Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Rhodes?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Rhodes?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Rhodes, Greece? Most people spend at least 3 or as many as 5 days in Rhodes during their visit. After all, the beautiful island will let you swim at the beach, tour the famous sights and museums, discover the nearby hiking trails, and taste delicious cuisine.
Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese islands, and it's a popular destination for its diverse activities and stunning natural beauty. The island has many historic villages as well as resort areas where you can enjoy a relaxing holiday. The beaches are beautiful with many watersports available. There are also archaeological sites throughout the island, kid-friendly activities, and romantic hotels that are perfect for honeymoons. Hiking is very popular on the island as well.
Do you have one or two weeks to visit Rhodes? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one week enough time in Rhodes?
With one week, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Rhodes has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind around the island or use your hotel as a base for further exploration. You can relax while enjoying the beaches, the museums and landmarks, and the hiking at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend a week in Rhodes
The beautiful beaches await you in Rhodes, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The island has spectacular beaches with crystal blue waters. Many of the beaches are sandy with swimming or snorkeling opportunities. The island is also known for its watersports and several beaches are great windsurfing or kite surfing locations. There are countless beaches to choose from but some of the favorites are Tsambika, Saint Paul's Bay, Ladiko, and Kallithea.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Rhodes Sea Kayaking Tour ($99)
- Rhodes Day Cruise (with lunch, snacks & unlimited drinks) 6Hours ($66)
- Boat Trip to Anthony Quinn, Kallithea & Traganou Bays ($99)
The culinary scene in Rhodes is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this island's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. The island offers Greek classics with a local flair. Common ingredients include wheat, olives, legumes, wine, and cheese. Many dishes are flavored with cumin, which is more heavily used here than elsewhere in Greece. Popular local dishes include matsi (a pasta cooked in meat broth and prepared with cheese, butter, and legumes), tsouka (a veal and pasta casserole), and lakani (veal, goat, or lamb meat that is slow-cooked in tomato sauce).
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Wine Tasting Under the Guidance of a Sommelier in Rhodes ($38)
- Rhodes Wine Tasting Experience ($87)
- Gourmet Journey: 11-Course Lunch, Wine Tasting & Culinary Session ($87)
The public transit in Rhodes is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the island quite easily and affordably. There is a comprehensive bus system that covers most of the island.
Rhodes is known for it's world-class museums and famous landmarks, so make sure you spend at least a day exploring at one or more of the most appealing. Many of the villages feel like outdoor museums, with churches and archaeological sites throughout. Some of the most well known sites include the Palace of the Grand Masters, the Hospital of the Knights, Süleyman Mosque, and Roloi Clock Tower.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Rhodes Old Town Scavenger Hunt & Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour ($25)
- The Palace of the Grand Master. Self-guided Audio Tour ($13)
Rhodes is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The island offers impressive archaeological ruins, stunning vistas, breathtaking landscapes, and world class beaches.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Boat Trip to Anthony Quinn, Kallithea & Traganou Bays ($99)
- Boat Trip to LINDOS with Swimming Stops at Anthony Quinn's & Tsambika Bays ($56)
- Rhodes High Speed Boat to Lindos ($49)
Known for it's hiking, Rhodes sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The breathtaking landscapes, sweeping views, and beautiful waters make this an amazing hiking island. There are a wide range of trails to choose from with easy, moderate, and challenging options available. The many quaint villages and unique archaeological sites all make this a fantastic place to hike.
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. It's not the most party-oriented island, but you'll find plenty to do at night. Most of the clubs are found in Rhodes Town near Hippocrates Square, along Menekleous Street, or near Orfanidou Street. Faliraki has long been a popular nightlife area that brings in the British crowd, but it's not as lively as it once was. Some resorts offer more of a nightlife scene than others so if that's a priority, do your research before you book.
Shopping in Rhodes is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. For a unique shopping experience head to Nea Agora (The New Market), which has a mix of shops and restaurants. You can also pick up fresh produce or pastries there. Sprinkled around the island you'll find many local artisan shops where you can buy ceramics, jewelry, soaps, leather goods, and more.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Rhodes.
Scuba diving and snorkeling around Rhodes is very popular. Spend the day exploring the beauty of the surrounding underwater world. The island has many snorkeling and dive spots where you can enjoy the underwater world. There are plenty of snorkeling or scuba diving trips that you can organize in advance as well. Because of the island's large size, there's a diversity of vendors and areas to pick between.
A few tour suggestions include:
- SUP & Snorkel Adventure Rhodes ($82)
- Rhodes to Kallithea Springs E-Bike & Snorkelling Tour ($71)
- Private Swimming Snorkeling Experience at the Most Beautiful Bays of Rhodes ($74)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Rhodes.
Perhaps the most famous spot in Rhodes is Rhodes Old Town, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Rhodes.
After you've explored most of Rhodes, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Day Trip to Lindos with pickup from Rhodes, Ixia, Ialyssos, Kallithea, Faliraki ($30)
- Full Day Trip at Rhodes with Lunch and Drinks Included ($66)
- Shared Day Trip from Rhodes to Alimia island ($176)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Rhodes.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Rhodes?
Two weeks is more than enough for an in-depth trip to Rhodes, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Swim at the beach, tour the famous sights and museums, discover the nearby hiking trails, and taste delicious cuisine on your own schedule. Then, take some boat trips or day tours around the surrounding area.
The castle walls of Rhodes, Greece
How to spend 2 weeks in Rhodes
Having 2 weeks in Rhodes will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the island.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Rhodes, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Rhodes.
Because this is a world-class shopping destination, you'll need yet another day to find the best deals. Each area of Rhodes offers a different vibe and atmosphere, and along with it, different styles of shops.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Rhodes.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Rhodes. Plenty of amazing options are available.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Rhodes.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Rhodes.
Because Rhodes offers so many famous sights, landmarks, and museums, you should dedicate at least another day to see the places you haven't seen yet. You can spend multiple days browsing through the island's amazing museums, and some of them are worth a second visit, too.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Rhodes.
With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Rhodes, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Rhodes.
Because this is a world-class shopping destination, you'll need yet another day to find the best deals. Each area of Rhodes offers a different vibe and atmosphere, and along with it, different styles of shops.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Rhodes.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Rhodes, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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