Rhodes is the largest island of the Dodecanese and displays magnificent ancient ruins and spectacular beaches with crystalline waters and rocky coves. Many are organized with all sorts of amenities, fantastic seaside restaurants and beach bars, and are suited for every type of traveler – families with kids, couples looking for a romantic getaway, and groups of friends ready to party. These are the 14 best beaches in Rhodes that we recommend to our readers.
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Travel Tips for Rhodes
Where is Rhodes
Rhodes island is the capital of the Dodecanese group of islands in eastern Greece. It is 600 kms from Athens and only 86kms from the Turkish coast. It has a population of around 120,000 and the island’s primary economic sectors are tourism, agriculture, and fishing.
How to get to Rhodes
There is a small international airport on Rhodes and a big ferry port as well. People often visit Rhodes from Athens but it is possible to connect by ferry with other islands in the Aegean such as Symi and Crete and other destinations too, including Turkey.
How to get from Athens to Rhodes
Flying from Athens to Rhodes takes just 45 minutes and there are daily flights year-round with Aegean Airlines. In Summer there are also regular flights with Sky Express and sometimes other European airlines too.
You can also catch the overnight ferry from Athens to Rhodes which takes between 15 and 20 hours depending on the time of year, as it makes many stops along the way. The BlueStar ferries are like cruise ships with cafes, shops, and even a fine dining restaurant so if you book a cabin you can actually have a mini-cruise.
Where to stay in Rhodes
Rhodes Town is the capital and largest town on the island and is located at the very northern point. It is a fascinating town that has seen the merger of the old ‘UNESCO World Heritage’ area with the newer beach neighbourhoods and commerical areas around it.
The Old Town is a well preserved medieval walled town full of historic sites such as the Palace of the Grand Master, the Street of the Knights, Byzantine Churches and several excellent museums. It is also full of shops, tavernas and a number of excellent boutique hotels so we recommend it as the best place to stay on Rhodes.
If you would prefer something at the beach you can stay at nearby Eli or Kanari Beaches which are still walking distance to the Old Town and have numerous resort style hotels.
Further out of town Falaraki is popular for people who love big resorts and lots of nightlife while Lindos is a charming gentrified town wrapped around The Acropolis of Lindos in the south-east and is worth a few days at least. Other beaches are covered in this article.
Further reading: Where to stay in Rhodes
Elli Beach
Elli Beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. Very close to Rhodes town, as it is located between the area of Mandraki and the Rhodes aquarium, Elli Beach offers a breathtaking landscape and cobalt blue waters. The beach is pebbly and organized with top-quality facilities.
There are plenty of colorful parasols and sundecks up for rental, public toilets, beach volley courts, and sports shops offering a wide choice of water sports to try. Along Elli Beach promenade, you will find all types of restaurants, from Greek tavernas to seafood ones, cafes and bars.
To have the ultimate fun day at Elli Beach, don’t miss jumping from the famous trampoline – the massive concrete diving board in the middle of the sea built during the Italian occupation and easily reachable by swimming.
Facilities
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- change rooms
- showers and toilets
- cafe/tavernas
- partial shade
- shops
- sunbeds and umbrellas for hire
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Kato Petres
Kato Petres is a wonderfully wild beach near Rhodes town. Hidden away down a little paved path, this beach has no amenities – you won’t find parasols, chairs, toilets, restaurants, and bars.
Small clear pebbles cover Kato Petres, so you do not need special shoes to walk around or enter the crystal blue sea.
To get to Kato Petres, you will need to walk down a well-kept trail with many lookout spots and benches to sit and watch the sea. Kato Petres is a stunning secluded beach perfect for taking a break from the bustling holiday resorts all around. Kato Petres is also one of the best places on Rhodes to enjoy a romantic sunset!
Ixia Beach
Only five km from Rhodes Town, Ixia Beach is a series of small beaches, most of which are organized with sunbeds, parasols, toilets, and showers.
Ixia is a cosmopolitan resort area in Rhodes, and many sections of Ixia Beach are private and reserved for the seafront hotels’ clientele. Other parts of the beach are public and are not equipped with amenities.
Ixia Beach’s promenade is dotted with restaurants, cafes, and bars where you can enjoy a nice meal or stop for a refreshing cocktail. Ixia Beach is a popular windsurfing and surfing destination, and there are water sports centers where you can rent all the equipment to have a fun day in the sea!
