10 Places in Rhodes Only Locals Know

“Seven Springs” is a Natura 2000 protected zone located 30 km from Rhodes’ city centre, near the village of Archangelos. It’s an area of unique natural beauty, where the locals go in the hot summer months to seek shade under leafy plane trees.  

The valley derives its name from the 7 natural springs whose pouring cascade falls into a river, which in turn flows into a lake surrounded by a gushing waterfall. Follow one of the area’s many hiking paths to admire peacocks before you dive into the cool waters of the lake. Finish your day off at the café, which overlooks the stream, and take in this unparalleled natural backdrop.

A long alley lined with large eucalyptus trees, Eucalyptus Street connects the Kolympia settlement to the Rhodes–Lindos highway. Created by the Italians who occupied the island for 30 years, it still stands majestic as ever.    

The alley is 2 km long meaning it’s the perfect place to enjoy a run or a stroll surrounded by the soothing scent of the eucalyptus trees. Don’t forget to stop for pictures at this photogenic road, which will lead you straight to the sea and a plethora of taverns where you can enjoy fresh seafood.

Limni beach is a remote wide stretch of beach on the southwest coast of the island, just under the village of Apolakkia. A rustic, sandy beach that lazily draws out to the sea, it may not be the most obvious place to visit, yet it’s that peacefulness that makes it so special.

While the beach provides minimal comforts, in the summer months you will find a canteen serving cold drinks and grilling meat there. After your day at the beach, spend some time exploring the nearby village of Apolakkia which is a draw for nature lovers and hikers.

Mount Profitis Ilias is another popular retreat for locals wanting to escape from the summer heat. It's the 3rd-highest mountain on the island, 25 km from the city centre of Rhodes, close to Salakos village.

Head to this lush location for a refreshing walk in the dense forest: you will see pines, cypresses and oaks, as well as rare flowers and fauna, such as fallow deers. You will pass an abandoned villa that used to be Mussolini’s summer residence and when you reach the top, where the homonymous monastery is found, you'll be rewarded with a spectacular view.

Mevlana is a traditional Turkish café on Socrates street in the centre of Rhodes Town. Opened several centuries ago, it’s now a trademark of Rhodes that reflects the island’s multicultural identity.

Not only is the café a sight to see with its pebbled floor and vaulted ceiling, but it also serves authentic Turkish coffee and delicious syrupy desserts like baklava and kadaif. Enjoy a shisha pipe while you wait to hear the bell which signals that your order is ready and on its way to your table.

Filerimos is a panoramic hill on the west coast of the island, 15 km outside of Rhodes Town, which offers a fantastic overview of the Aegean Sea.

Head to this 267-metre-tall hill that overlooks Ialysos and the bays of Ixia and Trianta and immerse yourself in its many trails filled with cypresses, cedars and pines. Check out the remarkable towering cross that dominates the top of the hill, as well as the ancient Doric and the ruins of the ancient Acropolis of the area.

Yeni Hammam is a bathhouse inside a historical building in Rhodes Town, next to the Sultan Mustafa mosque on Arionos Square. Public bathing is an inexpensive pastime favoured by many locals – the marble floors and seats of the hammam together with its fabulous finely wrought ceiling cast a magical light upon bathers, creating a spectacular setting.

While bathing at the Yeni Hammam is a rather Spartan experience in terms of facilities, it’s certainly one that will remain unforgettable for most and can provide you with an authentic glimpse into local life in Rhodes.