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I’ve probably said a version of this in every guide to Rhodes I’ve written, but Rhodes is a big and confusing island if you don’t know where to go. It is also one of the Greek islands that gets a lot of resort-style or inclusive hotel tourism, and while parts of it are super busy, others feel almost undiscovered if you ask me.
Rhodes also has incredible beaches, loads of ancient historical sights and culture and if you time it right, fewer crowds than one might expect.
After moving to Rhodes 8 months ago, I’ve made it my mission to go around and discover all the spots I missed in previous visits. So if you’re reading this and planning to come to Rhodes in summer of 2026, you’ll find a lot of useful details on how to break down your days.
While 3 days is hardly enough time to see all of the island, I think you can squeeze in some different sights and leave feeling like you got more than a beach holiday.
The 3 day itinerary I propose is perfect if you like to stay active during your holiday, with a bit of sightseeing, a bit of relaxation, some beach opportuntities and of course, Greek food. It also includes prices and a budget for the full 3 day itinerary so you can estimate how much you need to spend.
🥳 TESTED TOP PICKS FOR GREECE
- 🚌 Airport transfer: Rhodes to City Centre — easiest option from Rhodes Airport to City for $39 (private taxi)
⛴️ Ferry tickets: There are a lot of ferry providers but I prefer Ferry Scanner for their simple UI.
- 📱Grab an eSIM to stay connected from Simbye with 10% off with code BACHELOR10. Only $18 for 30 days and 20GB!!
This article is part of my things to do in Rhodes series, where I explore and share activities and ideas. I moved to Rhodes a few months ago and have been exploring both the off-season and summer side of the island ever since. You can find more guides to Rhodes, here.
3 Days in Rhodes – My Experience
My first experience with Rhodes was all the way back in middle school during a school trip. I visited again in my twenties for work and holiday and have now been calling this island home for the better part of one year.
Since I had a lot more time to explore spots this time, this 3 day in Rhodes itinerary brings the best of Rhodes together, so you can mix and match or follow it as is. The Old Town of Rhodes is a highlight, but you also should (ahem, must!) get to the other parts, that feel more local.
Rhodes is both a medieval fortress style vibe of a place, but also a heavy resort place, or a traditional village-style place. It all depends on where you choose to spend time.
3 Days in Rhodes – Itinerary
This 3-day in Rhodes itinerary is purposefully full on, so you can mix and match depending on preference and energy levels.
As you can see I have a lot of things I would recommend you do in Rhodes.
Day 1: Discovering Rhodes Town
The first day of any trip sets the stage in my opinion, and I usually like to take my time and take it all in, without rushing. If you’re flying, I suggest booking transport from the airport to the main town of Rhodes.
This means you don’t have to use a car on your first day and can take your time to discover the area on foot.
I’d personally stay in a hotel near:
- Elli Beach
- Rhodes Old Town
- Mandraki Harbor
🏠 STAY & VISIT
📍Main areas to visit
- Rhodes Old Town
- Mandraki Harbor
- Elli Beach
- Neohori
- Koskinou Village
- 🏨 Where to stay: Elli Beach, Rhodes Old Town, Mandraki, Neohori
💰 BOOK
🍖 Where to eat:
- Koukos for brunch or coffee
- Ahni Kanela for pies and takeaway
- Coffee break: Socrates Garden
- Karavelladika or Taverna o Tasos in Koskinou Village (with taxi)
- Niohori Taverna inside Rhodes
🎟️ Activities you need to book:
- Palace of the Grand Master with audio guide if no guided tour
Breakfast
For breakfast head to the area of Neohori which has a lot of cobblestone streets worth walking around. Stop at Koukos for brunch or coffee, a place that is as popular with tourists as it is with locals and has great coffee and cuisine. If you’re not much of a breakfast person, the little bakery of Achi Kanela is a great spot for to-go pies that is very affordable.
First activity
The first booked activity I recommend is a visit to the Palace of the Grand Master.
This magnificent castle has withstood the test of time and once served as the headquarters of the Knights Hospitaller during their rule over Rhodes from 1309 until the Ottomans captured the island in 1522. You will want to book your tickets for this ahead of time through this link here. I usually recommend a booked tour but it does increase the budget significantly so at least opt for the audio guide, otherwise you don’t understand as much.
