Why Honeymoon in Rhodes
Rhodes Old Town is the main draw. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, still lived in, with walls nearly 4 kilometers around. The Street of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Master feel almost untouched, while the lanes behind them are full of tavernas, courtyard bars and small boutique hotels. Walking it at night, after the cruise passengers leave, is one of the most romantic city walks in Greece.
Lindos is the second reason. The village of whitewashed captains' houses sits below a clifftop acropolis with a Doric temple to Athena. Below it, St. Paul's Bay is an almost enclosed lagoon of calm turquoise water.
The beaches are good too. The east coast is sheltered and warm, with sand and pebble coves from Anthony Quinn Bay to Tsambika. And Rhodes has direct flights from much of Europe and a busy airport, so getting there is easy.
When to Go
May, June, September and October are the best months. The sea is warm from June to October and the weather is reliably dry. October is often still warm enough for long beach days, which is unusual in Greece.
July and August are hot, with temperatures often in the 90s Fahrenheit. They are also the busiest months, with crowds in Lindos and the Old Town and higher hotel prices. Summer wildfires have affected parts of the island in recent years, so check local news and follow official instructions if you travel during a heat wave.
The west coast is windier, which suits windsurfers at Prasonisi and Ialyssos. The east coast is calmer, so most beach hotels are there.
From November to March, many resort hotels close, but Rhodes Town stays open. Winter is mild and green with some rain. It suits couples who mainly want history and food rather than swimming.
Where to Stay
Your base shapes the trip, so it is worth splitting your stay.
- Rhodes Old Town: stay in a restored stone house or boutique hotel inside the walls for atmosphere and evening walks. Few are on the water. Cars cannot reach most lanes.
- Rhodes New Town: hotels by Elli Beach are convenient for the Old Town and nightlife but more ordinary.
- Lindos: small suites in old captains' houses, many with rooftop terraces facing the acropolis. Melenos Lindos is a well-known boutique hotel with views over the bay. The village is car-free and steep.
- East coast near Lindos: Vlycha, Pefkos and Kalathos have larger resorts with pools and quieter beaches.
- The south: villages like Gennadi and Kiotari are calmer and less built up.
Avoid big all-inclusive resorts on the northwest coast if you want romance, since they cater mostly to families and groups.
Romantic Things to Do
Walk the Old Town at dusk, starting at the Street of the Knights and ending in a courtyard bar. On another day, tour the Palace of the Grand Master and walk part of the medieval walls when they are open.
In Lindos, climb to the acropolis early in the morning before it gets hot and crowded. Then swim in St. Paul's Bay, below the cliffs. Have dinner on a rooftop facing the floodlit acropolis.
Take the ferry to Symi, a small island with a harbor of pastel neoclassical houses. The crossing from Rhodes takes around one to two hours depending on the boat. Spend the day swimming and eating seafood, or stay a night.
Drive to Prasonisi at the southern tip, where a sandbar divides the Aegean from the Mediterranean. In summer, visit the Valley of the Butterflies (Petaloudes), where thousands of tiger moths rest on the trees.
Getting There and Around
Fly into Athens (ATH) from the US, then take a domestic flight to Rhodes (RHO), which takes about an hour. In summer, many European cities also have direct flights to Rhodes, so connecting through London, Frankfurt or another hub can work well.
Ferries from Piraeus take most of a day, so flying is usually the better choice. Rhodes has ferry links to Symi, Kos and other Dodecanese islands, plus boats to the Turkish coast.
On the island, rent a car. Rhodes is about 80 kilometers long and buses are slow outside the main routes between Rhodes Town and Lindos. Parking is limited in Lindos and inside the Old Town, so use the paid lots outside the walls or at the top of the village.
Taxis are easy to find in Rhodes Town and at the airport. Agree on longer fares in advance or ask for the meter.
Food and Drink
Rhodes has its own dishes worth seeking out. Try pitaroudia, chickpea fritters with herbs, along with local cheeses and honey. In mountain villages, look for slow-cooked lamb and goat.
The Old Town has many restaurants, some aimed at tourists. Walk a few lanes away from Socratous Street for better food and calmer courtyards. The New Town and the fishing harbor of Mandraki have good seafood.
Rhodes makes wine. Wineries around Embonas, on the slopes of Mount Attavyros, produce whites from the Athiri grape and reds from Mandilaria. Several offer tastings, which makes a good half-day trip.
In Lindos, rooftop restaurants are popular for dinner with a view, but book ahead in summer. Souma, a local grape spirit, is often served after meals. Breakfast in a village kafeneio, with thick coffee and loukoumades (honey doughnuts), is cheap and very local.
Honeymoon Tips
Lindos is car-free and steep. Wear shoes with grip. Expect to walk or take a donkey up to the acropolis. Many visitors now choose to walk rather than ride, out of concern for the animals.
Time your visits to the Old Town and Lindos for early morning or evening. Cruise ships dock in Rhodes Town most days in summer and tour buses fill Lindos by late morning.
The east coast sun is strong. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and rent shade at the beach. On windy days, the west coast can have big waves and currents, so pick an east coast beach.
The US State Department rates Greece Level 1, its lowest advisory level. Watch for pickpockets in crowded spots.
Monasteries and churches, including Tsambika Monastery above the beach, ask both of you to cover shoulders and knees. Bring a light scarf or shirt.
