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Updated: September 29, 2025
On your trip to Rhodes, the largest island in the Dodecanese, you’ll find crystal-clear beaches, ancient history, and amazing food. In this guide, I’m sharing my top travel tips for Rhodes so you can make the most of your visit and avoid any unpleasant surprises. Plus, I know this island well—I’ve been living here for more than two years.
Travel Tips for Rhodes
1. When to Travel
Rhodes is one of the few Greek islands you can visit year-round, but the vibe changes a lot depending on the season.
- May, June, September and up mid-October: These are, for me, the best months. It's warm enough to go to the beach, everything is open, there are fewer tourists and prices aren’t crazy.
- July and August: It's peak season. Blazing sun, packed beaches, sky-high prices, and tourists everywhere. If you’re into parties and crowds, this is your moment. If not, better skip it.
- April, second half of October and November: These are calm and budget-friendly months. It can still be warm enough for the beach (though in April the water’s chilly), but many businesses are already closed.
- December and March: They bring mild winter weather, sometimes even warm enough for a T-shirt at midday
- January and February: These aare the quietest months: not super cold (rarely below 10°C), but definitely not beach weather. Many tourist areas turn into ghost towns, though locals keep the island alive. On the bright side, it’s the cheapest time to visit.
👉 In summary:If you want the best mix of weather, prices, and atmosphere, aim for May, June, September, or early October.
2. Where to Stay
If you’re not sure where to stay, here’s the quick version: the east coast is perfect if you want calm beaches and turquoise water. Villages like Faliraki, Kolymbia, or Lindos are great for relaxing and being close to stunning coves.
Rhodes Town, on the other hand, is one of the best parts to stay in Rhodes. You get the perfect mix of beach, nightlife, museums, and the charming medieval vibe of the old town. A big plus is that you can walk everywhere and have everything nearby. It’s also the best area if you’re visiting off-season.
🤑 If you want to save on your next adventure, use this link from Booking to get 15% off your stay.
3. Tourist Tax
Since 2024, Greece has charged a tourist tax on accommodations. The amount depends on the hotel or apartment category and is charged per room, per night (not per person).
In 2025, during high season, a 3-star hotel charges €5 per night, a 4-star hotel €10, and a luxury resort €15.
This isn’t optional—it’s a government tax. You’ll be charged at check-in no matter what, so keep it in mind when planning your budget.
4. Public Transport
The island is big, so it’s worth planning ahead where you want to go and how you’ll get there.
The island is big, so it’s worth planning ahead where you want to go and how you’ll get there. Public buses connect the main towns and villages pretty well, but don’t expect Swiss-level punctuality. In summer, buses to popular spots like Faliraki or Lindos are fairly frequent. For others, like the Seven Springs, you might only find two buses a day. And in low season, the frequency drops a lot.
Two bus companies operate on the island. One runs along the west coast to Rhodes Town, passing by the airport. The other covers the east coast from Rhodes Town and even has a line that connects the airport directly with Faliraki.
⭐ Related articles: How to get around Rhodes: all the options and How to get from Rhodes Airport to the City Center and other areas
5. Driving a Car
If you’re planning to explore Rhodes on your trip, the best option is to rent a car. It gives you total freedom to reach hidden beaches, remote monasteries, and postcard-worthy viewpoints where no bus goes.
The main roads are in good condition, but the smaller ones are narrow and winding. Local drivers have a pretty “relaxed” approach to traffic rules, so don’t be surprised if someone passes you in a crazy spot or tailgates you too closely. In summer, add distracted tourists to the mix, so patience is a must.
📢 Friendly Tip: Don’t rent an ATV (quad). It might look fun, but every summer plenty of tourists end up with broken bones (or worse) after flipping over on them.
🔹 To rent a car you’ll need:
- A driver’s license from an EU country, or an international one if you’re from outside the EU.
- Passport.
- A credit card for the deposit—debit cards usually aren’t accepted.
I recommend this website for renting a car in Rhodes—it’s the one I use. I’ve found cars there for under €15 a day even in peak season. Otherwise, compare with this other site that sometimes has good deals.
6. Money
Rhodes is modern, but not everything can be paid by card. I recommend carrying some cash for taxis, public restrooms (usually €0.50–1), vending machines, and bus tickets (the company on the east coast only takes cash).
Locals also appreciate cash payments, even for the tourist tax, since card companies charge them a 3% fee.
👍 My two cents: Avoid using Euronet ATMs. They’re everywhere, but their fees are straight out of a horror movie. And if your home currency isn’t the euro, never accept their currency exchange. Always let your bank handle it.
Ideally, look for local bank ATMs like Alpha Bank, Eurobank, or Piraeus. Though in touristy areas like Faliraki, it can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack.
7. Mobile Data
If you’re traveling from another EU country, you can use your SIM’s free roaming.
If you’re coming from outside the EU, you have two options:
- Local SIM: Cosmote has the best coverage; Vodafone is the next best.
