ft diving platform

Afternoon
Explore Rhodes Old Town with its cobbled streets and medieval vibes

Visit the Palace of the Grand Master (buy tickets here)

Evening
Finish the day by having Dinner at Ronda Restaurant

Day 3 – Symi Island Day Trip

Morning
Take a boat trip to Symi Island and stop off at St George’s Bay for a swim (buy tickets here)

Afternoon
Explore Symi’s colourful harbour and climb the Kali Strata steps
Enjoy lunch at a traditional taverna

Evening
Return to Rhodes and end the night with dinner near Faliraki

This 3 day itinerary gives you a perfect taste of what Rhodes has to offer, however if you have more time consider adding trips to the Valley of the Butterflies, the Seven Springs or exploring the less visited west coast beaches and villages. Here’s a map with all of the sights I mentioned in this itinerary, as well as the food spots and hotel recommendations.

Hopefully this Rhodes travel guide helps you plan your own Greek island adventure, I know you will love every second of it!!