In this guide, we will discover the best beaches of Rhodes, from the most famous to the quiet ones, checking out how to get there, the available services, the (easy!) parking spots, and some useful tips that I feel I can give you after visiting each one of them.
The beaches of Rhodes, given the size of the island (one of the largest Greek islands), cannot disappoint you and there’s literally one suitable for every taste, whether you prefer serviced beaches or seek natural ones where you’ll feel almost alone!
However a car is essential to reach the best beaches of Rhodes, as only a few can be reached with public transport in Rhodes (only those close to the main urban centers are accessible, and, as you can guess, not the most beautiful ones).
Don’t worry though, car rentals in Rhodes are affordable, but being a big island, the location of your hotel is strategic: find out what are the best areas to stay in Rhodes to avoid mistakes!
Map of Rhodes Beaches
Let’s start as always with a map of the best beaches in Rhodes, to better understand their location.
The yellow pins indicate the best beaches in Rhodes that I recommend in this guide, all personally visited; The red pins indicate other beaches I will talk about, some personally visited, others not yet, which might still be worth a stop if you have more free days.
The blue pins with the P indicate some parking spots in case it’s not just in front. Keep in mind that in general, the parking areas for the beaches of Rhodes are large, free (except in one case that we will see) and right in front of the beach, making them very convenient.
Traganou Beach, Afandou Beach
Overall rating: 10/10
Services: Yes, bar and toilets/showers
Accessibility: Easy
Let’s start with a bang: Traganou Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches of Rhodes and one of my two favorites. It is a long beach with beautiful light pebbles at the northern end, where it also features two small caves, very nice to see and where you can explore or simply lie in the shade if you wish.
Water at Traganou Beach, as clean as on the entire eastern coast, has a crystal-clear color enhanced even more by the light colors of the pebbles. The water is very salty, and when you hang your swimsuits to dry, they will stand up on their own. 😆
The sea at this beach in Rhodes (as at almost all the ones on the eastern coast) is often calm and perfect if you want to sit or lie down half in the water and half out.
This beach is also suitable for children and families thanks to the usually calm waters. However, the seabed drops within less than ten meters, so be careful how far the children go.
Getting to Traganou Beach is easy, and there’s plenty of parking space right in front of the beach.
Traganou Beach alternates between sections with umbrellas, bars, toilets, and showers, to large free areas where you can lie down freely. If you go to buy something at the bars, the first one (the closest to the caves, to be clear) is reserved for military personnel. So, don’t be offended if they can’t serve you.
Walking towards the south, without a specific boundary, you’ll pass from Traganou Beach to Afandou Beach: it’s basically the same beach, but the part closest to the caves is called Traganou Beach, while the remaining part, larger and super natural, is called Afandou Beach.
Personally, I think the most beautiful spot is right next to the caves, also because of the view they create. It’s also the most recommended spot: if you move further south, on particularly windy and dry days, sand/dust from the area behind the beach (near the parking areas, to be specific) may be blown towards the sea and come at you.
Near the caves there are great spots for snorkeling. This beach can also be reached through some kayak tours, which I highly recommend (Tested!).
Tsampika Beach
Overall rating: 7/10
Services: Yes, including watersports
Accessibility: Easy
Tsampika Beach (or Tsambika Beach) is one of the most famous beaches in Rhodes and one of the most visited by tourists. It is a sandy beach, large but almost entirely occupied by umbrellas, except for a few corners at the ends.
It is a beautiful beach with all services, including some watersports with boat towing. This beach in Rhodes is one of the more “commercial” ones, during peak months it can get crowded.
A small problem with Tsampika Beach is that, being surrounded by a mountain and promontories, it is sheltered from the winds, making it a hot spot on the hottest days/months. This might, however, be an advantage if you visit Rhodes in the spring or autumn when temperatures elsewhere are cooler.
Therefore, I would only recommend this beach if you have extra time or if you’re traveling off-season. When you’re in the area, I also recommend climbing the nearby Mount Tsampika for a stunning view of this beach from above: it’s definitely worth it.
Agia Agathi
Overall rating: 9/10
Services: Depends on the period
Accessibility: Easy
Agia Agathi is a beautiful beach in Rhodes made of fine sand that looks golden, and with a seabed that descends very slowly, making it perfect for children and families.
