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In my opinion, Rhodes is one of the most beautiful Greek islands. It is washed by two seas: the Aegean and the Mediterranean. Crete was once considered the most popular island, but recently the situation has changed, Rhodes is much more attractive - it is greener with excellent opportunities for a beach holiday, and it is also great for all categories of tourists: young people, families with children, the elderly, active athletes.
The most important thing is to choose the right place where to stay.
The coasts on Rhodes are divided into western and eastern. In the West, the beach is pebbly, more windy, while in the East, on the contrary, it is more calm and sand, somewhere mixed with small pebbles. For lovers of active sports: wave riding and windsurfing will be ideal on the west coast.
In the West, tourists stop at two places: Ialyssos and Ixia.
Ialyssos- one of the major resorts in Rhodes. The tourist infrastructure is very well developed here. Many different shops, bars, taverns, restaurants, night clubs. At the same time, the local flavor is strongly felt in Ialyssos, in the city itself there are many beautiful sights, ancient castles. The sea is the Aegean, there are often waves, which is why active tourists mainly come here. It is in Ialyssos that the largest windsurfing center is located. The beaches here are sandy and pebbly, somewhere the pebbles are very large, but the water in the sea is crystal clear.
Ixia- compared to Ialyssos, the place is quieter, sometimes there are periods when the sea is calm and swimming is a pleasure. But it is very difficult to predict this. Therefore, if the waves are not what you expect from your beach holiday, then it is better not to go to Ixia. However, while relaxing in Rhodes, it’s worth stopping by here, the places here are very fabulous, especially Ixia is famous for its stunning sunsets.
Resorts on the East Coast Kallithea, Faliraki, Afandou and Kolimbia.
The most popular and sought after place - Faliraki. First of all, a large number of tourists are attracted here by the presence of a gorgeous sandy beach. There are very few of them in Rhodes, so the choice is not very large. Plus, Faliraki is a place with a well-developed tourist infrastructure, here in the very center an active life is in full swing: both day and night. Also, in Faliraki there is a large Waterpark, an amusement park and many good hotels located directly on the first coastline. This place is perfect for almost all categories of tourists, it will not be boring for cheerful youth, couples with children, except for those who need a completely calm and secluded vacation.
Faliraki beach.
Kallithea- a great place for lovers of a very calm and quiet holiday. However, if it becomes completely boring, the city of Rhodes itself and the village of Faliraki are located side by side. Kallithea can be safely called a health resort, there are pine forests, mineral healing springs and several treatment centers. But, despite the silence in Kallithea, there is also something to do, there is a magnificent promenade, for lovers of diving, there are interesting objects for inspection - caves. For connoisseurs of history and antiquity, you can get acquainted with local working churches.
Nature in the village of Kallithea.
Afandou- a very large village in Rhodes, but it is not located on the very seashore, so the demand from tourists for this place is very weak. However, special trains run to the sea. The beach here is pebbly, awarded the blue flag for cleanliness. Afandu is a place for tourists who want to take a break from their own kind, to be among the locals, to look at the life and life of the population.
Kolymbia- once this place was a modest simple village, but now everything is changing, this resort begins to unwind, become: fashionable, in demand among tourists. Kolymbia is a very green resort, it is in this village that the famous eucalyptus alley is located. The hotels here are very diverse, both simple and luxurious. The tourist infrastructure is well developed, but Kolymbia is not rich in active nightlife. Which is undoubtedly a plus for people looking for a quiet, quality holiday. The beach in Kolymbia is very good - sandy, with a gentle entry into the sea.
Kolimbia.
In the southeast of Rhodes there is a very famous resort - Lindos. Lindos is one of the oldest cities in Greece with a rich history. What this city is famous for: its acropolis, which is even older in age than in Athens. Also, there is an ancient military fort, against which tourists like to take pictures. Lindos itself offers guests different options for where to stay. These are private villas, hotels of different stars, and simple apartments. The tourist infrastructure is also well developed here, there are taverns, nightclubs, and a market where you can buy anything at good prices.
Rhodes is one of the Greek islands that attracts tourists so much. Of course, the bulk of vacationers fly to this resort to enjoy a beach holiday, but there are also attractions in Rhodes that you can “dilute” your trip with.
In the article I will talk about the main resorts of Rhodes, their pros and cons - whoever suits what, I will make a brief overview of the island's hotels and tell you about the hotel in which I myself rested.
The main resorts of Rhodes
There are many resorts on Rhodes, they are naturally located along the coast. I note right away that Rhodes washes two seas - the Aegean and the Mediterranean. From the western part of the island, the Aegean Sea awaits you, from the east - the Mediterranean, and in the very south there is a point where they connect.
Rhodes
Rhodes is the capital of the island of the same name, the city is located at the northern end of Rhodes. The main part of city hotels is located along the coast, within the city there are well-equipped beaches - sunbeds and umbrellas are waiting for you.
