Things to do in Rhodes

Nat Geo Day Tour: The Fascinating World of Bees

Your introduction to this fascinating world begins at the Bee Museum of Rhodes, featuring engaging interactive exhibits. Learn about the importance of beekeeping as your National Geographic-trained guide explains the history of maintaining colonies of bees and their hives in the South Aegean islands. Watch bustling beehive life through transparent observation hives and discover intriguing facts about pollination and apitherapy—the medicinal use of bee products. You'll also learn various simple ways to protect these creatures so crucial to our planet's ecosystem. National Geographic travelers will then enjoy an exclusive, live demonstration of honey extraction by one of the Bee Museum staff in a private room. Learn about professional techniques like honeycomb scratching and the use of tools such as manual extractors to fill empty jars. Afterwards, you'll be able to sample the freshly extracted honey in a dedicated space exclusively available to National Geographic groups. Try other types of honey, too, including varieties like pine, thyme and erica. Plus, try the famous Melekouni, a traditional sweet snack from Rhodes. After the tasting, don a protective suit and take a look at an active apiary, examining the open hive with an experienced beekeeper. Surrounded by happy buzzing, you'll learn about important tools, such as frames, smokers and scrapers, as well as gain a practical understanding of how bee colonies are organized. Leave with a new understanding of the humble honeybee and what you can do to protect it.

Evening tour of Rhodes Town with dinner

If Rhodes town is impressive by day, wait till you get to know it at night. On this exclusive evening excursion, you'll enjoy a guided walking tour of the medieval town's best bits, followed by a traditional dinner in a family-run taverna. Dimitris, one of our expert local guides, says, “You'll delve into the historic streets of Collachio and the labyrinthine Burgo, where Greeks lived for centuries.” Plus, with headsets connecting you directly to your guide, you won't miss a single detail. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the walled town of Rhodes was built by the Knights of Saint John in the 14th century. You'll get the lowdown on the history of Collachio, the area hugging the impressive Palace of the Grand Master. It buzzes with life as shops and bars light up in the cool evening air. As you stroll southwards, the area's ordered streets give way to the more chaotic and maze-like alleys of Burgo. This district, dotted with old mosques and historic Orthodox churches, is a joy to wander on foot.After 90 minutes of learning all about this fascinating slice of medieval life, you'll drop into a typical taverna. Tuck into a spread of traditional dishes made with fresh, local ingredients, and savour the authentic flavours of the island. Once your appetite is satisfied, cap off the high with a relaxing stroll through the vibrant New Town and Mandraki Harbour, rounding out your evening in true Greek style.

Highlights of Rhodes guided island tour

The tranquility of Rhodes is in the spotlight with this tour. Dimitris, one of our local guides, explains: "You will experience the island like a local, learning how the islanders live and seeing a slower pace of life." Among the attractions are the Valley of the Butterflies, ancient Kamiros and a traditional village where you will taste local products and browse for souvenirs. Guests can enjoy free time at Kalavarda Beach where there is the option to enjoy a typical Greek menu in a traditional family tavern.Your journey begins through the ruins of the ancient city of Kamiros. You'll be able to wander among the crumbling remains of the Doric columns while the expert guide tells you about the city's golden age in the sixth century BC. We continue with our first photostop outside Monolithos Castle, from where you'll enjoy great views of the sea and the two islets opposite. This is an excursion that takes in remote areas of Rhodes, allowing you to see parts of the island that are far away from the busy coast.Next, the adventure takes us to the slopes of Mount Akramitis, where we'll visit Siana, a lively village known for its handcrafted patterned rugs, ceramics, and the potent, grape-infused sumas liqueur. After this, you'll head for Kalavarda beach for optional lunch and free time. The day ends with the Valley of the Butterflies, where thousands of butterflies are attracted by the smell of oriental gum trees.

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.

The Little Knights of Rhodes

Both kids and adults will be taken care of on this tour. Fun and games will be organised for the little ones as you navigate Rhodes old town on a walking tour. Its medieval history will be brought to life through an official local guide, activities and even a treasure hunt among the ruins and relics of centuries past.

Rhodes guided tour of traditional villages with local tastings

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.

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.

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.

Guided tour of historic Lindos and 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.

Rhodes by night – old town walk, traditional dinner and evening boat ride

If Rhodes town is impressive by day, wait till you get to know it at night. This exclusive evening excursion features a summer harbour cruise, a guided walking tour of Rhodes town's highlights, and dinner in a family-run taverna. Dimitris, one of our expert local guides, will lead you through the medieval old town, exploring the historic Collachio and the labyrinthine Burgo, where the Greeks lived. With headsets for direct communication, you won't miss a thing.Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the walled town of Rhodes was fortified by the Knights of Saint John in the 14th century. Get the lowdown on the history of Collachio, the area hugging the impressive Palace of the Grand Master. It buzzes as the shops and the bars light up in the cool evening air. As we stroll southwards, the area's ordered streets give way to the more chaotic and mazy alleys of Burgo. This district, dotted with old mosques and historic Orthodox churches, is a joy to wander by foot.After 90 minutes of fascinating medieval history, we'll unwind at a typical taverna with a laidback meal made from locally sourced ingredients. End the evening with some free time for a stroll to Mandraki Harbour. If you're with us in the summer, enjoy a delightful evening cruise in the bay. Plus, this tour supports local businesses and leaves a zero carbon footprint with its walking and sailing segments.

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.

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.