Mandomata Beach
Mandomata is a special beach in Rhodes as it is popular for being a nudist spot. Located on the eastern coast of the island, about 15 km south of Rhodes town, Mandomata Beach is the best spot if you are looking for tranquility and privacy.
The beach is located in a stunning little cove covered with small pebbles and stones. The crystal clear waters are perfect for swimming, but you should consider wearing water shoes as the entrance to the sea has sharp stones.
The beach has a free area where you can lay down your beach towel and an organized one with several amenities. You can rent sun loungers and parasols, and there are changing rooms, showers, and toilets available for the clientele.
Within a maximum of 10 minutes of walking, you will find restaurants and cafes to grab a bite.
Afandou Beach
Afandou is a long and large beach in eastern Rhodes. With a mix of pebbles and sand, the clear and deep waters of Afandou Beach make it ideal for a refreshing swim on a hot day. This beach is partially unorganized and free to access and partially organized with amenities, including sunbeds and parasols, showers, and toilets.
You can find some taverns and cafes nearby the beach, but to have more choices, you should walk to Afandou town’s center, at a short distance. Afandou Beach is a popular spot for practicing watersports, especially windsurfing. You will find watersports centers along the beach to hire all the necessary equipment.
Kallithea Springs
Kallithea Springs is one of the most beautiful spots in Rhodes. Located nine km south of Rhodes town and easily accessible, Kallithea Beach is famous for its hot springs, built during the Italian occupation and abandoned after WWII. The hot springs are no longer in function, but the site can be visited by paying an admission fee.
Kallithea Springs has sunbeds and umbrellas for rental, toilets, and showers, a cafeteria, and a large free parking area for its guests. The springs’ building is magnificent, with impressive mosaics and architecture that perfectly integrates with the surrounding natural environment.
The beach is covered in pebbles and surrounded by palm and pine trees. The crystal-clear waters of the sea are perfect for swimming, and the sea caves nearby will be enjoyed by everyone looking to snorkel and dive.
Facilities
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- change rooms
- showers and toilets
- partial shade
- shops
- sunbeds and umbrellas for hire
- restaurants, cafes, and bars
- lifeguard
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Faliraki Beach
Faliraki Beach extends for four km and is one of the most popular and highly organized beaches on Rhodes. Here you will find everything you need for a relaxing and fun day at the beach: colorful sun loungers and parasols, toilets, showers, and changing rooms, and plenty of restaurants, fast-food chains, cafes, and bars to choose from.
The shoreline mainly consists of soft golden sand with a few pebbles and the clear blue sea of the area is “blue flag” awarded. The shallow waters make Faliraki Beach ideal for families with children and those who enjoy long swims.
Besides being family-friendly, Faliraki Beach is also the perfect spot if you are looking to party! Many of the beach bars and clubs have music all day (and night) long. At Faliraki Beach, you can practice water sports, like waterskiing and windsurfing, and hire the necessary equipment directly from the sports shops on the beach.
Facilities
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- change rooms
- showers and toilets
- cafe/tavernas
- partial shade
- watersports
- resorts and hotels
- bars
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Anthony Quinn Bay
Between the beaches of Faliraki and Ladiko is the famous Anthony Quinn Bay. This beach has an interesting history: its original name was Vagies, but it was renamed Anthony Quinn Bay after the namesake lead actor of the movie “The Guns of Navarone” who loved this spot so much that he bought it!
Anthony Quinn Bay’s beach is rather small and narrow, creating a calm, relaxed atmosphere. The beach combines sand, pebbles, and rocks, and the bay’s location is breathtaking. Surrounded by pine-clad hills, Anthony Quinn Bay has crystal clear waters and lively underwater scenery, making it a fantastic spot for snorkeling and diving. Right on the bay, you will find a scuba diving center to hire equipment and take lessons.
Anthony Quinn Bay beach is only partially organized with a few sunbeds and parasols. To find other services, you will need to walk back to the top of the rocks behind the beach where you will find a modern restaurant and bar.
Facilities
- change rooms
- showers and toilets
- cafe/tavernas
- partial shade
- shops
- sunbeds and umbrellas for hire
- watersports
Charaki Beach
Charaki Beach, also called Haraki, is located in a small bay on Rhodes’ northeastern coast. It is only 15 minutes drive from Lindos, one of the island’s best towns. Covered by a mix of pebbles and sand, Charaki has limpid waters that degrade gently in several parts, making it a great beach for families with children.
