Only a dozen miles from mainland Turkey, the Greek island of Rhodes attracts visitors in search of a bit of history with their sunshine. Rhodes is equally known for its pristine beaches and its medieval castles, with much of the island’s tourism centred on the historic Rhodes Town.
Rhodes Town is divided into two sections: the fortified Old City and the more modern New City. Holidaymakers with an eye for architecture will delight at the charming blend of ancient, Byzantine and medieval structures in the Old City, and will likely be equally impressed by the neo-Gothic and Venetian architecture of the New City.
No visit to Rhodes would be complete without a trip to the stunning Hellenic Acropolis, home to a number of ancient temples as well as a stadium and gymnasium, providing insight to how the island’s ancient inhabitants lived. Further afield, the beaches of Faliraki and Pefki attract scores of tourists with their clean waters and excellent facilities.
While many travellers make a beeline for Rhodes’s seaside hotels and resorts, a large number prefer to stay in the architecturally-impressive main city and take daytrips to the beach. Rhodes is well-connected by air to Thessaloniki and Athens as well as to much of Western Europe, including London. Seasonal flights also operate from UK destinations, including Bradford/Leeds, Newcastle and Manchester.