Rhodes (Rhodos or Rodos in Greek), the largest island of the Dodecanese, is one of the greenest and sunniest islands in Greece with unique scenery, long endless beaches, rich history and very hospitable people. In other words, an ideal place for vacations.

Rhodos town is located at the northern part of the island and is divided in two sections: the old and the new town. The old town is walled with well-preserved medieval buildings and streets harking back to the days of the Crusades. With its unique charm, the old town remains a crossroad for many people and civilizations through the years as in every step modern life meets history. The new town, contrary to the old one, is a Mecca of luxury resort lining the island’s picturesque Mandraki Harbour.

Rhodos has many beaches you can choose from. These are: Afantou (!), Ag. Georgios, Antony Queen, Faliraki, Faraklos, Fournou, Gennadi, Glystra, Haraki, Ialyssos, Ixia, Kalathos, Kalavarda, Kallithea, Kiotari, Kremasti, Lachania, Ladiko, Lindos, Paradeisi, Pefki, Plymmiri, Prasonisi, Profitis Amos, Reni Koskinou, Rodos town, Stegna, Stroggylo, Theologos, Tragano, Tsambika, Vagia, Vlycha.

Moorings

Rhodos Island has its public marina called “Mandraki”, which is the older harbour of Rhodos, providing adequate facilities to the charterers / yachtsmen. The protected anchorages (such as Lindos, Faliraki, Istros and Lardos) are found mostly on the Southeast coast of the island.

Brief History of Rhodes Islands

With rich mythology and historical tradition, Rhodes was first inhabited during the Pre-historic era according to the findings from Ialyssos and Kamiros by the Dorians. In 408 B.C. one of the most significant facts in the history of Rhodes was the founding of the city of Rhodes (which took its name from the island) and was accomplished by uniting the three major cities of the island - Ialyssos, Kamiros and Lindos- into one. The three centuries that followed were the golden age of Rhodes. Sea trade, shipbuilding and art flourished. Another landmark in the history of Rhodes was the construction of the Colossus (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), a work made by the Lyndian sculptor Haris. For years, the statue, representing their sun god Helios, stood at the harbor entrance, until a strong earthquake hit Rhodos in 155 BC.

The city was badly damaged, the Colossus was demolished and the decline of Rhodes begun. The following years, Rhodes suffered from various conquerors like the Persians, the Arabs, the Saracens and the Seljuks until 1309 when the Order of the Knights settled on the island. During the Knights era, the island grew economically, artistically and spiritually. The Knights not only renovated the castle but extended it, modernised and continuously reinforced it, creating this way a unique fortification work. Many public buildings were constructed at that time, offering interesting examples of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. In 1522, Rhodes was conquered by the Otomans after a 6-month siege. In 1912 it passed under the rule of the Italians who left vivid marks in all aspects of the island's culture: art, language, architecture. Rhodes was joined with the rest of Greece in 1948.