Things to do in Rhodes

Lindos Acropolis & Rhodes Old Town Highlights Tour

Few islands in Greece can match the heritage of Rhodes. And this wealth forms the centrepiece of this tour. Discover it all with an expert local guide. Dimitris, one of our guides, says, ‘Lindos was built in the 10th century BC by the Dorians. It's the third-most visited site in all of Greece, which shows just how significant it is.' You'll also enjoy a walking tour of the old town of Rhodes and see the Palace of the Grand Master. Headsets allow direct connection between you and your guide.Dimitris believes Rhodes is blessed with some of the best scenery in Greece. He says, ‘Lindos lies near a fantastic sandy beach, surrounded by hills hiding the village, protecting the place from the attacks of the pirates. On top of the small sugar cube houses stands the ancient Acropolis and the Temple of Athena.' You'll get to appreciate these very views during a coffee stop at a typical family-run café. Climb to the mountaintop Acropolis as your guide brings to life the myths and legends of the ancients as you take in views of St Paul's Bay below.Rounding off the day, we'll head to the old town Rhodes – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – for a guided tour. Because so much of the excursion is walking, it reduces the activity's carbon footprint. Wander the winding, cobbled streets, lined with historic houses and boutiques, and walk down the Street of the Knights. The star attraction is the Palace of the Grand Master – an enormous 13th-century fortress originally built by the Knights of St John.

Boat Trip to Lindos with Swim Stops from Rhodes Port

A day that combines relaxation with exploration. You'll sail along the east coast to the whitewashed village of Lindos. Chill on deck as the boat navigates its way down the coast and swim in the glittering Mediterranean Sea – your Greek island paradise awaits.

Full-day tour of Symi with Panormitis Monastery visit

‘Symi is one of the smallest and most picturesque Greek islands. The sight of the colourful houses as soon as you enter the harbour never fails to impress,' says Fotini, your born and bred local guide on this full day excursion. You'll discover its laidback charm and visit sights such as Panormitis Monastery and a sponge maker.

Full-day Chalki Island boat trip and Butterfly Valley visit

Variety is the name of the game on this vastly contrasted excursion. Get back to nature at the renowned Butterfly Valley nature reserve, before a visit to the completely unspoilt and sleepy island of Chalki.

Rhodes guided tour of traditional villages with beer-tasting

Spend the day getting to know the rustic villages of inland Rhodes and sample some of the island's favourite dishes. Pretty Orthodox churches, an olive oil mill, a winery in Siana and a typical local lunch are on the menu in this adults-only tour. Fotini, one of our local guides, says, “I was born and raised in Rhodes, so I am thrilled to be showing the island's hidden gems, revealing its authentic and traditional identity, and the customs that we still keep today.”The fun starts in Asklipio, a charming hillside village of whitewashed homes built around an ancient castle and an 11th-century stone church. Admission to the church is included, helping to support its upkeep. Next up is the mountain village of Siana, where you'll get a snapshot of Rhodian life in the rugged hills away from the coast. After you've tried some locally pressed olive oil at a nearby mill, it's time for a wine tasting at one of Siana's newest wineries.And then we are off to Apollona for lunch made from locally sourced produce in a family-run and sustainably conscious taverna – you won't find any use of plastic here. Even the water served comes from a local well. Take a tour of the village to walk off lunch and see the ruins of the temple dedicated to Apollo, the Greek god who the village is named after. In the afternoon, there's a pit stop for coffee in Profitis Ilias at the Italian inspired hotel Elafos. Your final stop is at the only microbrewery on the island, where you'll taste four house beers before heading back to your hotel. It's a day that'll satisfy both your cultural curiosity and taste buds.

Guided tour of Lindos with Acropolis visit

Lindos was an important and prosperous city in ancient Greece. Explore this history-steeped seafront town of whitewashed homes, with the option of an interactive Acropolis tour with a tablet for each reservation reference on this exclusive excursion.

Marmaris day trip with shopping and free time

Venturing to a completely different country is always an exciting prospect. Sail across to Turkey and spend the day exploring the buzzing port town of Marmaris and visiting a bazaar and gold factory on this full day tour.It's an early morning start as you head for the port – but this tour's worth getting up for. You'll set sail across the waters, arriving just in time for a guided city tour and a quick stop at a panoramic viewpoint to grab those all-important snaps of Marmaris. Then, you'll make tracks to a local gold centre, where you can practice your haggling skills.You'll head to the old town next, where you'll have plenty of time to explore its winding streets and huge bazaar. Jam-packed full of bargains, it's a great place to pick up any souvenirs to take home. And no trip to Turkey would be complete without the chance to sample some local delicacies such as Turkish delight or traditional tea. After all the excitement, there's a relaxing late afternoon boat ride back to Rhodes.