👉 The Grand Master’s Palace in Rhodes: Is it Worth it?
📚 A lot of people get stuck on the history of Greece in ancient years, but I find the contemporary or modern history to be even more exciting. Please buy this book before you leave as it adds such a nuanced layer of information. It is a bit heavy but if you are a reader like me, you will love it.
Lunch and wander
After the Palace you might be a bit tired of walking, especially if you’re visiting in July or August when Rhodes starts feeling like an oven by midday. A great place that should be touristy but actually manages to strike a good balance is Socrates Garden inside the Old Town.
The first thing you’ll notice here is that despite being directly inside one of the busiest tourist sections, it somehow still feels hidden. There are shaded trees, quieter corners and it’s one of the few places where I don’t feel rushed to leave after ordering a coffee.
Prices are also surprisingly reasonable considering the location. That matters in Rhodes because there are definitely places around the Old Town where you end up paying premium prices simply because of where you’re sitting.
I usually stop here for iced coffee or a fresh juice.
Personally, I would avoid having a huge lunch on your first day because one of the nicest things to do in Rhodes Town is simply wandering around slowly without feeling like you need to rush back somewhere because you’re too full or overheated.
Instead, spend the afternoon exploring the smaller streets around:
- Ippokratous Square
- Street of the Knights
- the clock tower area
- the old walls
- Mandraki Harbor
If you still have energy, you can also walk toward Elli Beach
It’s not the most spectacular beach on the island, but for a first-day swim after travelling, it’s honestly perfect. The water is clean, there are plenty of sunbeds and beach bars, and you can walk there directly from most central hotels.
One thing I actually like about Elli is that you get this strange mix of locals finishing work, tourists, older Greeks swimming and young crowds.
Dinner
For dinner, I’d actually recommend leaving the immediate Old Town area if you want a more memorable meal.
One thing first-time visitors don’t always realize is that Rhodes has a lot of restaurants that are designed almost entirely around tourist foot traffic. That doesn’t automatically make them bad, but there’s definitely a difference.
If you’re willing to take a short taxi ride, head toward the village of Koskinou. It is only a 15 minute drive from Old Town.
There are lots of great tavernas here, but two I’ve tested are:
- Karavelladika
- Taverna o Tasos
Both require booking ahead because they are so popular with locals that most tables on the weekends are Greek families. Make sure to order the meat. Also check out my full list of meat tavernas on the island.
If you don’t want to leave Rhodes Town then my undisputed choice for a good meal is:
- Niohori Taverna
You might have seen this place walking around the neighborhood in the morning, it is also right next to the Catholic Church.
They have a butchery right across the street that they own and their liver is some of the most tender and juiciest I’ve ever tried.
Day 1 Budget in Rhodes for 2ppl
| Item | Approx Cost |
|---|---|
| Airport transfer/bus | €6–€40 |
| Food & drinks | €100 |
| Palace tickets | €52 |
| Optional taxi to Koskinou | €20 |
| Hotel | €80–250+ |
Budget for Day 1
Keeping in mind that hotels can range depending on preferences, you will spend €52 for 2 person entry to the Palace of the Grand master, at least €40 for private transfer or €6 bus tickets if you are happy to do it backpacker-style, and a minimum of €100 for coffee and light snacks for breakfast in the morning as well as one main dinner in one of these tavernas.
That comes to about €120-€150 per person for day with a reasonable room of €80-€100.
Meals will be more expensive if you are opting for cocktails.
Day 2: Lindos and East Coast
Day two is where Rhodes starts feeling much bigger than most visitors expect. Personally, this is the day I’d recommend renting a car and leaving Rhodes Town behind for a while. You should book that in advance and pick up early morning after breakfast from Rhodes Town.
Today you’ll drive the east coast, which is the most heavily built area of the island. This is where all the resorts are and it tends to have calmer weather (less wind) and more resort style places.
Roads are generally straightforward, and there are plenty of places to stop for a swim.
The one thing I can’t stress enough is starting very early. The drive to Lindos can take up to an hour and you want to arrive before the heat and the crowds. The earlier you start the more you will enjoy it, trust me!
