10 Best Towns & Villages in Rhodes

Rhodes Town is the capital of the largest Dodecanese island. Its historical Old Town is Europe’s oldest inhabited medieval settlement, where you can visit well-preserved structures such as the Palace of the Grand Master, Knight's Street, the Acropolis of Rhodes and the Archaeological Museum that occupies the former 15th-century Knights' Hospital. 

The New City district is where you can find a modern Mediterranean resort, with plenty of villas and hotels overlooking the Mediterranean. You’ll find miles of pristine beaches with sun loungers and umbrellas for rent, along with cosy tavernas and beach bars. Tourist-friendly beach towns such as Ixia, Elli and Akti Miaouli are within a few minutes’ drive from Rhodes Town. 

Archangelos is a traditional beach town on the east coast of Rhodes. Most come here for the pristine Tsambika Beach, which offers a waterpark as well as plenty of water sports, public showers, sun loungers and umbrellas for rent. On certain days, especially in summer, the sand can get scorching hot, so it’s a good idea to pack a pair of sandals. 

The town itself has several ornate places of worship that are well worth a visit. The Church of Archangel Michael has a beautiful marble-and-gilt hall and a bell tower overlooking Archangelos. A must-visit is the ruins of the 15^th-century Archangelos Castle, which was established by the Knights of St. John. There are plenty of stores specialising in olive oil and ouzo, as well as seafood tavernas close to Stegna Beach.

Lindos is a beautiful village dominated by Byzantine, Rhodian, Arabic and medieval landmarks. The most popular sight here is the Acropolis of Lindos, which towers above the namesake village. It’s one of Rhodes’ most impressive architectonic remnants from the old Greek civilisation – some structures date back to the 6th century BC, such as the Temple of Athena Lindia. 

The pebbled streets of Lindos are very pedestrian-friendly, making it easy to explore its many whitewashed houses, lush courtyards, narrow alleys and ancient buildings. You’ll often see locals getting around the village by moped and donkey. Lindos is on the southern part of Rhodes, around 50 km south of the island’s capital. 

Kremasti is a coastal village with 2 pebbly beaches – Petaloudes and Kremasti – that are popular among windsurfers and kite surfers in Rhodes. The promenade has plenty of cafés and tavernas overlooking the Mediterranean, while the centre has historical landmarks such as the 15^th-century Castle Kremasti and the Temple of Virgin Mary Kremasti. 

Visit in the summer to catch some of the village’s biggest celebrations, such as the Festival of the Virgin Mary and the Panhellenic Craft Fair. Thanks to its west-coast locale, Kremasti is one of the best spots on the island for amazing sunset views. Public buses frequently run between Rhodes Town and Kremasti – a one-way journey takes about 20 minutes.

Monolithos is an amphitheatrically built hilltop village on Rhodes, with stone houses, taverns and medieval structures offering excellent views. One of its most important sites is the Castle of Monolithos, built by the Knights of St. John in the 15^th century. The cobblestone paths leading to the site can be rather steep in parts, but well worth climbing for the panoramas of the town and the Mediterranean. 

Explore the village’s stores for local honey and olive oil, before ending the day with traditional Greek food and ouzo at a taverna. The village is around 61 km southwest of Rhodes International Airport. If you want to spend some time on the sand, the beaches of Fourni and Alyki are around 7 km south of Monolithos. 

Laerma sits in the middle of Rhodes Island, around 45 km southwest of Rhodes International Airport. It’s an excellent place to stay for those who want to escape the bustle of its neighbour, Lindos. The whitewashed village is surrounded by conifer forest, with the 9^th-century Moni Thari Monastery just 4 km away. 

The Orthodox Church of St. George serves the local community, though it’s also famous for its exterior wall paintings, which depict St. George slaying the dragon. While there isn’t much of a nightlife scene in Laerma, you can find several open-air tavernas offering traditional Greek cuisine and seafood at affordable prices. 

Koskinou is an attractive Rhodes village with brightly coloured houses built in neoclassical architecture. One of the most photographed destinations in Greece, you’ll find many traditional houses in bright red, blue and green, with lush courtyards, stone pathways, and whitewashed squares bursting with bougainvillaea. 

The village’s main square has plenty of quaint cafés, tavernas, and restaurants with outdoor seating, allowing you to take in the lovely views. Historical landmarks include Isodia Theotokou Church, which as has a 5-tier bell tower, and Aghia Irini Church. Check out the Koskinou Traditional House, a museum displaying traditional Rhodian ceramics and embroidery. Koskinou is around 7 km south of the island’s capital, Rhodes Town.

Afantou is a large coastal village that lies around 19 km south of Rhodes Town. Its main public beach stretches over 4 km, giving you plenty of space to lay down your towel or enjoy water sports. It’s been awarded the coveted Blue Flag for its cleanliness and facilities. For added convenience, a golf course and several family-friendly hotels and apartments are within walking distance of the beach. 

Afantou is famous for carpet-making, so you’ll find plenty of stores selling fine carpets, along with local honey and ceramics. In the village’s centre, there’s a nice square with cafés, bars and tavernas with outdoor seating. Small churches dot Afantou – visit the Church of Our Lady Katholiki for well-preserved frescoes dating back to the 17^th and 18^th centuries.

The village of Asklipio (or Asklepieion) is built amphitheatrically on a mountain around 68 km south of Rhodes International Airport. Despite its rather large population, the village is relatively rural and untouched by mass tourism, making it a nice place to experience an authentic Greek lifestyle. 

One of Asklipio’s oldest structures is the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin, which dates back to 1060. It’s located in the main square and surrounded by small traditional houses, mostly in white. You can also visit the 15^th-century Castle of Asklipio, which occupies a 250-metre-high hill around 900 metres east of the village centre.