Geography
Rhodes (Greek: Ρόδος), the largest island in the Dodecanese islands group, is located in the Southeastern Aegean Sea, receiving around 300 days of sunshine per year. With a total area of 1,400km2, 80km in lenght and 40km in width, Rhodes is a relatively large island with a population of around 120,000 inhabitants. The capital of the island is Rhodes Town, a place with long and rich history, which is also the capital of the Dodecanese Prefecture. What distinguishes Rhodes from many other Greek islands is that it has lush greenery due to the mountainous terrain and abundant rainfall during the winter. There is even a lake in Central Rhodes and a small dam in the Southwestern part of the island. The climate is typical Mediterranean and, while statistically Rhodes is the island with the highest number of sunny days per year out of all Greek islands, the summers are not frighteningly hot – the usual maximum temperature in August would be 33-34°C, whilst the winters are generally very mild. Rhodes has a long coastline with numerous beautiful coves, sandy beaches and crystal-clear water.
History
Historically, the island is famous worldwide for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The medieval Old Town of Rhodes has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, Rhodes is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.
Because of its strategic position at the crossroads between the East and West, Rhodes has been the subject of constant attacks and invasions since ancient times. In the 16th century BC the Minoans came to Rhodes and afterwards, the Mycenaean Greeks invaded. In the 8th century BC the island’s main settlements were founded by the Dorians, who built the three important towns of Lindos, Ialyssos and Kameiros. The Persians invaded and overran the island, but they were in turn defeated by the Athenians in 478 BC and consequently the Rhodian towns joined the Athenian League.
In 408 BC, the towns united to form one territory. The town of Rhodes was built as the new capital on the northernmost tip of the island. Rhodes then became a part of the growing empire of Alexander the Great in 332 BC. The island developed into a maritime, commercial and cultural center; its coins circulated nearly everywhere in the Mediterranean. It had famous schools of philosophy, science and literature. After the fall and fragmentation of Alexander’s Empire the island of Rhodes fought for its independance and, following a long siege, triumphed in 305 BC. It was during this period that the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was constructed and straddled the harbor. This impressive giant statue of the sun god Helios stood tall until it was destroyed during an earthquake in 226 BC.
For a period of 150 years, the island flourished and its people developed formidable navigation and maritime skills, establishing themselves as some of the best ancient seafarers. In 70 AD Rhodes fell under Roman rule that lasted for 300 years. Then, after the decline of the Roman Empire, it became part of the Byzantine Empire. In the following centuries, Rhodes was conquered in succession by the Persians, Arabs and Turks due to its strategic geographical position.
The history of Rhodes has been predominantly marked by the arrival ot the Knights Hospitaller who fled the Holy Lands in 1291. The knights fortified the town of Rhodes with citadels and castles, and built the Palace of the Grand Master. Many castles were also built in the countryside, such as the Castle of Monolithos and the medieval Castle of Kritinia. In 1523, after a long siege, the Ottomans took control of the island which remained under their rule until 1912. During the First World War Rhodes was occupied by the Italians untill 1943. During this period the island developed significantly. New infrastructure was built, important historical sites were restored and public buldings such as the National Theatre were constructed. In 1947, Rhodes and all Dodecanese islands became part of the Greek State.
The Rhodes Experience
Beaches
Rhodes has many spectacular beaches and sandy coves. The island offers a variety of beaches, some completely wild, while others have various amenities, such as tavernas, bars and watersports. All beaches in Rhodes have crystal waters and are unique in their natural beauty. Among the best Rhodes beaches are Tsambika, Saint Paul’s bay, Ladiko and Kallithea. The southernmost tip of Rhodes, Prassonisi, is ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing and offers breathtaking vews.
Kolymbia Beach – Kolymbia beach is closest to Serenity Villas. The small picturesque bay has a pebbled beach with umbrellas, sunbeds and a variety of watersports. Crystal clear waters combined with a lush green background attract visitors all year long and offer fantastic photo opportunities.
Tsambika Beach – Just a few minutes drive from Serenity Villas is the long sandy Tsambika beach. It stands under an imposing cliff on top of which Tsambika Monastery offers spectacular views. Turquoise waters and golden sands create a beautiful scenery that is ideal for relaxation and enjoying the sun. Tsambika is an organized, family friendly beach. A number of beach bars and cafes offer food and drinks, and there are also many sports activities such as parasailing, jetskis and flyboarding.
Agios Pavlos – The little bay of Agios Pavlos (Saint Paul) lies 25km south of Kolymbia, close to the town of Lindos. According to a local myth, the bay owes its name to the lovely white chapel standing on the beach which is dedicated to Saint Paul, who came here in 43 AD to spread Christianity. It is a beautiful sandy beach with some pebbles and sun beds are available. Rocks surround the beach, offering beautiful diving views in the clean turquoise waters.
