seventh heaven rhodes

Kalithea is a refurbished spa founded by Italian occupying forces. It is just a few kilometres south of Rhodes-Town with a wonderful, mostly well frequented bathing bay. In summer it could be tight there, as the bay is a famous destination for boat-trips. Next to the bay of Kalithea you can find three picturesque rocky bays (Nikolaus, Tassos and Oasis) A real insiders’ tip.

Behind the tourist destination Faliraki and its long sandy beach and all kind of water sport facilities we reach the scenic bays Anthony Quinn and Ladiko. They invite to snorkelling. Afandou’s mile long gravel-beach was awarded a blue flag for superb water quality and is partly deserted or hardly visited. Close to the waterfront there is the sole golf-course on the island. The course is fairly difficult, architecturally and scenically appealing, but unfortunately quite neglected. On the other hand a green fee of € 35.- during the season is not very expensive. In a small forest just 4 km away from Kolimbia you can find the idyllic destination of Epta Piges (Seven Springs). The popular sandy Tsambika Beach and the bay of Stegna are worth visiting. Before you arrive at Rhodes’ most famous tourist attraction Lindos, you have a chance to refresh yourself at the beautiful sandy beach in the Agathi bay.

Nestled on a hillside the whitewashed houses of Lindos wriggle around the hill at pictorial Lindos bay. In summertime the air in the narrow alleys on the way to the Acropolis is stuffy. Nevertheless countless tourists take the burden. The further you go south, the more deserted and calmer the coast becomes until you reach the most southern point of the island, surfers’ paradise Prasonisi.

Surfers’ paradise Prasonisi is in summer frequented by lots of surfers the main part of whom camps wildly and indulge in their hobby. The steady north-west wind - called ‘Meltemi’- reaches in summer months peak wind speeds and makes athletic wind or kite surfing possible for ambitious surfers.

Now we approach the west coast. It becomes more and more deserted and wild. Having left Appolakia, an ideal starting point for hiking, we reach Kastellos near the village of Monolithos. In Kastellos there are fantastically located remains of a former fortification of the Order of St. Johns. It is located on a mighty rock and enables splendid vista even at the neighbour island Chalki.

The tiny Harbour of Kamiros Skala connects Rhodes with the island of Chaldiki, just a few miles away.

Now you arrive at Rhodes’ most important archaeological excavations Kamiros. The floor plans of buildings and urban quarters can be well distinguished. The town was presumably destroyed by an earthquake in 142 A.D. It was together with Lindos and Yasilos (Filerimos) one of three Kingdoms ruling the island.

From June till September millions of butterflies romp around in a small, craggy romantic valley called Petaludes. It is believed the resin of the domestic Torax Trees attracts the butterflies.

The tour goes up to the ancient Acropolis of Filerimos. On the plateau you can find scarce remains of a Zeus-Temple and a Doric Fountain-House. Behind the Church of Mary the Patron, which was reconstructed in the 14 century, leads an avenue of pine trees to the half-dilapidated Byzantine fortress. From here you have got an excellent view at the northern part of Rhodes.