Rhodes is located in the southeastern part of the Aegean Sea. It is the fourth largest Greek island and the third largest in terms of population. It is also called the "emerald island" and it is internationally renowned for its natural beauty and unique attractions. Rhodes is located on the crossroads of two major sea routes, the Aegean Sea and the coast of the Middle East and thus, it has always been a meeting point of different cultures. Carians, Phoenicians, Minoans, Dorians, Romans and Byzantines successively acquired the sovereignty of the island until the island passed to the jurisdiction of the Order of St. John. From 1309 to 1522 the Knights Hospitallers ruled the island and started building forts, palaces and hospitals while decisively influencing the local culture in all its forms: art, language, architecture.
The perfectly preserved medieval city of Rhodes is undoubtedly one of the most impressive sights in Greece and is included in the list of World Heritage Towns. The Palace of the Grand Masters, the Street of the Knights, the Hospital, the narrow streets and the impressive buildings will definitely fascinate you.
Apart from the Old Town, there are many other attractions as well such as archaeological sites (the Acropolis of Lindos and Ialyssos), Byzantine churches, deserted Italian settlements etc. Furthermore, the natural environment of the island hides several surprises such as lush mountains and hills, green slopes that descend to the sea, streams, valleys with lush vegetation and endless kilometers of coastline.
The "Island of the Knights" is one of the most cosmopolitan Greek islands, as every year it attracts thousands of tourists from all parts of the world. Touristic development began in the 1960s and now Rhodes is famous for its cosmopolitan resorts, secluded beaches and traditional villages. Interestingly enough, the medieval castle is still a functional part of the city nowadays, hosting public functions, museums, entertainment places, and private homes.
How to get there:
By ship from Piraeus. There is a stopover at several islands in the Aegean Sea and the journey lasts between 15 and 17 hours. Furthermore, Rhodes is connected to Heraklion (the journey lasts between 12 and 13 hours) and several islands of the Dodecanese and Cyclades.
By plane from Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete and Cyprus. The flight lasts around 35-45 minutes. The airport of Rhodes is also connected with other European cities.
