Where to stay in Rhodes? Pros and Cons of all areas

The Greek island of Rhodes has a “diameter” of 100km and is an island with hills and mountains over 1000 meters. For this reason, choosing the best area to stay in Rhodes during your trip may not be easy. In this guide, we will therefore look at the pros and cons of each area and you will discover which is the best for you based on your tastes, expectations and needs!

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Before we begin, a few premises are necessary:

• Driving from north to south takes more than 2 hours on the fastest road. An interesting option, if you have at least 8-10 days of vacation, could be to split your accommodation into two parts: some days in the north visiting the medieval city and surroundings, and another in the center/south visiting the rest of the island: we’ll see how later on! 🙂
• Finally, in Rhodes renting a car is practically mandatory to explore the island, visit the most beautiful beaches in Rhodes, small villages unreachable without a car, and attractions outside the city. 

Now let’s proceed!

Where to stay in Rhodes – map of the best areas

Let’s start with this map to get an idea of where the most suitable areas to stay in Rhodes are located: in blue are the medium-to-large-sized centers, in green some of the (many) secondary villages.

 

Rhodes Town

Size: Large
Pros: All services available, a nightlife suitable for everyone, and the medieval city offers a lot for history enthusiasts.
Cons: Very populated and busy, parking is not always easy. To see beautiful beaches, you need to move.

Rhodes Town is the largest city on the island, located right at the northernmost tip.
It is a multi-faceted city. Here we find:

• the ancient medieval city (Old Town, in green on the following map), one of the few ancient cities in Europe that still preserves its entire city walls, full of life inside and also by the harbor in front, almost entirely car-free;
• the new city (or modern city, in red on the map below), a cluster of buildings, shops, services, a casino, and a beach in front;
• a suburban area behind it, (yellow area on the map) still a good compromise for staying in Rhodes.

Let’s look at all these areas in more detail. The brown pins indicate the main nightlife areas.

 

The Medieval City – Old Town

Inside the walls of the medieval city (green on the map), car access is not allowed except for residents or special permissions. So if you have rented a car, staying right inside might be a bit complicated, especially since the first outer parking lots are not close to the walls but you’ll have to walk a bit.

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Architecturally speaking, the city is very beautiful and still very close to its original construction. It has a diameter of a full 1 km, so it won’t tire you out quickly.

At the same time, it consists of at least a couple of different atmospheres. The northern part near the port is full of life but perhaps turned a bit too much into a “shopping mall”: some streets are just souvenir shops one after another:

Southern area near the perimeter of the walls, on the other hand, is still very typical. If you get lost walking through the quieter streets, you’ll enter a completely different Rhodes, where you’ll see homes with open doors, cats everywhere, a few scooters, and an entirely peaceful atmosphere.

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During the day in the Old Town (if it’s not too hot and you don’t prefer to explore the island in search of beaches or nature), you can visit the city, some museums, or take a guided tour; as well as visit the port area, where the two columns with deer are located, symbols of the city, and where legend says the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. It is also one of the most popular areas for young travelers and solo adventurers.

In the evening the Old Town of Rhodes comes alive and offers entertainment for any taste. Bars with music and terraces on the squares, some “alternative” bars you’ll only find by accident, some lounge bars with sofas and shisha, restaurants of various kinds from casual to luxurious, and even a few disco bars with outdoor dancing. We’re not talking about wild Ibiza-style partying, but certainly in the Old Town, whether you’re at a venue or sitting on the stairs of the beautiful square sipping something, you can have a great night no matter your age.

As you may have gathered, a visit to the Old Town for at least one day or a few evenings is a must. You could choose it as your place to stay in Rhodes if you don’t have a car (or if you have a hotel that provides car access) or if you plan to travel little and use buses, since the station is located just outside the walls between the old and new cities (on the map).

You might also be interested in: How to get around in Rhodes

I won’t go into further detail about the city now: I talk more about it in the guide on what to see in Rhodes.

The modern city

The red area on the map is the modern part of the city of Rhodes, outside the walls. It is a highly urbanized area, without particular attractions to visit, with the added issue that this area, really very busy, is one of the few on the island where parking is paid (identified by blue lines) and practically always full in peak months.
The traffic and buildings do not really encourage me to recommend staying here, unless you find an unmissable deal or your goal is to visit Orfanidou street every evening, marked on the map, where you’ll find all the bars and nightclubs open until late (for those interested, a sort of avenue similar to Paceville in Malta, average age around 20 and mostly visitors from Northern Europe or English countries – I talk more about it in the guide to Rhodes nightlife).

