Rhodes is the largest island in the Dodecanese archipelago. Renowned for its history, its seaside resorts, its unmissable landscapes and the variety of cultural experiences it offers, Rhodes is a popular destination for travelers to Greece.
But to know where to stay in Rhodes, it’s important to plan in advance the type of stay, the budget you want to devote and the duration of your trip. Rhodes is divided into two parts: one very popular with tourists, where most restaurants, bars and museums can be found, and another area where you can discover all the natural and magical landscapes this island has to offer.
In this guide, we’ll take the time to share with you the best places to stay in Rhodes, as well as recommendations for the accommodation rated highest by travelers.
Key information
Before going into the description of the areas where to select accommodation in Rhodes, here are the essentials you need to know about this Greek island to prepare for your stay.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Rhodes:
- $$ this accommodation, in the heart of the capital
- $$$ this hotel, close to the sea on the east coast, in Lindos.
- $$$ this 5-star also in the capital.
Map of where to stay in Rhodes
To give you a quick overview of the different places we recommend to stay in Rhodes, you’ll find on the map below all the Rhodes accommodation recommendations we’re going to share in this guide. You can also use it to locate the different areas we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay in Rhodes
Where to stay in and around Rhodes
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Rhodes.
ACCOMMODATION IN RHODES, IN THE HEART OF THE CAPITAL
Rhodes, capital of the island of the same name, is the most popular city with travelers. It boasts many landmarks that are a must-see during your stay. It is the largest walled city in Europe. Many of the museums and archaeological sites to be visited will delight tourists with an interest in ancient history.
Staying in Rhodes means you can take full advantage of the capital's cultural wealth, while still being close to all the other local sites that are a must-see. You can stay close to the famous Acropolis, the Archaeological Museum or the Palace of the Grand Masters: emblematic places that must be seen at all costs. The central beach lies to the north of Rhodes, just a few minutes' walk from the center. The charm of the secluded alleyways and large green spaces found throughout the capital will also allow you to discover the city in a calm and relaxing setting.
The internationalairport is a twenty-minute drive away. To get around Rhodes or to reach another village, you can easily take public transport to one of the city's bus stops.
Bars and restaurants are plentiful. Alexis 4 seasons, which specializes in seafood, and New Village, which offers local specialties, are highly recommended by travelers. The Last Butler is the ideal place to sip a cocktail or enjoy a local beer.
Where to stay in Rhodes, there are plenty of places to stay. Most are luxury hotels, but you can easily find affordable accommodation.
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Stay in the heart of the city in an eco-friendly establishment, that's what this hotel offers. Each room is equipped with a sitting area, a large bedroom and a spacious bathroom.
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This accommodation offers rooms in the heart of the old town, just a few meters from the old port and the Palace of the Grand Masters. Airport shuttles are also available.
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Magnificent 5-star accommodation in the heart of the medieval city of Rhodes. Just a few meters from the city center, this accommodation features a bar and restaurant.
STAY IN THE ANCIENT VILLAGE OF LINDOS
Located south of Rhodes, Lindos is a small seaside resort that has won over many travelers thanks to its architectural charm and magnificent scenery. Known for its history, museums, small local markets and historic temples and churches, staying in Lindos means you're close to Rhodes' beautiful beaches, yet still have the chance to discover the island's history.
Staying in Lindos means staying close to the bay of Saint Paul, famous for its magnificent waters, or discovering Odos Akropoleos, the village's main street known for its typical white buildings and multicolored flowers. For all water sports enthusiasts: apart from scuba diving, all others are prohibited.
There are no cars in Lindos, but there are several parking lots just outside the village for travellers arriving by car. You'll be about 50 km from the capital, and about an hour from the international airport. Cabs and buses are available if you choose to travel without a rental car.
There are plenty of bars and restaurants to try. The Cozze Champagne Rooftop Cocktail is a tourist favorite. Take the time to sample the best Gecko specialties at Kalypso.
Since Lindos is so popular with travelers, the price of where to stay is rather high. But the village isn't very big, so no matter where you stay, you'll never be far from the tourist attractions.
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This 3-star hotel features a heated outdoor pool and snack bar. You'll be less than a kilometer from the main beach, and just a short stroll from numerous bars and restaurants.
