Your Perfect 4-Day Rhodes Itinerary

Rhodes is somewhere we know quite well, mainly because it’s where Robin’s parents live. They’ve given us plenty of tips about the best places to visit over the years, and we’ve relied a lot on their knowledge to get the most out of our trips to the Greek island. By proxy, this Rhodes itinerary owes a lot to their influence!

Robin’s parents are especially good with food recommendations, so we’ve scattered quite a few brilliant restaurants throughout this post. Meals and recipes always feel like such a visceral way to connect with the culture of a place – and we’re not just saying that because we love eating.

But it’s not all about the food, and in this Rhodes road trip itinerary we’ve also included ancient ruins, charming seaside towns, and stunning, sandy beaches. Basically, all the best places we’ve visited across the cultural, natural, and gastronomical spectrum.

Rhodes Itinerary: Quick Overview + Map

This itinerary is based on renting a car in Rhodes and sightseeing independently, here is a visual summary:

Day 1: Rhodes Town & Monte Smith

The natural starting point of any Rhodes itinerary is the island’s main city. Rhodes Town is almost 2,500 years old and was originally a wealthy Greek port. It has passed through many hands over the millennia, including the Romans, the Knights Hospitallers, and the Ottomans, all of whom appreciated its strategic location.

Each one of these civilisations has left their mark on the town, whether through castles or mosques. The abundance of well-preserved medieval ruins has even been recognised by UNESCO, who named the old quarter a World Heritage Site.

📍Rhodes Town

We recommend starting your holiday at Hippocrates Square, the main plaza in town. It’s filled with restaurants and bars, which become super fun and lively at night. During the day, however, you can really see the beautiful stonework of the buildings.

To get the best views, there’s a staircase that rises above the square where you can snap a great panorama of the scene, including the medieval fountain at its heart.

Hippocrates Square and the surrounding streets are a great place to come for a cocktail, but if it feels a little early in the day for that, we can also heartily recommend the excellent ice cream at Davinci Gelato.

From the square, head west down the pedestrianised Sokratous (Socrates) Street, which is filled with colourful souvenirs shops and cafes. Suleymaniye Mosque is located at the end of the road, creating a perfect backdrop for a gorgeous photo. We weren’t able to go inside the Ottoman-era mosque, but its pinky-purple façade is nice to look at from the outside.

Just next to this is the Medieval Clock Tower, which is largely a reconstruction, since the original was massively damaged in the mid-1800s. Apparently, lightning struck a gunpowder magazine stored beneath a nearby church, leading to a catastrophic explosion. How’s that for unlucky?

For 5 euros, you can climb to the top of the tower and enjoy fab views of the city, then reward yourself with a free drink at the ground-floor patio (the drink is included in the entry price).

Next up, walk a few minutes north to Rhodes’ most impressive structure, the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knight of Rhodes. Originally built by the Byzantines, the fortification was repaired and massively remodelled by the Knights Hospitallers, who made it their HQ. 

The entrance ticket gets you into the interior courtyard, where there’s a massive staircase located by the ticket office that takes you up to the various chambers. It’s a sprawling space, with various archaeological exhibitions detailing the history of the city scattered about the rooms.

Once you’ve finished admiring the beefy architecture and the eclectic collection of artefacts, head back towards the waterfront along the Street of the Knights of Rhodes. This atmospheric, cobblestone route passes several impressive old stone houses that have been around for centuries.

After walking up and down the Rhodes pathways, you’ll probably be ravenous! There are plenty of places to choose from to eat, but we love the delicious gyros at Pita Fan, an unassuming little spot set in the historic town. There’s both indoor and outdoor seating that overlooks the quarter’s pretty monuments.

After you’ve eaten your fill, head north for a few metres towards the Liberty Gate, one of several portals that lead out of the old town to the seafront. This gate is a modern reconstruction of the original from the 1500s, but it gives you a real feel for the strength of the former fortifications. 

Exiting through the gate, you’ll see ahead of you a spit of land with three windmills. This renovated trio are all that remain of the numerous medieval Rhodian windmills that were used to grind grain for export.

📍Elli Beach

The history of the island’s capital is fascinating and rewarding – but it’s also a lot of walking! That’s why the next stop on our Rhodes travel itinerary is Elli Beach, about 10 minutes’ walk from the windmills. 

The shore here is pebbles rather than sand, though given that the beach is right in the city and the waters are beautifully blue, we’d have to say it’s one of our fav spots in town to chill out with a cocktail. There are plenty of umbrellas with sunbeds for rent, but also space to plop down a towel on the shingle if you want to save some money.

📍Sunset At Monte Smith

We love the gorgeous golden light that only shines at the close of the day, so we’re always on the lookout for the best spots to enjoy the sunset’s rays wherever we travel. 

Monte Smith (also know as St Stephen’s Hill) is one of the coolest sunset spots on Rhodes, which is why we’ve included it on our Rhodes 4 day itinerary. It’s hard to imagine getting tired of the views and the pretty palm trees that line the road on top of this coastal hill, which is probably why locals living around here regularly turn up here for jogs and dog walks.