- eSIM: Holafly offers unlimited data and works great—you can even share data if you’re traveling with someone. Use this link, to get a 5% discount. For a cheaper option, Airalo eSIM for Greece is a great deal, starting at just €4.
8. What to See
Here are some of the top things to do in Rhodes you shouldn’t miss:
- Rhodes Medieval City: The best-preserved in Europe. Walking its cobblestone streets feels like stepping back into the age of knights. You can read more in this guide about best things to do in Rhodes Town.
- Lindos: A charming whitewashed village with narrow alleys and an Acropolis on top offering amazing views. For me, it’s one of the most stunning spots on the island.
- Beaches: Anthony Quinn Bay, Tsambika Beach, and St. Paul’s Bay are some of the best beaches in Rhodes, with crystal-clear water perfect for swimming and relaxing.
- Tsambika Monastery: To get there you’ll need to climb 300 steps to get there, but the views of the Aegean Sea make it worth it.
👍 My two cents: If you’re visiting in summer, head to the Acropolis of Lindos early in the morning. You’ll avoid the crowds and the brutal heat.
9. Boat Trips
A Rhodes holiday isn’t complete without at least one boat trip. There are options for everyone: beach-hopping tours, sunset cruises, day trips to other Greek islands, and even a quick hop to Turkey, which is just across the water.
If you can only pick one, this Symi day trip from Rhodes s the best choice and my personal favorite. It’s a gorgeous little island that looks straight out of a fairytale, with pastel-colored houses reflecting in the harbor. You can wander its charming streets, try the local food, and swim in its crystal-clear waters. Honestly, it’s the perfect day out!
In this other guide you can read more details about this and other boat trips in Rhodes.
10. Greek Tavernas
No question about it: if you want authentic, tasty, and affordable food, you’ve got to eat at Greek tavernas. Forget the touristy restaurants where waiters practically drag you inside.
Look for family-run places with simple tables and tablecloths, serving homemade moussaka, grilled octopus, and Greek salad topped with a massive block of feta. And of course, pair it all with local wine or a good ouzo.
Some of my favorite tavernas in Rhodes Town are:
- Mama Sofia: A local classic, with moussaka that’s finger-licking good.
- Socratous Garden: A café in a courtyard filled with plants and flowers—perfect for a break and a recharge.
- To Steno: The only one on this list outside the old town, but hands down the most authentic and family-style. Don’t miss their dolmas.
11. Reviews
In Rhodes Town, checking reviews before walking into a restaurant or bar is almost a must. More than in other destinations, it can make the difference between enjoying a fantastic meal or falling into a tourist trap.
In fact, there are a couple of spots notorious for scamming tourists: inflated prices, unclear menus, and surprise charges at the end. To make it trickier, they change their names from time to time, but they usually stay in the same old town locations near Socrates Street.
✔️ Practical tips
- Check recent reviews on Google Maps or TripAdvisor, not ones from years ago.
- Be wary of menus with hard-to-see prices or places where waiters push too hard for you to come in.
- A good sign is seeing locals eating inside; if it’s all tourists, be cautious.
Keep in mind that in Rhodes—and in Greece in general—it’s common for restaurant staff to invite you in. It’s part of the culture. For example, at Mama Sofia (the one I mentioned earlier), they’ll do it too, but without being pushy.
12. What to Pack
- Sunscreen at “armor level”: The sun is strong, especially in summer.
- Comfortable shoesif you’re planning to explore the Old Town, get ready for cobblestone streets and hills. Your cute sandals (especially with heels) might not be the best idea. Hiking sandals or sneakers are a much better choice.
- Water shoes: Some Rhodes beaches have sand, but most are pebbly or rocky. Bring water shoes so you can enjoy all the beaches without hurting your feet. Trust me, you’ll thank me later! 😉
⭐ Related article: What to Pack for the Greek Islands: With Practical Tips.
13. Health Insurance
If you’re traveling within the European Union, you can apply for the European Health Insurance Card, which gives you free healthcare. On this website from Spain’s Social Security website, you can check the requirements and request it if you live there.
But if you live outside the EU, you’ll need travel insurance. For that, Heymondo is the best choice: it offers excellent coverage, and you don’t have to pay upfront—they handle everything from the start.
I had to use the insurance once, and the service was super fast—I managed everything right from the app. On this website, you get an instant quotation, and as a Viajeros Activos reader, you’ll get a 5% discount.
Final Thoughts
Rhodes has it all: picture-perfect beaches, rich history, and amazing food. I hope my travel tips for Rhodes help make your vacation an unforgettable experience to relax and soak up that irresistible Greek charm.
In this guide to Greece, you’ll find all my articles, based on my personal experience living in the country.
If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I'll help you as much as I can. If you found the article useful, share it with other travelers. Have a good trip! 😘
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Hi, I’m Andrea, creator and author of Viajeros Activos (Active Travelers). I write about Southeast Asia, the Caucasus, and Europe. I’m a full-time traveler, passionate about good food, and always looking for new adventures.