Guidebook for Rhodes
Rhodes info
Location
Rhodes- an island in the Aegean and the Mediterranean Sea surface 1,4 thousand s.q km, the largest of the Dodecanese Archipelago.
Rhodes is located on the crossroads of three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa, and nowadays (only since 1947) remains within Greek borders. It is only 20km away from the Turkish coast. The length of the island is 80km, and the widest point it measures 40km. The coastline is 250km.
The highest peak is mountain Attaviros (1215m above the sea). The island has around 120.000 inhabitants, 60% of which lives in the capital- the town of Rhodes and the rest in 48 small villages and towns.
Religion
Main religion is the Orthodox Church -97,6% of the population. Remaining minorities are; Muslims; 1.5%, Catholics; 0.4%, Protestants; 0.1% and other 0.4%.
Health Care
Health care in Rhodes is easily accessible. You have the right to medical services both in state and private hospitals. Pharmacies are called in Greece “Farmakion” and are marked by a red or a green cross.
Banks and currency
Since 1/1 2002 the monetary unit of Greece is Euro.
Banks are open from Monday - Friday 8 a.m – 2 p.m. There is well developed cashpoint network. You can use your debit – and creditcards.
Phones
Area code to Rhodes: 0030-22410..
Communication
Buses go to all towns and villages on the island. Timetable (frequent changes) can be obtained at the main terminal. The terminal is situated in front of the New Market (Nea Agora).
The other option on the island is to take a taxi. Fare prices to the main places are fixed. Price lists are put up at taxi ranks in main towns and at the airport. Attention: the prices apply to fare, not per/passenger.
Rent a car/motorbike
There are many rental companies spread around the island. The prices start at 35 euro/day for a car and 12 euro for a motorbike. You must be 21 years old to rent a car.
Shops, opening hours
Shops are open from 9.00 am – 1.00 pm, and from 5.00 pm – 9.00 pm. Shops in the Old Town and in the touristic resorts are open during the siesta time and late at night.
The big supermarkets, situated outside Rhodes Town are opened from 08.00 am – 09.00 pm, without siesta. Some of them are also opened on Sundays, like the big supermarket AB in the Faliraki area - only 200m from Villa Panagos.
Rhodes National & Religious Holidays
January 1- 2 New Year’s Eve
January 6 Epiphany Day
“Clean Monday” Variable dates, the first day of the Lent
March 7 The re-unification of the Dodecanese islands with Greece, 1947
March 25 Greek Independence Day
Good Friday Easter Sunday and Monday
May 1 Labor Day and the Feast of the Flowers
August 15 The day of Panagia (Virgin Mary)
October 28 Ochi Day, celebrating the Greek refusal to let Italy occupy the country during the second World War
November 7 Archangel Michael’s Day
November 14 Constantine Hydraios Day, the Rhodes City Patron’s Day
December 24-25 Christmas Eve
Events
World Tourism Day on 27th of September is celebrated with a party which lasts four days in the district of Theologos
To celebrate 15th of August, at the magnificent church of Dormitron in Kremasti, there is one of the largest feasts on the island which lasts 9 days from 11th – 23rd August. It takes place in parallel with the Pan-Hellenic Handicrafts Fair.
Every evening there are dances, theatrical performances, musical evenings, concerts with choirs and the philharmonic band, beach parties, backgammon, draughts and chess competitions while local cuisine is served up.
Paradisi Festival on 12th – 17th of July is organized to coincide with the feast day of Agia Marina and includes dance shows, concerts by the local philharmonic band an d musical evenings
At Maritsa on 6th of August the Monastery of the Transfiguration celebrates and on 7th November the patron saints, Archangels Michael and Gabriel are celebrated. Maritsa Festival is from 1st- 7thAugust. During this time concerts, dance shows and theatrical performances are staged.
Pastida Festival id from 1st -7th September and Damatria Festival is from 11th-14th with various cultural events. On 13th of September a major celebration is held at Holy Cross Monastery Damatria. On 5th of December Agios Nikolaos is celebrated in Pastida. On 12th December Agios Spyridon is celebrated in Tholos. At all feasts the procession of the icons is done accompanied by the Municipality’s Philharmonic Band.
During Carnival there is a major feast in the square of Maritsa on a day known as “Tsiknopempti” (roast meat Thursday) with abundant wine, dance and sleight of hand performances
A History Lesson
-A brief history of Rhodes-
The first traces of history date back to 600 years B.C. After about 200 years. In 408 B.C the residents of the island together with the neighbours from other city-states, Kamiros, Ialissos and Lindos, set up-on the north tip a capital, the Town of Rhodes.