We came by car and were able to park up next to the road in time for sunset. Pack a picnic in advance that you can enjoy on one of the benches as the sun dips below the horizon.

📍Dinner At “To Posperi”

If you would prefer to dine in a restaurant, have we got a treat for you! Just a little further west along the cost from Monte Smith, in the town of Ialysos, is a place that serves by far the best Greek food we’ve ever eaten.

To Posperi is an adorable neighbourhood taverna that gives off traditional vibes. There’s nothing fussy about the food, which is just great, classic Greek flavours. We always order a lot of mezes to share here, including small plates of stewed beef, beans, stuffed peppers, and fried fish – it’s all delicious!

Plus, the house wine is delicious and cheap! What better way to end the first day of your Rhodes Greece itinerary?

Day 2: Lindos, Charaki & Tsambika Beach

After you’ve seen the wonders of the capital, it’s time to get your Rhodes itinerary on the road! 

The east coast of the island is home to a mixture of former fishing villages, ancient Greek ruins, and fabulous sandy beaches. Thanks to the manageable size of Rhodes, you can easily pack all of these things into a single day without breaking a sweat.

📍Lindos

Like Rhodes Town, Lindos was founded by Greek settlers way back in the 1st millennium BCE. Incredibly, you can still see remnants of these early explorers in the form of the Lindos Acropolis, which is perched in a prominent location above the town.

What we love most about this site is the way parts of Ancient Greek temples sit alongside Roman ruins, all enclosed inside the remnants of a medieval castle. Basically, it’s like one big melting pot of history!

On the way to Lindos, make sure you stop at this viewpoint, where you can get a panoramic perspective of the site, before driving in for a closer look.

We parked in a paid car park near Lindos’ main square, walking through lanes lined by the sugar-cube houses of the town as we made our circuitous way up towards the acropolis. 

It was a lovely meander in pleasant temperatures, but we did this in November. In the summer, we can imagine it gets very warm hiking up the hill, even though it’s not a very long distance, so bring a hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water!

If you want to charge your batteries before exploring, you can always stop at Mavrikos for a coffee. They also do a good line in sweet treats, which are freshly made daily.

After the acropolis, go down to Lindos Beach for a cooling swim and to see the amazing views. We picked up our car on the way down, since there was free parking near the shore, but it’s only a short way to go on foot if you fancy a stroll.

📍Charaki

Drive about 15-20 minutes north from Lindos to Charaki, a cute former fishing village that boasts some amazing seafood. In fact, the whole cove is lined with beach cafes where you can grab lunch.

We ended up at Argo Seafood Restaurant, which was a little bit more upmarket than some of the other spots and did some delicious grilled fish. We found a small car park next to this restaurant that was super convenien, too.

After lunch, you can head up to the ruins of Feraklos Castle, a completely abandoned fortification that is rather picturesquely overgrown with vegetation. From here, there’s a fab panoramic view of the whole of Charaki.

📍Tsambika Beach

Our perfect 4 days in Rhodes would be filled with plenty of downtime, including lots of beach R&R. Even in November, we’ve still found it warm enough for us to swim in the sea!

One of our fav seaside hangouts is Tsambika Beach, which is about 20 minutes north of Charaki. Aside from the soft sands, there are several cool rock formations and caves nearby for hikers, or you can book a parasailing experience with the local water sports outfit.

Day 3: Kallithea Springs, Faliraki & Sunset at Mount Filerimo

Like many of the Greek islands, Rhodes is quite a seasonal place. That means if you come in the off season, you’ll find some things are closed and other things are discounted.

We’d never been to Kallithea Springs before our most recent trip to Rhodes but were pleasantly surprised to discover that it’s completely free to visit in November, even though they normally charge a fee. Winning!

📍Kallithea Springs

Once upon a time, people came to Kallithea to take advantage of the healing waters. These days, those waters no longer exist, but the site has been preserved as a kind of spa-like complex, with gardens, mosaics, a restaurant, and a scenic hidden bay with a pebble beach.

When we visited in November, nobody was really swimming, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying the grounds. These alone make a trip here worthwhile as part of a Rhodes itinerary, but if you come in summer, it’s apparently quite popular for swimming, at least judging from the ubiquitous umbrellas and loungers for rent.

📍Faliraki

Faliraki is all about the lively atmosphere. Its long stretch of beach has made it a go-to for tourists, particularly Brits looking for a cheeky hols in the Mediterranean. 

The primary resort town on Rhodes, the town is home to plenty of beach clubs and water sports to keep you entertained, as well as a buzzy nightlife scene. 

Admittedly, it’s not for everyone, and you can easily skip over it on your Rhodes road trip itinerary if you’re looking for something a bit more local and chill. We like to know it’s there for when we’re in the mood for an evening out!