The new city ends at the beach of Elli beach, a pebble beach that represents the northernmost tip of the island, with several beach clubs and beach bars, some of which are also active in the evening. It’s not one of the most beautiful beaches in Rhodes, but for a couple of hours it’ll do. 🙂

Let’s finally move on to the area marked in yellow, that is the immediate suburban ring around the old and new city. This area represents a good compromise for staying in Rodi Town for various reasons:

• if you have a car, in this area there’s a bit more room for parking and most of it is free;
• it can therefore be a good base for those who want to move by car during the day to the beaches or other island attractions and go out on foot in the evening, reaching the beautiful Old Town in 10–15 minutes on foot;
• there are also numerous accommodations (especially apartments) and less traffic.

The disadvantage of this area are some slopes: if ups/downs bother you, stay as close as possible to the Old Town walls. Southwest of the yellow ring, the slopes increase due to Mount Smith, making walking more difficult.

 

Kolymbia

Size: Medium
Pros: All services within reach, a relaxed tourist area, possibly a good starting point for exploring the island.
Cons: limited nightlife.

Staying in Rhodes in the village of Kolymbia means staying in an area mainly dedicated to tourism but in a more relaxed and high-quality way compared to areas like Faliraki.
It is a “spacious” village with all the main services you might need and a street lined with eucalyptus trees welcoming those who arrive.

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Kolymbia also has a beautiful beach of the same name, although it’s nothing special compared to other beautiful beaches of Rhodes.

It might be convenient to stay in Kolymbia for convenient movement north and south during the day and to have the beach nearby without moving the car; the downside of this area is that in the evening there’s not much to do except for a few bars and restaurants, and it’s a place with particularly expensive accommodations, as almost all of the facilities are 4-5 stars.

 

Lindos

Size: medium
Pros: the most beautiful and impressive town in Rhodes and a good starting point to explore the center/south of the island. A decent evening life.
Cons: the most expensive area in Rhodes, in August it’s the hottest village during the day, parking is at the edges of the village, and there are some slopes.

Lindos is the most impressive and VIP town on the island of Rhodes. Characterized by the classic white villas and multi-level buildings, and a mountain in front where the ancient acropolis of Lindos sits, it certainly makes for a beautiful picture. To complete the scene, a couple of small beaches at the foot of the town.

This is a town where you can only enter on foot, leaving your car in one of the various external parking lots (some are free some are not, I have listed all of them on the map on the top, zoom in to see them), with an atmosphere you should definitely try.

There are some slopes and elevation changes between the streets in the center, but nothing too complicated. The town is “right sized”, with a diameter of about 400 meters, it’s neither too large to navigate nor so small that it quickly gets boring, partly thanks to the effect of a small labyrinth on multiple levels.

There is almost never any wind here: in the evening it’s perfect to be outdoors and admire the town and the walls of the acropolis lit from the outside, while during the day it’s the hottest spot on the island, during hot months you’ll definitely need to move elsewhere.

Lindos is a town I definitely recommend visiting at least for a couple of evenings, perhaps just before sunset, the atmosphere will not disappoint.
There are two beaches at the foot of the town (St. Paul’s Bay and Megali Paralia), beautiful but really crowded and expensive. They are good for a couple of hours if you don’t feel like moving the car if staying in Lindos, otherwise, it’s better to go elsewhere. Or you could pop by after dinner, you might even get the honor of getting a cabana 🙂

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You could choose to stay in Lindos for 3-4 days, using it as a base to visit the south of the island during the day and spend your evenings here, then move to another area more to the north for the remaining days. In the evening Lindos comes alive, with many people walking around, some very stylish bars and lounges, and an endless number of restaurants with views.

Read also: Itinerary to visit Rhodes: What to see

The disadvantage of Lindos is that it’s one of the most expensive areas of the island, and as mentioned earlier, during the day in the hot months, it turns into an oven.

 

Arcangelos

Arcangelos is the second largest town on the island of Rhodes and is centrally located on the island. I mention it in this guide for completeness, but personally, I don’t feel it’s a place I would recommend for staying in Rhodes.
It is an urban center a few kilometers from the sea, where essentially there are just a couple of busy streets, mainly frequented by locals, but when passing through, you get a slight “run-down” feeling, amplified by the open and overflowing trash bins.

There are 2-3 restaurants and a couple of bars, with a “local” atmosphere and definitely not touristy, but I didn’t feel it like an inviting neighborhood.

Clearly, this is a personal opinion, so if you’re passing through, feel free to make a stop and assess for yourselves.

 

Kiotari Beach

Size: Small
Pros: Long, wide beach with plenty of relaxation, good location to visit the south.
Cons: few services and no evening life.