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Just a five-minute walk from the beach and the center of Lindos, this accommodation offers apartments each with a spacious bathroom and a terrace with sea views.
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Overlooking this part of the island, this 4-star hotel boasts two outdoor pools, a children's playground, a bar, private parking and à la carte breakfast.
KALLITHEA: ACCOMMODATION IN THE TRENDY PART OF THE ISLAND
Kallithea is famous for its ancient Italian terms, its festive atmosphere, day and night, and its crystal-clear beaches. You can soak up the sun, try out one of the water sports on offer on the beaches: windsurfing, kite-surfing or boating, or simply follow one of the famous hiking trails.
If you rent a car, Rhodes can be reached in just 20 minutes. Buses and cabs are also available to take you out of Kallithea or to the airport.
Kallithea is home to many indoor and outdoor discos, bars and restaurants. There's no shortage of accommodation either, so you'll have no trouble finding the right place to stay.
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This accommodation is just 13 kilometers from Rhodes international airport. All rooms feature a balcony with views of the hotel garden or the sea.
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Enjoy an incredible stay when you book a room at this 5-star hotel. It features five swimming pools, a spa, wellness center, private beach, bar and restaurant.
STAY IN THE RESORT OF FALIRAKI
South of Kallithea lies Faliraki, renowned for its long sandy beach and the fishing port of St Apostolos. It boasts Europe's largest water park . You can also enjoy the leisure park for children and adults, and all the water sports on offer on the central beach.
To reach Rhodes, simply take the ferry. The journey takes around twenty minutes. If you'd like to explore Rhodes' other highlights, we recommend renting a car. The airport is only seventeen kilometers from the center.
Bars and restaurants in Faliraki are very popular with travelers, especially for the seafood platters and fresh fish served in magical waterside settings.
Most of the places to stay are by the sea, so prices are likely to rise quickly.
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Located just 400 meters from the center of Faliraki, this 4-star hotel boasts three outdoor pools, a restaurant, bar and fitness center, and is just a short stroll from the main beach.
ACCOMMODATION IN THE SMALL VILLAGE OF STEGNA
Looking for peace and quiet and a relaxing holiday? Then the best option is to set down your suitcases in the village of Stegna, located in the center-east of Rhodes. Hotels, restaurants and bars aren't exactly a dime a dozen, but it's ideal if you want to stay in quiet accommodation and experience real local life.
Not far from the capital and other towns to visit, it's advisable to rent a car to have total freedom to move around as you please. There aren't many places to stay, but most are reasonably priced.
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Choose to rent an apartment with a kitchen, a large private bathroom, a terrace and all the equipment you need for a perfect stay.
Is it possible to stay elsewhere in Rhodes?
Although the list of towns and villages where to stay in Rhodes presented in this article is already quite extensive, it is by no means exhaustive. In fact, there are many other very nice little towns and villages where you might find other places to stay in Rhodes during your stay. Here are just a few more examples:
- Kolymbia, halfway between Rhodes and Lindos, a very pleasant alternative to Kallithea or Faliraki, with a beautiful beach and numerous hotels where to stay at all price levels
- further south, after Lindos, the villages of Pfekos and Kiotari also offer interesting accommodation options
Very luxurious hotels dot the coast as far as the southern tip of Rhodes, as do more affordable holiday rentals. The most important thing to remember, as you'll probably have gathered from reading this guide, is that it 's on the east coast that you should choose to stay. That's where the beaches and pretty little ports are, while the west coast is much steeper and less populated
So, as long as you find accommodation that suits you, don't hesitate to book it, even if it's outside the areas we've mentioned. Bear in mind, however, that the further south you go for accommodation, the further away you'll be from the airport and the most interesting and lively places. This isn't necessarily a problem if you simply want to enjoy the beach and the facilities of your accommodation. It's less practical if you want to discover the island's cultural heritage and dine in a new restaurant every night!
Summary
This concludes our guide to where to stay in Rhodes. To sum up, the east coast is more popular with travellers: target it to avoid making a mistake. Then, if the aim of your trip is to discover the four corners of Rhodes, we advise you to rent a car directly on arrival at the international airport. This will enable you to target the best place to stay and get around easily to visit the surrounding area.
The capital, Rhodes, is still the most recommended destination if you want to be close to all the highlights and stay right in the heart of the hustle and bustle