When summing up Rhodes Greece, the word “special” comes to mind. Rhodes is the largest of the islands in the Dodecanese chain, and visitors to this amazing place will likely never forget how special it indeed is. In fact, many who come to Rhodes on an initial trip end up coming back again and again, or at least wanting to. Rhodes Greece thrives of off tourism, and the infrastructure of the island lends itself well to travel, as do the many sights and sounds. Over 130,000 people are fortunate enough to call Rhodes their home, and approximately 80,000 of those people reside in Rhodes City, which is the capital of the island.
Rhodes lies just 11 miles off the southwest Turkish shoreline and its strategic point between cultures and countries has ensured a history both tumultuous and marvelous. Detailing the history of Rhodes Greece would be a serious undertaking. Inhabitants on the island of Rhodes can be traced as far back as the Neolithic period, and the island really began to flourish in the 16th century BC when the Dorians established a series of cities on the island. Eventually, the Persians would attempt more than once to conquer the island, but were ultimately fended off by Alexander the Great in 322 BC. Rhodes would go on to side with Ptolemy, who had gained control of Egypt, and the alliance between Egypt and Rhodes would result in the faction dominating eastern Mediterranean trade. In 304 BC, the Rhodians, with help from Ptolemy, would defend their land against an attempted siege by Demetrius, and would celebrate by constructing the great Colossus of Rhodes.
During the reign of the Roman Empire, Rhodes would flourish
as a cultural and educational center. As the Roman Empire
fizzled in the 4th century AD, Rhodes would continue to
be attacked, but would remain wholly part of the Byzantine
Empire for almost 1,000 years. In 1309, the Byzantine
Empire would begin a downfall of its own, and Rhodes would
become a possession of the Knights Hospitaller. The medieval
structures that would be built during this reign are among
Rhodes City’s most prolific monuments. Rhodes City’s
Old Town has been designated a World Heritage Sight, and
is an impressive tour on a Rhodes Greece vacation. The
Knights would eventually succumb to the Ottoman Empire,
who controlled the island for almost four centuries, until
in 1912 when the Italians seized the island. In 1948,
Rhodes and the other Dodecanese Islands permanently became
a part of Greece.
Those looking to vacation Rhodes can access the island
either by air or sea from other major Greek cities, such
as Athens and Thessaloniki.
Other notable European cities offer flights for a Rhodes
Greece vacation and Rhodes has one of the larger airports
in Greece. Many of the cities spread around Rhodes
offer a myriad of historic sites to visit, and many flock
to the island with a beach vacation Rhodes idea in mind.
A beach vacation Rhodes experience has something for everyone,
and most of the island’s beaches
are European Union blue flag award winners. Beaches around
the island offer crowded spots as well as tranquil ones.
Windsurfing and surfing are popular on many of the beaches,
and Elli Beach in Rhodes City is a hip spot for a beach
vacation Rhodes adventure. The beach is highly cosmopolitan
at Elli Beach, and among its lures are a casino, and aquarium
and a number of large hotels. Some of the higher quality
Rhodes hotels are in or
near the capital, however beach vacation Rhodes resorts
continue to be developed around the coastline. Lindos
and Pefkos are popular spots to spend some time during
your Rhodes Greece vacation. Like many of the beach villages
spread around Rhodes Greece, Lindos offers not only beautiful
beaches, but an array of hotels, taverns and cafes. Visitors
to Rhodes can also choose from an assortment of vacation
rentals from villas
to apartments, and just about everything in-between.
Rhodes Greece is reputed for its number of sunny days. According to some, the sun shines at some point every day of the year. Explore the island’s wealth of byzantine churches and other historical sites, and if you have time you can save a couple days for a relaxing beach vacation Rhodes getaway. Around Rhodes City and other Rhodes destinations like Faliraki, you’ll find plenty of restaurants and cafes, as well as bars and excellent throw your cares away nightlife. If hopping the Greek islands is your agenda, you will find Greece ferries operating from Rhodes that can transport you to other desirable destinations such as Crete, Kos, Mykonos and Santorini.