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Now, let’s look at a small neighborhood suitable for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle, the traffic, and seek relaxation with a pleasant beach in front to visit.

Staying at Kiotari Beach will likely cost you less than elsewhere, as long as you’re willing to give up a few services and nightlife, since this area essentially has accommodations, residences, a few reasonably priced beachfront restaurants, and a supermarket.

If you’re looking for relaxation, choosing Kiotari Beach to stay in Rhodes might be a good option. It’s also 10 minutes by car from Lindos, so in the evening, you can easily head there for some life.

 

Gennadi Beach

Size: Small
Pros: Very long beach with plenty of space, good location to visit the south.
Cons: Few services and no evening life.

Like the nearby Kiotari Beach, Gennadi Beach is also a 10 km long beach that will give you easy opportunities to find a free area where you’ll feel like the only ones there.

Additionally, you will find the village of Gennadi, where besides a variety of accommodations, there are some restaurants, a small church, supermarkets, and groceries.

Staying in Rhodes in the Gennadi Beach area will provide relaxation and silence, but you will need to drive to experience the evening life; Lindos is less than 20 minutes by car.

Other picturesque villages?

If you’ve already seen all the “big and touristy” areas to stay in Rhodes, there are countless peaceful villages to consider.
In addition to Kiotari Beach and Gennadi which we’ve seen, you might also consider the following, which, though located in less convenient areas for getting around, could be worth a visit for the day or a short stay for a couple of nights in an alternative location:

• Cattavia: a small village lost in the interior at the extreme south, near the famous Prassonisi beach: it could be your base if you plan to surf there often;
• Embonas: the highest village on the island, where some local traditions still remain, such as typical clothing worn by the locals;
• Kalavarda: village near the sea on the west coast, close to the historical remains of the ancient city of Kamiros;
• Ialissos Beach: tourist area on the west coast, not far from the city of Rhodes and the airport: has a beach in front but the sea is rough and “not very Greek,” being on this side of the island.

… and many more: just browse the map to discover others! In smaller villages, it’s also easier to find places that serve good food! 🙂

Where to stay in Rhodes in winter?

If you’re traveling to Rhodes in winter, the best areas to stay will be the city of Rhodes or Lindos, because other destinations will be mostly deserted, being more focused on the summer beach season.
Definitely avoid the west coast, which, being hit by the wind in winter, will be uncomfortable.

Where to stay in Rhodes for surfers?

For those who love the wind or want to surf, the most “exciting” areas are those on the west coast, such as Ialyssos, if you want to stay in an urbanized area close to the city of Rhodes to experience some nightlife.
Alternatively, the small village of Cattavia in the extreme south is ideal if you want to stay in a quiet area and have fun on the famous Prassonisi beach; as long as you don’t mind the lack of nightlife.

On the eastern coast, though much quieter, you’ll also find water sports: for example many kayak tours that I highly recommend after trying them.

Where to stay in Rhodes with children or as a couple?

In this case, any area on the eastern coast is suitable due to the tranquility of the beaches. You can choose to stay in almost any of the areas described in this guide depending on how isolated you want to feel or whether you want to be in the heart of the island’s tourist life. The only caution is to avoid rocky beaches or those with stronger waves.

Where to stay in Rhodes for young people?

If you’re young and looking for some nightlife you basically have three options.
The city of Rhodes, which offers a variety of bars, lounge bars, and disco bars for every age inside the medieval city, and just outside, in the new city, Orfanidou Street, a street full of bars and discos for the younger crowd.

Faliraki area, dedicated to English/Irish nightlife and similar to Mallorca, if you know what I mean.

Or Lindos, for a more moderate evening life with just a few bars and lounge bars, but with a nice atmosphere and a slightly older average age. Just outside Lindos, you can also find some nightclubs.

Is it better to stay in northern or southern Rhodes?

As mentioned earlier, you definitely need to rent a car because the island is quite large (unless you want to settle in one spot for the entire vacation and not move at all 😆 ).
The best option if you have at least 8-10 days of vacation, in my opinion, is to split your accommodation into two parts so you don’t waste hours and hours driving.

Some days in the north, around the city of Rhodes where you could spend pleasant evenings and during the day visit the beaches and attractions of the north. Then, some days in the central/south, for example, in Lindos, to have some evening life there as well, and during the day visit the attractions in the southern area. I did this and it was a winning choice, also to experience “completely different” environments. 🙂

Now that you know everything about where to stay in Rhodes… it’s time to discover what to visit in Rhodes and the best beaches!

If you don’t want to drive and expect to stay near specific areas, you can still check out local buses or shuttles from/to the airport.

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