Elli Beach: The Cosmopolitan Heart of Rhodes Town

If a single beach captures the spirit of Rhodes Town, it’s Elli. Lively, cosmopolitan and unabashedly fun, it has kept a glamour that traces back to the 1970s, and it remains one of the most visited and most photographed shores on the whole island. Hundreds of locals and visitors pour onto its sands every single day.

A beach with history in its postcards

The English writer Lawrence Durrell once called Elli the finest beach in the Mediterranean, and it’s easy to see why the image stuck. The bright rows of umbrellas, the tall hotels rising behind, the Casino Rodos and the Rhodes Aquarium were once a favourite subject for photographers — and have since become the stuff of cult postcards. At midday, foreign visitors and local workers on their break share the same stretch of sand.

Why people keep coming back

The water here runs crystal clear, and the beach is lined with high-quality bars — all of it just steps from the medieval Old Town. Excellent hotels sit along the shore at a respectful distance, close enough for convenience but never crowding the sand. When hunger hits after a day of swimming and water sports, you’re spoilt for choice between Greek tavernas, seafood spots, international kitchens and any number of cafés.

The famous diving platform

One sight tends to catch every newcomer’s eye: a large concrete diving board standing out in the open sea, easily reached with a short swim. Built during the Italian occupation, it has been a playground for locals and visitors alike for generations. The right side of the beach gathers the bars with music and good food, while the left, toward the Aquarium, is well worth exploring too. Elli is for those who like their beach days social, sun-soaked and full of life.