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.

Nat Geo Day Tour: Medieval Rhodes, a Photography Tour

Master photography with a National Geographic-trained photography guide in Rhodes Town. Explore medieval architecture and capture your story and perspective of the Old Town.Rhodes is one of the most photographed cities in Greece thanks to its world-class heritage passed down by the medieval Knights Hospitaller. A maze of narrow cobblestone streets lined with medieval buildings and Gothic churches protected by towering walls and a moat make the Old Town stand out.Unlock your artistic skills on this National Geographic tour. With tips from your National Geographic-trained photography guide, you'll capture Rhodes' heritage through your creative eyes. Begin your visit with a theory session then, put your newly acquired skills to the test, as you head off to discover the Old Town's fortifications and architecture influenced by countless civilizations such as the Byzantines and the Ottomans.Your instructor will also organize a contest for the day's best shot. Fueled by some friendly competition, you'll walk around the perimeter of the fortress and pass through its grand gateway, capturing images of its polished medieval architecture. Venture into the historic walled town of Rhodes where you'll pass by the renowned Street of Knights and the iconic Clock Tower.Finish your tour with refreshments and sit down and chat about the day's images with your guide. Your guide will also select the best image based on its alignment with National Geographic values and announce the winner.

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.

Full day Symi Tour including Panormitis Monastery

‘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.

Rhodes Food & Wine Tour with a local guide

On this day of discovery, you'll explore 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 Embona and a typical local lunch are all on the menu.

Rhodes Town Tour by Night with Dinner and Cruise

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 a traditional meze 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 leisurely meze 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.

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.

Western Rhodes Villages and Butterfly Valley Tour

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.

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 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.

Transfer to Lindos

Life moves pretty slow in Lindos, so why rush? Explore Rhodes most charming village at your own pace, with hassle-free transport, to and from. Visit the ancient Acropolis, perched on the horizon. Or take time to wander the cobbled streets and whitewashed houses. The choice is yours. Free time at the beach or lunch at a local taverna are all possibilities too. On this day, you decide.