Quick Answer
- Best time: June and September; the warm season runs May to October.
- Where to stay: the Old Town or New Town first time; Lindos for the postcard; Faliraki for families.
- Getting there: fly in; the ferry from Piraeus takes at least 15 hours 40 minutes on Blue Star Ferries.
- Getting around: KTEL buses on the east coast; a hire car for the west and south.
- Tickets: Palace of the Grand Master and Acropolis of Lindos, 20 euros each, timed entry.
At a glance
- Best time
- June and September
- Time needed
- 4 to 5 days
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Language
- Greek
- Getting around
- KTEL buses east; hire car south and west
Rhodes is bigger than most first-timers expect, and the best sights are spread between the Old Town, the east coast and the far south. Pick the right month, the right base and the right mix of bus and car days, and you’ll see the island without the cruise-day rush. Ticket prices below were checked on the official Greek heritage ticket store on 3 October 2026.
When is the best time to visit Rhodes?
Rhodes has one of the longest warm seasons in Greece. The question is how much heat and how many people you want.
| Season | Weather | Crowds and prices | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr–May) | Warming, green | Light, low prices | The Old Town, walks, first swims by late May |
| June | Hot, dry, sunny | Building | The sweet spot: warm sea, long days |
| Peak summer (Jul–Aug) | Very hot | Heaviest, peak prices | Guaranteed beach heat, busy lanes |
| September | Hot, warmest sea | Easing | The other sweet spot |
| Oct–Mar | Mild to cool, wetter | Low, cheapest | Quiet sightseeing; many resorts close November to March |
In July and August, do Lindos and any walking at opening time; a midday climb to the acropolis is punishing. In October the sea is still warm, but check that your hotel and the smaller tavernas are still open.
What to pack for Rhodes
Four picks from our gear guides that suit this trip. Each card opens the live Amazon price; the links below lead to the full comparisons.
61 x 122 cm, listed at 120 g in navy, snap loop and a ventilated carry bag. Rainleaf says it absorbs five times its own weight, and it comes in six sizes. The one most travelers should buy first.
Check price on Amazon Live price on Amazon710 ml, 450 g, press-style purifier. Grayl publishes 99.99% virus, 99.9999% bacteria and 99.9% protozoan cyst removal and a 250 L (350-press) cartridge. OutdoorGearLab’s best water-quality score of its 2026 test.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonThe reliable all-rounder: one USB-C and four USB-A ports, plugs for 200+ countries, and a built-in fuse with a spare. The adapter most people should buy.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonModel A1259, 10,000mAh, about 37Wh, 215 g. Two phone charges in a jacket pocket, and small enough that the two-bank limit never becomes a question.
Check price on Amazon Live price on AmazonWhere should you stay in Rhodes?
Your base decides the trip: history on the doorstep, a postcard village, or a pool resort.
| Base | Feel | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Medieval Old Town | Historic, cobbled, car-free | History lovers, evenings inside the walls |
| Rhodes New Town | Lively, central, beaches and shops | Convenience, bus connections |
| Lindos | Whitewashed village under the acropolis | A romantic night or two |
| Faliraki | Big resorts, sandy beach | Families, pool days |
Price check: for two nights in mid-October 2026, a Booking.com search in the Old Town returned hotels at roughly 50 to 215 euros a night, boutique hotels at the top end. Lindos is usually pricier, and Faliraki’s big resorts often sell packages rather than room-only rates.
How do you get around Rhodes?
The bus covers the east coast well; the west and the south need a car.
A simple plan: Old Town and New Town on foot, Lindos and Faliraki by bus, and one or two car days for the west and the south.
What should you not miss in Rhodes?
| Sight | 2026 entry | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Palace of the Grand Master | 20 euros, timed entry | Inside the Old Town; pair it with the Street of the Knights |
| Acropolis of Lindos | 20 euros, timed entry | First slot of the day; steep and shadeless |
| Street of the Knights | Free | Quietest early in the morning |
| Old Town walls and lanes | Free | Best at dusk |
- St Paul’s Bay below Lindos: a near-enclosed turquoise cove for a swim after the acropolis.
- The Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes): a shaded inland gorge where Jersey tiger moths gather from June to September, in the largest numbers in July and August. Walk quietly and don’t disturb them.
- Prasonisi: at the island’s southern tip, where two seas meet across a sandbar; a windsurfing hotspot.
- Anthony Quinn Bay: a small, clear-water cove near Faliraki.
Eat a lane or two back from the busiest Old Town streets: souvlaki and fresh fish, fairer prices, more locals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit Rhodes?
June and September are the sweet spot: warm sea, long sunny days and far thinner crowds than the July-August peak. The wider warm season runs May to October, so May and early October still give you beach weather with lower prices. July and August are hot and busy. Winter is quiet, cheap and mild but many resort businesses close.
Where should I stay in Rhodes for the first time?
Base yourself in the medieval Old Town or Rhodes New Town if you want history, restaurants and the airport close at hand. Lindos is the postcard village under its acropolis, lovely but car-free and steep. Faliraki is the big resort strip for families and pools. Pick one base and day-trip to the rest by bus or car.
How do I get to Rhodes?
Fly into Rhodes International Airport, about 14 km from Rhodes Town, with direct seasonal flights from across Europe. The ferry from Piraeus, the port of Athens, takes at least 15 hours 40 minutes on Blue Star Ferries, so it only makes sense as part of island-hopping through the Dodecanese, for example via Kos or Symi.
Do I need a car in Rhodes?
Not if you stay in Rhodes Town and stick to the east coast: KTEL buses link Rhodes Town, Faliraki and Lindos. A car earns its keep if you want the quiet west coast, inland villages, the Valley of the Butterflies and Prasonisi at the island’s southern tip, where buses are sparse.
How much are the tickets for Lindos and the Palace of the Grand Master?
Both cost 20 euros for a standard adult ticket in 2026 on the official Hellenic Heritage ticket store, and both use timed entry. Book Lindos for the first slot of the morning: the climb to the acropolis is steep and has little shade.
Is Rhodes Old Town worth visiting?
Yes. The medieval Old Town is one of the best-preserved in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site, with the Palace of the Grand Master, the cobbled Street of the Knights and walls you can walk. It is car-free and best explored on foot, ideally early or late when the cruise crowds thin out.
Start planning your Rhodes trip
If a resort package already has your dates, skip this. Everyone else should compare June and September first: same sea, half the crowds.
Find cheap flights to Rhodes | Compare Rhodes hotel prices
Planning the wider trip? See our best time to visit Greece guide, the Greek ferries guide and the hotels hub.
