Up above the town on Monte Smith is the Acropolis and Stadium. This is also the disputed site for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the 7 wonders of the Ancient world. There is no concrete evidence of where the Colossus actually stood but romantically it is featured in drawings straddling the entrance to Mandraki harbour, and believe it or not, much to their disappointment, tourists still make the pilgrimage to see it!
One thing the ancient Greeks knew how to do, was pick the best sites for their temples, and the Acropolis at Lindos is no exception!
On the pinnacle of the hill sits the partly restored Temple of Athena Lindia from around 300BC.
This position overlooking the beautiful bay of Lindos was a natural choice for a castle, and the fortified walls have been used successively over the years by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Crusader Knights and finally the Ottomans. The walls are still very impressive, although out of several towers only one remains.
On the north-western side of Rhodes lies the ancient Dorian city of Kamiros. Along with Iaylssos, and Lindos these three rich cities formed the city state of Rhodes. The city was destroyed by earthquakes in 226BC and by a second one in 142BC.
The site is extremely large, set into the hillside with sweeping views over the sea. Today it is more or less foundations that remain but it is an attractive site to visit.
On the edge of the new town just past the Mandraki is the mosque of Murad Reis and the Turkish cemetery. The cemetery is a very charming area with its shady eucalyptus trees and run down feel. The famous admiral, or some would say pirate, head of the ships in Sulyeman the Magnificent's navy is buried in this little corner of Rhodes.
On the edge of the cemetery is a small unprepossessing building called The Villa Cleobus, where Lawrence Durrell wrote 'Reflections on a Marine Venus'.
A walk up Socrates street in the Old Town is something every visitor will do. But we suggest you look beyond the tourist shops and trappings, and look at the buildings themselves. There is a great deal of Turkish influence in many of the buildings, an unused mosque half way up is very pretty with a marble fountain next to it set on the wall. The Turkish coffee shop is still as wonderful as ever with its old door and windows. As you look towards the top of the street you see Suleyman Mosque aka the Red Mosque-for obvious reasons!
At the bottom of the Old Town, the Archaeological Museum is housed in the beautiful building that was originally the 'Hospital of the Knights'
The two floors and an internal courtyard make a wonderful setting for the archaological finds from around the island.
One of the most well known discoveries is a small marble statue of Aphrodite, better known as 'The Marine Venus', so named by the writer Lawrence Durrell whose book about his time in Rhodeswas titled 'Reflections on a Marine Venus'
During the winter months admission is free on Sundays.
The Old Town of Rhodes still holds a great deal of charm, and was rightfully selected as a World Heritage site. Within the walls there are numerous streets and squares to explore and discover ancient ruins, churches, mosques, to view a way of life and maybe get a glimpse into garden courtyards.
One of the best yacht provisioning supermarkets in Rhodes, run by Panayotis-aka Peter and his sister. Offering a full provisioning service, sourcing local produce and hard to find products. Fresh fish, fruit & veg, wines, spirits, beverages and ice delivered directly to your boat. They have a clever 'look book' of products, fish, and cuts of meat to help you choose if there happens to be a language barrier, but both Peter and his sister speak very good English. They also supply refill gas bottles.
Travel Agent in the new town area, dealing with international and domestic flights, ferries and tours.
Recently opened at the beginning of the 2012 season, owner Stefanos Simatis has a wonderful selection of chocolates, sweets, marshmallows and a tasteful array of bon bon dishes and display items, many with a nautical and sealife theme- ideal for yachts!
Not too far from the Mandraki harbour, Vintage wine & spirits is an excellent store with a good selection of wines, top champagnes, liquers and spirits. The range of Greek wine is excellent, plus they have a choice selection of French, Italian and Spanish wines.
A professional store well known to visiting yachts!
A franchise store selling organic and natural product, wheat, gluten free, special dietary needs etc.
Also a well stocked selection of herbs and natural teas all displayed beautifully.
Iben has been working for many years as a seamstress making made-to-measure cushions, sun awnings, biminis, fender covers, winch covers etc.
Sourcing quality materials and offering a meticulous, reliable service- and has work finished on time!
Theo and Constance run this family owned fish restaurant, which has a wonderful setting under the grapevine in one of the nicest squares in the old town. It is probably one of the best fish and seafood restaurants in Rhodes and well known to visiting yachts.
Always a popular choice for guests or crew.
Superb florist close to the boatyard in Rhodes.
Special displays and decorations, planters, pots and containers.
Flower orders as well as a fantastic collection of potted plants and orchids.
A very stylish collection.
A wonderful little shop in the Nea Agora on the Mandraki. At first glance it might seem like a bit of a tourist shop as the outside displays are meant to attract just that crowd. But on closer inspection they have a wide variety of deli products, cheeses, spices, nuts, dried fruit etc.
Definitely worth having a look-you will not come out empty handed!
On the road from Rhodes-Faliraki is the only waterpark on the island. Everything you would expect from an outdoor water center-lots of waterslides, pools, fun for all ages. It is set on the hillside and is spread over a large area-nicely landscaped but do not expect much shade!
There are regualar free buses which run from the main bus stands behind the Mandraki Market.
Rhodes has a wonderful infrastructure of bus routes throughout the island, not just to the villages but also to the main sight seeing spots around the island. Lots of regular buses and very cheap tickets make it a popular transport option.
Catching the bus is, however, still a slightly disorganised sport, which can make for an interesting adventure-or possibly misadventure, depending on how you want to look at it in the heat of the day!
The main bus stand is behind the Mandraki market in Rhodes.
A modern well equipped private hospital in Rhodes. Mulitilingual staff cover most medical procedures and emergencies including internal medicine, cardiology, opthamology, urology, orthopaedic, cosmetic surgery, obstetrics & gynecology.
With a full ICU and several operating theatres, MRI and CAT scans.
Most travel insurances are accepted.
24 hour emergency service and ambulance.
Alexis Taverna is an Old Town institution, specialising in fish and seafood.
Somehow this restaurant is always supplied with nothing but the best fish, and has its own organic vegetable garden.
The menu is that little bit more special with some elaborate dishes, which is reflected in the price.
The inside has wonderful decor.
Close to the boatyard, this hardware store with a nautical slant stocks an extremely large array of goods, including tools, fittings, raw materials and fastenings.
It is by far the largest such store on the island and is a paradise for engineers, who will find in the upstairs area all sorts of tools, fastenings in all sizes and finished products; the downstairs area supplies raw materials such as shafts of all diameters and of all materials sold by length, wire ropes, rubber, nylon and teflon sold in bulk etc.
Small quirky pension at the top of the old town.
Very popular due to its original decor and stunning views over the Old Town.
Booking is essential in high season.
The Rodos Park is a little bit of luxury on the edge of the Old Town. A member of the Luxury Small Hotels of the World this boutique Hotel was voted best luxury city hotel in Greece. Always concious of keeping the style and service top quality it has been refurbished and the rooms, suites and spa really have that extra bit of luxury.
The wellness spa has sauna, aroma steam bath, emotional showers and an ice fountain amongst others.
Just behind the Mandraki is the very convenient Hermes Hotel. This is what could be described more as a commercial rather than tourist hotel. Many of the clientel is usually people travelling via Rhodes from different islands. The rooms are very clean and tidy, staff very pleasant, breakfast included and prices reasonable.