Afandou Beach – The extremely long beach of Afandou is just a few minutes drive north of Kolymbia. The beach has both sand and pebbles, and offers many facilities. Afandou beach is also ideal for windsurfing. Its deep, clear waters are perfect for swimming and remain refreshing even under the hot sun.
Prassonissi – The large sandy beach of Prassonisi lies 70km south of Kolymbia, on the southermost tip of Rhodes. Prassonisi offers a stunning landscape where the Aegean Sea meets the Mediterranean Sea. In summertime, when the tides are low, Prassonisi is an island, and in wintertime, it becomes a peninsula attached to Rhodes via a beautiful sand corridor. Prassonisi is also a windsurfing and kitesurfing paradise, especially in July and August, when the northern wind called Meltemi is blowing. Windsurfing equipment is available for rent. Tavernas and cafes are located close to the beach. The view is mesmerizing and the waters are amazingly clear all year long.
Theologos Beach – Theologos beach is located 25km from Kolymbia, on the Northern coast of the island. The large lovely beach offers umbrellas and sunbeds, and a variety of watersports, including windsurfing. The crystal clear waters and the green landscape create a magnificent environment for visitors. There are a few tavernas around the beach that serve delicious food.
Activities
Being one of the most popular Greek islands, the choice of attractions in Rhodes is endless. Many of the local beaches are organized and offer various watersports.
Windsurfing and kitesurfing are both very popular in Rhodes. The best windsurfing spot is Prassonissi, but Theologos, Ixia and other beaches close to Rhodes Town are also suitable for this sport. There are many diving centers offering courses and diving trips to nearby islands and old sunken wrecks. Fishing and boat trips around the island are also very popular. It is also possible to visit Turkey or nearby islands such as Symi by boat or ferry.
Another popular activity in Rhodes is hiking. The island’s countryside has a number of beautiful paths leading to green valleys, mountain villages and medieval castles. The island is also very suitable for mountain biking and road cycling.
Sightseeing
Rhodes is among the most beautiful and popular Greek islands. The rich history coupled with the amazing views have made the island famous around the world, attracting thousands of visitors every year. The Old Town of Rhodes, with the Palace of the Grand Master, the Street of the Knights, the old port of Mandraki and Hippocrates Square, is the most important place to visit. Of course, there are many more sites that are worth exploring, such as the Acropolis of Lindos, the Monastery of Filerimos, Kallithea Springs, and various castles and ancient ruins spread all around the island.
The Palace of the Grand Master: The Palace of the Grand Master is located at the end of the Street of the Knights in the Old Town of Rhodes. Originally built on the foundations of the ancient temple of the Sun God Helios, this palace was constructed in the 7th century as a Byzantine fortress. After the Knights Hospitaller arrived on the island in the 14th century, they reconstructed the citadel and converted it into their headquarters and a governor’s residence. The magnificnet building functioned as the administrative and cultural centre of the island until the arrival of the Ottomans in 1522. The restored palace now hosts a museum with many statues and frescoes from the ancient and medieval period.
The site of Ancient Lindos in Rhodes: The ancient town of Lindos lies 25km to the south of Kolymbia. It was founded by the Dorians in the 10th century BC and gradually rose to prominence as a major commercial centre. The remains of its ancient Acropolis are a testimony to the riches that the people of Lindos accumulated. The magnificent temple of Athena Lindia located here was the central place of worship of the patron goddess of the town. The ancient site is also protected by a great medieval fortress which was built by the Knights Hospitaller in the 14th century. Today, both the ancient Acropolis and nearby fortress offer spectacular views and a glimpse to the past to its many visitors.
Seven Springs: The natural site of Seven Springs (or Epta Piges as it is commonly referred to) is one of the most peaceful and scenic places on the island. Located just 5km away from Kolymbia, the evergreen pine tree area offers a refreshing escape from the summer sun and beautiful views of its sparkling springs and cool waters. There are several pleasant pathaways which are perfect for a leisurely walk in the woods. The area is also great for family picnics and there is a homely taverna nearby which is ideal for moments of relaxation around nature.
Ancient Kameiros: The ruins of ancient Kamiros are located on the northwest coast of the island, about 30km away from Kolymbia. Kamiros was one of the three most significant ancient towns on the island alongside Lindos and Ialyssos, which together formed the powerful Rhodian state. The town was founded by the Dorians in prehistoric times and later inhabited by the Mycenaeans. It was destroyed twice by earthquakes, first in 226 BC and again in 142 BC, after which it was abandoned. Today, Kamiros is a well-preserved arhaeological site that reminds its visitors of the rich history of the island.