🏠 STAY & VISIT
📍Main areas to visit:
- Lindos
- Saint Paul’s Bay
- Stegna
- Tsambika Monastery
- Anthony Quinn Bay
- Kallithea Springs
- Faliraki
- 🚗 Transport for today: Rental car highly recommended
💰 BOOK
🍖 Where to eat:
- Early coffee/snack before departure from Rhodes Town/ breakfast at hotel
- Taverna Costas & Elena in Stegna
- Beach bars in Saint Paul’s Bay or Anthony Quinn Bay
🎟️ Activities you need to book:
- Lindos Acropolis tickets €26 with audio guide
- Sunset sea kayak tour from Faliraki (optional) from €90
- Rental car to explore more spots
Morning: Drive to Lindos Early
Your first destination for the day is Lindos. A charming village below the Acropolis of Lindos that is rich in history, and feels more like the Cyclades (think Mykonos and Santorini)
The trick is arriving before the big tour buses and cruise traffic so I’d aim to leave Rhodes Town around 07:30–08:00 if possible.
Head straight to the Acropolis and then make your way down the village to explore and find great souvenir shops. I recommend more things to do in Lindos here.
This is one of the most important archaeological sites on the island and the views from the top are honestly incredible. You’ll see the village below, the coastline, and Saint Paul’s Bay wrapping around the cliffs.
The uphill walk is steep and exposed though, so bring:
- water
- sunscreen
- proper shoes
- patience in summer heat
Personally, I think the audio guide is worth it here unless you already know the history well.
Lindos village is great whether you love the archaeological sites or just to wander in places with cute streets!
🚗 Rhodes is a big island, which means you’ll need to rent a car. I prefer booking through platforms like Discover Cars, which takes some of the stress, questions, and uncertainty when it comes to insurance, paperwork, and coverage.
Are you looking for tips on rental cars? My recommendation is to always pick a high rating provider, with zero deposit and deductible.
P.S Rhodes is too big for ATVs but this… this T-Roc Cabrio is one of THE most popular options you’ll see all around the island. I’ve heard from various rental companies it is one of the best sellers and always books out first.
Swim Stop: Saint Paul’s Bay
After exploring Lindos, head down toward Saint Paul’s Bay.
This is one of the prettiest swimming spots on Rhodes and the water here is usually incredibly calm and clear.
You can either:
- rent sunbeds
- swim directly from the rocks
- grab a cold drink nearby
- or simply cool down before continuing the drive
I wouldn’t spend the full day here personally because Rhodes has plenty of beaches, but it’s the perfect mid-morning swim stop.
Lunch
One thing I’d actually avoid is having a full lunch inside Lindos itself unless you specifically want the rooftop restaurant experience and don’t mind spending more. Instead, I recommend driving north back towards Rhodes to Stegna. This coastal area feels much calmer than Lindos and has more of a local summer atmosphere. For lunch a good spot is Taverna Costas & Elena. It is the typical seafood taverna place I love. Make sure to order grilled fish, salads, fried zucchini or dolmades and some refreshments.
Stegna Beach itself is also worth a quick swim afterward if you want a quieter beach stop.
Afternoon Options
After lunch, you have a few different directions depending on your energy levels.
Option 1: Tsambika Monastery
This is one of my favorite short hikes on the island because the payoff is huge compared to the effort. The stairs are steep but relatively short, and once you reach the top, the panoramic views over Tsambika Beach are incredible.
The view from Tsambika Monastery and the wonderful blue water at the bottom. You can definitely stop here for a quick swim after!
Option 2: Anthony Quinn Bay
This beautiful bay is on your way driving back towards Rhodes and takes its name from Anthony Quinn (the actor). Why? He filmed The Guns of Navarone here in 1960, fell in love with the bay and petitioned the government to let him buy it, so he could make it into an artists retreat.
The sale went through but was revoked (oops) but the locals kept the name in his honor. The water here is blue green and surrounded by trees. It does get busy but very much worth a stop.
Option 3: Kallithea Springs
If you prefer architecture and a more relaxed stop, Kallithea Springs is actually a really interesting addition.
The entrance fee is only €3 and the Italian-era architecture here feels completely different from the medieval atmosphere of Rhodes Old Town. It’s part beach club, part historical monument, part swimming area.