📍Sunset At Mount Filerimos

On the other end of the scale, Mount Filerimos isn’t on the normal tourist trail. Instead, we found ourselves surrounded mostly by locals on our visit here, many of them couples on a romantic date, waiting for the sunset.

From Rhodes Town, it’s about half an hour’s drive to this verdant hill, which is crowned by a cedar forest that’s inhabited by peacocks. There’s a viewing platform about 5 minutes’ walk from the Filerimos parking place, with a small chapel that’s worth checking out en route.

From the viewing platform, you get a grand vista of multiple villages, with the ocean glittering away in the background. We took some wine and snacks and made a little picnic of it while watching the sun go down. 

📍Dinner At Filerimos Restaurant

Somewhere we absolutely must include on our 4 day Rhodes itinerary is Filerimos, one of the fav restaurants of Robin’s parents! Yes, it shares a name with the local mountain, but it’s actually about 10 minutes’ drive away, in a very local part of Ialysos. 

If you want authentic Greek food served with warmth, we highly recommend a visit. 

Day 4: Butterfly Valley, Embonas & Traganou Beach

A Rhodes 4 day itinerary really shoots by fast, and before you know it, you’ll be on your final 24 hours!

For the last day, we’ve chosen a couple of our fav places on the interior of the island, which is filled with lush greenery, isolated churches, and tiny villages.

📍Butterfly Valley

Every summer, this scenic little spot in the north of Rhodes becomes inundated with Jersey tiger moths, which are attracted by the scent of the Oriental sweetgum trees. Seriously, they completely cover the bark!

Even if you visit at another time year though, Butterfly Valley is a nice addition to any Rhodes itinerary, with the park’s easy walking route taking in small waterfalls and verdant forest. 

Tickets are €5 from June to September and €3 the rest of the year. 

📍Embonas Village + Winery

About an hour southwest of Butterly Valley, Embonas is highest village on Rhodes. Located on the side of the island’s tallest peak, Mount Attavyros, it’s become something or a mini wine mecca thanks to its geographical location.

There are 4 or 5 different wineries you can visit, but the one we like the most is Kounaki Wines. Aside from the delicious vino, they also do an extensive menu of cheese and cold cuts that pair perfectly with the local vintage. Plus, there are lots of friendly cats to play with!

There’s no need to book in advance; just make sure they are open if you’re visiting off season. Once you arrive, you choose a wine package and are given a booklet with extensive info on each bottle. We found this super interesting as ardent wine lovers, especially as it’s easy to match up the bottles to the booklet entries.

Is it safe to drive in Rhodes after you’ve had a few? Well, technically the blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, which roughly means that if you have two standard drinks in the space of an hour, you’ll be right at that threshold. 

However, since the tasting portions are much smaller than a normal glass of wine, you should be fine. If you’re worried about it though, you can always take a tour or hire a driver – or make one of your friend’s be the designated driver!

📍Traganou Beach

It seems appropriate to finish our Rhodes itinerary beside the sea, seeing as how the island owes its past and present prosperity to its maritime attractions.

Traganou is actually Mal’s fav beach. There’s a cool cave on the north end of the shore where you can hide away for a bit of shade when the sun is blistering. When the weather is manageable, there are plenty of rock formations to check out, as well as clear water that’s perfect for snorkelling.

When we visited recently in November, the beach was super quiet, which we loved, but even when we’ve been in the summer months it’s still reasonably chill.

There’s a large, free parking lot where you can leave your vehicle, as well as a restaurant where you can grab a bite when you get peckish. In short, there’s no reason not to spend an entire day here!

Rhodes Itinerary: FAQs

What’s The Best Time To Visit Rhodes?

We’d say September to October is perfect for visiting Rhodes. The temperature is still warm, but it’s not as busy as in the summer months. We’ve even swam in the sea at the beginning of November, but it might be a little chilly for people who want to undertake a Rhodes itinerary especially for the Mediterranean sun!

How many days in Rhodes do you need?

Around 4 to 7 days is about right for a road trip around Rhodes. We’ve obviously opted for a 4-day itinerary here, packing in the activities alongside a bit of downtime on the sand. For sunworshippers and sea lovers, a week allows you to set aside a few days purely for the beach.

Is it easy to get around Rhodes without a car?

It’s possible to get to places around Rhodes without a car, but it’s inconvenient if you want to visit more than 1 place in one day. Since renting a car is super cheap on the island, in our opinion it’s just simpler to rent a vehicle. 

How to get around Rhodes?

Our preferred method is by car, mainly because it saves a lot of time compared to public transport, which can be infrequent and slow. You have to ask yourself how long does it take to drive around Rhodes in a car versus by bus, and the reality is that a bus can take more than twice as long to get between two points.

Before You Go

With our 4-day schedule, we’ve tried to maximise what you can see in a few days without cramming it so full of stuff that you get home feeling exhausted. While this post is by no means an exhaustive list of all the places that are worth seeing on the island, we hope it provides a good starting point for you when you come to create your own Rhodes itinerary!