Travel Planning · When to Go

The Best Time to Visit Rhodes: A Month-by-Month Guide

Rhodes is one of the sunniest spots in Greece, with around 300 days of sunshine a year. But the “best” time to visit depends entirely on what you want — empty beaches, buzzing nightlife, or comfortable sightseeing. Here’s how the year breaks down.

Spring (April–May): the sweet spot

Wildflowers blanket the hills, temperatures are perfect for walking the Old Town of Rhodes and ancient sites, and prices are lower. The sea is still cool for swimming, but for sightseeing and hiking this is arguably the finest season.

Summer (June–August): peak season

Hot, lively and busy. Expect 30–35°C, warm seas ideal for swimming, and the full menu of beach clubs, boat trips and nightlife. Book accommodation and transfers early — this is when the island fills up. It’s also peak season at the Valley of the Butterflies.

Autumn (September–October): the insider’s choice

Many regulars swear by autumn. The sea is at its warmest after a summer of heating, the crowds thin out, and daytime temperatures stay pleasant. September in particular offers near-perfect beach-and-sightseeing balance — ideal for ticking off the best beaches in Rhodes.

Winter (November–March): quiet and authentic

Rhodes doesn’t shut down entirely — the Old Town stays atmospheric, and you’ll experience island life as locals live it. Some resorts and beach businesses close, and the weather is mild but can be wet. Ideal for a culture-focused city break.

For beaches, come in September. For history and hiking, come in May. For the full party, come in July.

Day Trips · Island Hopping

A Day Trip to Symi: The Prettiest Harbour in the Dodecanese

If you see one photo of Symi you’ll want to go: tiers of pastel neoclassical mansions cascading down to a sapphire harbour. Just a short boat ride from Rhodes, this tiny island makes one of the most rewarding day trips in the Aegean.

Why Symi is so beautiful

In the 19th century Symi grew rich on sponge-diving and shipbuilding, and that wealth built the elegant mansions that ring the harbour of Gialos. Strict preservation rules have kept the architecture intact, giving the whole town a film-set perfection.

What to do in a day

• Wander the harbour of Gialos and photograph the pastel facades.
• Climb the Kali Strata staircase to the old upper town, Chorio.
• Visit the Monastery of Panormitis, the island’s spiritual heart.
• Swim at a quiet cove like Agios Nikolaos or Nanou Bay.
• Lunch on fresh Symi shrimp — small, sweet and famous.

Getting there

Boats leave from Rhodes Town’s Mandraki and commercial harbours each morning, ranging from fast catamarans to slower, cheaper ferries. Day-trip excursion boats usually include a stop at Panormitis monastery on the way. If you’re staying outside town, plan your morning with our guide to getting around Rhodes.

Symi looks like a watercolour someone painted and forgot to fade — the most photogenic harbour you’ll ever step off a boat into.

Travel Tips · Getting Around

Getting Around Rhodes: Transfers, Buses, Cars & Insider Advice

Rhodes is bigger than most first-timers expect — about 80 km long — so how you get around shapes your whole trip. Here’s an honest breakdown of every option, from public buses to private transfers, and when each one makes sense.

From the airport

Rhodes International Airport (RHO) sits on the west coast, about 14 km from Rhodes Town. After a long flight, the last thing you want is a taxi-rank scramble in the heat. A pre-booked private transfer means your driver is waiting with your name, tracks your flight for delays, and takes you straight to the door.

Public buses

Rhodes has a reasonable KTEL bus network linking the main towns and resorts. It’s cheap and fine for simple coast routes, but services thin out in the evening and barely reach inland villages or remote beaches. Expect crowds and standing room in peak summer.

Renting a car

A rental gives freedom if you’re confident driving abroad. Be aware: the Old Town is pedestrianised, summer parking in Rhodes Town and Lindos is genuinely difficult, and mountain roads are narrow and winding. Great for explorers, less ideal for a relaxed holiday.

Taxis vs private transfers

Street taxis work for short hops but can be scarce at peak times and harder to pin down for fixed prices. A private transfer is pre-arranged at an agreed fare, with a professional driver who knows the island — ideal for airport runs, day trips like Symi, and reaching the mountain villages.

On an island this size, the right transport isn’t a detail — it’s the difference between a relaxed holiday and a stressful one.

Quick decision guide

• Airport & port runs: private transfer, every time.
• Resort beach days: public bus or short taxi.
• Group day trips: private transfer — split the cost.
• Remote villages & beaches: car hire or private driver.