Rhodes is the largest island in Greece’s Dodecanese archipelago and is the perfect place for a family vacation. I was determined to have a sunny vacation with our son, so we booked the Rhodes Family Vacation Package, our first time!
Rhodes has a lot to do with kids, but one of the best things is that you don’t actually have to do a lot. You can simply enjoy the island’s beaches, scenery and food without having to travel around and do a lot there.
But just to give you an idea, here are some of the most important things to do with kids in Rhodes.
Visit beautiful beaches
Rhode Island has many beautiful beaches with sheltered sand and shallow water that are perfect for families. We love spending time at the beach with our little ones.
Here are some favorites:
- Pefkos Beach – sand and shallows close to where we live
- Agios Pavlos Beach / St. Paul’s Bay – in Lindos
- Tsambika Beach – sandy beach, great for kids
- Vlicha – for kids
Stroll the Butterfly Valley
From May to September, hundreds of butterflies cover the trees here. It’s all thanks to a rare tree species with a special type of sap that they’re attracted to. Whatever the reason, if you visit during this time, you will see an amazing phenomenon.
Butterflies usually fly in around August to breed, then enter the caterpillar stage during the rainy season, and then reappear around May/June.
Walk to Monolithos Castle
Many Rhode Island attractions require climbing steep hills and many stairs, and Monolithos Castle is no exception.
Building this castle on a steep outcrop by the sea must have been a challenge, but we can now enjoy the benefits, with two churches to visit and great views of Mount Akramytis and the village of Monolithos below.
Explore Lindos Village
Lindos is both an archaeological site and a fishing village. There are whitewashed villages and pedestrian-only cobblestone streets packed with restrictions and shops, and nearby beaches.
For a piece of history, the town is crowned with the ancient ruins of the Acropolis of Lindos. It’s a steep walk and we definitely wouldn’t recommend it in the heat, but the views are stunning.
It is well worth spending a day in Lindos exploring the streets and stopping for a bite at one of the many rooftop cafes/restaurants. We actually live in a nearby place but visit multiple times during our travels.
Swimming at Kallithea Springs
The thermal waters found in Kallithea were popular even in ancient times. In the early 1900s, the famous rotunda and mosaics were built, and while there is no longer thermal water, you can swim in the crystal-clear waters off the pebble beach.
Go to Old Town Rhodes
The old town of Rhodes is surrounded by medieval walls and seven ornate gates.
Its rich history dates back to the 1500s, when it was one of the last Christians to resist the Ottoman Turks occupying the island.
You can visit the restored “Street of the Knights”, which stretches to the palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes. It is one of several examples of Greek Gothic architecture, and inside you will find medieval remains and beautiful mosaics.
There are plenty of tourist shops in the old town, but you can also find some great local produce, as well as plenty of taverns and other restaurants where you can enjoy delicious Greek food.
Climb up to the Jambika Temple
The ancient monastery sits atop a hill on the east coast of Rhodes. The views extend all the way to the sea and all the way to Lindos. There are over 400 steps but the view is worth it!
Visit to Asklipio Village
Not only does Rhode Island have beautiful beaches and seaside towns to explore, it also has some great things to do inland.
We drive to the countryside of Asklipio, with stunning views across the countryside from the fortified ruins of the Castle of Asklipio, the Byzantine-era Dormition Church and lively taverns.
We highly recommend spending an afternoon/evening here. It’s a peaceful place away from the busy coast and the food and people at Nikolas Taverna are great!
Visit the ancient ruins of Kamiros
This former city dates back to the 6th century BC and was the first city in Rhodes.
Eventually, residents abandoned the city for what is now Rhodes Town, but you can now wander the streets and explore the ancient city.
Have fun at Faliraki Water Park
Faliraki Water Park is the largest water park in Europe with a dedicated area for children. There are many splash pools, wave pools, lazy rivers, plenty of water slides and other rides. If your kids love water, this is the best place to go in Rhode Island!
Take a day trip to another island
Rhode Island is part of the Dodecanese chain, and several other islands are close enough for a road trip.
Rhodes to Simi Day Trip
Simi is often referred to as the most beautiful island in the Dodecanese, and when you enter the port in the town of Simi, it’s not hard to see why. Colourful classic houses cascade down from the hills to meet the crystal clear blue waters.
You can take the ferry from Rhodes Town on your own, or join a tour that usually includes a visit to Panomidis Monastery on the way.
There is also the option of taking a high-speed boat for some tours, including swimming in beautiful St. George’s Bay, which is inaccessible by car. These take about an hour to traverse, while other tours and ferry options usually take 1.5-2 hours.
Once there, you can explore the beautifully restored historic town, take a tourist train for more views, and buy unique things like sago sponges! That’s right, a real sponge that can be used for cleaning.
If you have time, walk west from the harbour to Paradise Beach and take a dip in the sea before heading back to Rhodes.
If you want to climb the stairs (the view is worth it!), don’t miss the Kali Strata path connecting the harbour Yialos with the old part of Chorio Simi town.
There are also museums such as the Simi Maritime Museum, the Simi Archaeological Museum and the Simi Folklore Museum in Chorio.
A day trip from Rhodes to Simi can be long and tiring, and it’s hot in summer, so we recommend older kids to join, or consider a day on the island with younger kids that can be done thing.
Rhodes to Chalk Day Trip
Chalki (also known as Chalce or Halki) is known for its beautiful beaches, but the port of Nimborio is filled with charming seaside taverns and mansions, many of which are now upscale vacation rentals.
There is only one small town on this small island, and from here, various hiking trails are found throughout the island. You can easily walk to the popular white sandy beaches of Pontamos, 10 minutes west of town, or the quieter Ftenagia, 15 minutes south. Other locations include the bell tower in front of the city hall, which has a reading of 4.20 for more than 20 years, and three windmills on the hillside above Nimborio.
You can take several ferries from Rhodes Town and the average crossing time is around 1.5 hours. There are also organized tours.
Where to Stay in Rhode Island
We stayed in the resort area of Pefkos (also known as Pefki) Peggy Islands Resortwith stunning sea views from the balcony of our 2 bedroom apartment.
While it only had a kitchenette between the two bedrooms and no living area, it allowed us to keep something handy for the baby and we took advantage of the included breakfast and the on-site restaurant when we didn’t feel like walking too far Far.
It has direct access to a beautiful sandy beach, perfect for swimming with the kids, and of course, the pool makes it the perfect place for families to stay in Rhodes!
If you book a package holiday, the transfer from Rhodes Town can take up to 2 hours, but we rented a car and we could make good use of it to explore the island, which I recommend as it gives you the freedom to see more.
Lindos is a popular area to stay, and you have the advantage of being close to the old town with its many restaurants and bars. However, we found it very crowded so like to visit in the morning or evening when it’s quieter and we also prefer our beach in Pefki.
You might also consider staying in Faliraki, although it’s also often a preferred destination for parties, or in Rhodes Town itself, which is further from the beach.
Best time to visit Rhode Island with kids
Rhode Island is lucky to have sunshine all year round, but in the summer, including late September when we visited, it can get pretty hot!
Visit in late spring or early fall to take advantage of the good weather and warm temperatures without getting too hot, especially with young children.
We highly recommend Rhodes family vacations, whether you want to relax by the pool and beach, or immerse yourself more in the island’s culture and explore the sights.
sonia x
