13 Best Sights in Rhodes and the Dodecanese, Greece

The half-hour boat trip down the rugged east coast of the island from Pedi Bay is part of the pleasure of an excursion to this beautiful strip of white sand and pebbles, backed by sheer cliffs and vegetated with pink oleander bushes—with the odd goat leaping around. The absence of amenities makes it wonderfully peaceful, but it requires a bit of preparation—bring water, food, and an umbrella, as there are few shade-providing trees. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; swimming.

A vast swath of beautiful Agios Stefanos Beach, just north of Kamari, is now occupied by the sprawling Ikos Aria resort village. Every yard of the rest is given over in summer to beach bars renting umbrellas and chairs and offering activities that include waterskiing and jet skiing. Expect to pay around €50–60 for a waterskiing session, and €60–€70 for Jet Skiing. Two early Christian basilicas crown a promontory at the southern end of the beach, adding to the allure of this lovely spot. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Accessible by water taxi from Chialos, or via a long walk, taking the 1-km-long (½-mile-long) rough path leading east of Pedi Bay. Once there, a sandy beach slopes gently into the sea, providing shallow waters that are excellent for children; it's backed by a grove of shade-giving trees. Despite the relative isolation, the beach attracts summertime crowds and is well equipped with food vendors and other facilities. Amenities: food and drink;  toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Though the beach is pebbly rather than sandy, a handy location right at the edge of Old Town makes this seaside strip immensely popular, and it's lined with chairs and umbrellas. An offshore diving platform is a huge hit with kids and what seems to be most of the teenage population of Rhodes. What you won't find here is solitude, and what semblance of peace and quiet you might find will likely be interrupted by an endless stream of hawkers selling everything from trinkets to cold drinks. Nevertheless, it's provides a good spot to cool off, with views across the water of Marmaris, Turkey. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.

Faliraki's reputation is better these days, after authorities cracked down 20 years ago on the bars that once made this the hedonistic party capital of Greece. It remains the most popular beach resort area on Rhodes, and will be your idea of paradise or hell, depending on what you think of crowded sands backed by fun parks, supermarkets, all-inclusive resorts, and fast-food joints. Stretches of the 5 km (3 miles) of fine sand are a little less cramped than others, such as the southern end, which is officially designated as a naturist beach. Beyond its southern tip lies the beautiful Anthony Quinn Bay, named after the Mexican-American actor; while filming The Guns of Navarone in 1960, he loved it so much that he bought the land. Years later the Greek government reclaimed it, and the legal battle that ensued continued even after the actor's death. Its tiny shore fills up fast but the emerald waters here are the best on the island for snorkeling. Buses regularly run between Rhodes Town and Faliraki throughout the day and late into the evening. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: nudists; partiers; swimming; walking.

The most popular beach on the island stretches for 1½ km (1 mile) or so along Kambos Bay, with a gently sloping sea floor that's ideal for young waders and swimmers. Sun beds line the strand of fine pebbles and sand, and pines behind the beach provide plenty of shade. The many amenities include windsurfing, waterskiing, and pedal-boat rentals. Regular bus service connects Kambos with Skala, about 6 km (4 miles) away. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; windsurfing.

Stretching uninterrupted for several miles, Lachania Beach lies below the unspoiled whitewashed village of the same name, one of the most picturesque in Rhodes. Though stretches are lined with sun beds, it's easy to find a fairly secluded spot backed by scrub-covered dunes. Amenities: food and drink; water sports. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.

Flanking the northern coast above Kos Town, this long, narrow stretch of sand is guarded by a strip of resorts that run its length. Crowds ooze out from the hotels in their droves to hit the volleyball courts, bars, and sun beds, with the party continuing into the night. The farther west you go, the quieter the shore becomes. A cooling breeze means this area can be rather pleasant in the fierce burn of the afternoon; it also whips up the surf nicely, making it a good spot for windsurfing. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); water sports. Best for: partiers.

In this north-coast resort 32 km (20 miles) west of Kos Town, the wide sand beaches backed by shade-providing pines are much discovered, backed by tavernas, rooms for rent, and all-inclusive resorts. The beach is lined with chairs and umbrellas and the launching pad for pedal boats and Jet Skis. Mastichari also has a fishing pier, from where boats set sail on day trips to the uncrowded islet of Pserimos. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

A lovely bay is ringed by soft and quiet sands, where it's easy to find a relatively secluded spot. The clear, calm waters are ideal for swimming, though winds tend to pick up in the afternoon—a boon for windsurfers. A few tavernas prepare delightfully simple seafood meals along the shore. Amenities: food and drink. Best for: solitude; swimming; windsurfing.

This long stretch of inviting sand, about 10 km (6 miles) east of Kefalos, is also known as Magic Beach, and is just far enough from town to remain wonderfully undeveloped. Backed by scrub-covered dunes, the sands offer little except some sun bed concessions and are washed by calm, crystal clear waters. The privacy afforded by this location means that it has also become something of an enclave for naturists, who gather at its eastern end. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: nudists; solitude; swimming; walking.

It's well worth the effort required to reach the most beautiful (and remote) beach on the island, a lovely scallop of sand backed by pines and rough, goat-filled hills. Getting there requires a 45-minute caïque ride (around €15–€20) from Skala or a 20-minute walk on a footpath from Diakofti (the narrowest point on the island), where visitors can park their cars. While nudism is not officially allowed on Patmos, this is one beach where nude bathing seems to be tolerated, at the far edges. An extremely basic taverna sometimes serves light fare, but you'll want to bring water and snacks for an outing to this pristine spot. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: nudists; snorkeling; solitude; swimming.

This appealing sandy beach sits on the north coast, 13 km (8 miles) west of Kos Town. Like Mastichari, it comprises little more than a long strip of mid-market resort hotels catering mainly to vacationing Brits and Germans, behind a sweep of (often windswept) sand. Inland lie cattle pastures, fields, and citrus groves. Beachgoers can enjoy the amenities of some of the more built-up sections. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking.