Independently to Rhodes 2021: what to see in 5 days, route, photo, description, map
As you know, Greece has everything, so why not spend an unforgettable piece of summer in this beautiful country with its tiny houses, olive groves and wonderful beaches? If you have only 5 days, but you want to see all the main sights, swim in the gentle sea, buy interesting souvenirs, then feel free to go to the amazing Greek island of Rhodes with our guide.
How to get to Rhodes on your own
You can get to Rhodes by plane or ferry. Regular flights to Greece from Russia depart daily, and from other Greek islands to the “island of roses” (that's how “Rhodes” is translated from Greek) can be reached by ferry. To visit Greece, you need to apply for a Schengen visa.
Where to stay
When thinking about where to stay on the island, give preference to the cozy village of Faliraki. In order to get to know the whole island in a short time, it is best to rent a car for a couple of days, and explore the island on your own for the rest of the days.
Day 1. Rest in Faliraki – try Greek cuisine, relax in the Water Park
Faliraki is the largest village of Rhodes, located near the airport, and has become a center of fun and entertainment for tourists. Calm and quiet during the day, the resort with golden sandy beaches, sky-blue sea and cozy taverns turns into a center of nightlife in the evenings.
Mornings can be spent on the pristine beach, and when the sun begins to bake, it's time to think about lunch, a cool drink and a shady hideout. There are taverns, cafes and restaurants in Faliraki at every turn, and in all of them you can try Greek cuisine. Of the many Greek dishes that you should definitely try, perhaps the first in importance is moussaka. This is a juicy puff casserole with meat and eggplants under a creamy béchamel sauce. Despite the apparent airiness, moussaka is an incredibly hearty dish, you can safely take it for two.
If you're craving a thrill in the afternoon, head to Water Park, where you'll find plenty of rides, pools and breathtaking extreme speed slides. Getting to the water park is not difficult: there is a bus from the center of Faliraki directly to the water park. In the summer months, you can splash in Water Park until 7 pm, in the rest – until 6.
Day 2. Sights of the old city
Most of the attractions of the island are located in the capital of Rhodes of the same name, conditionally divided into the Old Town and the New Town. Modern Rhodes is unlikely to surprise with anything – this is an ordinary part of the city, with a large number of hotels and shops, but the old city is loved by tourists due to its medieval atmosphere. You can get into the old part through numerous gates, such as the “Port” or the gates of d'Amboise.
The most “knightly” attraction is the Palace of the Grand Masters, from where they ruled the island. Right next to the palace comes the street of the Knights of St. John, a medieval architectural monument, each knowledge of which is special.
In the old city, despite the atmosphere of old times, you can always find a cozy restaurant, but if you want to walk, you can buy gyros – the Greek analogue of Arabic shawarma, seasoned with spicy tzatziki sauce, and eat it on the go.
If the heat is exhausting, you can pass the time in the Rhodes Archaeological Museum, admiring the results of archaeological excavations and, of course, the most valuable exhibits – marble sculptures of Aphrodite and Zeus. And when the evening coolness descends on the city, take a walk to the Acropolis of Rhodes: it will amaze you with its monumentality.
Day 3. Lindos – visiting the Acropolis, buying gifts, tasting the meze
On the third day, you can rent a car and go to get acquainted with the rest of the island, primarily with the town of Lindos, located in the east. However, it will be difficult to drive a car in its center: the streets are narrow and winding, but you can ride a donkey along them.
Like Faliraki, Lindos is a wonderful tourist resort, however, it has retained more traditions and Greek flavor, the main source of which is the ancient Acropolis. In addition to the sights (the ruins of the temples of Athena of Lindos and St. John), the Acropolis also deserves attention due to its unforgettable view of the island.
After enjoying such beauty, you can treat yourself to another Greek dish – meze. In fact, meze is an assortment for every taste: vegetables, cheese, meat, seafood and various sauces. It's immediately clear: this dish is for at least two!
After a meal, wander around the souvenir shops: you can buy nice leather and ceramic products, shoes, and jewelry there. And driving a little away from Lindos, you will see the colorful Vlicha Bay, a romantic place where you can relax before the return trip.
Day 4. Ostrich farm and Prasonisi island
In the center of the island there is a zoo – an ostrich farm, a joy for both children and adults, so it is worth starting the morning with communication with animals. Among the inhabitants of the zoo are various species of birds, camels, donkeys, deer, ostriches (for example, there are more than 120 species). Exotic lovers can try a sandwich with an ostrich meat cutlet for only 4 euros!
Children will be happy to ride camels, and shoppers will be able to buy “ostrich” souvenirs: eggs, feathers and handicrafts made from them. And those who liked a sandwich with an ostrich cutlet will also be able to try ostrich fried eggs in a cafe located on the territory of the zoo.
After lunch, it's time to head south and visit the “green island” – Prasonisi, washed by the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. In the summer months, the water level drops, and the island turns into a small sandy isthmus, on both sides of which two different seas splash: the calm Mediterranean and the raging Aegean. Swimming and water sports are a pleasure there: the clean sandy bottom and crystal waters are ideal for swimming, while the strong wind attracts windsurfers and kitesurfers from all over the world.
Day 5. Shopping
You can complete your holiday in Greece with shopping. In addition to ceramic souvenirs, it is worth bringing along olive oil, Greek wine, olives and natural cosmetics. Many go to Greece for a fur coat, and they are right: fur coats there are really cheaper than in Russia, and at the same time they are of very high quality! In Faliraki, a fur coat shop is located right behind the water park, where, having picked up a fur coat to your taste, you can, sipping champagne, wait a couple of hours until it is customized “for you”.
Rhodes on the map
I also recommend that you read the article Corfu Attractions.