Rhodes
Sun island of Greece
Categories: Rhodes Southern Aegean Greece
Already in ancient times Rhodes is said to have been more beautiful than the sun. The destination is located in the southern Aegean Sea, in the center of the Dodecanese archipelago. On the border between Europe, Asia and Africa, the island is considered one of the largest in the eastern Mediterranean. Here the clocks are set forward one hour. Of the approximately 120,000 inhabitants, almost half live in Rhodes City, the capital of the island and administrative center of the Dodecanese. The north in particular benefits from tourism, which is considered the main source of income at 80 percent annually. Ideal weather conditions offer 300 sunny days. 
© Freesurf / Fotolia
High season is from May to October. In the months of July and August temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees on Rhodes. Most of the beaches are awarded with the Blue Flag of the EU. Swimming is possible until November.
Rhodes Island International Airport is located on the northwest coast. The small airport can handle 4 million travelers per year. Those who prefer to travel by car can choose between a route via the Balkans or Italy. Toll and ferry fees must be taken into account. The public transport is well developed, especially in the north of Rhodes.
In the high season the buses are overcrowded and cannot always take every passenger. Gasoline is expensive. Nevertheless it is worth renting a car or scooter to explore the mountainous interior. There are hardly any parking spaces available in the old town of Rhodes City. Close to the city center you can park free of charge in the Emborio Harbor on Sundays. From Rhodes City there are ferry connections to the neighboring islands of Kos, Symi and Chalki, as well as to Marmaris in Turkey. There are round trips in the port or with the glass bottom boat.
Except for crimes such as pickpocketing, Rhodes is considered a safe destination. On the fertile island the inhabitants provide themselves with animal products, vegetables, wine and olives as far as possible. Tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini and potatoes are even harvested twice a year. Rhodes has a contrasting landscape. The tourist triangle Ialyssos, Kalithea and Rhodes city offers in picturesque bays kilometer-long beaches, like the Tsambika Beach. Also idyllic mountain villages, dense pine forests, romantic valleys and flowering floodplains characterize the beauty of the island.
Among the imposing mountains, the Attavyros is the highest elevation at 1,215 meters. At the southern end of Rhodes is the Prasonini peninsula. 700 years of foreign rule have left their mark on the island. Those interested in art history can visit the ruins of Lindos and Kamiros. The Grand Master's Palace in Rhodes City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A special feature is the valley of butterflies in the interior of the island, which is called Petaloudes in Greek. In this protected landscape, the insects can be observed from the end of June to the beginning of September, except during lunchtime. 
© tuulijumala / Fotolia
Rhodes is rich in impressive churches and inhabited monasteries. When visiting, appropriate body-covered clothing is desirable. Public toilets often exist only in the standing variant. Some toilet doors are not marked with a pictogram on Rhodes. For women the marking "ginaikon" is valid, men use the door with "ándron". Good medical care is guaranteed in the vacation resorts. The communication is in English. In some hotels a power adapter for the socket may be necessary.
