Things to do in Rhodes

A Brief History of Rhodes Island

Rhodes has held strategic importance since antiquity.
Long before the Common Era, it functioned as a major maritime and commercial hub, shaped by successive civilizations that left enduring architectural and cultural traces.

The island is famously associated with the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Although the statue was destroyed by an earthquake, Rhodes continued to thrive as a centre of power and culture.
Its medieval prominence rose during the rule of the Knights of St. John, who transformed the island into a fortified stronghold and built many of its most recognisable monuments.

Following the Ottoman conquest under Suleiman the Magnificent in the 16th century, Rhodes remained under Ottoman administration for nearly four centuries. Today, mosques, baths, and civic buildings from this period remain visible.
They coexist with earlier Byzantine and later Italian-era architecture.
After Italian rule beginning in 1912, the island was formally incorporated into modern Greece in 1947.

This layered past is one of the reasons Rhodes Old Town is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, cited for its exceptionally preserved medieval urban fabric and fortifications.
Rhodes offers an extensive range of historical landmarks within a compact area, allowing visitors to explore multiple eras in a single day.

Highlights Worth Visiting

• Rhodes Old Town – A fully enclosed medieval city with walls, gates, and stone streets
• Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights – A landmark of Crusader architecture
• Street of the Knights – One of the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe
• Acropolis of Rhodes – Remains of Hellenistic temples and theatres
• Archaeological Museum of Rhodes – Exhibits spanning Classical to Ottoman periods
• Filerimos Monastery – Elevated views and early Christian remains
• Seven Springs (Epta Piges) – A shaded natural retreat inland

Many of these sites are administered and documented by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, which oversees archaeological preservation across Greece.

Beaches and Coastal Highlights

Rhodes is equally known for its diverse shoreline, where geography changes noticeably from one bay to the next.
Calm, sheltered coves contrast with open beaches exposed to the Aegean breeze, offering variety for swimming, anchoring, and water activities.

Notable Beaches

• Tsambika Beach
• St. Paul’s Bay (Lindos)
• Kallithea Springs Beach
• Elli Beach
• Faliraki Beach
• Anthony Quinn Bay
• Ladiko Beach
• Lindos Beach
• Ixia Beach

Many of these locations are ideal for yacht access.
Therefore, Rhodes is a natural stop on Eastern Aegean and Dodecanese cruising routes.

Explore Rhodes by Yacht with Mirya Yachting

Experiencing Rhodes by sea offers a perspective that land-based travel cannot match.
Arrivals feel quieter, timing stays flexible, and you can reach lesser-known anchorages alongside iconic landmarks.

Mirya Yachting designs tailor-made gulet and yacht charters that connect the Turkish coast with Rhodes and the surrounding Dodecanese islands. From route planning to onboard comfort, the aim is a refined, unhurried pace.