In the year 305 B.C Rhodes prospered very well depriving Athens of its role as a centre of rhetoric and art in the eastern part of the Mediterranean World. Together with the involment in Roman civil wars came the twilight of this prosperity.
In 1309 the Knights of the Saint John of Jerusalem arrived on the island, and ruled it for 213 years. The Order was set up in XI century and its main role was to be in charge of the pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land.
Forced to leave Jerusalem 1291, Ioannites moved to Cyprus, then to Rhodes.
After the Turks conquered the island they took shelter on Crete, later on Sicily to finally settle down in Malta (from that time they were known as the Knights of Malta).
However, the most intensive development of Rhodes took place not during the Roman Times but under the Greek rule. The Greeks attached significant importance to the development of art – many famous artists came from Rhodes, ex Pytokritos, the author of the famous sculpture “Nike of Samothrace” (now in Louvre Museum in Paris).
After Rhodes was incorporated to Roman Empire, the Romans destroyed its fleet and carried away to Rome many precious sculptures.
In 1309 the Knights of the Saint John of Jerusalem arrived on the island, and ruled it for 213 years. The Order was set up in XI century and its main role was to be in charge of the pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land.
Forced to leave Jerusalem 1291, Ioannites moved to Cyprus, then to Rhodes.
After the Turks conquered the island they took shelter on Crete, later on Sicily to finally settle down in Malta (from that time they were known as the Knights of Malta).
However, the most intensive development of Rhodes took place not during the Roman Times but under the Greek rule. The Greeks attached significant importance to the development of art – many famous artists came from Rhodes, ex Pytokritos, the author of the famous sculpture “Nike of Samothrace” (now in Louvre Museum in Paris).
After Rhodes was incorporated to Roman Empire, the Romans destroyed its fleet and carried away to Rome many precious sculptures.
Ancient Greeks worshipped Rhodes, the largest island in the Dodecanese, as their Island of Sun. It has maintained its reputation as the sunniest destination in Greece, and with its delightful bays, flowers and forests, handsome towns and ancient sites, visitors are only too happy to continue the veneration. Rhodes holidays incorporate a perfect partnership of sun, sea, sand, age-old sites, find dining and modern amenities.
For Greek holidays Rhodes is a fantastic island destination for all holiday-makers.
Greek mythology pronounces that when Zeus forgot to set aside any land for the Sun God, Helios, the latter asked for a sunny land that had recently emerged from the sea which suited his disposition admirably. That island was Rhodes. Enjoying one of the healthiest and most refreshing climates in the Mediterranean with strong sunlight and beautiful warm sea, the island is also crammed with sites.
The the capital city, is widely acknowledged as one of the finest walled cities in Europe, and the landscape is bedecked with as many Byzantine churches as it is flowers.
Ancient archaeological settlements and a truly stunning Acropolis give way to fragrant pine forests, fabulous beaches and delightful sandy coves. With stunning beaches and fascinating historical sites, Rhodes holidays are a wonderful way to experience Greece.
Rhodes’ Turkish heritage remains in the faded red stone and slender minaret of the 16th century Mosque of Suleiman: on a clear day it is just visible from the Turkish coastline just 18km to the north.
Beyond the ancient walls of Rhodes, the trinkets of the new town exercise considerable charm: there are designer shops, international restaurants, a casino housed in a summer palace, live-music, bars, clubs, laser shows and simple backstreet ouzeries where backgammon is the plat du jour. During summer, the city hosts various cultural events and the many theatres of the capital have daily performances and concerts of classical and modern music. This spectacular contrast between the gloriously old and the new is ideal for visiting the ancient sites, alongside modern comforts when on holidays to Rhodes.
45 recommandé par les habitants
Rhodes
A History Lesson
-A brief history of Rhodes-
The first traces of history date back to 600 years B.C. After about 200 years. In 408 B.C the residents of the island together with the neighbours from other city-states, Kamiros, Ialissos and Lindos, set up-on the north tip a capital, the Town of Rhodes.
In the year 305 B.C Rhodes prospered very well depriving Athens of its role as a centre of rhetoric and art in the eastern part of the Mediterranean World. Together with the involment in Roman civil wars came the twilight of this prosperity.
