Travel guide – rhodes
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Overview
In days of old when knights were bold they found the island of Rhodes, close to the Turkish shore at the merging of the Mediterranean and Aegean seas, and set it up as a fortress to protect the Christian west from the invasion of the infidels from the east. Today the island, the main one of the 12 making up the Dodecanese group, is still subject to invasion, but now the intruders are tourists, who come to revel in what is reputedly the sunniest Greek island, and to have fun in the medieval city the knights left behind. The town of Rhodes, on the northern point of the island, has preserved its picturesque walled old city as a playground for visitors. In ancient times the harbour here was guarded by the legendary Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, but now some statues of deer have taken its place. Nevertheless the old part of the city has plenty of wonders still to offer and the modern part of the town is just as vibrant. The rest of the relatively large island offers miles of beaches, interesting archaeological sites and natural beauty spots. The best beaches are on the east coast, between Faliraki and Lindos. Lindos is renowned as a particularly picturesque town that has been designated a protected historic settlement.
Situated on the east coast of Rhodes, the island’s most developed beach resort is just nine miles (8km) south of the capital, Rhodes Town. Faliraki is renowned for its four-mile (2km) stretch of sandy beach that is packed with deckchairs, umbrellas and sunbeds, and offers every kind of water-based activity from parasailing to jet skis. It is possible to do day boat trips around the other small bays of Faliraki, including Kathara Bay, which is one of the most picturesque on the island, and has a nudist beach at one end. Anthony Quinn Bay is famous for the filming of The Guns of Navarone. There are also several, little-developed beaches between Faliraki and Lindos, such as the pebbled Traganou beach, and all the beaches are desirably clean with crystal waters. Faliraki is also well known for its nightlife and is popular with younger visitors seeking lots of action, both day and night.
Just three miles (5km) from Rhodes Town is the developed resort of Ixia with a wide range of accommodation to suit most tastes. The west coast receives a constant summer breeze, which tempers the heat, and provides excellent conditions for windsurfing. The shingle beach follows the curve of the main road with most of the accommodation along the road; bathers should take care, as the waves can be a little rough. Most hotels have pools and deckchairs for those who prefer not to brave the sea. Ixia is ideal for family holidays or an older clientele; there are only a few pubs and bars that close at midnight, but most hotels provide family entertainment programs, and its proximity to Rhodes Town means that all the amenities of a large town are only a short taxi ride away.
Most tourists on Rhodes head for Lindos, 29 miles (47km) from the island capital, which was once the capital of the island but today is basically a holiday resort centred on a small medieval village, topped with a fortified ancient Acropolis. The village is quaint with its cobbled streets and white-stuccoed houses sloping down to the sea. The Acropolis is reached through a series of steps, which can be ascended on donkeys. From the outside, the Acropolis does not betray its Hellenistic origins because the original complex was surrounded by a strong fortification in the Middle Ages by the Knights of St John, but inside are the Doric Stoa, propylaean ruins, the sanctuary of Athena and the Byzantine church of St John. The ruins of an ancient theatre have been discovered on the slope below the Acropolis. Many celebrities have chosen to buy or build holiday homes in the Lindos vicinity and frequent the cafes and tavernas lining the beachfront.
Fun in the sun in Rhodes Town on the north point of the island centres on the World Heritage-listed old walled medieval city that clusters around the ancient harbour of Mandraki. This ancient labyrinth consisting of a couple of hundred narrow streets and alleys constitutes a tourist's paradise, with all the required trappings for a good time, including an art gallery and several museums. The Street of the Knights is particularly intriguing, following the course of an even older track that once led from the Acropolis of Rhodes to the harbour, where stood the legendary Colossus. It now features buildings that were built in the 16th century as clubs for Knights belonging to the Order of St John. Each represents an inn of a different 'tongue' (the knights belonged to different national groups) and the facades of the buildings reflect the relevant architectural details. The Turkish occupation of Rhodes is commemorated with a Venetian-styled Byzantine mosque, the Mosque of Suleiman, and the popular and well-used Turkish baths, in a 7th-century Byzantine building. The sprawling new town houses most of the travel agents, bars, discos, nightclubs, and numerous tavernas, and is best explored at night. A long stretch of beach is popular during the day and has deckchairs, umbrellas and showers available.
Things to do and see in or around Rhodes Town
Acropolis of Rhodes
The ancient Hellenic acropolis of Rhodes sits on a hill in the western part of the city, and once consisted of a monumental zone full of sanctuaries, large temples, public buildings and underground vaults. The buildings were set on stepped terraces interspersed with gardens. The remains of the buildings on the Acropolis date back to the 2nd century BC, but all has not yet been excavated at the site. The Stadium, however, has been fully excavated and restored. Also still to be seen are the ruins of the Temple of Athena Polias on the northern edge of the site; the Nymphaia, which is made up of four cave-like constructions cut into the rock, used for recreation and worship; a small restored marble Odeon thought to have been used for musical events or lectures; the Temple of Pythian Apollo; and the remains of the Gymnasium.
Telephone: (22410) 75674 ; Tuesday to Sunday 8.30am to 3pm (15 June to 31 October); hours are reduced in winter
Climate
Rhodes enjoys hot, dry summers and mild winters. Temperatures in July and August range from 82ºF (28ºC) during the day to 72ºF (22ºC) at night. Rainfall is almost non-existent in summer but showers can be expected between October and March.
Health
There are no specific health risks in Greece, but visitors who plan to walk through forested areas are advised to consider vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis. Medical facilities in Greece vary; those in major cities are excellent but many of the islands are some distance from a decent hospital. Food and water are safe, but those visiting for short periods should consider sticking to bottled water. UK nationals are entitled to a refund on emergency hospital treatment under a reciprocal agreement between the UK and Greece, and a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) should be taken on holiday for this purpose. Despite this, all visitors are advised to take out medical insurance. Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for those arriving from infected areas. Bird flu was detected in swans in northern Greece in February 2006, but stringent measures have been taken to contain the outbreak; no human infections have been reported. The risk to people is believed to be very low, but visitors are advised to avoid any contact with caged, wild or domestic birds, and to ensure that all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked as a precaution.
The basics
Getting Around
Rhodes is a major port with sea links to Athens, the islands of the Aegean and Crete, as well as to international destination such as Turkey, Cyprus and Israel. Most international and inter-island ferries dock at the commercial harbour of Kolóna in Rhodes town, and there is a choice of high-speed catamarans, hydrofoils, car ferries or flights to other islands in the Dodecanese group. Public buses service the coastal towns around the island or it is possible to organise a bus tour for island excursions. For shorter distances shared taxis are available, but Rhodes taxi drivers have a bad reputation for overcharging or receiving payoffs from hotels. Rental car agencies are easily available.
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