Optional Sunset Activity: Kayak Tour from Faliraki
If you have more energy, I would also suggest going straight to Faliraki for a day out on the water. This Sunset Kayak Tour (from Faliraki) starts at 15:00 so you’ll want to be there a bit earlier and finish your lunch by 14:00 latest.
You’ll spend the day exploring caves and coasting around the coastline, plus swimming and picnic on the beach. For me, it is the best way to actually see Faliraki as you skip a lot of the more crowded areas and can appreciate the water and setting.
I love guided experiences and tours though, so if that’s not your style you can simply enjoy the beach.
Day 2 Budget in Rhodes for 2ppl
| Item | Approx Cost |
|---|---|
| Rental car | €45–€90 |
| Fuel + Parking in Lindos | €23 |
| Lindos Acropolis tickets | €40 for 2ppl (with no audio guide) |
| Food & drinks | €80–€140 |
| (Optional) Tsambika hike | FREE |
| (Optional) Kayak Tour | €220 for 2 ppl |
| (Optional) Kallithea Springs | €6 (€3 per person) |
Budget for Day 2
Without the kayak tour, I think most couples will realistically spend around €120–€180 total for the day depending on restaurant choices and whether you rent sunbeds or not.
If you add the sunset kayak experience, expect the day budget to move closer toward €250–€350 for two people total.
Personally though, I think this is the day where Rhodes starts feeling much more memorable than simply staying around resort areas.
Day 3: West Coast
For Day 3 in Rhodes my recommendation is to do an activity that most people skip, a food and guided walking tour.
I did this a few weeks ago and I genuinely loved it and would recommend to everyone.
You start your day with breakfast at the hotel (but I would recommend a light one only), and either book the transport or take your car rental towards Apollonas village.
The guided tour is organized by Trekking Hellas and it runs for about 5 hours in total.
I think going with your rental car is the better option here, as you can stay in the area afterwards and explore more of the west coast.
Take the west coast driving route this time (you’ve already done the east coast) and you’ll pass famous kite surfing spots and beaches like Theologos.
Sometimes there is traffic even on the south part of the island
🏠 STAY & VISIT
📍Main areas to visit:
- Theologos
- Salakos
- Embonas region
- West coast beaches
- Kritinia Castle
- Maritsa Village
- 🚗 Transport for today: Rental car highly recommended
💰 BOOK
🍖 Where to eat:
- Coffee stop in Theologos or Soroni
- Tasting Rhodes cooking class & wine experience
- Optional seafood or beach stop on the west coast
- Final dinner in Maritsa Village or Rhodes Town
🎟️ Activities you need to book:
- Tasting Rhodes cooking class & wine experience $112 per person
- Rental car if visiting in summer
Morning: Drive the West Coast
Start the morning slowly and head toward the west coast of Rhodes.
As you leave Rhodes Town behind, you’ll pass some popular areas for hotel stays like Ialysos. Have a light breakfast early in the hotel as you’ll be eating a lot during the food tour.
This side of Rhodes feels very different from Lindos and Faliraki. The roads become greener, quieter and more mountainous as you continue inland.
Midday: Cooking Class, Wine & Village Experience
One of the most memorable experiences I’ve done on Rhodes so far has honestly been the Tasting Rhodes cooking and wine experience.
If day two was about seeing famous Rhodes, then day 3 is about actually experiencing local Rhodes.
The experience combines:
- traditional cooking
- local wine tasting
- village life
- local products
- family-style food
- stories and traditions from the island
What I love most is that it doesn’t feel overly commercialized. It genuinely feels like spending time around local food culture rather than simply attending a tourist activity.
By this point in the trip, I think most people are also ready for a slower paced experience after all the beaches, sightseeing and driving.
Afternoon
After the cooking class and wine tasting, I would honestly avoid planning anything too intense. You’ll probably want to relax a bit and enjoy the slower atmosphere of the west coast. If you’ve booked the transport option you’ll head back to Rhodes Town but I recommend you stay and make the most of discovering the West Coast.
The beaches here are way wilder and less commercialized so you don’t need to plan ahead.
Optional Stop: Kritinia Castle
If you still have energy and enjoy scenic drives, then I’d strongly recommend continuing toward Kritinia Castle.
This is one of the most underrated viewpoints on Rhodes.
The castle itself sits dramatically above the sea and the drive there is honestly part of the experience. The west coast becomes rugged and wild out here, especially later in the afternoon when the light starts changing.
Compared to Lindos, Kritinia feels much less polished and far more atmospheric.
The short uphill walk is easy and the sunset views toward the islands offshore are incredible.
Final Dinner
For your final dinner on Rhodes, I’d personally go one of two directions depending on the type of evening you want.
- Option 1: Maritsa village
- Option 2: back in Rhodes
If you want one last local-style evening, head toward Maritsa Village before returning to Rhodes Town.
This village is known among locals for its meat tavernas and more traditional atmosphere. It feels completely different from eating inside the tourist center and is a nice final contrast before leaving the island. I highly recommend stopping at Pasatempos if you want Greek food with a twist. It has a lot of the traditional meals, but with a bit of twist. Think shrimp tacos and tuna carpacio.
The second option if you’re too tired to stay in the area all day, is to head back to Rhodes Town for a final evening along the west side of the city.
The sunsets on this side are usually much better than the east coast and it’s a lovely final atmosphere for your last night.
Grab a drink somewhere by the sea, walk the waterfront and enjoy the mix of locals and travelers before wrapping up the trip.
Day 3 Budget in Rhodes for 2ppl
| Item | Approx Cost |
|---|---|
| Rental car | €45–€90 |
| Fuel | €20–€35 |
| Tasting Rhodes experience | €224 for 2 ppl |
| Beach drinks/snacks | €20–€50 |
| Dinner | €50–€100 |
| Optional Kritinia stop | FREE |
Budget for Day 3
Since the cooking class already includes a substantial food and wine experience, you probably won’t need a huge lunch budget afterward. They also give you takeaway boxes with any leftover food, so if you are not a huge eater, you definitely won’t need more after.
Realistically, most couples will spend around €250–€400 total for the day depending on car rental prices, alcohol and whether you do an additional dinner stop afterward.
Personally though, I think this is the day that gives visitors the most surprising perspective on Rhodes because it shows a completely different side of the island from the classic resort experience.
Where to Stay in Rhodes
Rhodes is actually a pretty big island and where you stay will completely shape your trip. One of the biggest mistakes people make is booking a random all-inclusive resort far from everything and then realizing they spend half their holiday in taxis or buses.
This is also why most people end up spending time only in one area.
If you’re only visiting Rhodes for 3 days, I personally think you have two main options:
- Stay in Rhodes Town and use it as your base
- Stay on the coast and just commute into Rhodes for Day 1
For a first visit, I honestly think Rhodes Town is the easiest option. It gives you:
- access to the Old Town
- restaurants and nightlife
- beaches nearby
- easier day trips
- more flexibility without needing to drive constantly
One thing I will say though is that Rhodes is one of those islands where renting a car changes everything. A lot of the best tavernas, mountain villages, viewpoints and beaches are scattered around the island, so having your own transport gives you a completely different experience.
What to Pack for Rhodes
Packing for Rhodes is pretty easy, especially in summer. Most days you’ll probably rotate between beaches, sightseeing and tavernas, so comfort matters more than trying to overpack.
The essential packing list for Rhodes should definitely include:
- Swimwear
- Comfortable shoes
- Sunscreen and hat
- Beach towel
- Light evening outfit
- One warmer layer in May or September
🤸♀ FAQ for RHODES
Is 3 days enough for Rhodes?
Honestly… yes and no. Three days is enough to see a lot of the highlights and get a really good feel for the island, especially if you rent a car and stay active.
But Rhodes is much bigger and more diverse than people expect, so you definitely won’t see everything.
Personally, I think 5–7 days is the sweet spot if you want to both explore the island and its historical sights but also do a boat trip, hike some of the trails or head towards the south coast.
Do you need a car in Rhodes?
If you only stay inside Rhodes Town, technically no.
But for this itinerary specifically, I would strongly recommend renting a car from day two onward. A lot of the best experiences on Rhodes are spread around the island and public transport will slow you down significantly. The other option is to book activities that include transportation.
Which side of Rhodes is better?
They’re very different.
