This Secret Mediterranean Island Offers Mild Weather And Affordable Stays This Winter
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If you’re flying to Europe this winter, drawn to all those ancient sights and incredible culture, you might already have made peace with the fact that weather-wise, it’s probably not the best season to be visiting, what with the gloomy skies and freezing temperatures.
But then again, what’s a little rain when you have postcard-ready Old Towns that seem almost extracted from a storybook scene? As magical as the likes of Prague, Amsterdam and London may be in the quiet season, that’s not to say a little bit of sunshine isn’t welcome.
Lucky for you, this offbeat island in Greece boasts pretty mild winters, with 68 degree-temps most days, affordable hotels within a few steps of pristine Mediterranean beaches, and even better, none of the summer and fall crowds!
The Hidden Gem Of Greece Americans Are Sleeping On
Located in the East Mediterranean, a short 50 nautical miles from the Turkish Coast, Rhodes is the largest of Greece’s Dodecanese islands, the country’s fourth-largest island overall, and despite its relative anonymity among American circles, a cultural hotspot of the sorts.
Shaped like a spearhead, 49.5 miles long and 24 miles at its widest point, it is a fairly sizable landmass, jam-packed not only with your usual resort zones and modern developments but also a host of historic monuments dating back several millennia and numerous natural wonders.
In summer and fall, Rhodes is one of the busiest destinations in Greece, ranking up there with Santorini, Mykonos, and Corfu for visitor numbers––needless to say, all the mass tourism, coupled with the scorching heat, does not necessarily make for a pleasant experience.
It is one of a handful of destinations best experienced when the seasonal buzz dies down, temperatures drop to a pleasant 60-68 degrees during the day––and only a moderately chilly 50°F at night––and the downward trend of prices reflects the steep drop in demand.
Rhodes Is More Than Just Beaches
Rhodes is more than just beaches, and that’s why it is the ideal year-round destination: its capital, Rhodes Town, a harbor-side settlement famous for its fortified walls and breadth of architecture, from Byzantine to Ottoman to French, is one of the best-preserved medieval citadels in Europe.
Get lost in the maze of cobbled lanes, explore all the hidden courtyards and Gothic palaces (a rare sight anywhere in an Orthodox-dominated country), or sample Greek food by Ellis Beach––the tourist offer in Rhodes Town is truly boundless.
We know you love a hidden gem as much as we do, so if you happen to be strolling down the lively Street of the Knights, make sure you swing by the historic Inn of France for unobstructed views of the most photographed thoroughfare in town, for free!
Countless Ancient Acropolises!
Rhodes is synonymous with historical ruins, some you might have seen featured on travel brochures before, and others that remain virtually concealed from the peeving eyes of tourists, but perhaps the most iconic ancient site is the Lindos Acropolis:
Perched on a hill––and all acropolises are––this one rivals even the Athenian one in beauty, with a picturesque Temple of Athena overlooking an azure Mediterranean, and a typically-Greek, whitewashed town at its foot with streets so narrow cars can’t get in.
Near the capital, the Acropolis of Rhodes is just as stunning, with a well-preserved Olympian stadium and a landmark Temple of Apollo, and over in Kameiros, you’ll find a sprawling Greek settlement dotted with temples, built as far back as the 9th century BC––that’s nearly 3,000 years ago!
Greek Village-Hopping
No visit to a Greek island is complete without some village hopping, and lucky for the Instagrammers, Rhodes has its fair share of picture-perfect townships that have barely seen the passing of time, like Asklipio:
A typical hinterland village, it is centered around a centuries-old, stone-built Orthodox Church, and an imposing fortress backs it; near Rhodes Town, Koskinou has bougainvillea-framed alleys and colorful houses, and if you love wine, make sure Embonas is on your list:
Nestled in the verdant Rhodian hills, this laid-back community exports velvety red wine to the entire island, and it plays host to a number of world-class restaurants: for fresh Mediterranean food, friendly, chatty staff and no frills whatsoever, Taverna Ilias is the place to go.
Beautiful Sun-Drenched Beaches
As sunny as Rhodes may be in the off-season still, the seas off the coast might be a tad too cold (for some) to swim in––unless, of course, you’re used to cold-water swimming, and there’s no doubt it’s still warmer than English or Belgian beaches in summer.
In that case, there are beautiful stretches of golden sand near Faliraki––where a secluded Mandomatas Beach attracts nudists––Tsambika, a wide beach stretching for 800 meters within proximity of a medieval monastery, and our personal favorite, Prasonisi:
A narrow strip of sand linking the Rhodian mainland to an unspoiled islet when the tides are low, it is the only place in Greece where you can swim both in the Aegean Sea, to the north, and the East Mediterranean, to the south.
Nature Trails, Thermal Baths & More
Other than sunbathing, Rhodes is great for nature-based activities and unwinding: a storied spa complex located in a sheltered bay, Kallithea Springs costs only 5 euros, or $5.27 to enter, and it’s the perfect day trip from Rhodes Town if you’re looking for some thermal relaxation.
Any hiking enthusiasts out there? The Valley of the Butterflies is a natural oasis and a tourist-friendly trail running alongside a crystal-clear creek, best visited in summer when thousands of colorful butterflies are fluttering about, but equally peaceful in winter.
Located in the south, the 3.2-mile out-and-back Jacob’s Canyon trail is just as popular, starting at the base of Mount Attaviros, and climbing the neighboring Ploumades Hill for sweeping panoramic views of the mountain-traversed scenery and the Aegean.
This Is How Actually Cheap Rhodes Is
Last but certainly not least, Rhodes is an incredibly-economical winter getaway for Europeans and for Americans, too: granted, it’s trickier to get to as there are no nonstop flights from the States, but nothing a single stopover in Athens won’t fix.
Once you’re in Rhodes, expect to pay an average $13 to $16 in meals––and if you know anything about Greek food, you know portions are massive––$3 for a pint of beer, and you may be paying as cheap as $276 for a one-week stay in a beachfront hotel.
That’s exactly how much a 7-night séjour at Atlantis Boutique City Hotel will cost you, and if you don’t care for luxury and you’re just looking for a comfy enough place to crash, it’s even cheaper at the 2-star Hotel Parthenon Rodos City, or Zefyros Hotel, both priced $190.
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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.