Charaki Beach is frequented by both tourists and locals, and it has a no-charge section without amenities, and an organized area with beach chairs and parasols, changing rooms, showers, and toilets. Around Charaki Beach you will find several tavernas, seafood restaurants, and many apartments to rent for your stay.
If you prefer an active day at the beach, there are plenty of options with shops that organize boat tours and rent the equipment for water activities, such as paddle boards and jet skis.
Charaki Beach is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in Rhodes, thanks to the authentic Greek vibe and the suggestive Feraklos Castle that can be admired from the beach.
Facilities
- change rooms
- showers and toilets
- cafe/tavernas
- partial shade
- shops
- parking
Tsambika Beach
The long beach of Tsambika is located under the imposing Monastery of Tsambika, making it one of the most beautiful beaches on Rhodes. The golden and fine sand and turquoise waters are ideal for enjoying a relaxing day under the sun. Tsambika Beach is situated inside a rocky bay that shelters it from winds and waves, so the beach is perfect for families with children.
It has all the facilities you might need: sun loungers and parasols for hire, beach showers, toilets, beach volleyball courts, and several taverns and beach bars open until night.
On Tsambika Beach, you will also find water sports shops to rent surf and windsurf boards. Tsambika Beach is usually crowded; to find a more quiet area, head to the beach’s northern end. A great plus is the free parking located close to the beach.
Facilities
- change rooms
- showers and toilets
- cafe/tavernas
- partial shade
- shops
- sunbeds and umbrellas for hire
Agios Pavlos Beach, St. Paul’s Bay
In the town of Lindos is one of the best beaches on Rhodes, Agios Pavlos. Located in the spectacular St. Paul’s Bay, Agios Pavlos is the larger beach you will find here. This beach is truly scenic, thanks to the picturesque chapel at the bay’s edge and the epic view of the Acropolis of Lindos right across it.
Agios Pavlos Beach is sandy and pebbly, with rocks from which to jump into the crystal-blue waters. It is perfect for swimming and snorkeling, but there are no shops to hire the proper equipment, so you will need to organize beforehand.
Agios Pavlos Beach has few amenities, sunbeds and parasols available to rent, and a restaurant-cafe where you can buy food and drinks and use toilet facilities. To get to Agios Pavlos Beach, there is an easy trek down to the bay; free parking is available around the trail’s start.
Facilities
- change rooms
- showers and toilets
- cafe/tavernas
- partial shade
- shops
- sunbeds and umbrellas for hire
Lindos Beach
Lindos Beach is the main beach of the town’s namesake. It is a great spot for families thanks to the friendly atmosphere and the number of facilities available.
Also known as Megali Paralia, this beach offers rental sunbeds and parasols, changing cabins, showers, and toilets. Along the beach’s promenade, taverns and restaurants serve traditional Greek cuisine and seafood.
Right on Lindos Beach is a watersports center where you can rent pedal boats, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards or sign up to join a boat ride. Lindos Beach is a fantastic beach to visit, not only for the facilities featured but also for the turquoise waters, golden sand, lush vegetation, and the town’s white houses and Acropolis in the background.
The beach is also within walking distance from the Lindos’ Center, where you will find additional restaurants, cafes, and shops.
Further reading: Top Things to do in Lindos
Pefki Beach
Pefki Beach is one of the favorite summer retreats for the locals, as it is quieter than other areas of the island. Although less touristy, Pefki offers all the amenities for a relaxing day at the beach. The landscape at Pefki Beach is wonderful, as the area is rich in lush vegetation, particularly pine trees.
The beach is well equipped with sunbeds, parasols, toilets, showers, and water sports shops. You will also find waterfront taverns where you can indulge in classic Greek cuisine and fresh seafood delicacies.
Pefki Beach has soft sand with pebbles, which, paired with the limpid and shallow waters, make it the perfect spot for a family vacation. At one end of the beach, there are rocky coves that are fantastic for swimming. Other great activities to do in Pefki Beach are snorkeling and diving: There is a diving school directly on the beach that offers equipment rentals, lessons, and diving excursions.
Gennadi Beach
Gennadi is a wild beach located in the southern part of Rhodes, only 12 kilometers south of Lindos. One of the best features of Gennadi Beach is that it is not touristy and is mainly visited by the locals, so it is relatively quiet even in the high season.
Gennadi Beach has fine pebbles and crystal-clear waters, making swimming a true pleasure! This beach is mostly unorganized, and only a small section has sun chairs and parasols you can rent for the day. There are three very good tavernas there too.