This beach in Rhodes is not close to any urban center but is quite popular due to its beauty.
The parking at Agia Agathi is right in front of the beach: be careful, on windy days, dust may rise from the parking lot and blow towards the sea. I recommend staying at one of the two ends of the beach, which are also the most beautiful due to the variously shaped rocks found there.
At Agia Agathi, services such as umbrellas and sunbeds may or may not be available, depending on the season and crowds; make sure to bring plenty of water (as always when traveling in summer, given the temperatures in Rhodes) and some snacks.
The water is usually very calm and definitely clean, one of the clearest on the island. It is one of the best beaches in Rhodes that you should not miss even if you stay for just a few days! The following photo has not been edited.
Kiotari Beach
Overall rating: 9/10
Services: Yes
Accessibility: Easy
Kiotari Beach is a long pebble beach that stands out among the best beaches in Rhodes, not only for its beauty but also because it is one of the least crowded and least touristy beaches where, even on August 15th, if you don’t care about services, you will find an exceptional amount of free space away from everyone.
If you prefer services, every kilometer or so of this long beach, you will find a small establishment with a few dozen umbrellas. And if you feel like staying for lunch at one of the local bars/restaurants, you can enjoy a typical Greek atmosphere, facing the sea and in flip-flops… what do I mean? Let me show you with this photo, taken at the bar/restaurant Petalas:
Read also: The best areas to stay in Rhodes
Stegna Beach
Overall rating: 6/10
Services: Yes, including numerous tavernas and restaurants
Accessibility: Easy
Stegna Beach is another of the most crowded beaches in Rhodes but also one of the most cemented (perhaps a bit too much).
The rating given to Stegna Beach is a bit low because it is a beach where the road literally reaches the shore, with a concrete wall separating road from sand. Along the road, you will find commercial activities, so while you won’t miss anything, you won’t feel much “nature”, especially due to the sounds of engines from behind.
Another issue with Stegna Beach is that, like Tsampika Beach, it is completely surrounded by promontories that block any breeze: on the hottest days, you may feel it.
Aside from this, the water is clean and calm, also suitable for children.
I would recommend Stegna Beach only to those traveling off-season and looking for a beach sheltered from the winds.
Tasos Beach – Oasis Beach
Overall rating: 8/10
Services: Yes
Accessibility: Easy
Tasos Beach and Oasis Beach are two small rocky beaches in Rhodes, which I could describe more as experiences rather than beaches. Why? Let’s start with a photo.
These two beaches are located not far from the medieval city of Rhodes, in a rocky area on the northeast side of the island.
You will find sunbeds and umbrellas right by the water or even in the water, still protected by rocky pools and basins: a very unique experience.
At sunset, another kind of magic happens at Oasis Beach. Besides the special colors offered by the setting sun, music also starts playing with a high-volume DJ set from a small cave. A must-see stop for music lovers.
At Tasos Beach and Oasis Beach, it is almost essential to take an umbrella with sunbeds because free space is limited. Pay attention to children, both for the sharp edges of the rocks and because if they leave the “pool” areas, they end up directly in the open sea with a deep seabed.
I would recommend going in the afternoon, spending a few hours there and then continuing with the musical aperitif, if you’re into that, or at night if there are special events. I talk more about the nightlife here.
If you like this area, you can also explore the nearby similar Nicholas Beach, or the Thermae of Kallithea.
A brief mention of the Thermae of Kallithea: these are essentially ancient baths built during the period of Italian domain, now disused. There is an entrance fee of 3 euros, and what you can visit is the small “building” of the disused baths and the attached Kallithea beach, which is very small and where you need to pay separately for an umbrella and sunbeds. In my opinion, it is not worth visiting it given the island’s extensive offerings, but I felt it was worth mentioning.
Mitsis Lindos Beach
Overall rating: 8/10
Services: No
Accessibility: Easy
Now let’s move on to a little gem: Mitsis Lindos Beach. It is a rocky beach in Rhodes that forms a multitude of small natural pools, usually ignored by the public.