The advantages of living directly in Rhodes are as follows - there is something to do there (several museums, the palace of the masters, many cafes and bars), you can walk around the Old Town on foot. It is also easy to get to the nearest resorts and entertainment from Rhodes - a free bus leaves from there to the water park, this is where the port of Mandraki is located, from which a great many pleasure yachts and liners depart.
In general, if you settle in Rhodes, you will definitely not be bored, and there is always a suitable activity for the evening.
Cons - the cons of living in Rhodes are generally typical - there are a lot of people, a lot of cars and not much greenery. If you are a lover of calm places and unity with nature - you are definitely not in the right place.
Ixia
A small resort located in close proximity to Rhodes (about four kilometers to the city). Hotels are not directly on the beach, but across the road. The beaches are also equipped, there is everything you need for a comfortable stay. There are not as many people in Ixia as in Rhodes, in general it is calmer there. From the infrastructure - a lot of cafes, restaurants, there are bars and minimarkets. There are no sights, for them you have to go to Rhodes.
The pluses include relative calm, as well as proximity to Rhodes - you can get there by taxi or bus in 10, maximum 15 minutes.
Cons - the beaches are mostly pebbly, the entry is not very convenient. The Aegean Sea, there are often waves on it, it becomes even more difficult to enter. But there are many windsurfers, they go into the sea further away and train, by the way, there is a windsurfing school.
Faliraki
This is a resort town located on the other side of Rhodes - the east, it is located on the Mediterranean Sea. One of the most noisy and youthful resorts of the island - there are the most bars, discos and, of course, young people who have fun there. If you are attracted to new acquaintances and parties - you are there.
Pluses - a lot of entertainment, calm sea (the Mediterranean is not as stormy as the Aegean), proximity to the city of Rhodes (about 15 minutes by taxi), proximity to the water park.
Cons - not suitable for lovers of silence, too noisy.
Prasonisi
This is not quite a resort, but rather one of the attractions of the island. This is the place where two seas merge. You will see a narrow isthmus, the relatively calm Mediterranean Sea will be on your left, and the stormy Aegean will be on your right.
I included Prasonisi in the list of resorts, because there is a small hotel (or rather, even apartments), so it’s quite possible to live there. There are also a couple of cafes, as well as a mini market. Other entertainment is absent in principle.
In my opinion, Prasonisi can attract those who go in for windsurfing (there are a lot of surfers on the Aegean Sea), those who would like to swim in the two seas, as well as those who would like to enjoy peace and tranquility in the evening - people are leaving by this time.
By the way, the Mediterranean Sea is equipped with a quite comfortable beach with sun loungers, umbrellas and showers, while the beach of the Aegean Sea is wild.
Rhodes Hotels
There are a lot of hotels on the island, one of the booking sites offers more than 700 accommodation options in Rhodes.
Most hotels of the middle price category are 3-4 stars, there are hotels without stars in general, as well as expensive five-star options (by the way, there are not many of them - about 20).
There are quite a few all-inclusive hotels, and there are also half-board, breakfast, and self-catering options for those who would like to cook their own meals.
If you would like to save money, then one of the budget options would be to cook for yourself or take a full board (of course, not in the most expensive hotel).
The option with breakfast is the most expensive, since the prices in taverns are not the smallest, and you will have to have lunch and dinner there (although I will make a reservation that if you are used to eating little, then you can take one serving for two - fortunately the portions are large).
Belair Beach
And finally, I'll tell you about the hotel where we stayed. This is a four star hotel in Ixia.
We lived there for two weeks, we had half board - breakfasts and dinners (by the way, drinks at dinner were not included in the price).
The hotel itself is average. The rooms are clean, but made in rather dull gray tones, the equipment is outdated (for example, I haven’t seen a safe with a key for a long time, but I met it just in this hotel). I didn’t really like the bathroom - everything is clean, but the plumbing is quite old.
The room had air conditioning, it worked fine. The size of the room is average, not big and not small. The room has a large balcony with a plastic table and chairs.
In general, the room is average, suitable for living, but you are unlikely to experience delight.
Regarding the food at the hotel - the breakfasts were monotonous, there were cucumber-tomatoes, scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, sausage, sausages, yogurt, pastries and sweets. From drinks - juices, water, tea and coffee. Quite tasty, but during our two-week stay, the breakfast did not change even once.
Dinners are more varied, there were evenings of Greek, international and Chinese cuisine. The only thing I didn't like was the Chinese one, because I don't like it at all.
Drinks, as I said, are paid - water, juices (chemical, I must say), wine, beer and soda.
The hotel is across the road from the beach, sunbeds and umbrellas are paid.
In general, I would give the hotel an average rating - more or less, but it does not reach the “good” mark.