The Monastery of Panagia Tsambika: Tsambika Monastery is located just 5km from Kolymbia, next to the beautiful beach of the same name. The old monastery sits on top of an imposing cliff that offers stunning views of the sea and surronding landscape. The monastery was built in honour of saint Tsambika who is revered as the protector of the island, with many locals bearing the names Tsambika and Tsambikos. Legend has it that childless women who climb the steps to the monastery and pray would be blessed with fertility. The monastery is one of the most popular sightseeing spots on the island today, with many tourists coming to marvel at the lovely views.
The Castle of Kritinia: The medieval castle of Kritinia (or Kastello as it is called by the locals) lies on the western shore of the island, around 50km from Kolymbia. The fortification was built by the Knights Hospitaller as a defence against incursions and over the years sustained sieges by the Ottomans. Due to its strategic location, the castle offers a spectacular view of the Aegean Sea and the nearby island of Halki. Within the castle there are also the remains of a beautiful old chapel.
The Valley of Butterflies: The incredibly scenic Valley of Butterflies is located on the western side of Rhodes, approximately 20km from Kolymbia. It is a natural wonder that offers a truly unique experience to visitors. As the name suggests, this natural reserve is a lush green valley that is inhabited by thousands of butterflies of the Panaxia Quadripunctaria species. The butterflies flock here each year from May to September, attracted by the scent of the nearby trees, allowing visitors to marvel at their unique beauty. This is an excellent spot for a day trip and one of the must-see places on the island.
Food & Drink
Restaurants in Rhodes vary from elegant upscale establishments with gourmet dishes to traditional Greek tavernas by the sea or up in the mountains. The island offers an endless choice of culinary delights, an incredible variety of fresh fish and seafood, a rich selection of Greek street foods, and some traditional Rhodian dishes that would be hard to find anywhere else in the world.
Many restaurants and tavernas are located in Rhodes Town and in popular tourist spots, such as Lindos, Faliraki, Kallithea, Ialyssos and Theologos. Kolymbia itself offers a variety of choices just a few minutes away from Serenity Villas. There are many more small and usually family-owned tavernas in mountain villages and along the many beaches, offering a mesmerizing view of the sea.
Our team will galdly provide recommendations and guide you through the long list of culinary treasures that our island has to offer!
Nightlife
The various bars and clubs around the island make for a truly exciting night out in Rhodes. The most popular nightlife spot is Hippocrates Square in Rhodes Town, with its many lounge bars, sports bars and night clubs. Faliraki, Ialissos and other towns also offer an abundance of choice. Lindos meanwhile is a place where you can find more secluded establishments for a romantic night out. Kolymbia also offers a wide choice of sports and lounge bars, and a few night clubs.
We will glaly provide you with recommendations to ensure your enjoyable night out!
About Kolymbia
Serenity Villas are located in the village of Kolymbia (Greek: Κολύμπια), the midpoint on the main road between Rhodes Town and Lindos. Kolymbia is a small settlement with a population of about 300 permanent residents. It was established by the Italians (who ruled the Dodecanese islands between 1912 and 1943) during the 1930’s as an exemplary agricultural village, then named San Benedetto. Whilst some remnants of agricultural activity still remain in place, the area has been steadily transformed into a resort with a number of large hotels and other vacation properties.
It takes just 30-35 minutes by car to reach Kolymbia from Diagoras Airport. Once you turn towards the village from the main road you are immediatelly greeted by hundreds of large eucaliptus trees that line both sides of Kolymbia’s main street. Eucaliptus street continues straight all the way through the center of the village and leads to the beach.
Kolymbia has a few convinient supermarkets, grocery stores and pharmacies and there are some much larger supermarkets, variuos shops, bakeries and butchers’ in the nearby town of Afandou, about 10 minutes drive. In Kolymbia’s centre there are various cafes, bars, boutiques and a number of stores selling jewellery, souveniers and local artisanal products. There are several easily accesible ATMs.
From Kolymbia you need around 30-35 minutes by car to reach either Rhodes Town to the North or Lindos to the South. While those two are definetely the most important locations in terms of sightseeing, there are many more places worth visitng around the island and all of them are easily reachable from Kolymbia. The beautiful sandy Tsambika beach, with its numerous beach bars and vibrant athmosphere, is just a few minutes drive from Kolymbia. Kolymbia itself also has a few excellent beaches and there are many more beaches and sandy coves to explore just a short drive away.
Regardless of how you choose to spend your time on Rhodes, Kolymbia is an excellent location that allows you to easily explore every corner of the island.