It is a beautiful beach to visit, perhaps before sunset, even just for a walk (water shoes are a must!) observing crabs, little fish, and small creatures moving around in the various pools: some of these pools also warm up in the sun if you want to lie down for a “spa” effect. 🙂
The beach is located behind a series of resorts but is freely accessible. To reach it, just park at the point indicated on the map above and then walk down to the beach along the wide sidewalk that runs alongside the resort.
The water here is again calm and crystal clear, and if you walk to the end of the beach, at the foot of the promontory, you might spot goats.
Prassonisi
Overall rating: 8/10
Services: A shop and all kinds of watersports
Accessibility: Easy
Prassonisi is an icon. If you are a surfer or a water sports enthusiast, you could say that Prassonisi should be at the top of the list.
The wind dominates at Prassonisi. It is not the best beach for swimming, but it will be your home if you love water sports; if you zoom in on the photo, you will notice that all those little dots are athletes in action.
This beach in Rhodes represents the southernmost “tail” of the island, where two seas meet, the Aegean and the Mediterranean. On the western side, the Aegean, more choppy, and on the other side, the calmer Mediterranean:
If it’s low tide, you might even be able to walk to the small island in front.
I recommend stopping by Prassonisi even just for an hour to admire its vastness and the surfers.
Elli Beach
Overall rating: 6/10
Services: Yes
Accessibility: Easy
Elli Beach is essentially the beach of the city of Rhodes. It has a multitude of establishments with various types of umbrellas (from the classic ones, to special or straw ones, to pavilions), and some elegant beach bars, especially in the evening.
The fact that the city streets and buildings are directly behind it doesn’t make it one of the most picturesque beaches on the island; however, if you feel like taking a walk here, you can experience walking on a beach that is actually the northernmost tip of the island. There, on one side, you will see the calm waters typical of the east coast, and on the other, the strong waves of the west coast. And on the horizon, the coast of Turkey.
To get here, though, choose a calm day, preferably not a workday, otherwise, finding parking can become a challenge. Also, remember that the city of Rhodes is the only area on the island (along with Lindos) where there are paid parking lots: they are recognizable by the blue lines.
St. Paul’s Bay
Overall rating: 6/10
Services: Yes
Accessibility: Fairly Easy
St. Paul’s Bay, or Saint Paul’s Beach, is a bay almost completely sheltered from the open sea, located near the famous town of Lindos, probably the most characteristic and picturesque village on the island, known for its beautiful villas and white buildings in classic Greek style, as well as the famous Acropolis of Lindos.
The two beaches are partly sandy and partly rocky, and the bay also offers a point where you can jump and dive, which is located on the northern side, the one with the smaller beach (on the left in the photo).
On the right side there is also a restaurant, and if you take a walk in the evening, the atmosphere is interesting:
As you may guess, this area became a VIP area (not frequent in Rhodes), so although the two beaches in the bay are tiny, they are very crowded and expensive. Starting with the paid parking to the umbrellas and sunbeds starting from 20€.
I recommend this beach only if you’re staying in Lindos and don’t feel like moving the car for a couple of hours; there’s a risk of not finding any space during peak months, and… there are better options around.
If you haven’t already, take a look at the best areas to stay in Rhodes. Lindos might be an interesting choice for at least a few days.
Also worth mentioning is Megali Paralia Lindos Beach: the second beach at the foot of Lindos. Reachable by car or on foot from the town center. It’s a sandy beach, larger than St. Paul’s Bay, also very popular, and covered with umbrellas, with several bars and restaurants behind it.
Again, I would recommend it more for a walk at sunset or in the evening, with a view of the Acropolis of Lindos towering above it.
Vlycha Beach
Overall rating: 8/10
Services: Yes
Accessibility: Easy
A few minutes from Lindos, we also find Vlycha Beach. A beautiful pebble beach, same kind of Traganou Beach, which offers fairly large spaces, umbrellas, services, and a beach bar literally surrounded by palm trees, interesting to see. On the day of my visit, the bar’s radio kept playing ’80s music, helping to create a movie-like atmosphere of that era.
The only issue with this beach: bar prices are extremely high compared to other areas.
Anthony Quinn’s Bay
Overall rating: 6/10
Services: Yes
Accessibility: Fairly Easy
Anthony Quinn Bay is a tiny beach in a bay where the movie “The Guns of Navarone” was filmed and which actor Anthony Quinn later bought until the local government reclaimed it to make it public again.