Pirates of Rhodes family-friendly themed cruise

Pirate Tim and Calypso the Parrot need your help to find their lost treasure. But first you need to be fully trained in all the skills you need to become a pirate. Eleni, one of our local crew members, says, "Rhodes was once a hugely important trading post in the Mediterranean region, and pirates were a real threat to this success. The island's governors directed the Rhodes Navy to spend all their time policing the waters nearby in order to protect the ships carrying valuable goods such as salt and olive oil." You'll join our plucky crew in search of the booty, and along the way everyone will get into the pirate spirit with some help from the pirate team on the boat. There'll be lots of fun activities for everyone to get involved with. For our little pirate crew, there'll be face painting and lots of pirate-themed games to play and for the older pirate crew, there'll be some pirate challenges to join in with. And no pirate adventure would be complete without a treasure map and clues to follow.Eleni says, "set sail with the pirates for a fun cruise with plenty to keep the kids occupied while the grown-ups can relax and admire the scenery. We'll stop at some lovely spots so all the pirates can cool off with a swim in the sea." Fruit is included, plus there's a bar on board where you can buy drinks and snacks, in case all the excitement makes you hungry. This pirate cruise is all about swashbuckling fun for the whole family to enjoy.

Symi Island Free Time with Bus and Boat Transfer

Discover the magic of Symi, one of the most culturally rich gems in the Dodecanese Islands. Each island offers a unique experience, but Symi stands out with its vibrant charm. Enjoy round-trip bus and boat transfers, with free time on the island to do as you wish.You'll sail into Symi town, where you'll have free time to explore the island at your own pace. The sight of the colourful houses as you enter the harbour is awe-inspiring, with tiers of pastel-coloured homes cascading down the hillsides. Wander through the charming streets, shop for unique local products like sponges and soaps, or simply relax on the sandy beaches.Visit sights such as Panormitis Monastery and a traditional sponge maker to get a true taste of local culture. Your visit also supports the local community and traditional industries, making your trip both enjoyable and meaningful.

Rhodes Town by night transfer

Rhodes Town is impressive by day – but at night it's truly special. On this exclusive evening excursion, you'll have hassle-free return transport to the island capital and five hours of free time to explore. Stroll through the medieval Knights Quarter, hit the high street to shop in designer boutiques, or saunter down the seafront and stop for a drink. The choice is yours.

Guided island tour of western Rhodes’ top attractions

Dotted with sleepy villages, pine-clad mountains and age-old ruins, western Rhodes has a rugged beauty all of its own. This tour ticks off some of the top picks. You'll visit the ancient city of Kamiros, the mountain villages of Embona and Siana as well as Butterfly Valley – home to hundreds of Callimorpha butterflies. Nicholas, one of our expert local guides, says, "Kamiros offers a glimpse into the daily life of its ancient inhabitants and shows how ingenious the people who built it were. The water supply system, with its complex network of cisterns and aqueducts, is well-preserved and really interesting."First up is Butterfly Valley – a natural park home to hundreds of the friendly, fluttering creatures. Wander along shaded wooden walkways and enjoy the calming pools of trickling water as you observe these colourful insects all around – stay still and one may even land on you. As well as the butterflies, the park features a variety of other flora and fauna, including lots of wildflowers and birds.Next, you'll travel back in time at ancient Kamiros. The tidily laid out streets and remains of the agora and acropolis will give you a sense of how the residents went about their daily lives in the 5th century BC. You'll get an app on entry, which shows how the city would have looked in 3D. Next, you'll have free time for lunch in Embona – the highest village in Rhodes – and visit the mountain-side settlement of Siana.

Rhodes town – transfer only

Rhodes Town is a capital ripe for exploring on foot. And with hassle-free transport to and from, you'll have plenty of time to tour all the best bits. Stroll the medieval Knights Quarter and feel the history amongst the old city walls. Or hit the high street for some last minute shopping. Fancy a coffee on the harbour, or a saunter down the seafront? Explore at your own pace on this laidback day out.