The east coast is:
- more resort focused
- less windy
- more developed
The west coast feels:
- greener
- more local
- windier
- more rugged and dramatic
I personally prefer the west coast atmosphere, but for swimming and classic beach holidays, most visitors prefer the east.
Is Rhodes expensive?
Compared to islands like Mykonos or Santorini, not really.
You can absolutely do Rhodes on a moderate budget if you:
- rent a car early
- avoid tourist trap restaurants
- stay outside luxury resorts
- mix tavernas with beach days
But like everywhere in Greece, prices rise quickly in peak summer.
🤸♀ FAQ for RHODES
- Did the Knights live in the Palace?
Yes. The castle was a military headquarters mixed with a religious order and government center. The knights were often highly educated nobles, diplomats and military commanders. But a huge part of what we see today as visitors was reconstructed and didn’t originally look exactly like this.
- Who was the “Grand Master”?
A mix of military commander, political leader and religious authority. He represented the highest authority within the order.
- How many knights were there?
From what we know, the number was relatively small — usually only a few hundred at a time. But they were supported by soldiers, servants, local workers and craftsmen.
- Did the knights live in other parts of Rhodes too?Yes.
While the Palace of the Grand Master was the administrative and symbolic center, the knights also used:
- defensive towers
- smaller fortifications
- ports
- watch points
- villages
- agricultural land
across the island.
The Order controlled Rhodes as an entire territory, not just the Old Town. They also heavily fortified strategic coastal areas, which is partly why you still don’t see many traditional settlements or villages directly near some coastal areas in Rhodes.
- What happened when the knights left Rhodes?
After the massive Siege of Rhodes in 1522, the knights surrendered to Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent and eventually left the island.
But this wasn’t a total massacre or destruction of Rhodes like people sometimes imagine.
The Ottomans allowed the knights to leave relatively peacefully after months of fighting. The order later relocated and eventually established itself in Malta, which is why they later became strongly associated with Malta.
- What about the locals when the knights were here?
One thing people often forget is that the knights did not arrive on an empty island. Rhodes already had a local population long before the Palace of the Grand Master existed.
Most locals at the time were Greek-speaking Orthodox Christians and descendants of the Byzantine world that had previously controlled Rhodes. They worked as farmers, sailors, merchants and craftsmen across the island.
When the Knights Hospitaller arrived in the early 1300s, they became the rulers of Rhodes, but the local population continued living there as well. The knights themselves were mainly Catholic Europeans from places like France, Italy, Spain and other parts of western Europe, which created a very unusual mix of cultures on the island.
This is partly why Rhodes feels so different from many other places in Greece today. The Old Town carries layers of Byzantine, Crusader, Ottoman and later Italian influence all at once.
- Did the knights get along with the local population?
Not always.
Even though both groups were Christian, the knights were Catholic western Europeans while most locals on Rhodes were Greek Orthodox. The knights controlled the island politically and militarily, collected taxes and built many Catholic buildings and churches throughout the Old Town.
💰 Greece is not as cheap as it used to be, so check out my guide to cost of travel in Greece in 2026 for a thorough breakdown of all your expenses.
Final Thoughts on This Rhodes Itinerary
I think Rhodes surprises people because it doesn’t feel like one single island experience.
Some parts feel medieval and historical, others feel almost resort-city style, while the mountain villages and west coast feel closer to mainland Greece.
This itinerary is definitely more active than simply booking a resort and staying by the pool for 3 days, but I also think it gives you a much more interesting perspective of the island.
Prefer More Beach & Boat Time?
If your ideal Greece trip is slower paced and more sea-focused, you can also easily swap Day 3 for:
- a Symi day cruise
- a Lindos boat trip
- scuba diving experiences
- sunset catamaran cruises
- snorkeling tours
- beach club days
Rhodes honestly works well for both styles of travel depending on how active you want your trip to be.
Ready to book your trip to Rhodes?
📲 Best eSIM for Greece: The easiest way to stay connected in Greece is with an eSIM you install before departure. I’ve tested several options. Use my code BACHELOR10 for 10% the plan from Simbye. They are really well priced.
⛴️ Ferry tickets: There are a lot of ferry providers but I prefer Ferry Scanner for their simple UI.
❤️ Best Tours in Rhodes
These are some of the tours I’ve done and love.