In 1309 the Knights of the Saint John of Jerusalem arrived on the island, and ruled it for 213 years. The Order was set up in XI century and its main role was to be in charge of the pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land.
Forced to leave Jerusalem 1291, Ioannites moved to Cyprus, then to Rhodes.
After the Turks conquered the island they took shelter on Crete, later on Sicily to finally settle down in Malta (from that time they were known as the Knights of Malta).
However, the most intensive development of Rhodes took place not during the Roman Times but under the Greek rule. The Greeks attached significant importance to the development of art – many famous artists came from Rhodes, ex Pytokritos, the author of the famous sculpture “Nike of Samothrace” (now in Louvre Museum in Paris).
After Rhodes was incorporated to Roman Empire, the Romans destroyed its fleet and carried away to Rome many precious sculptures.
In 1309 the Knights of the Saint John of Jerusalem arrived on the island, and ruled it for 213 years. The Order was set up in XI century and its main role was to be in charge of the pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land.
Forced to leave Jerusalem 1291, Ioannites moved to Cyprus, then to Rhodes.
After the Turks conquered the island they took shelter on Crete, later on Sicily to finally settle down in Malta (from that time they were known as the Knights of Malta).
However, the most intensive development of Rhodes took place not during the Roman Times but under the Greek rule. The Greeks attached significant importance to the development of art – many famous artists came from Rhodes, ex Pytokritos, the author of the famous sculpture “Nike of Samothrace” (now in Louvre Museum in Paris).
After Rhodes was incorporated to Roman Empire, the Romans destroyed its fleet and carried away to Rome many precious sculptures.
Ancient Greeks worshipped Rhodes, the largest island in the Dodecanese, as their Island of Sun. It has maintained its reputation as the sunniest destination in Greece, and with its delightful bays, flowers and forests, handsome towns and ancient sites, visitors are only too happy to continue the veneration. Rhodes holidays incorporate a perfect partnership of sun, sea, sand, age-old sites, find dining and modern amenities.
For Greek holidays Rhodes is a fantastic island destination for all holiday-makers.
Greek mythology pronounces that when Zeus forgot to set aside any land for the Sun God, Helios, the latter asked for a sunny land that had recently emerged from the sea which suited his disposition admirably. That island was Rhodes. Enjoying one of the healthiest and most refreshing climates in the Mediterranean with strong sunlight and beautiful warm sea, the island is also crammed with sites.
The the capital city, is widely acknowledged as one of the finest walled cities in Europe, and the landscape is bedecked with as many Byzantine churches as it is flowers.
Ancient archaeological settlements and a truly stunning Acropolis give way to fragrant pine forests, fabulous beaches and delightful sandy coves. With stunning beaches and fascinating historical sites, Rhodes holidays are a wonderful way to experience Greece.
Rhodes’ Turkish heritage remains in the faded red stone and slender minaret of the 16th century Mosque of Suleiman: on a clear day it is just visible from the Turkish coastline just 18km to the north.
Beyond the ancient walls of Rhodes, the trinkets of the new town exercise considerable charm: there are designer shops, international restaurants, a casino housed in a summer palace, live-music, bars, clubs, laser shows and simple backstreet ouzeries where backgammon is the plat du jour. During summer, the city hosts various cultural events and the many theatres of the capital have daily performances and concerts of classical and modern music. This spectacular contrast between the gloriously old and the new is ideal for visiting the ancient sites, alongside modern comforts when on holidays to Rhodes.
Sightseeing
Lindos - is a must to visit, and we recommend that you go there from the morning.
248 recommandé par les habitants
Lindos
Lindos - is a must to visit, and we recommend that you go there from the morning.
A nice and refreshing option - a hot summerday. Walk in the springs, enjoy the nature and have a nice lunch/dinner at the restaurant
39 recommandé par les habitants
Sept Fontaines
A nice and refreshing option - a hot summerday. Walk in the springs, enjoy the nature and have a nice lunch/dinner at the restaurant
One of the nice beaches we have on Rhodes island - only a few kilometers from Faliraki. Go by the local bus - or take a taxi
10 recommandé par les habitants
Anthony Quin beach bus stop
One of the nice beaches we have on Rhodes island - only a few kilometers from Faliraki. Go by the local bus - or take a taxi
Visit this beautiful spot by boat, local bus, moto or car.
117 recommandé par les habitants
Sources de Kallithea
80 Leof. KallitheasVisit this beautiful spot by boat, local bus, moto or car.