Rhodes
 

Planning quite far out a trip to Rhodes and looking for some input from the experts here.

The other trip we took to Greece we stayed mostly on Naxos and loved it! But Rhodes appeals for the mix of historical sites and beach. We will stay several nights in Rhodes town but then perhaps will move to another part of the island - not too far from the airport as we will need to fly to Athens mid-morning. On a cruise stop, we went to a nice beach that I think was near Falikri and had a great time at a beach club / taverna.

I've done quite a bit of research and am aware of the many big resorts, all inclusives, which while we like a nice pool, we also want to enjoy local restaurants. I'm thinking maybe Falikri after Rhodes town? Other suggestions (towns or beaches) welcome, even specific hotels or resorts. We will not have a car. Are taxis pretty reasonable?

I know you can take "tours" by ferry to Maramis - can you do it on your own as well from Rhodes town? Is there a hamman in Maramis. I think the one in Rhodes town is closed now.

Lots of questions, I know - maybe I should have split them up - thanks for any input!

Personally you stay in Faliraki because the hotels are cheap. Rhodes is an easy Bus ride away. Lindos not much further in the opposite direction. I'm not saying the town is ugly but Faliraki isn't pretty easy. But it's convenient for visiting other parts of the island. The beaches aren't horrible if you like that sort of beach.

I'm not sure why you'd want to go to Maramis. Check the visa rules. IIRC the various tour companies do easier then you'll be able to do it yourself. They'll pick you up and take you back.

Symi is already a fair ferry ride.

Anthony Quinn beach is nicer then Falaraki but it's not a wild natural beach .

Can't remember what cab fares are but IIRC the bus from Rhodes to Faliraki is less then €3. It's a short enough ride the cab won't be much quicker. From Rhodes it'll cost you a couple more Euros to get to the airport. IIRC.

Yikes I need to proof read.

suec1, I take it that you know that Falaraki is very much a resort for tens and early twenties? It's loud and brash and certainly wouldn't be my choice.

Rhodes is not a big island and can easily be done from one base. I'd recommend Theologos as it's close to the airport, Rhodes Town and is easy to use to access the rest of the island.

This doesn't answer your questions but we did a day trip to Symi while staying on Rhodes and loved it. Symi is beautiful. Once the boat docked everyone did their own thing. We explored and had lunch, others went to the beach for a swim. Not much shade on the boat coming back if that bothers you. We did get varied ferry information from the less than helpful tourist office, so double check any info you are given.

Kay

I'm also planning a trip to Rhodes (for next July). So can't answer suec1's questions but have a few of my own that might be of interest.

Everything I've read says Lindos is the second most interesting town (after Rhodes town). Sounds like maybe it's not worth changing hotels? Is a day trip a better idea? How long is the bus ride from Rhodes to Lindos? And are they frequent?

I'm glad to see the day trip to Symi was good. Were there any other islands that work as a day trip from Rhodes? How about Chalki?

Any other islands that are easily ferried to from Rhodes - perhaps for a several day trip? Maybe Kos?

Thanks

The bus that runs between Rhodes and Lindos is frequent but it's a bit of a ride. One hour? A bit more maybe

ABOUT TRANSPORT to LINDOS --

Isabel, You (AND suec1) will do well to write your hotel in advance asking about choices below, so you can plan ahead --

• BUS - about 1 hour. NOTE: 3 places to catch Bus; check this great map- http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_U9T9iMe3A_...City%2BMap.jpg - click to Enlarge! If yr hotel is near the NORTH end of Old Town, go to Bus Station East or West, shown on map just outside North wall GATE. If u r staying near SOUTH wall, exit via a South gate, Cross Democritias ave & bus stop is in 1st block of Big Yellow South-bound st (Katouri?) on Map, across from a Grocery; ask anyone.
Bus stops on highway inland at uphill edge of Lindos town. Before getting off, get return times from driver. You walk downhill toward harbor & path leading up to bluff & famous ruins. (BTW, do read up on this - you'll find that Lindos ruins,like much of Rhodes Old Town.. was heavily and INauthentically "restored" by Mussolini's minions during 1930s occupation; Il Duce wanted Rhodes as his "summer place").
In July, Lindos beach will be JAMMED... I understand St. Paul's bay next door is better if u can do the walk. To return via KTEL bus, u need to go back up to highway. We did this in early May & Lindos was quite crowded even then at about noonish. In July, I'd say, plan ahead and if possible, get a 7:30 - 8 AM bus, to beat the crowds.

• BOAT - I understand that there are daily EXCURSION BOATS leaving from Rhodes Town Harbor ... doubtless cost more, and no faster getting there, but might be fun and scenic going & coming. Again, ask your hotel.

SECOND PLACE to STAY if NO CAR --

Sue, it's not going to be as easy as Naxos without a car (one more reason we always are praising Naxos). As the friend above said, Faliraki, at least in season, is pretty much a Frat Party Kegger, don't think that's what you are looking for. Some other "resorts", because of charter flights and package holiday promotions, have become "Brit Hives." To help your choice, I have found the website Greek Island Postcards -- which is a guide to beaches and beach towns/villages -- to be VERY candid, and thus, very helpful. http://www.greekisland.co.uk/rhodes/rhodes.htm#vtop My UK friends who go often to Rhodes tend to favor Pefkos ... but they rent cars.

If you’re from the US, Turkey will not issue a visa to enter the country.

Well thanks for that link travelerjan - a bit discouraging. I had shifted my plan from Faliraki to Kyolympia for the second part of the stay. Even Lindos does not come off very well in that assessment. I know you have alot of knowledge - can we "chat" more here or maybe by email?

We really have somewhat limited time for this trip which is why I wanted to do one island for maybe 8 nights but there needs to be something besides sun which is why Rhodes appealed. We are not much into "crumbles" after about 15 trips to other places in Europe with Greek and Roman ruins.

Thanks for that link - much food for thought!

Sue, sorry to Rain on Yr Parade, but candor is better than whitewash. I am head-scratching... if you want something beyond sun, but don't like ruins -- what does that leave? In Greece, one thing else = landscapes. But not always easy to access w.o. car. What is it you are searching for? Enlighten me, & perhaps I can help. Luckily, you have plenty of time to cogitate & strategize.

One venture I researched for someone like you was a 1-day excursion to HALKI - http://www.europetravel.gr/v2/en/Excursions.php?Tour=15 It's a little island just west of rhodes, a 1-hr boat trip, not highly tourisized, walkable. She liked it a lot. And btw, since Rhodes is popular with a lot of UK people who, like you, don't plan to drive, there are quite a few day tours on offer... click on the list. You may find some that are very appealing. I would only urge you to avoid the Butterfly tours (they are actually beautiful moths), because the tourist visits endanger them during a fragile time when they recover from migration and mate ... disruptions have caused death & steep decline in moth population. Also, that marmaris thing, friends tell me is SUCH a commercial scam, just goes to markets full of trashy trinkets, and highly questionable rugs.

BTW, in planning sightseeing, car or no, this is a Rhodes Website I have found VERY informative & visual. Altho the purpose is to promote Faliraki, it has descripts AND pix of sights all over Rhodes, including all the Old Town hilites ... bookmark it! http://www.faliraki-info.com/sights