Many websites describe Anthony Quinn Bay as the most beautiful beach in Rhodes, but I can’t agree that much. It is certainly beautiful and has clear waters, but it is tiny and always crowded (since it is a popular tourist spot due to its history), to the point where there is even a risk of not being able to set foot on it unless you arrive very early in the morning.
For me, it’s a no. But if you’re passionate about such places, nothing stops you from visiting it, perhaps early in the morning.
Fourni Beach
Overall rating: 6/10
Services: Yes
Accessibility: Takes time
Let’s change things up a bit and move to the western coast. Fourni Beach is located in the southwest of the island, and the waters of this beach are therefore rough compared to what we’ve seen so far. Facing south, the force of the sea is somewhat lessened, but bathing still requires a lot of attention.
On this beach, you’ll also find a taverna and plenty of sun. The only shaded spot, until midday, will be at the foot of the promontory at the southern end, where, if you wish, you can freely visit some remains of burial chambers.
This beach is fairly isolated from the rest of the island, and reaching it takes a decent amount of time and some winding roads. I recommend visiting it only if you’re already nearby (perhaps after visiting the nearby Monolithos Castle). Otherwise, the journey might not be worth it.
Red Sand Beach – Agia Triada
Overall rating: 9/10
Services: No
Accessibility: Difficult
You might think, “Well, you’ve shown us some beaches in Rhodes that are all too easy to reach, there’s no fun in that!” So, I leave you with some waiting to be explored: the area between Red Sand Beach and Agia Triada Beach.
A series of small, very beautiful, and picturesque beaches are located here (especially if you happen to be the only people there, as might happen!).
However, reaching this area and these beaches requires some effort. Starting from the town of Arcangelos, you will need to follow a gravel and dirt road for about 4 km, driving almost at walking pace, until you start to encounter several branches that lead to the different little beaches.
When the roads start to get quite steep, park the car and continue on foot: there are potholes and rocks that could cause serious damage, as I saw firsthand.
You might have to walk another 1-2 km along these increasingly narrow paths before finally reaching one of the nearby beaches. It’s pure exploration because, for some of them, it’s unclear where the trail continues to reach it, or even if it really does.
I myself wanted to get to Red Sand Beach, apparently reachable according to the maps, but I couldn’t find the entry point (I believe it could only be accessed by boat at this point) and ended up diverting to a very small, unremarkable beach just before it. We were the only ones there until, at sunset, Greek families arrived by boat with everything they needed to prepare an outdoor dinner.
The best sandy beaches in Rhodes
If you love this type, the most beautiful sandy beaches in Rhodes to visit are:
- Agia Agathi,
- Tsampika Beach.
The best pebble beaches in Rhodes
The most beautiful pebble and gravel beaches in Rhodes, which are the most characteristic of the island, are:
- Traganou Beach, one of the most characteristic of the island and complete with services;
- Kiotari Beach, the right compromise between the two previous ones;
- Vlycha Beach, near Lindos, so also more expensive;
- If you prefer rocky beaches with small pools, don’t miss Oasis Beach, Tasos Beach and the wilder Mitsis Lindos Beach.
Other beaches in Rhodes to visit
Do you still have a few free days and want to see more beaches in Rhodes? Here’s a list of other beaches I haven’t seen personally but you could try: they are also marked with red pins on the map above!
- Kopria Beach: the only beach with calm seas on the west coast, as it is small and nestled in a small bay;
- Limni Beach: located in the southwest. It is a long beach with waves. It could be worth a stop if you’re heading from Fourni Beach towards Prassonisi;
- Glystra Beach: a small but welcoming sandy bay completely surrounded by greenery.
- Plimmiri Beach: a long beach in the southeast of the island. It should be similar to Kiotari Beach;
- Kolymbia (or Kolympia) Beach: the beach in front of the Kolympia urbanization, a small tourist center accessible via a road lined with numerous eucalyptus trees. It might be worth a quick stop to see both;
- Faliraki Beach: the town beach in the Faliraki district, the famous nightlife area popular with the British. From a landscape point of view, there probably won’t be much to see.
But Rhodes is not only about beaches! It is one of the Greek islands richest in history and attractions: discover what to visit in Rhodes and, why not, also how to get around the island!
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